I've been trying to capture in photos the traffic amoeba I find myself part of when I'm riding through Beijing. It's practically impossible, because something is happening all the way around. http://nationsbeglad.shutterfly.com/427
My advice: don't ever try to drive here. But in case you do, here's a hilarious, invaluable step-by-step lesson:
http://soimgoingtochina.blogspot.com/2007/06/beijing-traffic-lesson-left-turn.html
(Since I can't make the links work correctly here, please copy and paste the addresses.)
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
Langfang and Friends
Monday, 6/15, 11:20 pm
Today was a full day and the men who arrived LATE last night held up admirably, as did Joann who met them and got them to their hotel.
One of the highlights of the day was our visit this morning to the town of Langfang, just outside Beijing. There we visited the Shepherd's Field Children's Village, operated by the Philip Hayden Foundation. As you know, here in China I can't link to other sites, so please copy and paste to visit their website -- http://www.chinaorphans.org/ . You might also be interested in the report on their work presented by NPR --
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1427329
Children's Village is rare, if not unique here -- a Christian organization that provides home, love, care, therapy, and education for orphans with special needs, with the prayer that God will place many into adoptive families.
Then we went to visit Jeff and Sarah and their family, friends from Bethlehem who live near the Children's Village and have been in China several years.
Jeff has a web design business, and one aspect of his work is helping Chinese clients adapt the look of their sites to be appealing to western users.
Sarah is definitely a FULL-time mother to their 8 children, 4 months old up to 12 years. The kids were very cooperative in gathering together for some photos.
The Children's Village and family photos are at
http://nationsbeglad.shutterfly.com/376?size=All&startIndex=0 .
Today was a full day and the men who arrived LATE last night held up admirably, as did Joann who met them and got them to their hotel.
One of the highlights of the day was our visit this morning to the town of Langfang, just outside Beijing. There we visited the Shepherd's Field Children's Village, operated by the Philip Hayden Foundation. As you know, here in China I can't link to other sites, so please copy and paste to visit their website -- http://www.chinaorphans.org/ . You might also be interested in the report on their work presented by NPR --
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1427329
Children's Village is rare, if not unique here -- a Christian organization that provides home, love, care, therapy, and education for orphans with special needs, with the prayer that God will place many into adoptive families.
Then we went to visit Jeff and Sarah and their family, friends from Bethlehem who live near the Children's Village and have been in China several years.
Jeff has a web design business, and one aspect of his work is helping Chinese clients adapt the look of their sites to be appealing to western users.
Sarah is definitely a FULL-time mother to their 8 children, 4 months old up to 12 years. The kids were very cooperative in gathering together for some photos.
The Children's Village and family photos are at
http://nationsbeglad.shutterfly.com/376?size=All&startIndex=0 .
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Barnabas's mother
Monday 6/15, 6:25 am
Jo and I joined hundreds of others 10 am on Sunday at the 3rd service of the Gong Wa Shi Christian Church. Hymns were traditional, hymnal bilingual. Afterward we did what seems normal--stood around in the courtyard talking.
A tall man walked over to Joann and me and asked, "Which of you is Barnabas's mother?" --not a question I was expecting in the middle of China, but easy to answer. It was Dr. Martindale from Wheaton College. He was one of Barnabas's teachers when Barnabas was at Wheaton, and apparently had seen him recently. Mrs. Martindale was there too, as were Dr. and Mrs. Chuck Weber. They were at the end of leading an Asian Studies session here.
Afterward we had dinner with some of Jo's friends at a nearby restaurant.
Later in the afternoon, Jo, one of her friends, and I worked out at the gym in the apartment community.
You can see pictures:
http://nationsbeglad.shutterfly.com/346?size=All&startIndex=0
The rest of our group arrived safely and in good spirits late last night (Sunday).
Jo and I joined hundreds of others 10 am on Sunday at the 3rd service of the Gong Wa Shi Christian Church. Hymns were traditional, hymnal bilingual. Afterward we did what seems normal--stood around in the courtyard talking.
A tall man walked over to Joann and me and asked, "Which of you is Barnabas's mother?" --not a question I was expecting in the middle of China, but easy to answer. It was Dr. Martindale from Wheaton College. He was one of Barnabas's teachers when Barnabas was at Wheaton, and apparently had seen him recently. Mrs. Martindale was there too, as were Dr. and Mrs. Chuck Weber. They were at the end of leading an Asian Studies session here.
Afterward we had dinner with some of Jo's friends at a nearby restaurant.
Later in the afternoon, Jo, one of her friends, and I worked out at the gym in the apartment community.
You can see pictures:
http://nationsbeglad.shutterfly.com/346?size=All&startIndex=0
The rest of our group arrived safely and in good spirits late last night (Sunday).
Flashback
I've posted the link to pictures from my 1st day in China, Tuesday in Beijing. I've posted the link to Thursday-Saturday with Mark and Rene.
There's a missing link -- Tues-Thurs with Jonathan and Carol in Taiyuan. The photos are at:
http://nationsbeglad.shutterfly.com/114?size=All&startIndex=0
Those days include getting a taste (literally) of Jonathan's workplace at the Cheese Factory, visiting the clinic where Carol works, meeting some of the Evergreen staff in Yangqu, and having a great time with Esperanza and Trini.
That almost catches us up to today, and that's good, because tomorrow our group begins our Beijing itinerary and that will be filled with more to see and tell about.
There's a missing link -- Tues-Thurs with Jonathan and Carol in Taiyuan. The photos are at:
http://nationsbeglad.shutterfly.com/114?size=All&startIndex=0
Those days include getting a taste (literally) of Jonathan's workplace at the Cheese Factory, visiting the clinic where Carol works, meeting some of the Evergreen staff in Yangqu, and having a great time with Esperanza and Trini.
That almost catches us up to today, and that's good, because tomorrow our group begins our Beijing itinerary and that will be filled with more to see and tell about.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Back in Beijing
After only 2 days in Yuci (yoo-suh) with Mark, Rene and kids, I'm back in Beijing with Jo. Tonight, Sunday, we expect the rest of the group to arrive. (Bill Walsh writes about the trip at http://www.desiringgod.org/Blog/1854_chinabound/ .
The days in Yuci were full and good -- visiting the Evergreen office and meeting staff there, sitting in on a seminar for church visitors, wandering around an old-style village with cave houses dug into mountainsides, walking through old-town Yuci getting historic perspective from Mark, visiting the clinic where Evergreen medical staff work alongside the Chinese staff, eating Rene's homemade pizza, and of course getting to know Bjorn, Marit, and Anders. Oh yes, and buying gifts for my daughters-in-law that I'm pretty sure no one has ever given them before.
You can see pictures at
http://nationsbeglad.shutterfly.com/168?size=All&startIndex=0 .
That includes a photo of my first visit 14 years ago, when Alma Bjork and I were part of the ceremony in which little Bjorn was dedicated to the Lord. Alongside, you'll find a current re-enactment of that old photo.
There are also a couple of photos I made at the family's favorite noodle shop. The noodles for each order were made on the spot--pulled noodles, starting with a big lump of dough--pretty amazing handiwork. I have a video of it, but I can't get through to YouTube. So I'll post it when I get home.
The days in Yuci were full and good -- visiting the Evergreen office and meeting staff there, sitting in on a seminar for church visitors, wandering around an old-style village with cave houses dug into mountainsides, walking through old-town Yuci getting historic perspective from Mark, visiting the clinic where Evergreen medical staff work alongside the Chinese staff, eating Rene's homemade pizza, and of course getting to know Bjorn, Marit, and Anders. Oh yes, and buying gifts for my daughters-in-law that I'm pretty sure no one has ever given them before.
You can see pictures at
http://nationsbeglad.shutterfly.com/168?size=All&startIndex=0 .
That includes a photo of my first visit 14 years ago, when Alma Bjork and I were part of the ceremony in which little Bjorn was dedicated to the Lord. Alongside, you'll find a current re-enactment of that old photo.
There are also a couple of photos I made at the family's favorite noodle shop. The noodles for each order were made on the spot--pulled noodles, starting with a big lump of dough--pretty amazing handiwork. I have a video of it, but I can't get through to YouTube. So I'll post it when I get home.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Pictures
Since the website isn't acting like it usually does, I haven't been able to link to photos.
So here's a better idea. Instead of 2 or 3 photos at a time, I'll send you to my photo site and you can see as much as you want. Here are photos from the day I arrived, when I was in Beijing before traveling to Taiyuan and Yuci --http://nationsbeglad.shutterfly.com/26 .
Sorry, you'll have to cut and paste the address. That link isn't working either.
So here's a better idea. Instead of 2 or 3 photos at a time, I'll send you to my photo site and you can see as much as you want. Here are photos from the day I arrived, when I was in Beijing before traveling to Taiyuan and Yuci --http://nationsbeglad.shutterfly.com/26 .
Sorry, you'll have to cut and paste the address. That link isn't working either.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
In Yuci
Now I'm in Yuci with Mark and Rene and their children, Bjorn, Marit, and Anders. Mark is China Director for Evergreen Services.They arrived home yesterday morning by train from a few days of vacation. Then just a couple of hours later the welcomed me.
Almost fourteen years ago, I visited Mark and Rene when they lived in Taiyuan, the city where Jonathan and Carol live now, about an hour's bus ride away. At that time, Bjorn was only a few months old. Alma Bjork (my traveling companion and an old friend of Rene) and I led a small service in which Mark and Rene dedicated Bjorn to the Lord. At the end, we presented him with a quilt made and sent by Bethlehem's White Cross ladies.
This morning I'll walk to their house from the place where I'm staying--an Evergreen apartment that is between families. After breakfast, I'll go with Judy, one of their coworkers, to a seminar for church workers helping them think about helpful, effective approaches to home visits.
As far as I can tell, Evergreen people live in the heights--almost all the apartments I've been to are 4-6 stories up, and there are no elevators. Mine is on the 6th floor--120 steps. You don't want to forget and leave something behind when you walk out the door in the morning.
I had hoped to include a couple of photos, but the website is not opening in its usual format, so maybe later.
Almost fourteen years ago, I visited Mark and Rene when they lived in Taiyuan, the city where Jonathan and Carol live now, about an hour's bus ride away. At that time, Bjorn was only a few months old. Alma Bjork (my traveling companion and an old friend of Rene) and I led a small service in which Mark and Rene dedicated Bjorn to the Lord. At the end, we presented him with a quilt made and sent by Bethlehem's White Cross ladies.
This morning I'll walk to their house from the place where I'm staying--an Evergreen apartment that is between families. After breakfast, I'll go with Judy, one of their coworkers, to a seminar for church workers helping them think about helpful, effective approaches to home visits.
As far as I can tell, Evergreen people live in the heights--almost all the apartments I've been to are 4-6 stories up, and there are no elevators. Mine is on the 6th floor--120 steps. You don't want to forget and leave something behind when you walk out the door in the morning.
I had hoped to include a couple of photos, but the website is not opening in its usual format, so maybe later.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Cheese in China
Jonathan, Carol, Esperanza (San San), Trini (Mei Mei), Noel
They are in China with Shanxi Evergreen Services, which specializes in community development through means of various sorts of projects and work.
Carol, a family practice physician, is part of the medical team and works part time at a neighborhood clinic.
Jonathan, is working with the Evergreen-related Cheese Project , helping to manage its financial procedures and books. Cheese is not a normal part of Chinese diet, but sales are good to foreigners in China and to hotels who serve them.
Jonathan wants his friends to know these are not go-go boots, but part of the required hygienic uniform in the cheese processing area.Tuesday, June 9, 2009
It's 9:30 pm here in China. I think that makes it 8:30 am in Minneapolis.
I arrived last night in Beijing. Slept at Jo's last night in Beijing and flew one hour this afternoon to Taiyuan.
For the next couple of days I'm with Jonathan and Carol and their girls Esperanza and Trini. The girls attend Chinese preschool and switch effortlessly between English and Chinese.
Tomorrow I'll go with them to a village where they work.
God answered your prayers for safe travel. Now I'll be thankful for prayer that I listen well and learn a lot and that I be an encourager all along the way.
I arrived last night in Beijing. Slept at Jo's last night in Beijing and flew one hour this afternoon to Taiyuan.
For the next couple of days I'm with Jonathan and Carol and their girls Esperanza and Trini. The girls attend Chinese preschool and switch effortlessly between English and Chinese.
Tomorrow I'll go with them to a village where they work.
God answered your prayers for safe travel. Now I'll be thankful for prayer that I listen well and learn a lot and that I be an encourager all along the way.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
It's My Pleasure
This afternoon I leave for two weeks in China. Yesterday was the anniversary of a very important day in my personal history.
There seemed to be a connection between China and that anniversary. The story is at the Desiring God blog.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Jumble Thrift: My New Shopping Destination
Tomorrow I leave for China, but first a story.A couple of weeks ago, Talitha and I drove 3 hours down to Fulda from Minneapolis to see our Fulda family and to deliver birthday hugs to Millie.
Of course, we couldn’t leave without shopping at Jumble Thrift, the new venture of Millie's family. After I had paid for my purchases, I wandered some more, waiting for Talitha to finish.
Up high on the shoe shelf I glimpsed a familiar-looking heel. Unbelievable! It was a brown pair like my favorite black shoes—the style I’ve been searching for on Ebay for years. (You know how it is. As soon as you find a pair of shoes that are comfortable and you like the way they look, immediately the style is discontinued. Aaargh!)
Well, there they were. AND, also unbelievable, they were my size. How often do you think I find women’s 11M in a thrift shop? AND only $1. How much do you think I’d have had to pay on Ebay if I HAD ever found the shoe.
People flock to the Mall of America from surrounding states. Not me. I'm flocking to Jumble Thrift in Fulda. You too?
P.S. I don't know any other thrift shop with such an active and entertaining blog.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
China
The first week will be taken up with traveling and visiting Bethlehem friends with Evergreen Service in the Shanxi Province, about an hour's flight from Beijing.
On Sunday, June 14, I will go to Beijing to join other friends. We will spend the week primarily in becoming more familiar with China.
We will be thankful for your prayers.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Gail Schoonmaker: Reflecting God's Image in Art
by Gail Schoonmaker
Illustrator, Do You Want a Friend? and The Big Picture Story Bible
The creation of the artwork for Do You Want a Friend? began when I received Noel's manuscript along with her notes for specific pages and for the artwork in general.
I was delighted to read her desire to see families of various ethnicities, as this reflects not only God's kingdom, but the environment in which my husband and I have chosen to live and raise our own children. In fact, our kids are the only ones in their [public school] classes with white skin, and they see nothing unusual in these illustrations!
I was equally pleased to see Noel's desire to include drawings of people with various disabilities. My own son Andy is severely autistic, and my beloved nephew has Down Syndrome. God has used the the joys and challenges of parenting Andy to, among many things, enlarge my heart for His covenant children whom society would marginalize. It has been a privilege to be part of a picture book that celebrates the reflection of God's image in so many ways.
That said, the biggest delight is the focus of the book: Jesus as our best friend in every way, and ultimately as our Saviour.
I spent some time jotting down ideas for illustrations, creating a cast of recurring characters, and sketching possibilities. Ideas were easy and comfortable, as I was fortunate enough to experience God's grace in a home where my parents constantly acknowledged, thanked, praised, consulted, and asked forgiveness of the Lord. His friendship has been demonstrated to me in every way, so I didn't have to wonder what Noel's words might mean.
When I had a rough sketch completed for every page (such as the one above), Noel took a look and provided feedback. When these ideas were incorporated and the resulting drawings were approved, I began to paint. I work on four watercolor paintings at a time, which allows each newly painted section to dry before I return to it.
The entire process took several enjoyable months.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
How Do I Get Started Writing?
Recent email question:
How did you get started writing children's books? I feel that the Lord has been gently leading me to write . . . but I have no idea how to break into this business. Thanks for your help!
I'm afraid my story may not offer a lot of direction. I told a friend an idea I had for a children's book. He happened to work for a publishing company and encouraged me to write it.
But that wasn't really the very beginning. A lot of groundwork had already been laid. Many of my thoughts about becoming a writer are in a letter I wrote in response to someone who asked a similar question about how to get started writing.
Here are some additional resources that I find helpful:
Christian Writers' Market Guide 2009, by Sally Stuart. This is the top of my list -- a fat book that is a treasure chest of advice, lists of publishers and publications sorted by type and market, list of Christian writers' conferences, etc. My copy always ends up flagged with dozens of sticky notes.
Sally Stuart's website -- filled with similar resources as the book, but probably not as detailed.
The Christian Communicator website -- resources, courses, tips, helpful links, etc.
I can't repeat too often, WRITE. Write letters. Write in your journal. If you want to be published, write material for your church, for the neighborhood newspaper, for an e-zine, for a magazine--wherever you can publish, whether for children or adults, whether or not you get paid. It's good practice, and it proves you can write.
May God bless you and your readers through your work.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Ruptured Friendship
I received this email from someone who was going straight out to get a copy of Do You Want a Friend:
My granddaughter (2nd grade, now 8 yrs. old) has been having a really hard time at school because of ruptured friendships--a good friend "dropped" her for another girl. She has been in much pain and sadness over it. I thought your book might help strengthen her dependence on the Lord and clarify some thinking on friendship and God's power in friendship for her.
[I want her to have it right away, before] the issue may be resolved without the strengthening affect of the Lord through your story.
I pray this book will give many children a glimpse of true friendship.
Friday, May 22, 2009
It's Here!
The time seems long between writing a book and holding the published product in your hand.
The time for Do You Want a Friend? is now.
I wish I could give a copy to all of you, but I guess God has blessed me with too many friends for that.
May it be a blessing to you who read it and to those you read to.
(p.s. Coming soon: a new look for this blog and a new direction.)
Monday, May 18, 2009
Photobook
I heard that the photobook link didn't work for a number of people. Let's try again.
On this page you can click to view the book, click to order if you wish, or click to save the book to your own Shutterfly account. If you don't have a Shutterfly account, but want to save the book, it's free to start an account.
If you have problems connecting, leave a comment.
A choral thank you
The children at CEFED Special Education School in Santa, Cameroon (near Bamenda) prepared a program to welcome us to the school.
I'm so glad I was running my video camera, because there is one song I return to over and over. It was written especially for our team and for Joni and Friends. I think of the work that someone put into writing it and that the children put into learning it. I see their smiling, welcoming faces.
The gift of this song was a wonderful punctuation to our time in Bamenda . . . and a magnet drawing us--and you?-- back again, Lord willing.
Friday, May 15, 2009
CEFED Special Education School
From Sue Murr, team member
One of the huge blessings while we were in Bamenda was being able to spend time at the CEFED Special Education School, founded by Nungu Magdalene. There are more than thirty young people there with a variety of physical and cognitive disabilities. Some of them came to receive wheelchairs at our Harvest Project distribution center, and many are using the chairs they received two years ago.
I had the opportunity to spend two days at the school, adding to the great work that Anna, another short-term physiotherapist had been doing.
She got Eliot walking for the first time with an adult-sized walker, and Tim was able to cut a walker down to fit him. His smile pretty much tells the whole story.
Many of the children will benefit from an ongoing therapy program. We were able to photograph the exercises and leave behind copies to remind the workers how to position the children and make sure they are working up to their potential.
(Elijah learning to do sitting push-ups in his new wheelchair!)
(Melvis)
These children are so blessed to have such a wonderful place to live and study!
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Mothers Day
I share glimpses of these children, mothers, fathers, and grandparents with you, especially if Mothers Day is not what you've always dreamed it might be, perhaps because of loss, disappointment, pain, struggle, fear. . . .
As you look to your heavenly Father, perhaps you above all others will know how to bless these children and their families through your prayers.
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