American Ladies with Asian Babies

June 18th

I can't believe I have been here two weeks now. I am amazed at how much a baby can change and develop in as little as two weeks! It’s so wonderful to see.

Yesterday my mom and I had the joy of accompanying a lady who works here, Anna, along with two of the babies to get their passport applications. We went to Taipei which is a good hour and a half drive. The city felt a little more like home but I have to admit I was happy to see the mountains and the jungle atmosphere again when we got back to the Home of God's Love. We had fun playing “mom” for a little while. We both carried a baby with our diaper bag in hand. At the passport office, a lady asked us if we were adopting; we both secretly wished we were.  We are beyond excited for these two little ones, with this being one of the last steps in the process. One if them will be going home within a week. Which will be so bitter sweet to see. After we went to the passport office Anna had paper work to do at a different area of the town so we took the two on a walk. We sure had some interesting looks with two American ladies pushing Asian babies in strollers. Many people commented on how cute they were or asked if they were twins.   We enjoyed looking at the pretty scenery. We walked around the Chiang kai-shek memorial. It was a really warm and humid day so after we walked a little we took the babies back to the Handicraft mart for some air. They both fell right to sleep but they seemed to really enjoy their day out.    

 

When we got home it was around one o 'clock so the babies were napping so we took a quick walk and ate some ice cream. 

In the evenings the older kids always have devotions and hold the babies. Last night they sang Our God Is Greater in English and it just gave me chills. I love brining a baby over myself and watching during this time.  It is so amazing to see all these, two years - high school children worship every night.

Thank you all for praying for the inspection. We are told it went really well. Please continue to pray as they have more inspections coming up; which are also very big deals.  The adoptions are always in need of constant prayer due to twist and turns that are likely to come up and most often do in the process.

God bless!

On our way to Taipei

                                                               Passport office

The memorial

                                                                   

Handicraft center

Going on a walk

Ice cream

                                                                     

                                                         Curry, noodles, and rice
(Yes, I used a fork- a girl tried to show me how to use chop sticks and we both couldn't stop laughing...)

                                                    The most amazing mango ever tasted!

There is just something about Sunday mornings here at The Home of God's Love.

For the beauty of the earth,
For the glory of the skies.
For the love, which from our birth,
Over and around us lies:
Lord of all, to thee we raise,
This our hymn of grateful praise.

Even though Father's Day is always celebrated on August 8th in Taiwan, this will be the day we celebrate Father's Day in America.

How reflective I am this morning as I woke up to a beautiful sunrise and the lyrics to this song in my heart.  "For the love, which from our birth, over and around us lies."  I sit in an orphanage, which is home to these children who come here without father figures in their lives and yet the men of this small community have been fathers to them for many years.  They teach them the love of our Heavenly Father which has been there since before they were born.

Yesterday there were many people here who came home to visit for the weekend.  It was fun seeing the smiles and hearing the conversations at dinner time.  Granted I couldn't understand anything they were saying, but the sense of belonging was apparent.

I am thankful for the babies who will be going to homes and I pray that the dads will raise their children in the training and instruction of the Lord. (Eph. 6:4).

I also am praying for the single moms who are raising their children.  What a hard road you have and I pray that Psalm 68:5 gives you strength: A father to the fatherless...is God in his dwelling.

May you be a blessing to those you come in contact with.

June 13th

Time is going by so fast! A couple of the volunteers here stay a few months and I understand why. I’ve grown so attached to these babies. I’m just taking it all in and trying not to think of the mornings I will wake up at home and not go straight to feed many little hungry mouths.  We usually walk around the lake during our break. We have enjoyed some great ice cream and look forward to trying other of the yummy things here.   I love their guava tea… The food they eat for lunch and dinner I sort of stay away from.  I ate noodles one night which were really good and I also like their eggs. My mom and I love the nectarines here! Of course the sticker says USA! The girls eating always say “try”.

We are beyond excited here due to the fact that multiple babies have received court days. This is a huge step in the adoption process and means many of them will meet their families for the first time. There is so much power in prayer! As much as we love these little ones here we want their mommies and daddies to see their first steps and be there when they say their first words. And unfortunately the process has just become so lengthy they don’t always get that opportunity.   For the babies privacy and their future families privacy, we won’t be posting pictures of their faces on the internet but we sure have many adorable pictures to take home with us. They love it when I flip them around or we just give hugs. 

My mom has made quite a little buddy here who smiles whenever he sees her.

One of the babies here who is maybe 8 months old wants to jump around and dance, she giggles so much when I do the hokey pokey with her. Another baby's smile is as big as her face. Every baby here is so special and has unique attributes in their personalities. This little boy will see me from across the room and speed crawl over to make sure he gets to my lap. So precious!

Their was a huge storm here the other night, thunder louder than any of us have ever heard before. On Wednesday it was a holiday and the older kids were out of school for it.  I woke up in the middle of the night to some major firewords going on at the temple.

We are adjusting to the time here well. We have both slept a little better with each day. 

Yesterday was our longer break so we spent about 4 hours at the cultural village. We saw a show, did some shopping, ate lunch and took pictures in the rain.  After the village we were able to help Tim from the orphange  bring some food to a Christian Church. That was such a cool thing  to see a cross on the church among all these temples.

We have done major cleaning here and organizing to get ready for the inspection this afternoon.  So we are asking for your prayers tonight as you go to bed as well as if the Lord wakes you between 1 and 5 in the morning.  We pray the inspection will go well and the paperwork is all in order.

View around the lake

                                                                       A food vendor

                                                     The street  to get to the orphanage

                               
                                                  This family owns a plumbing company

                                                               One of the many temples

                                                             On the way to the cultural village

                                                          DIY stations were set up everywhere

                                                       Watching a lady create a basket out of glass

                                                                    The first temple

      

      

                                                               Everything out of cardboard

                                                                     Watching the show

The Christian church

Filling bottles

 But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.  Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”  Luke 18:16 & 17

June 9th

Sunday morning, June 9^th

We usually wake in the morning between 4 and 6.  The girls can’t believe we aren’t sleeping longer. The 16 hour days are long, but we feel It’s because of all the coffee events and lack of sleep the month of May that sleeping a solid 7 hours is a wonderful thing! We do enjoy our break during lunch to rest though. When our bodies are fully adjusted to the time here we look forward to exploring a little more during our break time. 

Yesterday, when we came downstairs to begin our day, we noticed a picture we hadn’t seen before that was behind one of the rockers – it was of my, Debbie, mom and a couple of ladies from Grinnell Christian Church taken in 2007.  So even though she couldn’t come with us, we felt she was here in spirit!

The routines of the days sure make them go fast.  I, am on the schedule from 7 AM to 5:30 PM (with my lunch break in between), but can’t quite quit when there are babies to be held, fed and changed and bottles to be washed and refilled.  One of the workers at the home has been here the whole time we have, but today is her day off and we are told, it gets kind of crazy around here on Sundays.  She is a hard worker.

I, Kimberly, have the schedule from 9-12 then 4-9 I too have a hard time not taking breaks or due to being up by 5 am I tend to start my shift early.

Due to my mom’s willingness to kill insects (unlike me) two huge cockroaches have died since we have been here.

Yesterday during the lunch break we enjoyed a little walk with the other girls who are working. We went to the Salex, which has American style food. We couldn’t quite turn down the option to have Hawaiian pizza (over pig or duck or other things I’m not so bold to try.) After lunch, which was located by the nearby lake, we watched the dragon boat races going on. We hung out there a little bit. If you ever want the feeling of being a celebrity come to LuoDong. It is so funny, we come to look around but people want to look at us. They don’t have many American tourists here on normal basis. We took a picture with one of the rowing teams who were so excited to have a picture with us. We look out at someone taking our picture and before we know it many other locals pull out their cameras to also take pictures. My mom was offered a stool from a local lady to sit on in the shade.

It was a very hot day here yesterday and already a hot one today, We are hoping it rains soon due to the fact it cools everything down.  Many people walk with umbrellas to protect their skin. They probably think us American girls are crazy for purposely standing in the sun while we are out.

So far the kids here have brought so much joy to our hearts. When we get smiles from the babies, cuddle time, and even when changing the diapers and calming them (or attempting to calm them) before feeding time or naptime, they are such a blessing. I often say all 22 baby’s names and in my head and pray for their future.

There are a few older girls from the orphanage I’ve been talking to. They now call me teacher and want me to teach them lots of dances while I’m here.  

Specifically, we are asking for prayer for the Home. There are some major inspections coming up; one this Friday the 14^th  at 2:00 pm (which will happen when it’s Thursday back home). This will affect the future of the Home. Praying the Lord’s work will continue to be done and that He will be glorified through the outcome.    

Also please pray for unspoken requests regarding the baby’s lives and adoptions. These little ones lives are so important to all of us here and most importantly to God, so no matter the outcome or the timing of things taking place, the Lord will be at hand. We are also asking for continued prayer for strength on these 15-16 hour long days.

We had our American Church service yesterday on the roof. Construction of the new orphanage was going on as well as fireworks over the lake for the completion of the dragon boat races. Yet our small group of 8 definitely had church!  Our worship service was led by one of the helpers here. Then Tim, who is taking over for Ted while he and Bev are in the states led our communion time and scripture reading.  He read from John 15:12-17.  “Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” It was so appropriate and gave us strength for what we are doing while we are here.

Thank you, friends, for sacrificing your time to pray for us and for your support on this trip.

The Dragon Boat Races

                                                                 The Salex Cafe

                                                                         Pizza!

It is very sad to see so many idols here. Praying the Lords glory will shine and the people will realize they are worshiping false gods

We found my Grandma (in the middle)

First day!

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  We had a 47 minute flight to Chicago then 12 1/2 hours to Tokyo. Food on the plane was surprisingly delicious and served often along with beverages to keep us hydrated.

  
  

  We flew 3 1/2 hours to Taipei and again was served a meal. Anna met us at the airport and we talked the last leg of the journey to Luodong.

  We are in the guest bedroom with our own balcony which leads into the main office. We met the babies who were still awake at that time as well as some of the girls who are volunteering.

  
  

  We hadn't slept much on the flights but weren't that tired as our bodies felt it should be 12 noon instead of 12 midnight. We did manage to get a few hours of rest and finally got out of bed at 6am. Through our open windows and door we heard the drums beating at the temple up the mountain, kids playing basketball, and the next door 

  neighbors dog and rooster. 

  
  

  Yesterday, our first day here, after helping feed the babies, I, Debbie, was initiated very fully by 3 poopy blowouts. Kimberly also changed diapers and was thrown up on. Oh good times!

  
  

  Since it was Thursday and the volunteers have a 6 hour break, we left at 10:15 and caught a free bus downtown. We went to Shark Bites Toast for lunch. We hope we can go back there. We had mango tarts and a mango smoothie with a scoop of mango ice cream on top. so yummy. Next time we may try the bacon, egg, peanut butter sandwich. They put 1/4 a head of lettuce on it!

  
  

  Then we walked around the market shops. We discovered that Kimberly and I have much in common with the sizes of the women over here. She found the shoes to fit perfectly! Too many choices!

  
  

  Coming back to the home we did manage an hour rest and a haircut for one of the babies. Then it was time for dinner, babies as well as us. 

  
  

  Kimberly stayed with the babies, but, I went over to the dining area. Thankfully they provided a fork but I hope to at least have some idea on how to use chopsticks. I wasn't too brave so I had rice and corn. (Thanks, Lindsay and Leslie for the heads up about brining food!)

  
  

  Then it was back to the babies: changing, devotions with the older kids,8:00 feeding, and bedtime. 

  
  

  The 22 babies are very happy when they aren't hungry. When they are getting fed and about to have a nap it is very loud and crazy. Their smiles just melt your heart. 

  
  

  Today, Friday, June 7th will be our first full day of being with the babies. The sun is shining, soon construction will continue on the new orphanage and we will be up to our elbows in babies, bottles, and BMs. God is so good! 

  
  
  

  
  

  

  Saying our goodbyes are the airport

  
  

  

  Emily and Dave saw us off 

  

  One of our meals

  

  Watching our flight pattern

  

  A wall in our bedroom

  
  

  

  Construction on the new building!

  

  Waiting for the bus 

  
  

  

   Kimberly's Taiwan shoes 

  

  Our mango tart

  

  
  

  We were informed on Tuesdays we wear Asian pants so we both bought some at the market.  

  

  
  

  Thanks for praying and for the continued prayers. 

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

Three days!

As I (Kimberly) sit in a comfy chair with a fan blowing and hot tea soothing my throat, I think about how next week at this time I will be doing something very different.

My mom and I are getting really excited about leaving on Tuesday. Plans are really starting to fall into place.

We have been in contact with the orphanage and learned the name of the lady who will be picking us up from the airport. We have also learned the American workers favorite snacks that they would like us to take over. 

We were surprised the other day when a good friend of ours donated onesies for us to take over. They roll up very small and will fit nicely in our suitcases.

We have been busy packing

and we received some of our Taiwan currency!

Here is our future home for four weeks!

We are reminding ourselves that God is at hand and He knows everything that will happen on our trip. He knows all the little ones we will care for and has a plan for each and everyone of them. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Thanks for the prayers and for reading our posts. Feel free to share with us in our stories over this next month.  

“You are my strength, I sing praise to You; You God are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely.” Psalm 59:17