June 27, 2010 Update

June 27, 2010

Safely home, in China. Busy as usual, more overnight guests than day visitors at this time of the year. We have 4 interns here doing various jobs in the school and therapy such as teaching English and working with the children who are in need of therapy. They are some wonderful young ladies from Maryland, Georgia and California. They are doing amazing work with and for our children and we are truly blessed to be able to have them be a part of our journey here at SFCV.

We have 4 children leaving this month for their forever homes. Among them babies Clay and Matthew who are now 16 and 18 months old. They are both leaving next weekend and going to 2 families in Spain! Clay and Matthew haven’t been at SF very long but are favorite babies of our ayi’s and anyone else who meets them. You will see why in the pictures attached. Sweet Kathy will leave for the states at the same time. She has been at SF since 2005 and has a sweet nurturing heart, often “accused” of being an Ayi or a Mama, with many special friends in her home. She will leave a hole that will be difficult to fill. This makes it sound like adoption is bad; on the contrary, this is the main goal at Shepherd’s Field, to have our children go to forever homes, each one having a daddy and mommy and we rejoice for them…but…this doesn’t go without taking a piece out of the hearts of those who have cared for these special children.

Clay, Kathy, Jewel, Baby Clay and Baby Matthew

On the 4th of July, Gregg, whose name will be Eli, will leave for his home, the day before he turns 11! Eli is an almost 11 year old and he will be adopted by the Bambock’s, who rent our home. We are so excited for this special young man to have a family and more excited that it means we will always get to see him when we go to the states! We are blessed. June 16; we just told Eli about his family. What an amazingly sweet thing to be able to share the best news of all to an orphan boy who was so close to being too old to be adopted (14 years old).

Clay, Eli Bambock, Jewel

During the last holiday, called the Dragon Boat Festival, we had the older kids over for dinner and games. One of our interns is Chinese and was able to tell the kids about the holiday and then we shared a common food that families have for the holiday along with chicken on a stick, (complete with cartlidge in between pieces of chickenJ), fried rice, cucumbers and, of course, jello! We finished up with sandwiches made with peanut butter, honey and bananas. Everything was a hit with all the kids and more memories were made and they learned a little more about why they celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival.

Clay just went with Eli to his orphanage to get his picture taken for his passport (June 24 to 26). Another adventure on a hard sleeper with a 10 year old! On the way home Clay got to sleep in the top bunk, they are 3 high. Quite a tight squeeze and his feet stuck out the side of the bunk! (didn’t get a picture this time!)

Clay and Eli on train to orphanage

We hadn’t taken a picture of the biggest “toy” for the children purchased with the extra Christmas money that some of you sent. You will see a few pictures at the bottom of this letter. This is a really big ball pool and they love it! We’ve even seen an Ayi jump in! Tristan’s Ayi tosses him into the pool or he stands on the side and jumps in! Thank you for allowing us to bring these kids so much fun through your generosity.



We have been reminded lately that we “aren’t in Kansas anymore”. Remember the quote by a famous person in ch&*ch history to “Pr&ea*ch the gos*&pel always and when necessary use words.” What a lack of caution could mean to us is leaving the country but for those here, it might mean children would have to go back to their orphanages or we could be closed or we wouldn’t be able to take more children. In our favorite book, listen to what it says in Psalm, chapter 37, “Don’t worry, or envy; trust in Him, take delight in Him; commit everything you do to the L0rd; be still, don’t worry; stop being angry. The L0rd directs the steps of the god@ly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Put your hope in the L0rd, travel steadily along His path.” We are thankful He delights in the details of our lives and trust Him to keep us here where He has led us. Thank you for your continued thoughts about this.

Zhang MeiMei (Head Ayi) Jewel, Stacey and Wang Laoshi (Head Teacher) on a field trip to the Summer Palace

Please lift up these requests:

• Seth, almost 15 years old is having more seizures than normal, for balance of his seizure meds.


• An answer about Grady’s surgery.


• That we will eloquently show others Who is the strength of our lives.


• Kennedy’s shunt is being checked because of a seizure to see if it is working properly.


• Lucas, a family is working on paperwork to adopt him, for a quick answer for them. (we have almost enough funds for his cochlear implant but the best answer would be adoption)



• Eli (Gregg) as he meets his forever family, the Bambock’s, July 4th.



• Phillip and Joseph, the next oldest kids here at 11 years old, to be adopted soon. For families to open their hearts to adoption for these special boys.



• Stacey in the hospital for skin grafting. Surgery is completed, ask for quick healing.



• Bea, Tess, Taylor, Reece and Jody all in hospital. Pre and post surgery.

Big thanks for:

• 4 Great Interns working with us at SFCV!



• Kathy, Matthew and Clay joining their forever families!



• The news of more of our children being matched to forever families!

Thank you so much for your prayers and your love!!

We love you,

Clay and Jewel