Ni hao from Shepherd's Field Children's Village!!

Ni Hao from Shepherd's Field Children's Village!

   

It's hard to believe that I have already been here for 1 whole month! Some mornings I wake up and and feel like I'm still dreaming, I'm so blessed to have this life be my reality. I would like to thank each and every person who has loved me, prayed for me and helped to support me. You have no idea how blessed I am by your faithfulness and God's goodness! Thank you!

My arrival at Shepherd's Field on October 1st was ideal, I unknowingly came during October Holiday,which is a week long celebration of Chinese Independence, during this holiday all of our children are out of school and there is no work for local or foreign staff. Arriving during Holiday was quite nice, since it allowed me time to adjust and settle into my new home, get over my jet lag, and really reconnect with other staff members. It was especially nice to reconnect with the therapy team that I had work so closely with over the summer. My first "official" day of work was October 8th and boy did we hit the ground running. I must say that the first 2-3 weeks were a bit challenging and almost intimidating. Before I came I knew a lot about the therapy program and its successes, but I never had to actually get behind the wheel and learn to drive it before. Since our program is rather large and complex it requires the help of three Ayis or Nannies who work as therapists in the Therapy department. These three ladies are the heart and soul of this program! Within this month, they have blessed my life in more ways than one could ever imagine and I am so grateful that God has allowed me to work alongside them. One of the ways that we're able to connect since there is a huge language barrier is through learning; They're helping me learn Mandarin and I'm helping them learn English. They are very gracious teachers, who have been faithful to encourage and laugh at me even though I butcher the language quite badly. I'm so grateful to have them in my life!

SFCV Therapy Team out for a walk with our kids
(L to R back row: Shelby, Annie, Kayla & Charley-Moon, Da Li Ayi, Me, Xiao Wang Ayi, Xiao Ding Ayi)
(L to R front row: Teddy, Maya, Leonard, Xander)

Since I've been here, I've had the opportunity to do some traveling and try several new foods, modes of transportation and even a Chinese massage! As you may or may not know, the Chinese people have a very distinct method of massage that includes them using both hands and feet to rub the tissues. In China, one lies fully clothed on a bed in an open room with other comrades while the Massage Therapists knead, stroke, pull, slap, poke and shake the "toxins" out of your body. If you know me, you know that I love massage and firmly believe in it's therapeutic benefits, this massage (although different) didn't disappoint, my body was totally ache-free afterwards. This experience tickled me silly....literally. I have to admit that I felt quite sorry for the Massage Therapist that was assigned to me, because for a good while I just laid there laughing hysterically as she looked on in utter confusion. The silliness and uniqueness of this particular style of massage makes it something that is on my "must do" list if you ever visit China!

As I sit here reminiscing on the last few weeks that I've spent here, only one word comes to my mind: Love. I feel so utterly and completely loved, loved by these kids,by my co-workers, my friends and family back home in Chicago, and most importantly by my Savior! Not many people get to live out their life long dream at the age of 23. I'm simply in awe of God's goodness the abounding love he has for each one of us. There is no better feeling in the world than being able to look into an orphans sparkling eyes and see pure love. It's a feeling that cuts deep into your soul and awakens parts of you that you never knew were inside of you. These kids are incredible and I'm so blessed that God chose me to be right here and right now to love on them!

A little information about Shepherd's Field Children's Village (SFCV):
The Philip Hayden Foundation (PHF) was started in 1995 by Tim and Pam Baker in memory of a dear friend whose untimely death inspired them to continue his passion for orphans in China. The original plan was to assist local orphanages by providing supplies and needed medical care; however in 1999 this model changed as the Bakers began to foster more and more Chinese orphans, all of whom had special needs. As the foundation grew the need for more space was inevitable, through a series of miracles God provided a piece of land in the Tianjin Dawangguzhuang Economic Development Zone that allowed the foundation to build 5 children's homes, a school, a clinic, the Inn of Eight Happiness's (for guests and staff housing) and offices. In the summer of 2006, Shepherd's Field opened it's doors for the first time, and since then it has become the largest facility of it's kind in all of mainland China. In 2015, PHF will open a 30,000 sq. ft. Vocational Center, which will become the newest and largest building at Shepherd's Field. This new building will include: a welcome center, class rooms for adult learning, a new Physical Therapy center, staff housing and much more. Currently SFCV is the home to approximately 70 children with special needs. PHF has helped to get more than 800 kids adopted and into forever families! If you'd like to know more information about Shepherd's Field Children's Village, the Philip Hayden Foundation,  or Adoption in China please visit our website at: www.chinaorphans.org.