Welcome Lin Lan!

It is with great joy that we announce the safe delivery of Gu Lin Lan.  She arrived on Sept 21 in the morning by C section.  She weighed in at 6 jin/pounds.  She has been home for two days now and tonight, Sylvia, Marion and I got to hold her. Thank you to all who have been praying and those of you who sponsor Lin Lan’s parents, Xiao Guang and Lou Huan, our logistics manager and manager of administration.  Lou Huan is entitled to 105 days fully paid, but already she has done some administration work from home. 

Many of you love this young couple and I know you are rejoicing in this precious event.

Linda Shum

President of Chinese Orphans' Assistance Team Incorporated (COAT Inc)

"I raised you up on eagles' wings and brought you to myself" Ex 4:19b

http://www.eagleswingschina.org

Head Eagle Has Landed!

I am sure there is much rejoicing in Jiaozuo as Linda NaiNai (aka Linda Shum, COAT's Founder and President) has arrived for her semi-annual visit to Eagles Wings. She brought with her a few helpers...Vickie arrived about a week ago and Sylvia and Marion went straight to Jiaozuo while Linda detoured to Guangzhou to say "zai jian" to Fu Xing, now Greg Holle, who leaves for his new life in America tomorrow.

It's always so exciting for everyone when Linda arrives. She spoils the children, though she says she doesn't. But hugs and love and books won't really spoil anyone too terribly. She makes them read and practice their English which brings eye rolling and grins. I am sure WX has already tried his most pathetic little faces on her so he can sit on her knee.

For the staff, there is always praise and appreciation but also stern words for anyone who is not doing their share or needs some reminding about good hygiene or treating our children with respect and caring. All done with kindness and tact in semi-passable Chinese.

Linda's days are always busy with official meetings, unofficial training sessions, assessing which children need additional therapy, overseeing lessons at the school, and shopping for necessities (and some treats). She is often seen cruising around the city in her three wheel cart off on one mission or another.

The other NaiNais (grandmother in Chinese), JennAi, Liz, Sylvia and Marion are ensconced in various houses helping with the routine and not-so-routine tasks and spending time holding and nurturing our children. There's nothing quite like a grandma's arms to make a child feel loved.

Of course the biggest question when Linda is in China is how many new children and babies will take up residence before she leaves. There isn't a child that she can say no to; every one pulls at her heartstrings. Maybe we should have a poll? I'll keep you posted.

Please be praying for all four NaiNais as they work long hours, climb hundreds of stairs and demonstrate God's love to children and staff alike. May they be blessed as they bless the least of these.

With a thankful heart,
Donna
Director, Eagles Wings

It's A Boy!

With the new little girls arriving for our Eagles Wings staff, it's only fitting that we add a new little boy to our family. Meet Randy! This little guy was born on July 19, 2010 and arrived in Eagles Wings just this week. As you can see he will be needing surgery to repair his cleft lip. Hopefully, once that is done, he will quickly find a forever family. But for now, Randy will be in the caring hands of our special team in EW5, being carefully fed and nurtured so he can gain the weight necessary before we can schedule surgery. Please be praying for Randy and his nannies. If you would like to sponsor Randy or donate towards the costs of his surgery, you can do so at the Eagles Wings website.  We, Randy and I, would appreciate it!

Donna
Director, Eagles Wings

Congratulations!

I am happy to let you know that we actually have two brand new babies in our Eagles Wings family!  Our China Management team is led by a lovely married couple who welcomed their precious daughter, Gu Lin Lan, on Monday.

Our Purchasing Supervisor, a long time COAT employee, Dong Mei, and her husband welcomed their daughter, Wen Jing, last Friday.

Babies and Mamas are doing well. I'll post photos when I get them.  Congratulations and best wishes to the happy families!

Prayers Please

Our Administrative Manager is expecting her first child. She has been admitted to the hospital a few weeks early and they are expecting they will do a c-section tomorrow. Please pray for a healthy baby and a positive outcome all around. I had hoped to be in China before her baby arrived, but since that is not to be (and Linda isn't there for another week either), please pray that she would have the help and support she needs from her family and friends.  Also pray for her husband (our Facilities Manager).

An Eaglet Leaves the Nest!

There is very little that surpasses the joy when a child becomes part of a forever family. It is what we hope for for all of our children. Today, in China, one of my boys met the parents who will finish the job of raising this young boy into adulthood. I couldn't be more thrilled. With permission from his PARENTS (isn't that awesome?!), here are gotcha day photos of my sweet Fu Xing, now Gregory Holle.

  

    

Moving Moving Moving

It seems there is a lot of that going on these days!
Please send prayers for wisdom as we make a final shuffle of children and staff. The recent neighbor issue and the arrival of my family in early October has precipitated a fairly sizable rotation of kids. I hate to move them, more disruption in their young lives, but I also think that if we plan this move well, we should be set for many years to come. There are always unforeseen circumstances, but we try to keep them as stable as possible. I hope we will also be able to have more consistency in caregivers soon. 


We are also casting a net for a piece of property where we can have a school that is either in a small business, rather than residential, building or a stand alone facility. I like, no I love, the idea of having more space for the school. Perhaps one day we can even take some children with disabilities from the community! I do have mixed feelings though about raising the children in a walled off compound.  While this is fine for babies and toddlers, since most of our children will likely stay with us until young adulthood, I am concerned about creating an environment that is too removed from the community at large. We want our eaglets to soar into the world some day, and our job is to prepare them as best we can.


What do you think?