Short Term Team News - Sparkling Eyes
Our latest short term team has just returned from China. It's been a blessing to hear news about what a great time the kids and team had together.
We always ask team members "What was your most memorable experience?" and I had to share this lovely response with you. Australian Pastor David writes:
"My most memorable experience was when two of the girls first looked into my eyes and smiled. These were separate events, but I can still see the sparkle in their eyes, and what came across was a heartfelt appreciation for my presence. They seemed to trust me and while we could not communicate verbally, I'd like to think they both got a sense of how much I cared for them. I will never forget those two sets of eyes."
If you'd like to share a similar experience, visit the teams pages on our website to find out how you can take part. I promise that you'll be challenged, changed and blessed.
See you next year in China, maybe?
See you in China, maybe?
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
International China Concern - News and Views
Mid-autumn Festival
Every Chinese festival is accompanied by some kind of special food. During the recent mid-autumn festival moon cakes were given and eaten as a symbol of good relationships between friends and family.
These pastries are often round and contain many different fillings, inluding sesame paste, lotus seeds, preserved eggs and fruit.
Believe it or not, most Chinese people don't know how to make moon cakes, preferring to buy them at the local shop. But our intrepid carers in Changhsa looked up the recipe on the internet and made moon cakes with some of the young people in the Group Homes.
Apparently a great time was had by all as they mixed pastry and prepared their favourite fillings. The best bit was sharing moon cakes with friends and neighbours, and of course eating them. The worst bit was clearing up afterwards!
We might take the ability to bake a cake for granted, but these young people were thrilled to put their recently learned cooking skills to such good use. It is a blessing to see them grow and develop as they learn to live as part of their local community.
Every Chinese festival is accompanied by some kind of special food. During the recent mid-autumn festival moon cakes were given and eaten as a symbol of good relationships between friends and family.
These pastries are often round and contain many different fillings, inluding sesame paste, lotus seeds, preserved eggs and fruit.
Believe it or not, most Chinese people don't know how to make moon cakes, preferring to buy them at the local shop. But our intrepid carers in Changhsa looked up the recipe on the internet and made moon cakes with some of the young people in the Group Homes.
Apparently a great time was had by all as they mixed pastry and prepared their favourite fillings. The best bit was sharing moon cakes with friends and neighbours, and of course eating them. The worst bit was clearing up afterwards!
We might take the ability to bake a cake for granted, but these young people were thrilled to put their recently learned cooking skills to such good use. It is a blessing to see them grow and develop as they learn to live as part of their local community.
Saturday, May 20, 2006
Heng Yang Update - May 20th
Kyla Alexander, the ICC Project Manager for the Heng Yang Spring Project writes:
Hi,
Alison and I were talking about how so much has happened over the last few weeks in the Heng Yang Project, there is so much to give thanks for. And so, I thought it important to do a little update for the National Offices, Supporters, Intercessors and Short Term Team members on the progress and significant changes. Please disseminate this information to the relevant people.
We have launched Phase One of the project. On May 8th the Heng Yang Spring Service Centre (joint management between ICC and the Welfare Centre) took over the employment and management of all the staff caring for the disabled children and infants in the centre. From May 8-12th we ran training for the old and new staff on basic hygiene, first aid, emotional care, behaviour management, etc. The total number of staff working with the children has increased from 10 to 25. There are 8 workers caring for the children each day, and 5 at night.
With so many recent admissions, and the survival of these children because of the improved care the number of the children in the project has increased to 70 infants, children and young people. Space is a significant problem that we are currently trying to solve.
A baby care unit was opened on May 14th to care for the increasing numbers of disabled infants we are receiving. At the moment this unit is staffed by some loving carers. There are currently 8 children in the unit.
2 young children with special needs are currently in foster care in the community.
We have broken the children into 6 groups according to age and sex. The groups are called Lilly, Lotus, Jasmine, Poplar and Bamboo. The carers are all assigned to care for a specific group of children and this system is so far working well.
The children are now separated into groups to eat and this is working very well. The children are learning to sit and eat without fighting and grabbing each others food. There is a significant difference already in the mealtimes.
To boost their nutrition a snack program was commenced in March. Several of the children have put on weight since this started. One significant change is in a little girl called Yang Jian Hua who is significantly heavier and healthier.
With the employment of new staff as carers we employed one of the old staff as a teacher. She has experience teaching kindergarten. This lady called Teacher Chen has commenced a class with 8 younger children who are intellectually normal but unable to attend school because of disability or trauma. The classes started on May 15th and the children are doing very well. One of the children called Yang Jian Ping began to speak in the class.
We are currently working on improving the clothing and physical appearance of the children. The children’s hair will no longer be shaved. The clothing is also being upgraded and all the children received a new pair of summer shoes this week.
Next week on May 22nd Hannah is starting craft classes with some of the teenagers. One of the groups will be learning to make cards.
Please keep praying for us as we continue to face the daily difficulties and struggles of setting up this project, but it is great to see the little progresses and changes in the children. Thank you for your support.
God Bless
Kyla
Hi,
Alison and I were talking about how so much has happened over the last few weeks in the Heng Yang Project, there is so much to give thanks for. And so, I thought it important to do a little update for the National Offices, Supporters, Intercessors and Short Term Team members on the progress and significant changes. Please disseminate this information to the relevant people.
We have launched Phase One of the project. On May 8th the Heng Yang Spring Service Centre (joint management between ICC and the Welfare Centre) took over the employment and management of all the staff caring for the disabled children and infants in the centre. From May 8-12th we ran training for the old and new staff on basic hygiene, first aid, emotional care, behaviour management, etc. The total number of staff working with the children has increased from 10 to 25. There are 8 workers caring for the children each day, and 5 at night.
With so many recent admissions, and the survival of these children because of the improved care the number of the children in the project has increased to 70 infants, children and young people. Space is a significant problem that we are currently trying to solve.
A baby care unit was opened on May 14th to care for the increasing numbers of disabled infants we are receiving. At the moment this unit is staffed by some loving carers. There are currently 8 children in the unit.
2 young children with special needs are currently in foster care in the community.
We have broken the children into 6 groups according to age and sex. The groups are called Lilly, Lotus, Jasmine, Poplar and Bamboo. The carers are all assigned to care for a specific group of children and this system is so far working well.
The children are now separated into groups to eat and this is working very well. The children are learning to sit and eat without fighting and grabbing each others food. There is a significant difference already in the mealtimes.
To boost their nutrition a snack program was commenced in March. Several of the children have put on weight since this started. One significant change is in a little girl called Yang Jian Hua who is significantly heavier and healthier.
With the employment of new staff as carers we employed one of the old staff as a teacher. She has experience teaching kindergarten. This lady called Teacher Chen has commenced a class with 8 younger children who are intellectually normal but unable to attend school because of disability or trauma. The classes started on May 15th and the children are doing very well. One of the children called Yang Jian Ping began to speak in the class.
We are currently working on improving the clothing and physical appearance of the children. The children’s hair will no longer be shaved. The clothing is also being upgraded and all the children received a new pair of summer shoes this week.
Next week on May 22nd Hannah is starting craft classes with some of the teenagers. One of the groups will be learning to make cards.
Please keep praying for us as we continue to face the daily difficulties and struggles of setting up this project, but it is great to see the little progresses and changes in the children. Thank you for your support.
God Bless
Kyla
Thursday, March 09, 2006
Trafficking of babies in Hunan Province
In the last months both Chinese and international media have reported the discovery of a child trafficking ring in Hunan Province. It has been reported that up to 80 children were sold by traffickers to orphanages in Hunan Province. These children were then put up for adoption. An investigation by Chinese authorities has resulted in the prosecution and dismissal of leaders from the Civil Affairs Bureau in Hunan Province.
International China Concern whole-heartedly supports the investigation conducted by the Chinese authorities and supports the punishment of those involved in this reprehensible crime against helpless children.
The Heng Yang Welfare Centre has not been significantly affected by this incident. The leadership of ICC is confident that the incidents that have taken place in Heng Yang Country and other parts of Hunan Province will not affect the project that is being established at the Heng Yang City Social Welfare Institute. ICC fully expects to be able to provide the care, therapy, education and medical to 50 abandoned and orphaned babies children with disabilities.
Should you have further enquiries regarding this issue then please contact David Gotts at djgotts@intlchinaoncern.org
8th March 2006 – 12.15 p.m.
International China Concern whole-heartedly supports the investigation conducted by the Chinese authorities and supports the punishment of those involved in this reprehensible crime against helpless children.
The Heng Yang Welfare Centre has not been significantly affected by this incident. The leadership of ICC is confident that the incidents that have taken place in Heng Yang Country and other parts of Hunan Province will not affect the project that is being established at the Heng Yang City Social Welfare Institute. ICC fully expects to be able to provide the care, therapy, education and medical to 50 abandoned and orphaned babies children with disabilities.
Should you have further enquiries regarding this issue then please contact David Gotts at djgotts@intlchinaoncern.org
8th March 2006 – 12.15 p.m.
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Reflections on lives changes
Children remembering the Christ child
Christmas was an excellent time as the team spent time with all the children having an opportunity to share the true meaning of Christmas and how it impacts their lives. The group homes, particularly the Moving On Group Home @ Sen Yu Jia Yuen did an excellent job of making sure every child, no matter what degree of disability, was able to enter into celebrating Christ’s birth.
One young woman, Liu Chu in particular stood out. She is normally shy and quiet, stands in the background and won't talk unless spoken to. She was up there singing, and acting a part in a play. It is so encouraging to see her do this. It shows that she is gaining more self confidence. She looked like she was enjoying herself in the process!
Enabling Heads to be held high
In December Dong Liang and Wang Hua (two of our young disabled adults in Changsha) received their special wheelchair seating supports. For Dong Liang this has made a huge difference as he is now able to sit holding his head erect for much longer and his feeding has improved. Wang Hua has taken longer to get used to it as it is more restricting than her previous seat but it has improved her posture greatly.
For many of us life is often measured in terms of achievement and usually the bigger the achievement the better. I think that world changing achievement gladdens the heart of Jesus no more than Dong Liang and Wang Hua being able to sit with their heads held high in every sense of the word.
Sharing Hope and Remembering the Past
Around Chinese New Year a group of our Changsha young adults traveled to the Heng Yang Welfare Center to meet those children that are about to join the ICC family. The trip had a great impact. Eleven young adults, themselves previously ‘forgotten children’ were able to share the hope that they have encountered through ICC with those who are desperately waiting for hope. Chen Shi, an ICC young adult, took the opportunity to share not only how what ICC had changed his life, but how Jesus was now living in his heart.
Sun Ping – a resident of Moving On in Changsha said that visiting Heng Yang reminded him of how his living situation in the Changsha Welfare Center used to be. He said, “We should be grateful, but often we forget and cause problems”.
Learning through touch
A new sensory integration therapy room at Ya Tang Cun is enabling Tang Wang and Du Sheng to make progress. Learning through touch will become a part of the therapy program for many of our Ya Tang Cun children in the coming weeks.
From frost-bite to new life in Heng Yang
Yang Dong was a very withdrawn little girl when we first met her in Nov 2005. Her heart seemed hidden behind an expressionless face in what seemed like an attempt to survive the traumas of her past and present.
During the last 3 months Yang Dong has suffered with frost bite, a 3 week hospital stay and the amputation of two of her toes. Despite all of this the Father turned these sad events into a wonderful story of healing. While in hospital Yang Dong was cared for by Auntie Li, whose love for this little one was heaven sent. Once an emotionally shut down child she is now a cheeky character full of life and laughter. Since her return to the orphanage she hasn't lost her sparkle. The toes she lost would never have been useful for walking due to the spina bifida but the life she gained will always be a reminder to me of how God causes streams to flow in dry and desperate places.
Christmas was an excellent time as the team spent time with all the children having an opportunity to share the true meaning of Christmas and how it impacts their lives. The group homes, particularly the Moving On Group Home @ Sen Yu Jia Yuen did an excellent job of making sure every child, no matter what degree of disability, was able to enter into celebrating Christ’s birth.
One young woman, Liu Chu in particular stood out. She is normally shy and quiet, stands in the background and won't talk unless spoken to. She was up there singing, and acting a part in a play. It is so encouraging to see her do this. It shows that she is gaining more self confidence. She looked like she was enjoying herself in the process!
Enabling Heads to be held high
In December Dong Liang and Wang Hua (two of our young disabled adults in Changsha) received their special wheelchair seating supports. For Dong Liang this has made a huge difference as he is now able to sit holding his head erect for much longer and his feeding has improved. Wang Hua has taken longer to get used to it as it is more restricting than her previous seat but it has improved her posture greatly.
For many of us life is often measured in terms of achievement and usually the bigger the achievement the better. I think that world changing achievement gladdens the heart of Jesus no more than Dong Liang and Wang Hua being able to sit with their heads held high in every sense of the word.
Sharing Hope and Remembering the Past
Around Chinese New Year a group of our Changsha young adults traveled to the Heng Yang Welfare Center to meet those children that are about to join the ICC family. The trip had a great impact. Eleven young adults, themselves previously ‘forgotten children’ were able to share the hope that they have encountered through ICC with those who are desperately waiting for hope. Chen Shi, an ICC young adult, took the opportunity to share not only how what ICC had changed his life, but how Jesus was now living in his heart.
Sun Ping – a resident of Moving On in Changsha said that visiting Heng Yang reminded him of how his living situation in the Changsha Welfare Center used to be. He said, “We should be grateful, but often we forget and cause problems”.
Learning through touch
A new sensory integration therapy room at Ya Tang Cun is enabling Tang Wang and Du Sheng to make progress. Learning through touch will become a part of the therapy program for many of our Ya Tang Cun children in the coming weeks.
From frost-bite to new life in Heng Yang
Yang Dong was a very withdrawn little girl when we first met her in Nov 2005. Her heart seemed hidden behind an expressionless face in what seemed like an attempt to survive the traumas of her past and present.
During the last 3 months Yang Dong has suffered with frost bite, a 3 week hospital stay and the amputation of two of her toes. Despite all of this the Father turned these sad events into a wonderful story of healing. While in hospital Yang Dong was cared for by Auntie Li, whose love for this little one was heaven sent. Once an emotionally shut down child she is now a cheeky character full of life and laughter. Since her return to the orphanage she hasn't lost her sparkle. The toes she lost would never have been useful for walking due to the spina bifida but the life she gained will always be a reminder to me of how God causes streams to flow in dry and desperate places.
Monday, February 27, 2006
An update from Kirsten Britcher
I thought I’d begin this update by answering the five most frequently asked questions:
So where are you?
I’m still in Changsha, living at Sue’s house; same complex, different building. I moved two weeks ago and have rice bags full of luggage lining the walls, the latest in home decorating!
When are you moving to the UK?
A few days ago I would have said – I don’t know! But I now have a return ticket to the UK and will be leaving HK for London and Newcastle March 17. I’m due back in China for Board meetings April 19 so will only be in the UK for a month.
My UK Work Permit is in process and won’t be approved in time for this first trip so I’ll be in the UK on a tourist visa. I won’t begin working for the ICC UK company until all the right paperwork and visas are processed so the plan is to take a little time to settle into Morpeth, take a short holiday, continue to oversee the China (ICC HK Company) work and meet with Richard, fellow Board member. I’ll begin development and work for the ICC UK Company when I return in May and I’ll continue to provide oversight for the China work until a new director is appointed.
Has the team moved to Heng Yang yet?
Yes Kyla, Alison and Karen moved to Heng Yang to set up new homes and to establish the Heng Yang Spring Project February 9. We pr-yed for clear skies and ended up with rain, hail and snow! Oh well… The team will be joined by Hannah and Leisel in the coming months and, in cooperation with the Heng Yang Welfare Centre, will provide services for over 50 abandoned, orphaned children and youth with disabilities.
The needs in the Heng Yang centre are desperate; inadequate basic care, food, clothing, education, medical care and therapy. Children fight over rice on the ground and beat each other, often just for attention and as a way of showing affection. It’s all they know. The need is great but so is the potential.
The Spring Project’s mission is to touch these children and the surrounding community with the Father’s love through providing services that significantly improves quality of life and decreases the high mortality rate at the centre. ICC is committed to empowering the government and local community of Heng Yang in the care of disabled orphans, training local people to work within the project and bringing community transformation.
Yang Dong’s life is already being transformed.
Yang Dong is 6 years old and was recently abandoned. Frostbite and lack of treatment led to her having a gangrenous toe, infection all the way up to her knee and a blackened toe and ball of her foot. She’s since had her toe amputated and at one point we wondered if her whole foot would be lost. This situation could have been avoided had Yang Dong been living in a warm environment with adequate clothing and footwear, had someone noticed the frostbite and immediately treated it. It’s frustrating and hard to see needless suffering but it can work for good.
When Kyla and the team discovered Yang Dong they admitted her to hospital and employed a lady to care for her and feed her. Within a couple of days she had become a very different little girl, smiling and laughing. She was no longer shut down and there was a sparkle in her eye. What she’d needed as much as treatment was someone to care for her, just her. She’d needed someone to notice her, listen to her and love her. Yang Dong and her carer now share a special bond and this once shut down little girl is blossoming. It’s amazing just how much a little love and hope can do for the soul.
How’s your health?
I’ve managed to keep out of hospital these past months but I’m still struggling to breathe at times. I look forward to getting fit again and not always feeling exhausted. And maybe people will stop asking – are you OK? You don’t look good…
So how do we contact you?
From now until March 16 you can continue to contact me in China.
I leave China, home for 5 years, feeling very much a part of it but still very much a foreigner. And the longer I stay the more China and her people remain a mystery. Just when I think I have it worked out I discover the rules have changed or my assumptions were wrong! That’s the amazing thing, one can never really generalise about China; one can only share experiences. What I value most about my time is the relationships I have with the staff and the children, the fact that I’ve been able to make a difference, no matter how small. There are a few nationals with whom I’ve had the privilege of sharing my heart, my hopes and fears and they have trusted me with theirs. This is a rare and precious gift.
I’ll sign off for now but I want to thank you for your friendship, for walking with me these past years. I look forward to sharing with you news of new friends, a new country and new adventures.
Kirsten Britcher
Acting COC Director and Director of Communications.
So where are you?
I’m still in Changsha, living at Sue’s house; same complex, different building. I moved two weeks ago and have rice bags full of luggage lining the walls, the latest in home decorating!
When are you moving to the UK?
A few days ago I would have said – I don’t know! But I now have a return ticket to the UK and will be leaving HK for London and Newcastle March 17. I’m due back in China for Board meetings April 19 so will only be in the UK for a month.
My UK Work Permit is in process and won’t be approved in time for this first trip so I’ll be in the UK on a tourist visa. I won’t begin working for the ICC UK company until all the right paperwork and visas are processed so the plan is to take a little time to settle into Morpeth, take a short holiday, continue to oversee the China (ICC HK Company) work and meet with Richard, fellow Board member. I’ll begin development and work for the ICC UK Company when I return in May and I’ll continue to provide oversight for the China work until a new director is appointed.
Has the team moved to Heng Yang yet?
Yes Kyla, Alison and Karen moved to Heng Yang to set up new homes and to establish the Heng Yang Spring Project February 9. We pr-yed for clear skies and ended up with rain, hail and snow! Oh well… The team will be joined by Hannah and Leisel in the coming months and, in cooperation with the Heng Yang Welfare Centre, will provide services for over 50 abandoned, orphaned children and youth with disabilities.
The needs in the Heng Yang centre are desperate; inadequate basic care, food, clothing, education, medical care and therapy. Children fight over rice on the ground and beat each other, often just for attention and as a way of showing affection. It’s all they know. The need is great but so is the potential.
The Spring Project’s mission is to touch these children and the surrounding community with the Father’s love through providing services that significantly improves quality of life and decreases the high mortality rate at the centre. ICC is committed to empowering the government and local community of Heng Yang in the care of disabled orphans, training local people to work within the project and bringing community transformation.
Yang Dong’s life is already being transformed.
Yang Dong is 6 years old and was recently abandoned. Frostbite and lack of treatment led to her having a gangrenous toe, infection all the way up to her knee and a blackened toe and ball of her foot. She’s since had her toe amputated and at one point we wondered if her whole foot would be lost. This situation could have been avoided had Yang Dong been living in a warm environment with adequate clothing and footwear, had someone noticed the frostbite and immediately treated it. It’s frustrating and hard to see needless suffering but it can work for good.
When Kyla and the team discovered Yang Dong they admitted her to hospital and employed a lady to care for her and feed her. Within a couple of days she had become a very different little girl, smiling and laughing. She was no longer shut down and there was a sparkle in her eye. What she’d needed as much as treatment was someone to care for her, just her. She’d needed someone to notice her, listen to her and love her. Yang Dong and her carer now share a special bond and this once shut down little girl is blossoming. It’s amazing just how much a little love and hope can do for the soul.
How’s your health?
I’ve managed to keep out of hospital these past months but I’m still struggling to breathe at times. I look forward to getting fit again and not always feeling exhausted. And maybe people will stop asking – are you OK? You don’t look good…
So how do we contact you?
From now until March 16 you can continue to contact me in China.
I leave China, home for 5 years, feeling very much a part of it but still very much a foreigner. And the longer I stay the more China and her people remain a mystery. Just when I think I have it worked out I discover the rules have changed or my assumptions were wrong! That’s the amazing thing, one can never really generalise about China; one can only share experiences. What I value most about my time is the relationships I have with the staff and the children, the fact that I’ve been able to make a difference, no matter how small. There are a few nationals with whom I’ve had the privilege of sharing my heart, my hopes and fears and they have trusted me with theirs. This is a rare and precious gift.
I’ll sign off for now but I want to thank you for your friendship, for walking with me these past years. I look forward to sharing with you news of new friends, a new country and new adventures.
Kirsten Britcher
Acting COC Director and Director of Communications.
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Exciting Times Challenging Times
I just got back from spending time with the ICC teams in Changsha and Heng Yang. It was a busy time, but one filled with some great blessings.
The first part of my trip was interviewing a strong candidate for the position of China Operations Director. I know that many of you have been praying that God will provide the right person. Whilst no final decision has been made, we were encouraged at how God seems to be moving in this process. Please pray that we will have wisdom as we consider this candidate.
It was also good to spend time with the Changsha Team. As many of you know the team is going through quite a lot of change - especially with part of the team moving down to Heng Yang to begin our work there. It was encouraging to see all that God is doing both in the team and also in the work. The team, whilst feeling the loss of their team mates, are also excited about the future. A meeting with the Director of the Changsha Welfare Center finished with his approval to begin searching for new premises to house our children from Ya Tang Cun. We hope that during 2006 these children will be able to move into much more ideal accommodation which can facilitate their care, education, therapy and play. Please keep praying as we seek God to lead us in this and provide for us financially.
The latter part of my time was with the team in Heng Yang. The team moved down to the city on February 8th and so they were still living out of boxes during my visit. However the work doesn't stop. The new ICC offices in the HY welfare center are coming along well, Yang Dong (the little girl with frost bite) is recovering after her surgery, the team's homes are getting sorted out, and there is a sense of God's presence in the midst of the busyness.
As I left China for Hong Kong I could not help feel excited. Excited that God is doing something new work in our midst. I also felt challenged - as there are many gaps that still need to be filled. Please pray that God would provide abundantly for every gap that we have.
During my brief stop in Hong Kong I got to meet with several people, one of whom is well connnected with the Hunan Provincal Government. He is willing to advocate for us to be given a piece of land on which we can then develop a new children's and youth center in Changsha. Please pray for Mr Huang that God will continue to move on his heart and that he will actively work to bring about this provision.
Thanks for your prayers and your care. The work of ICC rests upon the prayers of the saints - we value each one of you.
In Him,
David
David Gotts
Executive Director
The first part of my trip was interviewing a strong candidate for the position of China Operations Director. I know that many of you have been praying that God will provide the right person. Whilst no final decision has been made, we were encouraged at how God seems to be moving in this process. Please pray that we will have wisdom as we consider this candidate.
It was also good to spend time with the Changsha Team. As many of you know the team is going through quite a lot of change - especially with part of the team moving down to Heng Yang to begin our work there. It was encouraging to see all that God is doing both in the team and also in the work. The team, whilst feeling the loss of their team mates, are also excited about the future. A meeting with the Director of the Changsha Welfare Center finished with his approval to begin searching for new premises to house our children from Ya Tang Cun. We hope that during 2006 these children will be able to move into much more ideal accommodation which can facilitate their care, education, therapy and play. Please keep praying as we seek God to lead us in this and provide for us financially.
The latter part of my time was with the team in Heng Yang. The team moved down to the city on February 8th and so they were still living out of boxes during my visit. However the work doesn't stop. The new ICC offices in the HY welfare center are coming along well, Yang Dong (the little girl with frost bite) is recovering after her surgery, the team's homes are getting sorted out, and there is a sense of God's presence in the midst of the busyness.
As I left China for Hong Kong I could not help feel excited. Excited that God is doing something new work in our midst. I also felt challenged - as there are many gaps that still need to be filled. Please pray that God would provide abundantly for every gap that we have.
During my brief stop in Hong Kong I got to meet with several people, one of whom is well connnected with the Hunan Provincal Government. He is willing to advocate for us to be given a piece of land on which we can then develop a new children's and youth center in Changsha. Please pray for Mr Huang that God will continue to move on his heart and that he will actively work to bring about this provision.
Thanks for your prayers and your care. The work of ICC rests upon the prayers of the saints - we value each one of you.
In Him,
David
David Gotts
Executive Director
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Enjoying the Sun and Sand!
Ever wondered what ICC's China staff look like? Take a look at the photo on the left. This photo was taken at the ICC staff retreat in November 2005.
Each year ICC holds a retreat for our missions staff in order to give them some rest, bless them for all the hard work they do and provide some much needed spiritual input and refreshment.
Thursday, January 05, 2006
New Year 2006
It always amazes me how time goes by so quickly and that we are already beginning 2006. I wanted to take a moment to share a couple of reflections from a time of prayer on New Years Eve.
It was great to attend a prayer service on New Years Eve and to have the chance to reflect back over 2005 and to prayerfully look forward to this coming year. As I thought back on 2005 I was very grateful to God for how He has continued to walk with us in ICC. 2003 and 2004 were both very challenging years for all of us in ICC. 2005, whilst not as difficult, has had its challenges as we settle into the changes brought about during the previous two years. Dealing with the difficulties and changes that we have experienced is not easy and can wear us down. Settling into the new management in Changsha, working out the inevitable problems that have arisen with the move into the community and the development of the Heng Yang project are all changes which have both positive and negative sides. Positive in that we are moving to a way of working that we believe will give our children and youth a better life. Positive because we have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of another 50 children in Heng Yang, yet negative because change bring about stress, challenges our sense of security, sometimes overwhelms us and alters the network of relationships that is so important to us.
As I write I ask find myself asking these questions – Do I trust that God has been in the midst of all that we have walked through? Do I believe that He continues to guide, lead and form ICC through the changes and circumstances that we encounter? Do I trust that, despite how things sometimes look and feel that He is blessing the work of ICC and moving us towards realizing our vision? Is He changing the lives of the children that He has given into our care?
In the day to day slog of walking out the ministry we have been called to we can lose sight of what He is doing as we deal with the changes, the lacks, the gaps that we see, the frustrations that we have, and the unanswered questions that leave us disappointed. But upon reflection, sitting in church on New Years Eve, and sitting here now in my office, I know in my heart that God is in the midst of all that we have walked through. I know that He is guiding, leading and forming us through the circumstances we encounter, that He is blessing the work of ICC, despite the challenges, and that most importantly there are children who are coming to know Jesus either for the first time or in increasing measure through the faithful day to day work that we do.
I am grateful to God that I have finished 2005 with the certainty of those things, and that encourages me to turn my eyes to 2006 with a sense of expectancy.
2006, I am sure, will continue to be a year of change. Change whilst sometimes hard is both inevitable and good. A minister I heard speak a few months ago said it this way:
Healthy things grow
Growing things change
Changing things challenge us
Challenging things force us to trust God
Trust leads to obedience
Obedience makes you healthy
Healthy things grow…..
Firstly, I hope that for each one of us the primary change is one of growing a little more into the image of Jesus. Secondly, I hope that each of us will experience closeness with Jesus that enables us to have joy in the midst of the changes we encounter. Thirdly, I hope that we will have confidence in knowing that He walks with us in all that unfolds in ICC.
I trust that God will gift to us those three things in this coming year.
Here are some of the things that we trust God will establish in 2006:
In China:
A new COC Director for our China work
The beginning of the Heng Yang team and project
New accommodation for the children at Ya Tang Cun in Changsha
A new vocational workshop for our youth
The strengthening of our Changsha team with new staff.
Good input into our Chinese leadership to develop their leadership and management skills, including a trip to visit social welfare projects in Hong Kong in June.
Identify and employ a new assistant project manager, therapy manager, education manager and translator for the Changsha Project
Strengthen our relationship with the government departments that we work with.
Outside of China:
Our National Offices and staff – that they will continue to see the vital role they play in the work that we do for China’s children
Strengthen the support, input and communication with our national offices.
The beginning set up of new National Offices in Taiwan, Singapore and an office to deal with Chinese enquiries.
Our website being translated into Chinese.
Strengthen recruitment of long term staff.
A pool of specialist people who can come and train staff and work with the children.
The things listed above have all been identified as we have talked together, shared our views and recognized the needs of the work that we do. When I look at these things, and the many more smaller items that are not listed here, I begin to feel somewhat like Gideon. In other words, if it is up to me then there is no way these things can be done. If it is up to us then a rational mind would say that we are too few people. However we trust that God will bring about the realization of these things in his timing and in his way, just as He brought about Gideon’s victory with a handful of people at Gideon’s side.
In short, we are being given an opportunity to trust – an opportunity to trust that God will bring about all that He wants in ICC in 2006. I believe that those three words ‘opportunity to trust’ that came to me whilst praying on New Years Eve are God’s word and challenge for me in 2006. I want to ask you to join with me in taking up this ‘opportunity to trust’ for ICC in 2006. When the challenges come, when the circumstances are hard, when we don’t see the way forward, when it feels like a slog each day or our hopes are dashed then let us stand together and take up this opportunity to trust in our God and Father. As we do that I believe that God will do all that He wants in and through us.
In closing, I want to encourage you to see that ICC is a family – a diverse one - spread across countries, cities, with different personalities and foibles – yet one that is united in our belief that we have been called to care for one another and ‘go’ make a difference to the lives to China’s abandoned and orphaned children.
God Bless you and may you know His joy, peace and provision in 2006.
In Him,
David
David J. Gotts
Executive Director
International China Concern
It was great to attend a prayer service on New Years Eve and to have the chance to reflect back over 2005 and to prayerfully look forward to this coming year. As I thought back on 2005 I was very grateful to God for how He has continued to walk with us in ICC. 2003 and 2004 were both very challenging years for all of us in ICC. 2005, whilst not as difficult, has had its challenges as we settle into the changes brought about during the previous two years. Dealing with the difficulties and changes that we have experienced is not easy and can wear us down. Settling into the new management in Changsha, working out the inevitable problems that have arisen with the move into the community and the development of the Heng Yang project are all changes which have both positive and negative sides. Positive in that we are moving to a way of working that we believe will give our children and youth a better life. Positive because we have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of another 50 children in Heng Yang, yet negative because change bring about stress, challenges our sense of security, sometimes overwhelms us and alters the network of relationships that is so important to us.
As I write I ask find myself asking these questions – Do I trust that God has been in the midst of all that we have walked through? Do I believe that He continues to guide, lead and form ICC through the changes and circumstances that we encounter? Do I trust that, despite how things sometimes look and feel that He is blessing the work of ICC and moving us towards realizing our vision? Is He changing the lives of the children that He has given into our care?
In the day to day slog of walking out the ministry we have been called to we can lose sight of what He is doing as we deal with the changes, the lacks, the gaps that we see, the frustrations that we have, and the unanswered questions that leave us disappointed. But upon reflection, sitting in church on New Years Eve, and sitting here now in my office, I know in my heart that God is in the midst of all that we have walked through. I know that He is guiding, leading and forming us through the circumstances we encounter, that He is blessing the work of ICC, despite the challenges, and that most importantly there are children who are coming to know Jesus either for the first time or in increasing measure through the faithful day to day work that we do.
I am grateful to God that I have finished 2005 with the certainty of those things, and that encourages me to turn my eyes to 2006 with a sense of expectancy.
2006, I am sure, will continue to be a year of change. Change whilst sometimes hard is both inevitable and good. A minister I heard speak a few months ago said it this way:
Healthy things grow
Growing things change
Changing things challenge us
Challenging things force us to trust God
Trust leads to obedience
Obedience makes you healthy
Healthy things grow…..
Firstly, I hope that for each one of us the primary change is one of growing a little more into the image of Jesus. Secondly, I hope that each of us will experience closeness with Jesus that enables us to have joy in the midst of the changes we encounter. Thirdly, I hope that we will have confidence in knowing that He walks with us in all that unfolds in ICC.
I trust that God will gift to us those three things in this coming year.
Here are some of the things that we trust God will establish in 2006:
In China:
A new COC Director for our China work
The beginning of the Heng Yang team and project
New accommodation for the children at Ya Tang Cun in Changsha
A new vocational workshop for our youth
The strengthening of our Changsha team with new staff.
Good input into our Chinese leadership to develop their leadership and management skills, including a trip to visit social welfare projects in Hong Kong in June.
Identify and employ a new assistant project manager, therapy manager, education manager and translator for the Changsha Project
Strengthen our relationship with the government departments that we work with.
Outside of China:
Our National Offices and staff – that they will continue to see the vital role they play in the work that we do for China’s children
Strengthen the support, input and communication with our national offices.
The beginning set up of new National Offices in Taiwan, Singapore and an office to deal with Chinese enquiries.
Our website being translated into Chinese.
Strengthen recruitment of long term staff.
A pool of specialist people who can come and train staff and work with the children.
The things listed above have all been identified as we have talked together, shared our views and recognized the needs of the work that we do. When I look at these things, and the many more smaller items that are not listed here, I begin to feel somewhat like Gideon. In other words, if it is up to me then there is no way these things can be done. If it is up to us then a rational mind would say that we are too few people. However we trust that God will bring about the realization of these things in his timing and in his way, just as He brought about Gideon’s victory with a handful of people at Gideon’s side.
In short, we are being given an opportunity to trust – an opportunity to trust that God will bring about all that He wants in ICC in 2006. I believe that those three words ‘opportunity to trust’ that came to me whilst praying on New Years Eve are God’s word and challenge for me in 2006. I want to ask you to join with me in taking up this ‘opportunity to trust’ for ICC in 2006. When the challenges come, when the circumstances are hard, when we don’t see the way forward, when it feels like a slog each day or our hopes are dashed then let us stand together and take up this opportunity to trust in our God and Father. As we do that I believe that God will do all that He wants in and through us.
In closing, I want to encourage you to see that ICC is a family – a diverse one - spread across countries, cities, with different personalities and foibles – yet one that is united in our belief that we have been called to care for one another and ‘go’ make a difference to the lives to China’s abandoned and orphaned children.
God Bless you and may you know His joy, peace and provision in 2006.
In Him,
David
David J. Gotts
Executive Director
International China Concern
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