Bill Learns to Count

We've all been home for over a week now. Looking at the blog, I know I have left a lot out. Our time there was so full of experiences. Like Bill learning how to count in Chinese. One of the ladies at the Pearl Market sells purses and belts, and is a good friend of Louie and Bill. Here, she helps refine Bill's counting in Mandarin.

Good Bye Zhau Xian

After say our heart felt good byes, it was time to leave Zhau Xian,
until next time.
It was a long drive back to Beijing where we rested for the flight home
the next day. These last 4 entries were typed during the flight from
China to Newark, to be posted from the airport when we land.

Trimmed And Ready

Finished up the trim and it was time to go. Clean up was quick with many
hands to help.

Lunch At The Lumber Yard Owner's Home

Here's a few pics from home of our friend who owns the lumber yard.

Day Two at Zhau Xian

The next morning starts with another delicious breakfast in the dining
hall. Then some time to update the blog in the schools computer room.
One of the staff mentioned that two of the computer were not working. I
checked it out for them. Both had viruses, I was able to clean them up
and get the computers up to date before getting back to work finishing
up the cabinets. By lunch, all that was left to do was the trim.
One of the men that was working with us is the local lumber yard owner.
I did not get his name. Louie know him from previous trips. He invited
us to his home for lunch.His family welcomed us to their humble abode.
His wife mad the most delicious dumplings. After filling our bellies and
socializing a bit. It was time to get back and finish the job.

Friends

We have made so many friends in China. Talking to many of them was made
possible by Brett, one of our closest friends. Brett is an engineer
working in construction. Each year, he leaves his employment to work for
us as our interpreter. This is only my second trip to China, but Brett
is such a likable character, he will always be a close friend. He cares
for the children just like the rest of us. And, even though he does not
intend to sometimes he says the funniest things. As we were getting in
the van, leaving Yanjiou, he asked me, "You are alligator with shotgun?"
It took a moment to realize he meant navigator riding shotgun, since I
had the GPS. Unitl next time, Brett, take care of yourself.

End of Day

After a delicious dinner at the dining hall, we have some free time to
socialize.

Cabinet Coming Together

Piece by piece, the cabinets take shape.

Lunch Time

We have our lunch with the children in the dining hall. The watch some
of the younger children playing in the court yard before getting back to
work.

Building Cabinets

The job is to build storage cabinets in a newly refurbished building in
an alley behind the boys side of the campus. The room on the second
floor will be used to store winter clothes and comforters in summer and
summer stuff in winter.

Many Hands Helping

We had plenty of help cutting plywood sheets in preparation for building
storage cabinets.

Get Ready to Work

We stayed the night at the orphanage in a guest dormitory then were
treated to breakfast in the dining hall. I know my wife can appreciate
the metal trays we use. Just like being at camp. Being well fed we are
ready to do some work.

Gifts - part 2

The children played with the toys until it was time for bed.

The Gift Is In The Giving

Even though it was dark, all the children met us in the courtyard to
receive the gifts. Tennis shoes, and toothbrushes were the practical
things. Louie made a personal gift of pearl necklaces to every girl and
to each of the women on staff. The 2-wheel skateboards with lighted
wheels were a hit with all the children. There were only four boards,
but the kids were great at sharing.

Road to Zhau Xian

After sweeping up in the workshop it was time to get on the road. Louie
drove from Yanjiou to Zhau Xian. We tried to avoid Beijing traffic as
much as possible. At any time of day it can be stop and go.
It was almost 7pm when we arrived at the orphanage. Many of the older
children were not yet back from school. We took the opportunity to get
just a few more gifts for the kids. A brisk walk and several blocks
later we were at the only department store for miles. On the second
floor we found an assortment of toys; plastic tennis sets, skateboards,
toy cars, and some feathered weighted things that one kicks like hacky
sack. Purchase made we marched back to present our gifts.

Last day in Yanjiou

We spent the morning finishing a couple of the therapy chairs. Sung has
different ideas on how these should be made. I think once we are gone he
will build something with more aesthetic appeal. After lunch it was time
to say good bye to Dan. Tina knew a taxi driver that could get Dan to
the airport for about 120 Yuan, that's about $20 USD.

Pictures for Return to Yanjiou

Return to Yanjiou

Louie, Issac, Brett, Dan and I drove back to Yanjiou to continue work on
the therapy chairs for Living Tree. Sung, a craftsman and friend for
Living Tree, was there to share his wisdom. Due to the painfully slow
internet connection today, there are no pictures.

Farewell to half the team.

Sunday, half of our group will be flying home. Elizabeth, Karen, Sue,
Caleb and Bill catch their flights home in the afternoon. Saturday night
we left Yanjiou to return to Beijing. Early sunday morning, Elizabeth,
Karen, Sue, Dan, Brett and I got up early so we could visit the Temple
of Heaven. In the morning, many Chinese people are exercising in the
park around the Temple of Heaven.
We only spent a couple hours at the park then met up with the rest of
our group at the Silk Market. An old friend, Cai, joined us for a little
shopping before it was time for half the group to go to the airport.

Training Day - part 3

In the afternoon, Brett and Dan took two of the children for a short
ride in their strollers. Along the way they treated the children to a
coin-op ride.
At the end of the day we checked in with the work crew. Bill showed us
one of the several chairs that were made. They are not finished yet. The
new model will also have an adjustable back.