His Precious Children~ by Tiffany

I am having trouble as I try to find words to describe an experience that was life changing for our family.  We recently had the privilege of spending some time at an orphanage in Beijing.  We went with our dear friends Eric and Wendy, Brinson and Aiden.  The orphanages in China tend to be very closed to foreigners who want to come in and volunteer, but Wendy persisted until she found one that would allow us to come and play with, hold and simply love on the children!  Shepherd's Field Children's Village (www.chinaorphans.org) is a foreign run orphanage that rescues children with special needs.  They have a place on site that volunteers can stay called The Inn of Eight Happinesses.  Also, the cook that provides meals for the children will cook for the guests for a fee which goes to helping with the work there.  It was a beautiful place and refreshing to see a loving environment for these precious children.  However, it is heartbreaking at the same time to see their physical needs and think of them without parents - it is not as He intended it.  Please, please join us in bringing these little ones before our Father.    I will let the pictures speak for themselves...

Touring Beijing!!! by Tiffany

Our trip began with a 20 hour train ride from our city of Shiyan to Beijing!  We had "hard sleepers" which were plenty soft to me.  There were 6 beds to a compartment.  They were snug - but you were able to stretch out and sleep through the night so they were a blessing!  We had many curious onlookers constantly peeking their heads into our compartment!

We arrived in Beijing at the tail end of record high pollution levels.  The EPA sets safe particulate levels at 25.  At 300, levels are classified as emergency.  The Chinese Government does not monitor above 500 but the US Embassy and other agencies recorded levels between 750 and 950.

These are blown candy - neat to watch them being made but they don't seem so appetizing after watching someone else blow their air into them!

 Outdoor refrigeration - and believe me it was plenty cold for this to work!

We got around by subway.  It was a unique experience.  During the rush hours there are people called "pushers" that literally push people into the cars to make the most of space.  As soon as the doors open people begin running to get to their next spot - it was pretty funny!

 We saw a Chinese Opera which included amazing acrobatics and Kung Fu - quite impressive and a big hit with the kiddos!  

 It was neat to see the 2008 Olympic Site that we remember                                                            watching on TV:  The Bird's Nest, The Torch & The Water Cube!

Last year we did a lot of studying about China's history before moving here; it was really incredible to see in person the things we had read so much about!

 THE FORBIDDEN CITY

The Emperor's Throne

 The Last Emperor's Nephew

TIENANMEN SQUARE

MAO'S MAUSOLEUM

HOUTONGS are very old neighborhoods in Beijing that give you a glimpse in China's past.  We took a Rickshaw ride through them!  Our guide made frequent stops along the way to explain (act out) all the details!  

THE GREAT WALL

It was a snowy, smoggy, foggy sort of day which limited our views but we could still see enough to be totally amazed!  It was BEAUTIFUL!  Just to stand there looking out towards Mongolia and imagine all the events that took place there over the years was simply mind boggling!  Then, to add a modern flair to this ancient occasion, we took a toboggan ride down the mountain!  It was a blast!

A few other things that we greatly enjoyed were time with friends, food and warmth!  Eric Davenport's parents recently moved to Beijing and allowed us to stay with them while there.  They are a true blessing and encouragement to be around and we loved our time with them!  Beijing also has some American flairs that Shiyan does not like:  Starbucks, Subway, Grandma's Kitchen and stores that sell cheese, butter, chips and sauces!!!  We really enjoyed eating!  Also, Beijing is above the "line" drawn by the Chinese government that determines which cities receive heat in the winter and which do not.  So unlike Shiyan, when you enter the buildings you have a chance to defrost!  These things were fun treats which we greatly enjoyed, but we would not trade our Shiyan!

~It was a wonderful trip and an amazing experience for which we are very thankful~