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

Fall 2013 TEAMworks Newsletter

We are happy to announce,  we have started a quarterly TEAMworks newsletter! It will include stories from our trips and events, as well as up and coming news. We will be sending out the newsletter to everyone on our email list who has particpated in our events, or who would just like to be kept in the loop of all the fun and exctiing things happening in TEAMworks. Below is a PDF version of our first newsletter, please contact us by email or comment on our blog posts if you are interested in being added to our email list.

http://childrenstherapyteam.squarespace.com/storage/news/TEAMworks%20Fall%202013%20Newsletter.pdf

TEAMworks Ukraine- Friday July 12th

Today was the last day at our home base orphanage. We began the day meeting with parents and children that will be attending the newly opened rehabilitation center.  Not only was it beneficial to speak with the parents, it was encouraging to see the orphanage therapists engaged in the sessions, taking notes and sitting on the mats with us.  There was an equal balance of concerns for each discipline to address, so it was a very busy mroning with the individual children.

TEAMWorks Ukraine - Thursday, July 11th!

Today can be described as a whirlwind. We started out the morning at our home base orphanage where we were warmly greeted with smiles and hugs.  We toured the newly opened rehab centered associated with the orphanage.  The director was so excited to show us around. As we toured, he asked for brainstorming on ways to better set up the space for best function for the children. 

TEAMWorks Ukraine - Wednesday, July 10th!

We have made an agenda each morning before arriving at the orphanage and today, as every other day, The Lord had other plans and we followed where we were led.  Even though our day went differently then we planned, it was filled with wonderful moments, rapport building, and sharing of treatment ideas.

In the morning we were able to meet with director to express our gratitude. The director was equally as thankful for our time spent there and the many trips we have been able to make in the past.  He acknowledged growth in his staff and children and attributed lots of that growth to our presence. 

Next we met again with the therapists and doctors to present them with a small gift of appreciation.  This turned into a question and answer session as well as a treatment idea sharing time.  Even though we did not see children this morning, we felt the time was so effective as we were able to reemphasize the importance of many of the things we had talked about with people individually.  Our translator was pulled out for phone conversations regarding our luggage so we resorted to charades and it was quite amusing watching 9 adults playing with therapy equipment in attempts to communicate treatment techniques.  All left with valuable information.

The afternoon was a speed session to visit each room quickly for final goodbyes and wrap ups. We began by returning to a child that we saw on monday and has been seen on each previous trip. A year and a half ago she was inconsolable in her crib, in a room by herself, with the caregivers reporting that she broke 10-12 cribs per year from shaking them.  This time she smiled when we walked in and is in a room with other children.  Caregivers report she still has challenging days but she is so different due to the advice given on previous trips.  Their current concerns are her inability to eat from anything other than a bottle.  Mondays session with her was a bit overwhelming to all involved so we knew we had to revisit the situation again.  Kelly and Sophie were able to discuss and demonstrate techniques that will help her to move toward tolerating feedings with a spoon.  All were encouraged and surprised by the tolerance she had during the demonstration sessions, allowing the spoon to come to her mouth without distress.

We are so sad to leave today but are so pleased at the relationships that were built and the progress the children have made.  We are already making plans for the next trip.

TEAMWorks Ukraine - Tuesday July 9th

Day 2 at the orphanage was another luggage-less day. Unfortunately, we have yet to receive our luggage although did get confirmation that it arrived in Kiev. We would love to have our equipment but feel like God has given us this opportunity to guide us to communicate more with the caregivers and therapists and teach how to help these children even with limited resources.