In Kevin's Own Words

Thanks for following this blog and for your prayers as Lauren and I traveled to China. I hope you also took a look at my video montage of the trip at Chaoyang 2012 and my pictures on my Facebook page. These will give you a taste of the amazing trip that God took us on. One of those pictures shows me laying on a trampoline with two boys. The boy on my left is a little guy that is new to the orphanage this year. We called him Buba, his Chinese name means "Stars." Buba has Down's Syndrome and was very cautious with this strange group of visitors early in the week. By the last day, when this picture was taken, he was very comfortable with me. If I tickled him, he wouldn't laugh, but when I tickled the other boy, Buba would laugh along with him. The scene in this picture was interrupted by the call to get on the van for the last time and leave the orphanage to head back to the US. Lest you think that a Down's Syndrome boy who doesn't speak english doesn't understand, as we got off the trampoline, he had a few silent tears flowing down his cheeks. The other boy in the picture is Chen Chen. He is about eight with moderate autism. He is very sweet, but doesn't speak, well almost. On Thursday, the team arrived as rain fell outside. Chen Chen and I headed to the play room and sat by the window looking out at the rain. This boy, who never talks, started saying "ma ma, ma ma." Then he laid his head on my chest and continued to say, "ma ma," softly and sweetly. (My Chinese isn't very good, and depending on the tonal inflections, he might have been saying "horse, horse" or "scold, scold" but my best guess is that he was using the only word that he knew for parent.) A couple of days later, as we boarded the van for the last time, Chen Chen burst into tears and ran to one of the nannies for consolation. That's how we left him. These boys and the other twenty-some kids at this little orphanage in the middle of northern China know that they are loved. They enjoyed the human connections that we were all created for. They experienced the love of Christ through an amazing team of ordinary men and women who were willing to devote twelve days of their lives to being His hands and feet. Parental Postscript: There was one other little girl that caught my eye. She is 17 years old and has red hair. She looks and sounds very much like my daughter Lauren, but there were differences. At home, Lauren -- like you and me -- could get frustrated with the trivial interruptions and minor inconveniences of life. In China, in the midst of extremely challenging conditions, a depth of character was displayed in her that is the stuff of legends. She has never been more in her element. Kids ran to her, stress rolled off of her, other team members -- adults and students alike -- looked to her, Christ shone through her -- and it was beautiful!

In the hands of Jesus

The team is now on a plane from Beijing to Seattle. Kevin and Lauren have another 12 hours of travel after that. They had a lot of thoughts on their last day at the orphanage but since it was so personal and emotional, I think it's best for them to write here when they get home. You really want to hear from them. Saying goodbye in this type of situation is grueling but they leave them in the hands of Jesus. Is there a better place?

...above all, love.

Kevin and Lauren just called after their last full day at the orphanage. They will go back in the morning to throw a communal birthday party for all the kids and then head to Beijing to begin the long journey home. They sound tired and happy but they are anticipating the sadness of saying goodbye tomorrow. They also both mentioned that they are over Chinese food. Lauren was much more adventurous with food this year, but now she's basically eating watermelon and peanut butter ;). They are ready for some salad since they can't eat much fresh fruit or vegetables because of the contaminated water. Luckily, they have not had any tummy troubles and although Kevin is still coughing, he has felt good. Please pray that they have a good day with the kids tomorrow and that the volunteer programs continue to thrive after they leave. The goal is not only to love on these orphaned children for a week but to encourage the community to step in and give them attention, stimulation, hope and, above all, love.

I remember the feeling...

Sorry I didn't post yesterday. I was running around town on Krosley Morrison Adventure Day but you don't want to hear about that. You want to know how things are going in ChaoYang! I did talk to them yesterday and today. Yesterday, they had a good time at the orphanage even though the air conditioning is broken, there is construction happening on the elevator and the water has been out. The kids are loving the group and the group is definitely loving the kids! Kevin has been adopted by Miss Jing who can be a tad bit possessive but he got some good time with Chin Chin who is an older child with autism. He is so sweet and Kevin has enjoyed getting glimpses into his personality. Last night they went to Bible Study at the local church. Unfornuately, they didnt get to see the elderly people we had so much fun visiting last year but they met new people. Please pray that the church really catches God's passion for those orphans in their city. That's where the real power of change lies. Today, they took the kids to the amusement park. This a field trip that the orphanage director organizes. The amusement park is in a very nice walking park but the rides themselves look like they are left over from the 1950s...very rickety, a bit creepy and they all go in circles. Kevin got sick. Some of the kids love them and others cry because they are so overwhelmed by all the new stimulation. The director then takes everyone to KFC. It's the only American food in ChaoYang but it has been adapted some so it doesn't really taste like home. The kids, however, LOVED it. Lauren said she couldn't believe how much Wai Wai ate. Last year he could only eat the mashed potatoes, this year he ate all of it, including 3 packs of ketchup! After they took the kids back, the team went for a ceremony at the nursing school to award the students who have volunteered at the orphanage this year. Then everyone, including media, went back to the orphanage for play time and pictures. They kids were wiped out! The team is starting to feel the time crunch- only a day and a half left with the kids. Kevin said he could stay for another 2 or 3 weeks. They are both ready to be home but don't want to leave. I remember that feeling.

So Happy!

It's Pam again. I know you just want to hear from Lauren or Kevin but they are still having internet issues and can't send me any emails or pictures. Lauren just called me this morning after a full day at the orphanage and that girl sounds so tired and happy! She is LOVING every minute. She told me so many things about all the kids that would probably bore you all since you don't know them but it sounds like the volunteer efforts put in place last year have really had some positive effects on the children's socialization and development. Miss Diva Jing is holding hands with the little boys and helping some. Although, she did tried to take something from Dong Dong (maybe 10 with autism) and while last year this probably would have produced brooding and maybe hitting, this time he gave her a major tongue lashing and Jing got out of there fast. Lauren and Kevin said it was so funny. Lauren brought out the nose/mustache/glasses and the little boys thought it was hysterical! They have good pictures, which we can't see :(. She said little Wai Wai is her shadow. He is the toddler with clubbed hands that she connected so emotionally with last year. He is much happier this year and giggles all the time. Today, one of the nannies called over one of the older autistic boys for some food and tiny Wai Wai went over, took the boy's hand with his own crooked little hand, helped him up and led him to the table. So sweet! It's amazing that without much encouragement, these children really have banded together and try to help each other. I know we have a sinful nature that influences us all but we are also made in the image of God and that's really what is so evident with these precious children. Hopefully tomorrow I will have pictures!

Pictures

I have not received any pictures yet but you can go to the blog of the team leader Toni http://crebbinfamily.blogspot.com/ to see some great ones!

Not the way it's supposed to be...

I got a call last night (on their lunch break). They had a wonderful morning at the orphanage. I had been preparing Lauren for months that some of the younger children wouldn't remember her. Well, they drove up to the building got off the bus and Wai Wai ran squealing into her arms! What a gift! Lauren gave me an update on all the "babies" and sounded so happy! Bao Xin, blind girl with cerebral palsey, was happy as ever. A few of the older children who were in cribs all day when we got there last year were walking with assistance. The "toddlers" are growing up and looking good. Jing, the little diva who was in charge of the place, was doing lessons with one of the nannies! Kevin was introduced to everyone and was playing games with them. The nannies told all the children to call him uncle :) So many good things. But they are balanced by the realities of orphanage life. Heng Heng is gone. I held him on the last day and prayed that Jesus would take him home. He was wasting away. Little Jo Jo, the 3 month old with the lazy eye, doesn't seem to be growing. Lauren said he looks basically the same. He should be toddling around with the other little ones. It was a quick phone call because they needed to go to lunch. It was so good to hear them but I hung up and sobbed. The reality of how these children live, the losses we grieve and even the gains we celebrate are so wrong. It must be a glimpse into the way God looks at the earth. This isn't the way it was supposed to be.

FInally in ChaoYang

...but not at the orphanage yet. Their plane was delayed out of Beijing so they did not get to have the afternoon at the orphanage. Instead, they went to dinner and then out to the Pagoda square. This is an amazing event that happens every night during the summer. Hundreds of people go to the town square and play music, visit, eat. There are sections for break dancing, swing dancing, traditional Chinese dancing. It's so much fun! Since this is a city of almost no "foreigners" our team is a big draw. People follow them and practice their English, take pictures. This is where they will give out their glow sticks (thanks, Tori and girls!) but tonight they didn't get a chance to get them from their room before they went. They talked to some teen girls and told them about why they were there and the girls are going to go with them on the bus to the orphanage tomorrow! This is a big part of the trip- making people aware of these children and show them how to help. While we are sleeping tonight they will be waking up and finally seeing the children they came to love. I think I can feel Lauren's excitement from here!

Busy Day in Beijing

I talked to Kevin and Lauren this evening. They were just starting their morning. They had a very busy day yesterday. They were able to go to Morningstsr, the medical orphanage run by Christian Americans. They had a great time playing with the children there and seeing how well cared for and happy they are. If you are interested in this mission look them up. They are amazing. Then they went to a bell tower and another kind of tower (I can't remember) where they climbed up and then had a tea ceremony. Lauren said it was very interesting and they we able to taste several different types. THEN they went to the Great Wall. Since it is a 3 day holiday weekend there, the wall was packed and for some reason Lauren said it was 3 times as smoggy as last year. After all that climbing, they slept well and are en route to ChaoYang now. They are hoping that the orphanage director meets them at the airport so they can go straight to the orphanage. Otherwise, they may have to wait until tomorrow. That's all for tonight. Thank you for praying for my precious husband and daughter!

Beijing - finally

Kevin and Lauren just called from their hotel in Beijing. They spent the day exploring Shanghai and by 6 pm were on their airplane again. They were met at the airport by Martin (the Beijing guide) and Ying (part of the team) and then had a quick dinner at McDonald's. They got to the hotel room at around 10:30pm and they are now tucked into their hard little beds trying to sleep ;) Tomorrow they will be going to Morningstar, an American-run medical orphanage, and then off to the Great Wall.

Shanghai?!

Email feom Kevin: Well, thunderstorms in Beijing forced our plane to land in Shanghai after 14 hours in the air. We're being housed at a Howard Johnsons in Shanghai and won't leave for Beijing until after 6:30 PM Friday. We'll try to find something productive or at least entertaining to do with our unexpected day in the largest Chinese city. Email from Lauren: Its 2am in Shanhai. We didn't get to land in Beijing because of storms. Checking into a hotel for now. Don't get to leave until 6:30pm and they wouldn't take our luggage off the plane :D Kevin told the group about the Krosley Family Motto: Plans Change!

Seattle

I just talked to Kevin. After killing time/enjoying Seattle all day, they are boarding their 13 hour flight to Beijing. It sounds like Lauren has already made lifetime friends with the other team members. God is good!

Kevin and Lauren's China Adventure!

Well, Krosleys are on their way to China but this time Lauren is taking her Daddy! When Kevin decided to take a year working at home we decided that he was the one to take Lauren back to China this summer. She has such a passion for the children of China that we made it a priority to go back "one more time". So they left this morning. It felt weird to help them pack, drive them to the airport and then drive back home. It's so hard to stay behind but I have always had peace that Kevin needed to do this. Lauren woke up with a huge smile on her face this morning - it was so cute! She can't wait to see "her" babies - Isaac, Jo Jo, Mei Mei, Bao Xin, Tao Tao, Jesus, et al. And of course, Wai Wai (see her FB profile pic). They will have 2 sight seeing days in Beijing first but she couldn't care less. She just wants to get to ChaoYang. ;-) Since they can't blog from there they will send me email updates that I will post. They also have a Panda phone so I will also be posting from our conversations. Welcome to the new journey, vicariously with me! Pam

Goodbyes, Hope and Heartbreak

This morning we are packing up the rest of our gifts and donation and heading to the orphanage for a birthday party for everyone. The school children will be there for the first time. The orphans that they think can handle it go to a boarding school. That's why everyone left here is young or has serious needs.

We are heading out this morning with two big bags of crafts a new walker and a new stroller that we bought yesterday. After a bout of something truely evil in my stomach last night, I think I'm ready to go. I wasn't going to miss this!

The prayer today comes in more for us than for the children. We are leaving them in a much better place than we had ever dreamed with all the nursing students and the church members. The prolem is that saying goodbye is going to tear out our hearts. Please pray that we don't make fools of ourselves and that we can trust our Father to take care of them. I can hardly bear the thought that I may never see Wai Wai again. I took him up to Robin who has talked with his wife adoption and showed him what a beautiful boy he is. Robin agreed. I'm praying that God gives Christian homes to Wai Wai, Jo Jo, Isaac, Jesus, Tao Tao, Yong Yong...

Well I need to go. Off to leave part of my heart in China.

Pam and Lauren

If God is for us....

I have to tell you about last night...incredible! We went back to church for a meeting with the pastor but first they took us around the back of the church where the senior citizens live. They house 56 seniors for free and take care of all their needs. We had no idea. They were so cute and sweet! We didn't use an interpreter, just laughed and took pictures together and had a great time! On our way back to the front of the church, we saw a big group set up in the front courtyard right on the street. They were blasting praise music and dancing in a kind of tai chi way. We joined in! So much fun! When they were done they all said the Lord's Prayer together. They say it at the end of every type of meeting.

Then we went upstairs for our meeting to see if the pastor would support setting up a volunteer program for the orphanage. His response was a quick, smilling YES! We spent the rest of the time talking to the people, singing common hymns and learning as much as we could about one another. Pastor is a sweet, funny man who spent time learning everyone's name and laughing at himself when it was difficult. I talked for a long time with 2 teenage boys who really wanted to know who I was and what my life was like and get this...

I WAS WITNESSED TO BY CHINESE PEOPLE IN CHINA!

It was so cool. They wanted to make sure I believed in Jesus and then they told me how they became Christians. They even have gospel tracks that they hand out on the street! There is much more religious freedom here than we think. There is a Catholic church around the corner (Chinese Catholics aren't recognised by the Vatican) and there is a mosque down the street. They are watched closely but this local church has 10 - 20 converts a week. Do we?

These boys were so cute and one of them wanted to come home with us. I would have taken him, too, but his mother was right there ;)

We were walked home last night by Robin, a member of the church who has spent time working in South Africa and has beautiful English. He explained to us that he has 2 girls because both he and his wife are only children (new law) and that you can adopt as many as you want. He said he doesn't care if he has a boy, whatever God brings him and said that he and his wife have talked about adoption. I asked if he has been to the orphanage and he said no. I said, would you like to come with us and he quickly said, Yes. Tomorrow? Is there room on the bus? Pray that he catches the vision today. He told us of his spritual father in Africa who had a vision that robin would go back home and the Holy Spirit would use him to win his family to Christ. Now his parents are preachers!

MIRACLE ALERT: The contract with the government will be signed at 10 this morning and 20 nursing students will be driven over to the orphanage immediately afterward so they can catch Britta's vision. She had a hard day yesterday with progress of her program going so slowly that this is sure to be heaven sent and difficult at the same time. Pray that she can do was is necessary and leave the rest to Him. He has proven that this ministry is on His heart. Lauren said this morning that she's glad the govt stepped in. It just proves that they are powerless to rise against His plan. We have been singing this morning...

And if our God is for us then who could ever stop us?
And if our God is with us then who could stand against?
Our God is greater, our God is stronger!
God, You are higher than any other
God, You are healer, mighty in power
Our God! Our God!

Big Changes

Mark and Sa met with govt officials this afternoon and they have agreed to everything they want to do. The 2 of them have to write up a proposal tonight for them to look over and sign and the university will start offering service hours to nursing students who want to work in the orphanage!! This is huge. Mark is such a networker and Sa knows how to get things done here.

We went to the bus this morning and 8 of the kids were on it! We took them to the "amusement park" for carnival rides. Some of them like it and some didn't. Lauren and I hung out mostly with Wai Wai and Tao Tao. Wai Wai is the little buddy with the deformed hands and yummy cheeks. Tao Tao has a cleft lip/palate and sweet smile. At the park, we got swarmed by the "paparazzi." Several reporters were there and I gave an interview. No big deal ;)

After the park we went to KFC. Tao Tao ate with someone else. We had Wai Wai and Jesus. Jesus just played with the food and WW ate all the mashed potatoes! He can't swallow the meat and just held a french fry in his little hand. They both also polished off way too much Coke! Tao Tao fell asleep on the bus and WW looked like a little zombie all day since we were gone for naptime.

Grace didn't look too well today. One of us will take her to the4th floor tomorrow for some serious sun therapy.

We need to go eat more Chinese food :0 It's all we have had except for today's KFC and that hardly counts! It wasn't the same and I don't even eat it at home.

Thank you all for praying for us. Please pray especially for the children!

P and L

The Kids, Lemonade and shoes

Monday:  Tracy needed to spend some significant time with her friend from past years, a 19 year old orphan who looks and acts more like 12.  She is very bright and thoughtful and says her goal is to come to the US to study English.  So, that meant that I got charge of little Simeon (who has been renamed Grace).  She didn't look great.  Everytime we make progress and then come in the morning and she has regressed.  I took off her clothes and held her for a while in the window to soak up some rays.  Then I gave her her first bath. She had never really been clean from her birth.  She didn't like that at all and cried the tiniest cry I have ever heard.  It was like music because it meant she was improving.  I then fed her formula with a little hard plastic syringe.  She took about 5 ccs at one time and kept it all down!  She's pooping too!  By the end of the day her color was much better, the swelling in her face was down a bit and she spent a long time awake and looking around.  So cool!
 
The other success was Heng Heng.  He is about 4 or 5 years old and probably weighs 15 pounds.  I don't know what his diagnosis is but he is wasting away.  They don't seem to give him any attention. Toni got him up the day before and he was laughing so I got him up Monday and he did the same.  The nannies said I was magic because he is never responsive.  I don't know if they have given him a chance.  Most of the nannies seem to care but they just don't understand some of these children.
 
Tuesday...What a day!  The morning flew by and then we left for lunch and shopping for things the kids need.  Britta had identified 4 kids who could probably learn to walk if they had shoes so she measured feet, picked out some sturdy shoes at the mall and Katie and Andrew's lemonade-stand money bought shoes!  I was fighting back the tears.  We went back to the kids and took pictures.  Little blind girl (we finally found out her name is Bao Xin - Precious Heart!!!) loves her new shoes and spent some time in the walker.  Too many stories to tell! 
 
Britta has been amazing!  She has gone through all the equipment we have, John has fixed/modified it.  She is working on posters so anyone who comes in in the next year will know how to use the equipment.  She is taking pictures of every childs therapy routine and is making personal books for them.  She's unbelieveable!  And she just finished school!
 
The other person God sent us is Sa.  We met her at the Chaoyang airport.  When she found out what we were doing she wanted to come.  She has been here everyday and is making changes we couln't imagine.  She is getting her masters in global media in Finland.  Her mother is a doctor and her father is someone important.  She has developed a plan to encourage the local university to use the orphange as part of their community service program.  The administrator of the university is very interested but suggested that since they were working with foreigners that they should clear it withthe general government.  Sa was not happy.  She gave them a few hours, got the right officials contacted but it was taking too long so she called her aunt, a high ranking official.  She told Mark, "I tried to do it the nice way but this needs to happen now!"  She's incredible.  The aunt is working on it and Sa and Mark will have a meeting today or Thursday!
 
I wondered how a short term mission to an orphanage could help anything in the long run and God is showing me!
 
Here are a few more kids to pray for.  I may have mentioned them before.  It's hard to keep track...
 
Yong Yong - 6 year old healthy boy who was brought to the orphanage last year bc his mother died.  she had left the father bc of abuse but since there is a father somewhere he isn't adoptable.  Please pray that they can find a loop hole.  He needs a family.  He knows what he is missing.  He is truely beautiful!
 
Jo Jo- 3 month old boy who has a problem with one eye.  The staff thinks he has limited brain function so they wont put him on the adoption list but he does everything a 3 month old is supposed to do.  He smiles and laughs and tries to focus but he just can't see well.  SO cute!!  Please pray that we can convince the  director to put him on the adoption list.
 
The little group of toddlers... They are so cute!  Some of them have special needs but they are relatively minor.  Wai Wai is the cutest little 2 year old buddy with deformed hands and the sweetest disposition.  He can do anything with those hands.  Isaac has a beautiful face and is the peacemaker.  Jesus (we named him that because he looks Mexican!) is Mr. Fun.  Jacob toddles around following the others. 
 
The ring-leader/diva of the orphanage is Jing.  She is about 5 and will soon be on the list.  Pray for a VERY strong mommy to adopt her ;)
 
More later- gotta take the kiddos to the park and then to KFC - our first American food of the trip and the only American option in the whole city.  Yum?

God Provides

God made Himself very well known yesterday.  The team has been praying for a physical therapist and this year God provided Britta, just out of school and eager to help.  We walked in the first day and she was overwhelmed with the need and the responsibility.  She had tears in her eyes on the bus at the end of the day.  She made a list of equipment that she needed and equipment they had that needed repair.  Yesterday, Mark went up to the attic, opened a crate and found almost everything on the list!  So, a little boy who never gets out of his crib took a walk outside in his new wheelchair.  The little blind girl who can't walk or talk has a new walker.  Lauren and I taught her how to use it and she smiled and hummed the whole time.  We were all crying!  Many more children will be able to come out of their cribs and start to build muscle and get mobile!

There is a brand new baby here, just a few days old.   The nannies are sure she is going to die so they aren't doing much for her.  She is only 3-4 pounds, doesn't cry, barely eats.  Our team member Tracy has "adopted" her and named her Simeon.  She said that she needs a strong name to survive.  She carries her the whole time we are there and tells her that there is a reason to live.  She said no one should die without ever being held.  Yesterday morning she was so swollen, her lips and nose were blue, her cheeks were bright yellow with jaundice and she was unresponsive.  By the end of the day, Tracy had coaxed her to eat, her color was much better and she even opened her eyes and seemed to hear Tracy's voice!

There are so many stories!  I will tell more later. Last night we went to church and met two people who speak English who may be willing to help with the orphange after we leave.  Mark has been praying for this for a long time, that the local church would get involved.  He was giddy last night.

We are moving to the other hotel this morning!  Then back to the orphanage where we belong.  Lauren is so in her element.  After the first very difficult day, she leaned her head on my shoulder and said "Best day ever."  Thanks for all your prayer!  Keep them coming!  We love you all!

Lauren's Night Life

Hi everybody, it's Lauren.

Last night we went to the town square place that's around this old pagoda. This is where everyone hangs out every night. It was crazy! There were people swing dancing, break dancing, and slow dancing, and some other people marching around the pagoda because they say that if you go around 1 million times you add 1 year to your life:) The thing with Chaoyang is that they don't usually get white visitors so we're a big deal to them, it's really funny! We were just walking around and people kept stopping us and asking us to take pictures with them or forcing their kids to take pics with us. We were also handing out glow sticks and silly bands to the kids and they love them! Today was a great day at the orphanage but mom is going to write about that in the morning. Goodnight!

Orphanage

We spent our first afternoon at the orphanage.  After hearing some of the stories about the condition of some of the children we were pretty nervous but we had a great day!  The conditions are sad.  The staff does a good job but they have their hands full.  Many are severly handicapped.  They have a nice, clean facility but the children aren't clean.  Lauren immediately had one handicapped blind girl in her arms.  The girl wouldn't let her go and Lauren held her for about an hour.  Lauren is amazing.  We have complete freedom to take the children from room to room. We held a blind infant girl for a long time; she fell asleep in Lauren's arms.  They haven't named her but the staff calls her Jo Jo.   By the end of the day I had a little guy following me around. The team calls him Luke.  He's about 2 and has deformed hands.  It doesn't stop him from doing anything and those chubby cheeks are irrestistable. There are too many precious children and stories to tell just from our first day.  We will try to introduce you to  a couple each day.

We got here this morning and found out that we are not at the usual hotel because the communist party is having a meeting and we got down-graded to the "Motel 6."  It's a bit rough but doable.