Share Global’s work has expanded dramatically over the 6 months and we are now actively caring for 4 Orphanages. Three are in the north of Anhui Province and one is the south. It is great that we now have 4 full-time workers: Sanjay from India, (Rukkia from Xinjiang, and Andrew from Yiwu, married) and Brett. Also we have a large team of supporters, who travel to the Orphanages showing “compassion” – Humber, Yunili, Solomon, John, Tracy, Donia, Alex, Colin and many more. It is a privilege for me, to serve with such a dedicated team.In this newsletter you will find articles written by Humber, John and Sanjay. Please be understanding, that English is the second or third language for these folk and Humber and John rarely speak English at all, yet they have been willing to write something this newsletter.
On my desk, are the files of many of the orphan children we care for, however I will allow you to read just one:-
Xia Xia (translated means “thank you”) born 1995, Relatives- not-known, Personal ambition-music, Background- Xia Xia is from a very poor background. Not long after she was born, she was abandoned as a baby in a rubbish-can. She was found by Mrs. Zhang, her body was bitten by rats and she was infested with maggots and lice. Mrs Zhang took Xia Xia home and nursed her back to health, caring for her for 14 years, until because of old-age, she could no-longer care for Xia Xia. In 2008 Xia Xia came to the Guoyang Orphanage and is currently studying in 9th grade in the County High School. Xia Xia loves to study, she is well-mannered and does excellent in school.
Xia Xia’s story is very similar to most of the children in Orphanages in China. Because of China’s one child-policy, baby girls are often abandoned. For baby boys, they are abandoned because of having disabilities of some sort. In rural-China life can be very harsh, so for farmer, they only require the fit and healthy (and this is the reality).
In the last newsletter I mentioned about Sanjay having a heart-attack. Through the “miraculous” healing power, Sanjay was able to make a quick recovery (to the surprise of his doctors) and was able to join me in China soon after his hospitalization. Sanjay returned to India in February this year for medical-checks and medications, but will return in early April. Sanjay now has the business up and running and is increasing the client-base. Also, Sanjay was able to join a team and visit one of our orphanages last November and here are his comments on this visit.
Unforgettable Moments
I had an opportunity to visit Gouyang which was my first ever experience and I learnt about life more closely and could understand why Share Global is meant to work in China. Our like-minded team which travelled along was fabulous and very lively, and we all were encouraged by the presence of the “special indwelling”.
We reached Shanghai where one of our friends was waiting to welcome us and to take us to the railway station via his home which came as a surprise. We were blessed with nice freshly cooked food for the evening and we all were taken to the railway station after we blessed their home and family. Before saying good night to one another in the train we sang “special”songs which again was a heart-warming experience. I was lying down and wondering how it would be like in Guoyang and after having a long talk with Brett, I slipped gently into sleep.
Next morning I woke up and saw the countryside covered with thick fog and activities around slowly getting started. Finally our train reached the destination that I was anxiously waiting for and we all made our way out through the flood of people to meet brother Ying, who welcomed us all with a very big smile and took us to his home where we met his wife and his son, Peter. After getting ready we dashed ahead for some hot steamy dumplings to give us energy and heat. Then we met a few friends from the local “family” understanding the way they work and handle the orphanage with the help of other friends in town as this orphanage is not being aided by the local government or any local institution. It was very touching to see so many friends having a common aim and coming together for helping these children and trying to give them the best they can with their limited sources.
We then drove to the orphanage and on the way I kept thinking about the children as I was very eager to meet them. The moment came as we entered the gate of this old discarded government building which is not in a very good shape, but the thought soon left my mind as I saw all the children aging from 5 to 15 charging towards us and shouting with joy and ear to ear grins. The moment we touched ground we were surrounded with all of them giving us big hugs and greeting us with “NI HAO”. This was my first feel and I was too, ear to ear grin with them, feeling their warmth and love through them. Very soon I lost my smile as saw the conditions they were living in and I could feel their pain but even with the little they had they were such a delight. We entered their study room where we all made them play games and we sang songs for them. The teachers were also excited and made all the kids to play games and sing songs which they had helped them to learn.
These were some of the wonderful moments I was sharing with them and thinking how unknown people come together for a reason. Children were happily displaying the gifts and essentials that were given by Share Global to them and we could see such happy radiant faces like sunflowers around us with utmost satisfaction and reciprocating with blessings to all of us for this small support that Share Global could extend. I was moved again when a girl timidly and gently approached me to give me a gift which was the most beautiful and touching thing for me because I felt so much love and thanks giving in her actions and I shall cherish this all my life. I was in tears again when the same girl approached Brett with another gift with the same feeling in her.
We never knew that time was flying away rapidly as we all were summoned for having supper with the children in their pantry hall which was in a very bad condition and I could once again feel the poverty and pain but the children were happy to have their meal of the day even without having the basic facilities in their life. Very soon the time came to say good night and good bye since it was getting dark and none of the children were ready to let us go as they wanted more from us and with our presence. I could see that they were deprived of good family life, parental care, pampering, shelter, clothing, food and fun. It was not easy to get into the car as again we all were surrounded by everyone for a hug and a touch of love for the last time they would be getting from a group like us and knowing that there are people out in the world to share and care but they would need to wait until the next time.
I thank all my team members here and everyone there in NZ for giving this opportunity to understand and feel what Share Global is all about. My special thanks to Brett for picking me, allowing me to be a part of Share Global family.
There are many things which we need to do for this orphanage so we can help these children to live in a better environment and conditions.
I request you to please be “thinking about” all the children, for every team member and for every support we may need to fulfill the “special plan and vision.
Blessings,
Sanjay
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Visit to Guoyang Area.
Definitely this is a refreshing and fruitful trip. For me, the area is special, the people are special, and the needs are special. The area is such vast plain with a name of Guoyang, so easy to misread as Woyang. It is said to be the birthplace of Laozi, the famous ancient philosopher. He was some years ahead before Confucius. To know more about this place and his theory, we even take a tour to local the tourism site which is mainly built according the Laozi culture. It is just at two historical rivers joining place. There are many sayings about this place and this famous man.
And in the orphan school, we noticed the kids are really in need of nutritious food. Even for the basic food they supply is becoming a big issue for the organizers. Besides studying, the kids are also are helping growing vegetables and swine. Now days the school teaching is conducted in an unused factory. The facilities are very bad, it is winter time, the bedding is obviously not sufficient for the kids. I noticed that most of the kids are smart; the only thing is that they are not as lively as children born into a whole family. At the moment they are short of teacher who will teach them courses. Due to the budget problem, the only teacher just quit teaching in the school and most of the kids are just gathering there to study by themselves. Some of them I noticed in their personal file that their dream is to serve with their gifts, to be something like teacher, or practical work. What wonderful seeds that are planted!
I strongly recommend every devoted brother and sister to connect with this area from your aspect. You could either meet some special need of these orphans from your side, or connect with some of these truth-seeking simple-hearted people, or take a tour around this area, or even by simple finding the works of Laozi Daodejing to read, I can say it would surely be something pleasant and wonderful.
Regards,
John
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At The Orphanage.
In cold weather, I participated in Share Global’s team to visit one of local orphanages in Guoyang, Anhui with Brett, Sanjay, Yunily, Rukkia, Andrew. After twenty hours travelling, we arrived in Guoyang. With local brother and sister help like Ying’s brother, we visited their orphanage. We could feel local economy is underdeveloped and their orphanage conditions are worse than others. Comparing to Susong orphanage, which we visited last month in Anhui with Brett, this orphanage still needs extra support. They rent an empty factory for these orphans. Living room combined with classroom in a shabby house, their dining room roof leaks water when raining. Their toilet is dirty and not suitable for children to use. Some of these orphans are disabled and it is dangerous to touch or carry some human waste or bacteria to living rooms or classroom which all orphans live in together. In summer time with high temperature, they are in danger by infecting disease. We played some games and sing songs with these orphans, from some childlike activities, we could feel these orphans have stronger inner spirits than many other common children. They are not spoiled and doing something others couldn’t do. Many of them wash clothes by themselves or help other disabled children, when they slipped in game or causing some pain they don’t cry or yell. They are in duty to cleaning toilet or collective dining tables after eating, even to an eight years old little girl, they feed several pigs for meat, they could eat once or twice meat per week from donation. When they saw us visitors have to stand eating with them, one of orphan girl ask others to donate their benches or chairs for us. They lived in poor conditions, but, on the other side, they are lucky for being cared by some experienced brothers and sisters to get through difficulties.
Love
Humber Pike
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We are delighted to have Rukkia and Andrew join us.. This is the couple I married in a wedding ceremony about 2 years back.
I am planning to return to China April this year, we have much to do.
Blessings,
Brett