TEAMWorks China - Travel and Arrival!

TEAM China arrived at XNA at 5am on Thursday, November 7th.  All bags, wheelchairs, walkers, and stander were checked at the gate with no extra fees.  No hassle.   Praise the Lord!  We boarded plane to Detroit for the beginning of our Asia adventure.

In Detroit, we all prepared for our 13.5 hour flight to Beijing.  We made our last calls to family and friends before boarding our flight.  Everyone was ready to get some sleep, and Julie and Cindy slept through the first meal.  We had a great selection of movies to keep us entertained. 

In Beijing we had a little surprise.  We were reunited with all the equipment.  It didn't feel so good!  Luckily, we only lost one handle on a walker.  We had to re-check all bags and equipment at the China Southern desk.  After 4 hours at that desk, checked our bags and all equipment.  We were charged a large fee for the equipment but believing that there are kids that need the items and God will cover the cost.  After finally coming to an agreement, we had 2 bags not pass security.  One bag had lighter and the other a bendy bumper.  The lighter now resides in Beijing.  The bendy bumper was allowed to continue on the journey.  While we were sitting at the gate waiting on our next flight to Nanning, our new friend and facilitator, Allison, walked up to our group and introduced herself.  Can you believe she could pick out a group of sleep-deprived, crazy Arkansas women, with matching clothes and scarves and really greasy hair in the Beijing airport?  We boarded the plane with no problems and pretty much passed out.  We had hit the wall at this point.  Once we landed, we gathered our bags and equipment again.  It all arrived safe and sound.  We were grateful to see our driver in a LARGE van to take us to the hotel.  He was a trooper and packed the van with all the bags and equipment. 

We arrived at the hotel at 2am.  We highly recommend the Wharton Hotel in Nanning.  We all got to communicate with friends and family at home, but more importantly shower and sleep!

We had a nice breakfast which included some amazing noodles.  Paige, Julie, and Allison found a local copy shop to get all our education materials ready for the caregivers at the orphanage. 

We all ventured to Wal-mart to get a few supplies.  Our favorite supply that  Amber spotted was a seat to assist us at potty time.  Paige is refusing to use it but the rest of us are pretty excited!

We are on the road to Beiliu now.  It is 1:30pm now and we are expected at the orphanage at 3pm.  Lots of laughs heard in the van as we think about this journey...and full hearts as we think of the kids we are about to meet.

Please pray that the TEAM continues to feel well, have endurance, wisdom and that they are able to see all the children that need them the most!

TEAMWorks China - Off to China!

Our TEAMWorks China group as been preparing for weeks and leave for China tomorrow morning.  We are so excited and thankful for this opportunity to serve an orphanage in China.  We appreciate the support and generosity of everyone that has helped make this trip possible.  From praying over our plans to supporting the trip finanically, every thing, big and small has been felt and appreciated.  

The TEAM has been able to successfully pack 9 suitcases full of supplies, equipment, shoes, braces and educational toys as well as 1 stander, 2 corner chairs, 3 benches, 5 wheel chairs and 4 walkers!  Please join us in praying that these supplies are exactly what the children there need and that they would each be used to change lives.  

As the TEAM heads begins their journey, please join us in praying over them!

Prayers for:

-Safety and protection over Amber, Carol, Cindy, Julie and Paige and ease of travel as they arrive in China and navigate to the orphanage

-Favor with airlines to get all equipment and bags to China

-Good health and endurance as they make a long trip and work with each of the children

-That all bags and equipment make it successfully and into the hands of the children in need

-Preparing hearts of the people they will work with at the orphanage

-Blessings for everyone that has supported this trip

-Wisdom and guidance as the ladies work with each child and help educate caregivers

We couldn't be more excited to watch the Lord work through each of the ladies over the next week.  We will keep everyone updated as often as we can!

"...Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." -1 Corinthians 15:58