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Friendship Team

Summer 2001

Dear Friends,

Wanted to send you a note to thank you for giving me the opportunity to be a part of the Friendship Team in July. I had the experience of a lifetime! In the short period of just 12 days I saw so much it was almost overwhelming.

While in Beijing we visited the Forbidden City, Tian'anmem Square, the Summer Palace and the Temple of Heaven. One day we traveled out of Beijing to walk on the Great Wall. While I enjoyed all these places my favorite part of the trip was being with the children at the orphanage in Shenyang. These beautiful, precious kids stole my heart.

During our time at the orphanage I was paired with a young boy named Ma Bing. Ma Bing and I became close friends during that week. On Wednesday and Friday we took some of kids out swimming; they loved the water!! On the way back to the orphanage we stopped at McDonalds and of course the kids had a good time here as well. One day we took the kids and traveled to the Shenyang Botanical Gardens where they played in the park. The children enjoyed the swings, slides and all the rides. On Friday afternoon as we were preparing to leave the orphanage the staff brought some of the children in to say "Thank You" and "Goodbye." I knew before I went to China that the hardest part of the trip would be leaving the orphanage but I didn't realize that it would be so difficult.

In addition to the kids at the orphanage I met some of the nicest people in China. We became close friends with the people that work at S.H.I.C. (Serving Humanity In Crisis); Paula, Elaine, Steven, James, Jonah and those who take care of the kids on the third floor of the orphanage, and Luke, Katie, Angel, Tania and Filona just to mention a few. These folks are doing an outstanding job!

Also during our stay in Shenyang we'd sometimes go out in the evening to a place called Mao Square where hundreds of people would gather. The centerpiece of this square was a huge statue of Mao Zedong. One corner of this statue was given the nickname "English Corner" and when we walked over to this area we were surrounded by Chinese who spoke English. They asked us a number of questions out of curiosity but also to give them a chance to practice their English. There were also times when some in our group would just out for a walk. During these walks we'd wave or say hello to people on the street and almost without exception they'd smile and return our greeting. The Chinese people have some of the most beautiful smiles I've ever seen.

I was fortunate to be in a team that within a short time became more like a family. David, Sharon, Jeff, Wanda, George, Debbie, Kevin, Amy, Sarah and Lauren were all great traveling parents. We spent many good times together. Rebekah was our tour guide and she watched over us like a mother hen. She wanted us all to have a good time. Kevin Russell did an outstanding job as our team leader.

Again, thanks for allowing me to take this trip. I hope I can go again sometime.

For information on past or future Friendship Team missions, please e-mail us.

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