Camp Week 2 update

HiHi  !!  we are having a great time.  Went to a huge water display with about 100 vertical spouts shooting way high and set to music.  We were not really supposed to go into the fountain part but everyone does it anyways so of course we did and the kids had tons of fun. Our quiet little Leah ( I call her my liittle bunny) was pleased to go in with Lianna, and our wee Jill was more comfortable just walking about on the surronding area (I call her my little goat- she never stops moving, she doesn't talk at all but laughs all the time, she "butts" people occasionally, and will eat anything. Just like a happy little goat.) Lianna is still doing great, her attitude is amazing and she is managing not being too tired.  Yes some of the group is getting tired, some of them came tried I think!  The young people are all doing great and tons of fun to be with.  Our little ones are soaking up our love and we can really see them responding.  Last night Jill gave me a big good night kiss, and Leah yesterday said "Wo Ai Ni" which means "I Love You" in Chinese.  Both of these are huge steps for them. I am looking fwd to getting home and being with you and sharing all the stories.  Before coming I thought I might not want to leave but I'm actually ready to finish up and come home. I forgot to tell you our 24 hr train trip turned into 48hrs, b/c of landslides and floods, but that's a story I'll save for home.  Love you guys!!!

Beginning of Camp Week 2

Another update from Marnie on their Journey.

Hi  So much to say so little time.  I just got on here for the first time in what feels like forever.  Everyhting is going great, this week is very different from last.  Lianna and I are paired together with 2 special needs girls, 8 & 10 yo's.  Much more challenging and tiring, but God is giving us lots of energy and strength.  Went to Walmart yesterday- that was fun.  Lianna is mssing her little girl from last week and worried about her so much.  She has such a caring heart, this kinda stuff is hard for her to process.  Hope you guys are doing great.  Lots of things to keep bussy at this trip. 

Leaving Yanti After Camp Week 1

Recent update from Marnie although it's short.
Sat she will be leaving Yanti on a 24 hour train ride to Xi'an. Monday morning they will receive there children again for another week of camp.

"We are still having great time So very busy but beautiful in every way.  today was really hard because it was good bye day, very very sad and hard to deal with sending them "away"  Iknow I have to trust that God has it all in His hands, but man  is it hard when it's so in your face.  Thanks for prayers, We will step up the prayers for you guys." 

First Day At Camp

Another update Marnie has sent 


I miss you alot and wish you were here to share this experience with me.  The first full day with the kids was GREAT.  I can already say "I love you" and feel it in my heart. Liannna of course is doing fantastic, she is a natural with her translator and her buddy, as you might imagine.  She is being very independent, sometimes I don't see her for hours on end, even at meal time she is not with me.  I have a second year university student as translator, and 2 buddies: a 14 yo girl, and a 10 yo girl, both very sweet, esp the little one.  During "family time" today (when we are together with just our little group) we went through the photos of our family- they loved that and had lots of Q's.  Thank you Sarah for getting them together for me.  I'm glad you're all good, the hard part about getting ready to go camping is over, now you can have some fun!  The next days will go quickly for all of us and we will be home again!!  lots of hugs and kisses for everyone- Sarah, Brad, Dad... i miss u   see u soon!!

China Team

Marnie has been unable to access her blog from CHina so I'm ( Mark her husband ) is attaching a few e-mails that Marnie has sent us. She will do a more thorough job of updating her blog when she returns or if she's becomes able to access her blog. 

Everything is awesome!  We are all doing really well and feel so blessed to be here in China!  What an incredible experience.  We have just finished touring Beijing - what amazing sights!  Now, we have just arrived in Yantai at our camp destination!  We are overwhelmed and overjoyed with gratitude at being a part of this mission trip!  God has had his hand upon us for the entire trip!  The facility is brand new and beyond anything we could have imagined!  It is like a time share resort for seniors.  (Kevin fits right in!  hee hee hee!)  The team we are traveling with has been awesome.  We have become close and look out for each other.  We have just met a few of the translators and Bring Me Hope staff and we know we are going to have an amazing experience because of God!  We have definitely felt everyone's prayers from home and we thank you so much for that and now look forward to what God has in store for us in the next step of our journey!

 

Blessings from China

Marnie, Lianna, Tricia and Kevin

 

P.S. Here is a picture from our lodgings in Beijing.  Some of the staff are in the photo as well.

Off to China...

Well, imagine ... why did I think I'd have time to blog ??!!  But then I didn't think anyone would look at it and someone (thank you) said "hey you haven't done any new posts" so la-tee-dah!  Most of you know but for the few who don't:  Lianna and I are leaving for China for 3 weeks, on Monday. YEAH we are so excited!! We are going with an organization called Bring Me Hope, so google that for more info if you like, or there's a quick youtube video under Bring Me Hope:
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iC2rmCRQRKQ
You might want to have a kleenex handy...
So I'm dying my hair right now- dark brunette for China- kidding! Once a blonde , always a blonde.  That's how I finally found a few minutes to blog.  Lianna has her bag mostly packed, of course.  Mine is barely started.  I do have the hockey bag over-stuffed with toys, crafts, clothes, meds, etc etc etc. Can't lift it but who cares, someone will come to our rescue: people always feel sorry for blondes, I hope it works in China as well  :) .  So  4 SLEEPS TO GO !!  We serve an AWESOME God.

Ok Post#4   I think everything is ready to roll.  I have no followers yet, how sad.  Perhaps I need to let you all know I'm here.  Perhaps this is just a fancy way of journalling for myself.  Blast email coming and we'll see.  Next post will be to let whoever takes a peek know about the journey to China. 

17 SLEEPS TO GO