Where to now?

Christian Action Social Worker Joyce Lee (left) lavishes love and attention on two of the girls
in our care - but what happens after they turn 18?

You may remember that on March 15, I told you about a proposal I submitted to Qinghai’s Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference in January 2008, which is now helping poor herdsmen and farmers get medical assistance.
Another proposal, which was accepted, was that provisional care needed to be provided for those who are no longer children at our Children’s Homes. It is the law that they should leave the orphanage at the age of 18. We agree that for their sakes, these young adults should leave the children’s home, but where will they go? These adolescents, who are just starting to live independent lives, need to have the bare essentials in place. At the very least they may need housing, vocational training, or tertiary education. With these provisions in place, the children are now more likely to find a stable job and we can happily let them go off to begin living an independent life.
Reporters from CCTV were very interested in this unique proposal. They went to the Children’s Home and did an excellent job of reporting on Christian Action’s work with the government. Parts of the media interview with the Director of the Home were aired, and there was extensive news footage of life in the Home. Viewers would have been delighted as they saw the happy children in a clean, modern and bright environment. Most of the children are disabled.
It’s a wonderful sign of progress that people are now interested in seeing that the lives of the poorest, most disadvantaged members of society should be improved. I personally find this extremely encouraging.
Throughout the past decade we have consulted with the government on everything from co-managing the Children’s Home to the construction of a state of the art Children’s Rehabilitation Center in that extremely remote, under served province. We have built expertise among their staff and most importantly, orphaned and handicapped children are benefiting. I thank God for this great privilege - and for you - without whom none of this would have been possible! Will you invite your friends to join in our team work? Fwd this news to them and remember to click on the Donate button yourself!

Character First

A child in one of our Children's Homes is congratulated for her academic accomplishments by Christian Action Executive Committee members and supporters.

Hi - and I hope you have had a wonderful celebration over the Easter weekend!
Last week was short but busy for us at Christian Action. For the first time, we ran an established program called ‘Character First.’ This is a two-day course with teaching, workshops, times of sharing, etc - all aimed at distilling 49 good character traits such as tolerance, patience, loyalty and so on. While it is not ‘religious’, it is based on the biblical principles of learning how to be good people.
The two trainers who came from Malaysia have accreditation in running this course, but because they are friends of mine they didn’t charge Christian Action any fees.
We believe the course will not only result in better service as we work together, but will also extend into all areas of our lives, showing us how to be better parents, better husbands, wives, friends, and so on.
Management staff will pass these principles on to the staff in their own departments, not only by their words, but particularly by their own example.
Of course this means that I too must set an example of someone who has good character traits! I find that very scary, so if you are a praying person, please pray for me!
My dream is to also establish this kind of training in our orphanages, so that all the children in our care learn to develop these excellent character traits while they are still very young. I’m sure you will agree that the world would be a better place even if we all had only two of those excellent character traits - patience and tolerance!
Thank you so much for keeping this work in your thoughts and prayers.

She can hear!

Huge news! A deaf little three-year-old girl, abandoned on the grounds of our orphanage in Xinging can now hear! Music, birds, conversation… she is now in a new and wonderful world of opportunity. One that I have always taken from granted, and probably will continue to. Yet, I am still in shock and grinning from ear-to-ear one-week after watching Xiao Shan’s reactions to hearing for the first time…

In my earlier blog entries I explained the miracle of how little Xiao Shan came to be in Hong Kong (you can find earlier stories under ‘Archives’ In the right column). She’s had a ‘bionic ear’ implanted in one ear and last week it was turned on the very first time.

Last week I had just returned from asking groups in Australia to help the abandoned children in our orphanages. I flew back to Hong Kong the night before Xiao Shan’s big day. I was so nervous that I couldn’t sleep ! I was nervous for her. What would it be like for her? How would she react? I was also nervous for me - what words should I say to Xiao Shan? Would I fail to hear my alarm clock because of jet lag ? I thanked God for all the people who had made this miracle happen.

(Left to Right) My son Danial, myself & my husband Marlon with Xiao Shan.

Over my years as Christian Action’s Executive Director I’ve frequently been asked by people “how can I help your children?” Xiao Shan’s miraculous story is one answer. It’s the story of a chain of individuals, who independent of one another made a commitment to take action. One example is Dr Gordon Soo, who made use of his contacts. Without his persistence we could not have been connected to the Hear Talk Foundation medical team or the Union Hospital Charitable Outreach Programme. All of these actions together resulted in changing one precious little girl’s life forever.

Thankfully for me my alarm clock did wake me up last Monday morning and I witnessed Xiao Shan’s surprised reaction to sound. When the cochlear implant was turned on I said “I love you !” . Of course, she couldn’t understand me. Learning speech and language will take years but once again there are commited and experienced individuals who have graciously come forward to help. When the implant was turned on, the volume was low. It will be increased gradually. Xiao Shan is progressing wonderfully and I promise to keep you updated.

I still want to raise funds for a cochlear implant for Xiao Shan’s other ear, as well as help all the other needy children in our orphanages. To all the extended family of Christian Action, please join with me by using all the ‘action’ buttons in the right hand column. You can email this blog to friends (you never know, they may know others who can also help !). You can donate, you can subscribe and you can promote the blog on Facebook etc. and you can pray.

Thank you and God bless you !

Heroes

The Chinese Christian Church of Milsons Point, Sydney, Australia is made up of heroes - but they would probably tell you the real heroes are the children and foster parents pictured above. Each smiling adult is a native of Xining city, Qinghai province, and is a foster parent to one or more of our children. Fostering children, let alone handicapped children in a remote province like Qinghai, is a daily struggle. Yet for five years this Australian Church has done their all to make it just a little easier.

Last week I got to visit the Chinese Christian Church in Sydney for the very first time. What a wonderful experience ! The reason for my Australia trip was to spread the word about the abandoned children we serve and seek others to partner with us. In serving orphans this church has not only been sending volunteers to China and helping foster parents, but was now helping me get the word out in Australia !

There are many fabulous things that came out of the trip. I was touched by the generous, kind and committed service from everyone at the church. I was also moved when catching up with friends and my old pastor from my days in Liverpool, Charles Cheung, all of whom expressed a sincere interest in the children. In addition it was so satisfying to meet with representatives from the Cochlear company and thank them personally for their generosity. It is because of their innovative work and generosity that little three-year old Xiao Shan, will be able to enjoy the gift of hearing for the rest of her life.

What began as a dream twelve years ago in which God called Christian Action to help abandoned babies in a remote corner of China, has now grown into an exciting worldwide linking of caring people ! I’m thrilled that more and more people are committing themselves to helping every day. Please share with me in helping these heroic foster parents and children. You can use the buttons to subscribe, email this out to everyone you know and to donate ! Thank-you !

Next week: The magic moment for Xiao Shan – the switching on of her bionic ear!