Hello again!
It seems like a while since I last wrote to you. Ive sat down and tried to
compose an update and it just didnt work. So, here I am again, trying to compose
an update for you all.
I cant believe we have been here for nearly a month. What an experience
this has been thus far. We came in not knowing what to expect from the team, the
culture, the city, our family and even Gd. We have learned so much about all
these things. I will try to convey some of the things that we have learned
during this update.
Finances (then I’ll get into some ‘fun’
stuff)
According to our last update we are at about 83% of our support pledged to
us. This is amazing! We are so thankful to all our financial supporters. We
could not be here without them. We know that their support is in response to
everyone’s pr’yers for us. And if it wasnt for your pr’yers we could not be
here either. This month our finances have been applied to rent, travel via bus
passes and eating. We have also needed to purchase some furniture for our flat,
phones and household essentials like mops, cleaning supplies and appliances
(blender, coffee maker, tea kettle etc). We are very thankful that almost all
the things we purchased were quite cheap (compared to Canadian prices) and we
were able to, therefore, acquire all the things we needed. We have been able to
stay on budget for this month, which is always good! Our rent is due 3 months at
a time. This month our rent goes to the family that has currently been living
here. October starts a new 3 month group. We will have to figure out a budget
for paying rent only 4 times a year. So far we have been able to live with the
money we have allotted ourselves.
Projects
We have not officially started working in the projects yet. However, we
have all had the opportunity to tour and hang out with 2 of the projects. One is
called the Lighthouse which is home to about 40 children with mild – moderate
needs. Children in this home could be deaf or blind or have Down`s syndrome,
Autism or Cerebral Palsy. Some of these children are in wheelchairs, some have
walking aids and some are walking independently. These children can usually feed
themselves and require assistance using the bathroom but do not need to be in
diapers. The other project we have all been to is Enquanyuan (En – chen – you –
en). This is also known as the welfare center. This project is home to about 20
children who have severe needs. These children are usually wheelchair bound or
bed ridden. The children can not do anything independently. They require
assistance for all their basic needs. Andrew has visited the VTC (Vocational
Training Center). This site accommodates young adults with mild disabilities.
These young adults learn life skills here. They make projects such as jewellery,
hand bags and some baking. Their projects are then sold to raise money for ICC.
These young adults also apprentice in the city. For example, one young man is
apprenticing at a local barber shop. He is learning how to cut hair and will
be able to make a living for himself.
The projects also provide schooling for those children who are unable to
attend ‘normal’ Chinese school. This begins in the pre-school years and
continues up through high school. All projects have access to Occupational
Therapists (OT), nurses and teachers.
One thing we have done twice is that we have gone to McDonals (MaiDangLao)
with 2 different groups of kids from the Lighthouse. We have gone as a family.
The kids have enjoyed this. One of the team members took it upon himself to take
rotating groups of kids out for lunch once a week. This team member has finished
his 2 year term and him and his wife have gone home. Andrew is hoping to take
this on. The kids have really enjoyed this and our director (Justin) would like
to see this continue.
Shopping
We are learning where to go for groceries as well as some good places to
eat. Food is a big part of the culture here. Relationships are key to living in
China and what a better way to grow relationships then around food? We have team
meals once a week, sometimes twice. There is always food out at ch*rch as well.
So, we have had to learn where to go for essentials. There are a couple of
places we go to frequently. One grocery store is the Carrefore. They have some
Western foods, but not too many. The main thing this place has is bread! It is
the only grocery store that sells good bread at a decent price. There is also
the Metro (which is like a mini-Costco). There is a grocery store, the BuBuGao,
at the corner of our street, but i find it more expensive for things. A great
place for Western items is the PingHeTang. Unfortunately, it was one of the
places vandalized during the riots. It is still not repaired. We all hope it
gets repaired soon! The best place for our fresh fruit, veggies and meat is at
the Wet Market. It is a street market that is, apparently, always open – rain or
shine. We are there frequently. We go to mainly the same vendors for the same
items. The people at these vendors are learning who we are and are patient with
us and our very limited Mandarin. They will smile at us and help us get the best
product. The food is amazingly good!!
Eating Out
As I said, relationships are built around meals. Not all meals are in the
home. And when teams come in to see the projects, they almost always want to
take the team out for a meal. We have been able to go to a few different
restaurants. We have not been disappointed. Andrew is the most adventurous when
it comes to trying new things. Me, not so much. Brendin has been really good at
trying new things as well. Jacquelyn is coming around. The twins stick to what
they know – mainly rice. Jacquelyn has tried, and likes, lamb. Brendin tried
some sweet and sour fried fish. They have also both tried some street food -
BBQ, noodles and steamed buns. These things have been a hit! Alysa likes the
steamed buns, but Andrea hasnt tried them yet.
Travel
We travel mainly by bus. Our family has not taken a taxi yet as taxi’s can
only take 4 people at a time. Justin (& Lisa, the other family here) has a
van and if our families are out together, we will pile into the van. The van has
taken us to the Metro, Toys R Us and Carrefore. Carrefore is within walking
distance, but the others are not. We are learning the bus routes and have not
gotten lost (yet?). The buses come frequently but they dont always have room.
You either have to squish or be patient and wait for another bus.
Something New
As you all know, our Team Life Coordinator, Ruth (& husband, Mike) are
no longer in this role. Andrew and I have talked to Justin and Lisa and have
pr’yed about this and we will be transitioning into the new role. It will take
6 – 12 months before we are 100% in the role
We successfully went, on our own, and purchased wardrobes and a dresser for
the kids. It was delivered to us and they even assembled it!
We had a successful trip to WalMart today
The older kids have begun school. Things are going pretty good with it.
Today is one of our team members 60th birthday. We celebrated by setting
off fireworks on the roof top (pic attached)
We have begun our language study. We have had 2 lessons. They are twice a
week for 2 hours each class, plus study/practice. Us and the big kids are taking
lessons, the twins are just hanging out while we do lessons.
Pra!se
The flat we are currently staying in, is now ours!! we dont have to move!!
The rioting has stopped
The kids are eating and even enjoying some new foods
Our residence permits will be in next week. This is definitely a pra!se as
our bio-kids birth certificates do not show parentage and they were not going to
accept them. Justin worked his magic and the officer agreed to having Justin
writing a letter stating that he knows us and that B & J are our kids. GD
certainly worked a miracle this day!!!
Pr’yer
If some of you get this in time, we would like to ask for pr’yer for ICC’s
founder, David Gotts’s wife. She was diagnosed with breast cancer a few months
ago and is going in for surgery for a mastectomy and reconstruction today (Oct
1) at 10am Pacific time
That we will continue to grow and take things one day a time.
That work in the projects will begin next week
That we can continue to create relationships with the other team members
and with locals
For our mandarin lessons...Jacq has had a hard time focusing past one
hour...we need to figure out something to keep her attention
Only in China
It is often safer to cross the street in the middle of the road then at an
intersection
When you purchase furniture, they build it that night, deliver it and
assemble it in your home – and this is all included in the price
You can set off fireworks anywhere, anytime – this may only be in
Changsha
Thanks for reading! take care everyone
Love Darcie, Andrew, Brendin, Jacquelyn, Andrea, Alysa
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