Fwd: Update 18

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Begin forwarded message:

From: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Date: February 18, 2018 at 7:02:39 PM AST
To: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Subject: Update 18

Who knew finding a nut for the chainsaw would mean driving around for almost 2 hours & stopping at 8 hardware/repair shops??  But seek and ye shall find...and it happened to be close to the only McD around :).  Johanna decided she wanted to attempt driving Rt. 3 home & Sarah, Juli & Mariely bravely got in the car with her.  Rog & I stopped at McD & then took the longer, safer Rt 901.  Our work sit was the home of a fisherman on the top of a mountain with a fabulous view of the ocean.  While Rog worked on the downed tree, the girls picked up trash, branches & hauled away the cut wood.  Lunch was another feast with fried fish caught last night...head to tail...lasagna, salad, rice & beans.  When Rog & the fisherman got back to work, the girls took off to clean up a 4-5 ft mound of branches the Ben & Rog had cut earlier.  Hot & sweaty but successful, we girls showered & were ready when 2 vans of a NGO Praying Pelicans group arrived.  The group is working close by with Johanna's parents.  Each van loaded food, solar lights, water, adult diapers & a Valentine can of cookies and headed to the homes of 8 shut ins.  It felt kinda like being with a tour as the Praying Pelican leader pointed things out as we drove along.  At each house, 12 people crowded into the house to chat & pray with the shut in.  In and out.  I missed that closeness I felt with people when we went with Johanna & stayed for a longer, more intimate visit.  

We met up with Rog, Johanna & girls at a local restaurant where we ate pastelilos, listened to blaring music which soon had Alice dancing.  Johanna picked up tres leche cake and I filled a bowl with M & M's.  A sweet ending to Valentine's Day!

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Fwd: Update 12. Pictures

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Begin forwarded message:

From: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Date: February 5, 2018 at 9:37:52 PM AST
To: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Subject: Update 12. Pictures

Fwd: Update 16

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From: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Date: February 13, 2018 at 11:04:24 PM AST
To: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Subject: Update 16

What a fabulous surprise we got on Friday night!  Ben arrived!!  He has always wanted to join us be of our mission trips and since he had a few days off, he did!  He joked that he was just checking up on us to see if we were laying  on a beach...or really working!  We'd spent the day working with members of another church scrubbing down another older man's home.  The man asked Rog to cut down the only healthy looking coconut tree around...fearing it would fall on his house during the next hurricane...so down it came in spite of what he thought.  There are SO many trees already down...  After church service, Johanna, her girls & us went to a Pizza Hut about 45 min away.  It was a treat for all and Johanna & her girls could act as crazy as they liked as no parishioners around.  Ben's flight came @ 11pm and it was such a treat to see him.  He said Someone must have really wanted him to come cause his flight was the only one not cancelled...and he got bumped to first class!

We filled him with stories all the way "home."  

Saturday morning we were off to what was left to of Nelly & Antonio's house...a bathroom hanging on the side of a mountain. Their family & friends were there mixing cement by hand & building walls.  They were in good spirits & seemed to be having a grand time.  Ben & Rog joined the cement bucket brigade while I picked up 7 bags of trash.  After about 3 hrs, Nelly came with lunch...actually I'd call it a feast:  chicken wrapped in bacon & stuffed with cheese, beans & rice with a cheese sauce & salad.  All sat around eating and enjoying the comradery ...and beer.  Work was officially ending...to let the cement dry and the men said it was now beer time.  First work site beer was passed around...first work site Ben was at!  Another little blessing from above.  Before we left, Nelly pulled her camera came out and many pictures were taken.   They were so very appreciative...told us that their brother lived next door (in a nice home) and would not even talk to them let alone help them!  

It was about 1 when we left home to shower.  Since Johanna & her girls was off shopping & couldn't line up another job...we took off to Yabucoa where we stopped at the All Hands base.  We went to the office & made sure they had Johanna's info. & let them know her phone service is spotty.  As always, they were happy to let us tour the base.  It was fun to show Ben around.  He said he could definitely see it was well organized & everyone we met was very friendly.  Next we went to Punta Santiago, an area we'd heard was "very nice."  Well, maybe before Maria.  So much damage...like the totaled Total gas station.  No pun intended.  When we got back, Johanna had a carload of items she'd purchased using money donated by our church & friends.  We hopped in her car & delivered them to two homes & some really thankful ladies!!  Bedding, kitchen supplies, and a bible.  The lady grabbed the Bible and hugged it tightly telling us of all the things she'd loss, she missed her bible the most.  

Sunday's sermon was based on Prov. 17:17- A friend loves at all times and a brother is born for a time of adversity.  Johanna preached an emotional sermon about the needs to love & connect with others...not just be friends on Facebook.  And the importance of being brothers to all especially in these tough times.  She used Rog & I as examples pointing out our example had encourage d Bob, Elsi, Ben, Sarah & Julie to come to help also.   It was humbling & brought tears to my eyes...& Rog & Ben's too.  Since it was our last Sunday, she asked us to speak.  Rog read what he'd written earlier:  Puerto Rico Proud.  I talked about the love we'd felt & the privilege it was to join them for a short time in their work to rebuild.  As always , joyful & heartfelt music filled the church throughout the service.  

Once again, lunch was delivered to us so we were well fed before taking off to put a bedroom set together for a young girl & her widowed mom.   Ben cleverly invited the young girl who was playing on her phone to help and soon she was happily using the screw driver & hammer.  Ben is the son of two teachers!  Next the boys pulled out the chain saw & fallen & broken trees were cut up & hauled away.  I again was picking up trash... how many trash bags have I filled???  I didn't mind filling them but I sure hated dragging them past their 8 dogs to get to the curb!    We had enough time to stop by a beach to pick up coral pieces before sundown & then stopped for dinner.  When we got back, the boys played a game of cribbage & I taught Alice how to play Bananagram.  She's hooked...played for two hours.  Guess I'll have to leave it here for her.  

I've been slowly emptying the extra suitcase that I brought full of games, art supplies, toys & books.  It's fun to see the smiles these gifts bring!

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Fwd: Update 15

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Begin forwarded message:

From: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Date: February 10, 2018 at 10:43:09 AM AST
To: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Subject: Update 15

Puerto Rico Strong

Roger again...
Many people that we have talked with say, "I am OK." 
They appear to be fine and only after talking with them and getting more information do we realize that there is much about their life now that challenges them every day. 
Luis goes to town every day to buy gasoline for his generator spending money on fuel so that he can run his refrigerator for a few hours and have some light in the evening.
Lourdes lost her job when her company relocated due to the lack of reliable internet service. Now she spends more time with her kids but is anxious to start earning money again. 
Alicia says that she doesn't even hear the noisy generators anymore...they have become part of her "normal" day.
Dodging power lines and poles in the street is normal.
Waiting in line for gas.
Negotiating busy intersections without working traffic signals.
Driving to several stores to find an item, then still not finding it.  
Internet service works ok... sometimes!
Cell phones might work...maybe will work better tomorrow?
Still...everyone says they are OK.  And they are OK. They have adjusted to a new "normal".
There are strong bonds here. Many have the love and emotional support of numerous family members living very close by (often several on the same street).
A common greeting consists of a hug along with a kiss on the cheek...even for someone who is being introduced for the first time as a friend of a friend.
The people are very proud of their ability to withstand Hurricane Maria and many are too proud to ask for any help. They see others with far greater needs than their own. Being Puerto Rican and choosing to live here appears to mean that you must do what needs to be done without complaint...even after a devastating Hurricane.

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Fwd: Update 14

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Begin forwarded message:

From: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Date: February 9, 2018 at 4:04:29 PM AST
To: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Subject: Update 14

PR has been another time when I planned and God laughed!  I thought that I'd be able to give the kids here some fun activities to do as I'd heard they were having shortened school days.  I packed an extra suitcase filled with paints, markers, crayons, games, etc.  But most of our days have been spent with elderly people.  Good thing they enjoy balloon volleyball, playing with slime and listening to PR folk tales!  Mariely plays keyboard & they sing with gusto.  Feels so good to make them smile.  We visited another nursing home and made a couple house calls to shut-ins.  In the evening, we took a cake & celebrated an older man's birthday.  He was so excited to have company.  

Next day it was back to house cleaning.  This one was a major challenge as two older men lived there...one had Alzheimer, Chao and the other was schizophrenic & stayed in his room most the time shouting at us occasionally.  Odors & filth.  Most days they don't have water...the toilet...can't describe...dirty dishes everywhere...chicken bones...bedding just disgusting...rat droppings... cockroaches.  Mariely, Rog & I put on gloves & did what we could.  I worked in Chao's bedroom.  He was a musician & spoke some English and was so happy and kept telling me so.  First I carried a garbage bag while asking him if I could throw away stuff.  He willingly did trash quite a bit but not after smiling & telling me about the item.  Only came across two pictures...both faded & water damaged.  His mother & siblings by his dying grandmother and the other his aunt & uncle...in case you were wondering.  Once I threw a rusty nail away before asking & he had me dig it out of the bag.  My bad.  After an hour or so of that, I swept down the huge cobwebs, moved furniture to clean behind, wiped down the aluminum shutters, put dirty dishes in a pail of bleach water & cleaned off all surfaces.  Finally, I bagged the dirty clothes he'd let me & all the bedding...and put on new bedding that we'd brought with us.  I've made many beds but never have felt as satisfied as when I finished making that bed.  Chao kept telling me I was doing such a good job & when I asked if I could take his picture, he put on his hat & sat on his bed with a huge grin.  The only dark colored bedspread we could find was kinda childish...rockets & airplanes...but he loved it and kept telling me the rockets were going to the moon.  While I was with Chao, Rog and Mariely were washing windows, screens & tackling the kitchen & bathroom and a room with a broken down couch & an old mattress.   Shower curtain & toilet seat they trashed promising a new one.  Johanna had arranged for a fire dept tanker to come...mainly because we didn't know if we'd have water.  The fireman brought in the hose and blasted away at the walls & floors in the kitchen, bathroom & living area.  Now that's how you clean a real mess!!  The other brother did come out of his room once...he headed down the steps and Chao went after him.  Chao told him he should let us clean his room...which was filled only with old mattresses...but he told him no.  I was kinda relieved.  We'd gotten to the house around 9 am and gathered up our cleaning supplies around 1:30 and sprayed the entire place with a disinfectant. Though I'd packed us a lunch...none of us even thought about eating it...just didn't have the stomach to eat.  I hadn't even wanted to drink my cold Diet Coke.  That tells you something about the conditions!  Outside, there were cages of fighting cocks, dogs & guinea hens all serenading us...especially when we dumped out our dirty water...which was often.  

Mariely again knew the perfect answer...when Chao asked her who was paying us to clean...she pointed up and said, "God."  We left not a clean house...just cleaner...after giving Chao two sandwiches & cold water and a promise to bring his clothes back tomorrow clean.  So the next day..back we came with his clean clothes, new shower curtain & toilet seat.  Since they were without water again, we had to get a pail of rain water to flush the toilet before we could think about replacing the seat.  Dishes of food were already sitting around & the bed looked like no one had slept in it...but Chao's grin was still ever so wide and his hug so sincere.  

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Fwd: Pictures

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Begin forwarded message:

From: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Date: February 3, 2018 at 9:31:33 AM AST
To: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Subject: Pictures

Fwd: Update 12

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Begin forwarded message:

From: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Date: February 5, 2018 at 9:33:56 PM AST
To: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Subject: Update 12

It's hard to take in all that fills our days...I'll try.  

Saturday morning we were up & dressed by 7:30...and outside our house people were already lining up as the news of a Red Cross truck coming spread quickly through the community.  The rain didn't keep them away.  At 9:30 in pulled a rough looking semi truck & the mad rush began.  About 10 of us unloaded the truck making piles with water & 4 food boxes each.  After we'd made about 200 of them, two Red Cross  workers starting distributing them and we continued building another 100 piles.    It became apparent that the line was longer than the piles so they closed the gate & no more were allowed to get in line.   We reduced the number of food boxes to 2...and in the end ran out of water & gave only one box to the last few.  I so wanted to run to the store for more food!  331 in all went away with something.  Many were too old to carry everything so we helped them.  Several came in the same car so they drove off with quite a load.  At 11:30, we closed the gate.  The next couple hours cars slowed down in front but had to drive away with nothing.  This will be the last Red Cross delivery in this area as they are pulling out of PR Feb 15.  FEMA has already stopped food & water distributions.  The locals, including me, have mixed feelings about ending the food & water.  Many people obviously could still use it...but the local economy needs customers.  But since many lost their jobs, money to support the economy is scarce.  No perfect solution!

  Later, we went to visit a neighbor with leukemia and then cleaned up another back yard.  About that time, we got a message from one of the All Hands Volunteers (the group we've worked with several times) leaders letting us know where there were located & inviting to stop by.  So off we went to find them.  Took a bit of tracking down but we found them in Yabucoa ...which is really less than 30 minutes from Maunabo.  The local community was welcoming them with a pig roast.  Great dinner!!  Lucky us!!  We were introduced to the girl who will arrange the work sites and she was very open to the idea of connecting with our Pastor Johanna to get possible names of those she knows in need.  Sure hope that works out.  We can only do a little but AHV could accomplish a huge amount of re-building!!  

  Sunday morning found us in a rousing church service.  After Johanna wrote her sermon, she painstakingly translated it into English bullet points so we were able to follow along.  She is just beginning to learn English!   The last several church services, there was a translator.  And we are the only ones in the church who don't know Spanish!  Talk about bending over backwards to make sure we feel welcomed!!  Johanna's sermon was so full of hope...something so many people here need to hear:  if God knows the names of each star...He surely knows and cares about you.  Amen.

  We hopped in our car and took off for the afternoon and ended up at a large shopping mall about an hour away.  Most of the mall was either closed or damaged but open.  Very few people around except at the cell phone store.  Probably people still trying to get internet. I was feeling like we were wasting time as we drove out...til we saw a girl in a ditch crying.  We rolled down our window and she cried out, "Please take me to a hospital...I'm pregnant & in such pain."  Accessing the situation, we quickly decided she was truly in need.  We got her in the back seat and she directed us to a hospital close by where attendants took over.  Guess that's why we stopped at that mall.  

Fwd: Update 11

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Begin forwarded message:

From: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Date: February 4, 2018 at 9:53:08 AM AST
To: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Subject: Update 11

From Roger

Puerto Rico Strong

I see strong comradarie here that is likely the result of enduring a traumatic event with others.  The hurricane was not the only traumatic event...poverty is also traumatic and a shared experience here. Certainly not all are suffering from poverty but everyone here is aware of those who have great needs and many share what they have with their neighbors. We have seen local volunteers who are going out daily to help others while their own home is still in need of repair. Their willingness to serve others is admirable.

There is great respect for and also some fear of the ocean 

which is just a short distance away. We have walked along the shore and have seldom seen anyone on the beach or even in boats on the water. 

Alissa, Marielli's neighbor, told us about fearing the water. She thought that she would die when Hurricane Maria roared in destroying a huge barrier of trees between her house and the sea.  When the eye of the hurricane arrived, she went outside during the brief calm and saw the great destruction and also the churning water. She ran for her life to a safer place in her Uncle's house nearby.

Evelyn, a lay leader preaching her first sermon, focused on Peace.  She said that we need to encourage peace in all those around us but peace must begin within our own hearts.  She was talking about the uncertainty of the future here because so many people have lost confidence that they will have what they need...water, food, fuel, shelter, communication, etc. They are walking a tightrope and are not feeling balanced.

Her words made me realize that the U.S. is also in need of peace. Our polarized political system and news media has driven a wedge between us that keeps us from reaching out to find peace with one another. This needs repair before it leads to further deterioration or destruction.   Will the repair begin in our hearts?

There is a necessary patience here that is evident when passing through a busy intersection that has non-functioning traffic lights. Cars proceed slowly across as approaching cars slow or stop to avoid a collision.  I don't recall hearing a horn sounded in anger or frustration. Road rage does not appear to exist now. 

In many ways the clock seems have been turned back...cars lined up for gas, slow or nonexistent internet service, power that works for awhile then goes dark....but along with the challenges there is also hope for the future as humanity shines through  and efforts for improvement are aided by neighbors and passersby.

Fwd: Update 10

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Begin forwarded message:

From: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Date: February 3, 2018 at 8:33:30 AM AST
To: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Subject: Update 10

Wow times flies when you are busy hopping from one project to the next!  Johanna, the pastor we are staying with, has been getting calls asking if they can get added to the list of places we will come to help.  No shortage of needs here.  

We spent two days at Marielly's.  It is only right that she finally was at the other end of the stick as she as been helping us at other sites since we got here!  Maria had stripped paint off her house so we help her repaint it.  She was so pleased.  Then Rog got the chainsaw going and we cleaned up fallen trees and overgrown bushes.  Picked up trash the had been sprewed about filling about 10 bulging garbage bags.  She said she'd been so depressed and though she'd cleared away a lot, she'd been overwhelmed.  She'd pick up a broken piece and say, "This was my porch chair...etc. etc...etc..". As Rog cut up a tree, she tell me that tree had the sweetest fruit.  Her shaded home was now in full sun.  She said many people had committed suicide.  She got her strength from God and had the church as a refuge.  I was drenched in sweat and thankful we were there.

Another day was spent at Claudia's.  She had a gorgeous home high in the mountain.  Very artsy.  She'd had been married less than a year when Maria tore off much of the roof and ruined most everything inside...all the wood doors, staircase, furniture, clothes and so many of her wedding presents.  But what hurt the most...were the books.  Her husband is a principal and she's studying to be a pastor.  You can see the pain in her eyes as we bagged up the book and added them to the heaping pile of junk. She and her husband had not been able to do much cleaning as they were waiting for the insurance adjuster while living with her Mom over an hour away.    They just found out how much they'd get...$9000.  Hardly enough to cover the cost of the materials to fix the roof.  

We got home in time for me to bake a cake...something Naomi & Alice asked for when I told them I would make a treat for them.  I couldn't believe how excited they were.  Took pictures of it, called friends to come over for a piece and passed some out after church.  Simple joys.  

  Somehow it was Friday night...and we suggested going out for pizza.  Didn't take much encouragement.  The girls had a birthday party (about 1 away) so we rode along and walked the town plaza, listened to a live band & ate ice cream while we waited for the girls.  Johanna's English is improving daily so we enjoyed hearing her tell us about how there is a dress code and even hair code for female pastors.  She has curly hair and has been given a hair dryer by an elder in her church so she can straighten hair...she & her girls have resisted the trend and proudly wear their curly hair.  She tells a story with such vigor, passion and expression...both her voice and hands! We hit the jackpot finding her!!

Fwd: Update 9

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Begin forwarded message:

From: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Date: January 30, 2018 at 9:40:18 PM AST
To: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Subject: Update 9

Catch up time...

Sunday we went to church...And there was no one going to fall asleep during this service.  Besides the praise band's lively playing...especially the trumpet player..there were 4 people in the pews around us playing various percussion instruments.  We had been told we'd be ask to talk...we told them how much we appreciate their warm welcome, how their faith inspired us, how impressed we were that they were helping others even while their own home needed repair.  We told their burden was a bit lighter knowing that we & DUMC cared & prayed for them.  Elsi then played ...as only she can...What a Friend We Have in Jesus.  The church was rock'in.  The closing song was Let it Rain Down Blessings from Heaven.  We couldn't imagine how they could sing that after Maria even if the song referred to blessings raining down..not water.  Such faith.

Lunch was delivered again by a church lady & then we took off to explore.  Headed to Ponce taking the back roads.  Ended up enjoying an ocean front area with small shops & places to eat.  Then we searched for a restaurant someone recommended.  It was tricky but we found it & had a delicious fish dinner..though the "fish water" wasn't a hit.  

Monday at 8 we were in a Kindergarten singing, reading aloud, doing puzzles & playing Doggie, Doggie Where's Your Bone....my legacy!  Guys stayed home & put up lights for the parking lot.  All four & Mariely* emptied out the church nursery that had flooded & been used for various donation.  We scrubbed it and everything in it with bleach & soap then sprayed it down with the hose.  Washed windows, screens, curtains, crib bedding, and toys.  Boys fixed broken window cranks & drawers.  It felt so good to put it all back together...shiny & clean!  

  *Mariely...she's everywhere and does everything:  plays & sings in band, church secretary, designed & painted nursery room mural, translates for us & seems to be at 80% of the work sites with us.  She's one energized woman!

  And finally, today...after a quick hour in another Kindergarten room, we had to take our comrades in arms...or should I say the helping arms of our comrades...to the airport.  We'll sure miss them and their help but so glad to have shared this unique experience with them!  While in San Juan, we hunted down new mattresses for the baby cribs, glass for front door & a few other items not found in Manaubo.  Since last time we were in SJ, several traffic lights had been replaced..not all so it still is a bit like driving in a twilight zone.  We took the east coast road home and passed by a huge field of totally smashed solar panels and about 20 wind mills missing at least one of their blades...several missing all of them.  We heard inside Maria were at least 4 tornadoes & there'd been an earthquake also.  It seems PR had taken one step forward...now two steps backwards.  Such a humongous mess to clean up before they can begin again.  But we also saw ABIERTO (OPEN) signs on many businesses..even if they were in disrepair.  Also proudly posted are signs reading:  Puerto Rico Strong.  I strongly agree.

Fwd: Update 8

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Begin forwarded message:

From: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Date: January 30, 2018 at 8:20:54 PM AST
To: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Subject: Update 8

A few tidbits that I keep forgetting to write down:

-Though man-made things lay in shambles...nature has quickly repaired itself!  Leaves are fresh & bright green.  Leaning utility poles have creeping vines climbing on them.  Though some palm trees are tipped & big trees have a few bare branches...nature is far ahead of man!!

-Weather includes sunny, cloudy & rainy most everyday with temperatures between 70 - 90.  Love it!

-The coqui frog sings to us at sundown and the pigeon coos as sunrise.  Such a musical country.

Saturday was a special prayer day so we joined others for about an hour...then slipped out and called Lourdes to see if we could help her.  She jumped in her car & in 15 minutes, we were following her up the mountain to her home.  As we were assessing the situation, she came over laughing.  Her 15 year old son had seen us drive in...noticed our gray hair..and questioned how much we could do.  She told him, "Don't judge a book by its cover...these people know how to work!"  And we did.  Boys helped put in 3 windows & a door while the girls moved cement blocks, cement bags & cleaned up after the boys had chiseled the holes for the windows.  Elsi and I also took time to visit with Lourdes' mother who'd recently lost her husband.  She was very grateful.  And so was Lourdes...her tears of gratitude were proof.  

 Someone had given Johanna fresh lobster so that's what she had waiting for ours when we got home.  Who'd a thunk?  I dug out our cards & tangram game & soon everyone was playing something.  We not only know how to work...we know how to play too!!

Fwd: Update 7

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Begin forwarded message:

From: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Date: January 27, 2018 at 11:15:04 PM AST
To: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Subject: Update 7

Today we loaded the van with snack bags, personal cleaning bags, insect repellent, water filter pails & solar lights...all donated from various sources.  We also put in a key board & I filled my bag with possible entertainment toys & games and then 3 church ladies, Johanna & us headed to an elderly care home where Johanna's grandmother(with Alzheimers) & great aunt live.  About 15 patients live there without water or electricity.  Elsi played some lively music which seemed to energize many.  Some sang & some tried to sing.  I was asked to do a reading & short talk, so when I opened my bible, out fell a Mother Teresa's prayer based on Rev 3:20.  Perfect!  Sure couldn't do better than her!  Looking around, I knew most of the toys & games would not work...but balloon volleyball was a hit. Even the staff seemed to have fun.   A few with less mobility liked playing with slime.  All got a hug or gently arm caress.  We left knowing we'd added a bit of joy to their day.  

Lourdes, one of the church ladies, had worked as a translator for a big company...before Maria closed it down...so she was a well of information. She was also barely holding it together as she had not only lost her job to Maria, she'd lost two walls of a new addition she was building...and her Dad.  He had been on oxygen which they hooked up to a generator but it ran out of gas & the stress caused a heart attack.  He died as she struggled to fill it up & get the oxygen mask on.  In spite of this...she said good will come out of Maria.  She explained that the gov't had been in control of the island's electricity & water and had been using band aides to keep it going for years.  Since the gov't was bankrupted, they had to let in other companies who were rebuilding it much stronger.  Maria had blown open their closets and exposed the skeletons.   

Though I could understand her point, how she could ever use the word good when talking about Maria...who had torn so much away from her...amazed me.  She was firm in her belief that God will give her the strength she needs to go on.  

After we got back, Elsi & I walked to the grocery store & then fixed a Taco Salad for later.  Then we went to the 5 o'clock church service.  Boy do they put their hearts into playing their music & singing..which was most the service.  The music surrounded you as in one front corner was the keyboard & drums, another front corner, a singer, up front another singer, in the first pew was a tambourine  player & four rows back was the trumpet player.  Add the hand clapping congregation singing with gusto...now that's music that can be heard in heaven!

Several joined us for dinner after and most of the taco salad disappeared as we visited & lined up more jobs.  We sleep well.

Fwd: Update 5 photos

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Begin forwarded message:

From: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Date: January 25, 2018 at 10:48:03 PM AST
To: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Subject: Update 5 photos

Fwd: Update 6 - Three Little Pigs

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Begin forwarded message:

From: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Date: January 27, 2018 at 10:09:21 PM AST
To: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Subject: Update 6 - Three Little Pigs

Remember the story of the three little pigs???  As we drove around, it hit me.  This is just like that story!!

First little pig (the poorest of course) built his house out of sticks & whatever he could find.  When big, bad Hurricane Maria huffed and puffed, she blew that house right down!  And since he had not much to begin with, he can't afford new materials or pay contractors, so his house is still lying in a heap.  The Second little pig, had a bit more money and build his house out of 2 x 4's and plywood.  Big, bad Maria blew the roof off and lots of the walls too.  He had a bit of money & is slowly rebuilding it himself & with family & friends.  Now the Third little pig...he had money and built his house out of cement.  Big, bad Maria blew out his windows & doors.  He had the cash to buy replacements & pay contractors so now his house is repaired & with a fresh coat of paint.  That third pig might even have let some of the other two pigs move in with him.  

Now if only they could all live happily ever after!!!

Fwd: Update 5

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Begin forwarded message:

From: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Date: January 25, 2018 at 10:46:41 PM AST
To: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Subject: Update 5

Elsi and I came up with a Tourist Brochure ad for our experience last night:  After a scenic van tour of the southern Puerto Rico coast & Hurricane Maria devastation, experience an authentic Puerto Rican birthday party which includes a home cooked turkey dinner.  And  we even throw in an unique and added bonus—a church choir practice!!  All for the low, low price of $0!!!

Sound too good to be true??  Nope, we did it!!

Today we loaded the church van with cleaning supplies, hose, water, sandwiches, 4 church ladies, us & Johanna drove us to the home we'd lined up to work in.  Unfortunately, mostly for them, they had no water.  Yesterday, yes and they didn't know when they'd have it again.  So off we went to another home...an elderly lady again.  Elsi & I volunteered to clean the kitchen, the boys outside, and the other ladies took the bathroom & bedroom.  Let's just say she was a big time saver and we thought most of the mess was probably pre-Maria.  After we dragged out about 10 huge garbage bags, did a bit of cement work on her kitchen counter, built a make-shift shelf for food that was in boxes on the floor, used bottles of cleaning supplies....the place looked & smelled much better!  We got done before 2, so we showered, rested a bit and then headed to an area we'd not been in and stopped at a restaurant on a cliff overlooking the ocean.  Came home to play a few hands of Euchre.  When Alice got here, she was happy to tell us all about her science project where she took water samples to test for E. coli in her home tap water & the river nearby where many people get their water.  Lucky for us, her tap water is fine.  Unlucky for many others, that river water if not.  What a timely & important science project!  We gave her an A+.  

Fwd: Update 4 pictures

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Begin forwarded message:

From: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Date: January 24, 2018 at 11:14:43 PM AST
To: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Subject: Update 4 pictures

Fwd: Update 4

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Begin forwarded message:

From: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Date: January 24, 2018 at 10:52:04 PM AST
To: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Subject: Update 4

It always amazes me how much gets crammed into our days.  After a quick breakfast, we packed some sandwiches & as soon as they jumped the battery in the van, we were off to Ruby's.  A couple church guys were already there buzzing down the tree that was leaning on her house.   Rog & Bob joined that team while Elsli & I starting scrubbing the bathroom.  Johanna & Mariella worked on cleaning screens & storm shutters.  About two hours later, the bathroom was sparkling clean and most of the tree was loaded into a pickup.  After a lunch break, Elsi & I tackled the kitchen area Johanna & Mariella cleaned the dining/living room while the guys started up the chain saw to removed a down tree in her back yard.  The neighbor came over with a ladder and it took several guys to get the solar panel on the roof & wires secured.  Ruby is one happy and grateful lady!  

  We all needed a cold shower to cool down & clean up and a bit of a rest when we got home.  But it wasn't long before we were back in the van headed for Johanna's parents' home to celebrate her dad's birthday...and mine again.  Her mom had cooked a turkey & served it with rice & a pasta salad which she immediately offered us after we were introduced.  It was delicious.  More relatives came and took our spot at the table as soon as we got up.  We sat on the porch and were serenaded by Johanna's dad on a guitar & her mom singing along.  Soon 6 men showed up for a choir practice but first all sang with much enthusiasm to Johanna's dad & I.  Cake & ice cream came next and then the men's choir started practicing...though it sure didn't sound like they needed much practice to me.  Later we found out that Johanna's dad was trying to think of a way to get more men involved in church...and the choir idea popped in his head.  Now these men who never sang before have become the voice of Jesus.  One of the men told us the roof & windows in his house were destroyed, he had no electricity & his water supply was not consistent...yet there he was, singing & praising God.  I am constantly amazed.

Fwd: Update 3

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Begin forwarded message:

From: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Date: January 24, 2018 at 10:51:16 PM AST
To: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Subject: Update 3

My birthday!  Another year...another part of the world!   Rog, Bob & Elsi went in search of breakfast after they dropped me off at the grocery store...I really don't like to eat breakfast.  I shopped for food to feed us & Johanna & girls and also food for the food pantry at the church.  Johanna and I had made a list so I filled my cart.  Next, I went to a store that had bedding & shopped for stuff we'll want when we clean at the two brother's house on Thursday.  Elsi finished that job & Rog and I loaded the car with the food.  After loading the food, sheets, pillows, comforters & luggage,  we were packed to the gills when we headed back to Maunabo.  Made one more stop at the last big grocery store before Maunabo to get meat, veges  & a key lime pie and pulled into town around 1 pm.  We downed some p & j sandwiches and then headed over to the parish hall that has been turned into a storage room for lots of donated items.  We added our food donations and then made up about 50 bags filled with food ready to give out as needed.  Next we had to re-bag about 200 donated bags filled with snacks, school supplies...and insect repellent which unfortunately had leaked in several bags.  Good idea that went bad.  They are ready now to give to a school.  

 I spent much of the next hour getting phone calls from my kids & grandkids and reading emails & facebook post all wishing me a happy birthday.  Loved it!!  Rog & Elsi took over the kitchen preparing fajitas & rice.  Johanna decorated the dining room...the formal one...and we (plus Marietta) had a delicious & enjoyable dinner topped off with singing, presents & key lime pie.  We sat around the table for a very long time hearing stories about Hurricane Maria.  The fear...the devastation...the depression...the lack of communication...the uphill battle to try to pick up the pieces.  We listened as they let some of the hurt seep out.  So much pain.

Fwd: Update 2

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Begin forwarded message:

From: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Date: January 22, 2018 at 11:33:20 PM AST
To: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Subject: Update 2

First, internet is very limited and there is none in the town of Maunabo where we are staying so if you don't hear from me...don't worry!  We do have phone service so you can call us...

We are back in San Juan as we picked up Bob & Elsi today.  We toured Old Town & El Morro with them & had a delightful dinner on the cobblestone court filling them in on what we'll be doing & catching up on Dexter news.

The last couple days have been so full I don't know where to begin....

We left San Juan on Sunday morning, stopped for some groceries and headed to Maunabo.  Easy drive until we got to the mountain.  Hurricane Maria wicked winds had knocked down most every utility pole & so many trees and they hung over the road.  We tried to hug the inside lane as many areas on the cliff side were washed out...and it was a looooong way down.  So many homes were damaged ...or entirely smashed.  Trash piles were everywhere.  We crept into town just as the church bells were ringing.  We found the church we were looking for and slipped in during the first song.  Pastor Johanna Gonzales, our contact, waved at us and soon introduced us to the congregation.  Clapping and cheering followed.  During their greeting time, it seemed half the church came over to welcome us.  Johanna asked a young girl to come and translate her sermon in English for us so we were able to hear her message which was the importance of asking God to be our refuge in all times and especially in hard times to show others your faith by our kind acts.  She reminded us that if we can trust God in hard times and be His hands during those times, our faith will become stronger.  I wholeheartedly agree.  I had to think that since my life is so good, perhaps that's why I crave helping others...it's a chance to strengthen my faith and to witness others who have so much faith.  After church, we settled into Johanna's home taking over Naomi,  her daughter's room.  A church member brought rice, beans & pork & several people joined us for dinner.  Alice, Johanna's other daughter, speaks perfect English so we learned much about the hurricane, the months of no electricity (just got last week), no clean water, no mail, no phone.  The depression that set in deep down looking at all the devastation.  They too talked of how neighbors were helping each other...how several volunteer groups came to help and others trucked in supplies.  That's what kept them hoping that things would and could get better.  Looking around, I was overwhelmed...and I can't imagine what it looked like 4 months ago!  

  Our first job was to find someone who really needed the solar generator we had brought with us.  Johanna closed her eyes, thought for a few minutes and then said, Ruby.  Ruby is an 89 year old widow who still did not have electricity.  She scurried to open her gate when we arrived and hugged us heartily saying welcome to her home of love, love, love.  She offered us cold juice that she had in a cooler.  She was so excited to show us her wedding pictures...about 45 years old.  After much visiting, we hooked up the solar generator and turned on the light....tears ran down her cheeks and she wrapped her thin arms tightly around me.   Alice translated her words:  Now I will be able to sleep at night with out fear.  She walked us to her gate holding Roger's hand the whole way.  

  We made a couple more stops as we passed cars and stopped to talk.  One carload of new volunteers asked Johanna to direct them to someone with great needs.  So she stopped in front of the home of one of her church members and she jumped in the car with them & drove off.  We stayed there and visited until she came back about an hour later.   Luckily Alice was with us to translate and of course, we were offered cold drinks & snacks.  We finally got back to the house around 8:30 & Johanna insisted on cooking a meal.  Fried chicken & hot mashed potato salad.  We headed to bed but Johanna had to go pick up Naomi from a friend's.  It'll be a short night for them as they get up at 5 a.m. to get off to school...a car ride to the next town where they catch a bus to school.  The school in town here is poor...Alice said last year for her final English exam, she had to do a crossword puzzle.  She wants to be challenged.

  Monday morning after we passed out UMCOR supplies & water to 3 people who stopped in, we headed to Ruby's to see if all was well & ask if she'd like help to clear a tree on Wednesday. Then we went to a home where two brothers live in a terrible situation & asked if we could come Thursday to help them.  So with plans made, we headed to the airport to get Bob & Elsi,   I'm ready to put on my work clothes & boots!

Fwd: Update 1

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Begin forwarded message:

From: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Date: January 20, 2018 at 8:35:45 PM AST
To: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Subject: Update 1

Update 1

Our plane was full of Puerto Ricans who cheered and clapped as we landed in San Juan.  They were so delighted to be home!  The city looked and felt much like it was last year when we were here  except that most the traffic lights were not functioning so all the intersections were like a round about without the circle. Glad Rog was driving!  Fresh paint & new awnings were everywhere on the beach strip.  Things looked a bit worse when you drove down a little ways out and down the side streets.  A couple miles out of town, that's where the electric poles are laying sideways and the rubbish piles line the road.  

We had great conversations with several people...they are so upbeat & grateful for all the support they are getting...mostly from their neighbors but also from the mainland. Here's a few tidbits we heard:

-We feel hugged by the mainland.

-The hurricane brought out the humanitarian heart .

-We didn't wait for the gov't...we cleared our streets, shared our food & ice.  

 -PR showed strength, unity & compassion.

-If we had any extra, we knew there was someone who could use it so we gave it to them.

-Yes it was very hard but we will go forward.

Not once did we hear anyone complain...just great positive attitudes! 

We were successful in getting the solar generator that Faith Fowler from Cass Community Services in Detroit left for us.  It was built by homeless people there...how cool is it that they are helping those in need in PR!  The storage unit we thought we'd lined up, fell through (no big shock) but Faith's friend, Maria Teresa stored it for us.  That turned out to be a great experience as we spent a good hour visiting her.  She'd met Faith at a Church & Society board meeting in Washington years ago.  She said that's where they fought for justice & truth for all.  Our Church & Society class at home always begins class by reciting Micah 6:8:  What does the Lord require of us: to do what is right & love mercy.  It's a small world!

Update 26

How to describe Vieques??  An island with gorgeous deserted beaches hidden behind overgrown bushes & vine-covered trees with a one lane sometime paved & sometimes barely passable road weaving through it.    And horses!  Everywhere!  Roaming wherever they want.  Here we don't say "Deer in the road!" You say, "Horse in the road!"  Some are branded.  Some wild.  

But also hiding is the past.  My friend, Mary told me to duck when she heard I was coming here.  After a couple days here, I had to call her and find out what she was talking about.  She said, "Duck when the bombs go off!"  I did some research.  How did I not know that the US Navy was using this island as target practice until just 15 years ago??  How did the US justify bombing, using napalm & leaving the island loaded with radio active particles which are causing cancer & other health issues?  How did US justify giving them 10 days to leave their homes and either move to the middle arid land or leave the island?  I realize the Navy needed to practice somewhere...but was it fair to use an inhabited island that has no voice in the US govt?    Is it better that I know now??  What would I'd done if I'd known??  And what else don't I know???  Living in my little blissful bubble of ignorance is nice...but traveling does make pinholes in it at the same time as it fills it with a deep love of other cultures & places.  

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Jane's 2017 Updates

So much for counting on email...once I got to China, my email messed up and from then on, I could only send a few emails to one person at a time.  So my updates just sat in my folder.  Not even sure which ones got sent so I am forwarding all of them to you just in case you are still interested.  Remember I did not do any editing...so there's lots of errors.  Either you'll have lots to read or lots to trash.  I'm home now.   The wash machine is running & we're sorting the mail as we settle back into our real life.

Hope to see or hear from you soon and catch up with your life!

Jane

#38 Painful Thought. #39 Cutting the Cord & Heading to Costa Rica. #40 The Girl on the Bus

#38. Painful Thought
As I watched MM charm his way deeper into the hearts of Chan, his YaYa, Rog, Chan's neighbors & friends, a painful thought erupted: there's a woman in China who carried and delivered MM--and then, more than likely, she abandoned him at the hospital. I wondered if she had any other choice?? MM could hardly breathe. Did she have the $$ she'd need for his medical bills?? Was it possible for him to grow up healthy & someday support his parents?? What an excruciating, painful decision she had to make! And then I thought of the thousands of new Moms who had and would have to make that same decision. It became overwhelming to me--all that heartache--the helplessness of their situation--the gut wrenching pain.
MM's shrieks of laughter brought me back to the joy that surrounded me. That night I prayed for peace & healing for those Moms and thanked MM's mom. He is such a gift!!

#39 Cutting the Cord & Heading to Costa Rica
It was time to cut the cord. The frig was stocked, wash done, bags unpacked and all the safety gadgets mounted. Chan's safety net of friends were in top gear. Though I had loved being in the middle of it all...it was time to move on...and after discussing the pros & cons...Chan booked us a flight to Costa Rica. We landed in San Juan but took the first bus out to Turriaba. There we hiked through the jungle to Gustavo--the oldest archeological site in CR. Saw the many mounds where houses had been built & the aqueduct system used from 1000AD to 1400 BC still somewhat functioning. Biggest thrill was spotting a lots in a tall tree. Actually a guide pointed him out as we'd never had been able to spot it's dark body clinging to a branch so still among thick leaves...I know Sarah, you are jealous. Also saw a tayra, variety of insects & butterflies. The 150+ in of rainfall here feeds a thick jungle. Tomorrow we hope to wake up early enough to see Turriaba Volcano smoking & venting from the upstairs of the hostel we are in. Not sure where next, that's what Rog is working on now!

#40. The Girl on the Bus
That's be me. I love getting a peek into lives & hearing people chatter as we travel via local bus. Well dressed women with babies & groceries, men in work clothes or suits and students in uniforms. We pass neat, colorful small homes in the midst of a medley of flowers. Each small village boast a church & soccer field. The bus stops often as it climbs & descends the mountains..and people hop on & off greeting each other warmly. I love this "buseye" view!
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Why You Shouldn't Raid Your Retirement Fund for a Child’s College Education | Investing | US News

http://money.usnews.com/investing/articles/2017-02-24/why-you-shouldnt-raid-your-retirement-fund-for-a-childs-college-education


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Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday, Reagan! Hope to talk to you later today.
Love, Gpa and Grace

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Costa Rica!

Leaving here on Wed. For Costa Rica and Panama. Love, Mom and Dad

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The guys

#35 Safari. #36. The Long Haul Home #37 Next Few Days

#35 Safari
What better way to kill the last waiting day than at the Safari Park! I rate it a 5*. Huge variety of animals and lots of each. MM & Chan loved the monkeys best and Pandas were my favorite. Sun was shining and all three of us were loving it. What could be better??

#36 The Long Haul Home
It was a long haul--3+ hours to Beijing--6 hour layover--13+ hours to Dallas--2+ hour layover--2+ hour to Orlando. That's the long. The haul was the stuff you need for 30+ hours of traveling with a 2 year old and tons of adoption papers. We dragged into Orlando @ 5:30 pm (5:30 am China time)...and SURPRISE!! There was YaYa--Ed--holding a stuffed tiger & sucker. MM quickly realized that guys was the one he'd seen on the phone! The whole bunched hugged & then the sucker game began. MM licked the sucker then Yaya either got a lick or some smeared on his face...pure fun for MM. Pure joy for Ed, Chan & me.
We managed to stay up about 4 hours letting MM explore his home...then crashed.

#37 Next few days...
Rog's phone call the next morning asking me to open the front door, woke me up. He'd flown in from visiting his brother's family in Calif. He'd been in Puerto Vallarta with Bob & Elsi since leaving Louisiana. So we'd sure been on two different trips these last almost 3 weeks!
The next couple days were spent unpacking, meeting neighbors & laughing at MM. Ed is staying in the Navy base campground less than a mile away. He'd had a toy Kubota tractor shipped so Rog & Ed quickly pulled out the tools to put it together...then repair the stairway gate...then add another lock on the back door...than a wagon. Chan's cute chic home is now a kid's zone with toys & lots of not really toys sprewed all over!
Rog & I still haven't decided on our next move....maybe tomorrow we'll figure that out.

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Matthew

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#33 Unwanted Babies & Old Folks. #34 Count Down

#33. Unwanted Babies & Old Folks
So how did so many couples avoid having more than one baby from 1979 to 2015?? Our CCAI rep answered that question with one word--abortion. And since only sons were expected to care for their elderly parents ...how did parents assure they'd have a healthy son to care for them--orphanages filled with girls & boys with special needs. Our rep also explained that today that picture has hardly changed as many couples are deciding to only have one child due to the stress to succeed economically. In the meantime, the older population is growing. Here the retirement is truly your children. The court will step in if a child is not supporting their parents & require parent support payments. If a couple does not have kids, they'll get gov't $$. All this seems to be verified by the huge number of orphans & the relatively rare times we've seen couples with even one child & the multitude of elders we've seen exercising & playing in the parks! Wonder how much our parent support check will be??? And when will it come in the mail????
(Ben, Bek, Jake???)

#34 Count Down to Home Sweet Home...for Chan & MM anyways. Finally...the last hoop...the US Constable who told Chan--I hope to issue MM's VIsa by tomorrow. Well let's hope so cause we're leaving early the next day and we're NOT leaving with out MM!! We're really not worried as CCAI is a well oiled machine. It has adopted over 12,000 children. Our rep has helped over 1000 families...that's 1000 less orphans in China. Reminds me of a Japanese legend that anyone who creates 1000 organizations cranes will be granted a wish. (Sadako & the Paper Cranes). In this case...1000 wishes HAVE been granted!! Who knew the 1000 cranes could be mechanical instead!
Today we strolled through a beautiful park with manicured bushes & gorgeous gardens of provinces, begonias, canvas, impatients, , poppies, salvia--boasting every color of the rainbow. The apple & cherry trees were loaded with blooms. I noticed all the blooms...but Chan seemed only to notice MM. She laughed continually as he performed antic after antic encouraging her delighted response. He'd run ahead only to turn around & run as fast as his chubby legs could go to her. She beamed with pride as many Chinese stopped to talk to him. We could have been in a sand pit and as long as MM was there she'd loved it...and I was so glad I was with them...in this very special time and in this beautiful park!
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Fwd: #32 Blooming in Guangzhou

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Begin forwarded message:

From: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Date: March 5, 2017 at 2:01:13 PM EST
To: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Subject: #32 Blooming in Guangzhou

#32 Blooming in Guangzhou
It was a 2 houcr flight to the much warmer Guangzhou, the Flower City.  Here bright pink bougainvillea hang form the bridges, an abundance of trees are deep green, birds sing...and Chan & MM 's bonding is blooming!   I love spring in Michigan because little by little, it reveals itself.  Watching Chan & MM reminds me of spring.  The first major thaw, when MM laid his head on Chan's shoulder, then the slow but sure signs:  removing layers of clothing, diaper change without tears, sleeping without shoes, quick bath to laughing in the tub and running to Chan with out stretched arms.  Of course, a lot of snacks were embedded in each step.  This morning, Chan had to go get some papers from our room, so I loaded the bus with MM...his little brow wrinkled and he looked so scared while pointing to the hotel saying, "Mama?"  I had our rep explain to him that Chan was coming in a minute.  But it wasn't until he saw her that the the fear turned to joy.  Spring in full bloom!!  
The last couple days included:  paper work; trip to Chen Clan Ancestral Hall/Folk Art museum where we witnessed a Buddhist ceremony where over 100 tubs of live fish, squid & eels were blessed & soon to be purchased to later be set free in the nearby Pearl River; paper work;  shopping in high end stores & side street markets; paper work;  health check up & yup more paper work.  Today we wee at the crowded Chinese Embassy where over 2000 visits are granted each day.  
MM keeps us busy and laughing.  He has an arsenal of facial expressions...and would do well as a beggar on the streets.  He likes wandering checking to make sure we are in tow.  We spend lots of time visiting with the other families we've been with since Beijing.  Our hotel is the last stop to many other adopting families as well.  It's hard to wrap your head around how many special needs Chinese orphans have won the lottery and are now part of a loving family!!  Have seen downs, cleft palates, blind...and know many have internal issues...but all have bright smiles...it's like they already know their future will be brighter.  Say nothing of how much joy they'll bring to their new families!   What an unique and blessed role I get to play in this joyful happening!!  

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#20 Plantations

Noticed I'd forgotten to get this into my blog...better late than never!

#20 Plantations.
We were deep in plantation land so head to The Whitney Planation--the only one that focuses on the slaves-side of the story. Our guide's ancestors had probably been slaves on this or a close by plantation. She spoke from her heart feeling the strong need to inform people about slavery...since many schools only briefly discuss it. She emphasized how the north as well as the south benefitted from the slave trade...especially after international trade was outlawed & domestic trade gave rise to breeding houses in the north. Biggest was in Richmond. We walked through a memorial where names & stories where etched in stone wall. Stories told & recorded during FDR's Federal Writing Project. You could feel the heart tugs. Stories of working from "can't see em to can't see em." Inhuman torture --similar to what the Jews experienced under Hitler who studied slave punishment--and how the dead were tossed into the swamps. There was also an Angels Garden dedicated to the over 2000 kids who died in this parish. Clay life size statues of these children were placed all over the grounds. A rusted metal jail which sat next to the auction block screamed of the injustice done. As we left the Whitney Plantation, I thought of the opulent Whitney Inn in Detroit where my sisters & I savored elegant desserts. What contrast!! We headed down the road to Oak Valley Plantation--passing lots of worn down house trailers--made me thing that things haven't improved enough for the manual laborers. The Big House was highlight at the Oak Valley Plantation. Certainly the other side of the coin. A 1/4 mile driveway was lined with twenty-eight 300 yr old Virginia Oak trees and blooming azalea bushes surround the twenty-eight pillared mansion. The gigantic dining table was set with fine china and a large decorative hand pulled fan hun from the ceiling ready to stir up a breeze & keep the flies away. Sugar cane made the family rich & still today is the main crop. Shortly after the Civil War--the house was deserted and later cows bedded down inside. About 100 yrs ago, a Texas couple bought it & returned it to it's glorious state then will it to a foundation after their death.
It was a a day of stepping back in history!

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#29 Hello Family. #30 Orphanage/ Luoyang #31 Tidbits

#29 Hello Family
This a.m., my phone's weather report read: 27F/unhealthy. Looking out the window at the snow & smog confirmed both. Our trip to the orphanage was postponed...which left no plans for the day. Spent our 1st "free" morning (evening in USA) meeting some of MM's family thanks to FaceTime & Skype. Many had been waiting to see the little man "Live From ZhengZhou." Chan beamed as each fell instantly in love with MM. His humongous new family is ready to give him humongous love!! Ate brunch @ 10 then napped, played in the hall with other families, a Walmart run, fitted out clothes for MM pass out extras and/or packing them for orphanage. Five families went to dinner together--chaotic & fun time. MM fought sleep but Chan & I welcomed it!

# 30 Orphanage/Luoyang
Chan wanted to learn everything she possible could about her son so off we went on an over 2 hour drive to the two orphanages MM spent his first two years. She found a wealth of info!! First the Welfare Institute run by the gov't housing @600 kids with a 10 to 1 nanny ratio. Though very clean & decorated, it was not heated. MM lived here the last 6 months. Adjacent to that one was Maria's House...a branch of New Hope run & funded by US Christian NGO. Here MM lived for 1 & half yr & got lots of tender care right after his initial operation. Chan cried when she meet MM's main sweet nanny & the American doctor who'd given him such good care. Chan knew MM's intestines were pushed up into his lung which is why he has a big zipper strip on his abdomen --but can you imagine the shock to find out his heart is on the other side & flipped around! Dr. Said it seems to be no problem--how can that be??? His Dr. and the director (whose husband was super attached to MM) walked Chan out to the van where I was entertaining & being entertained by MM. They we so thrilled to see him. Feeling was mutual. Hugs & Pictures galore. Contact info & stories were exchanged. Both Chan & Dr. had a heartfelt appreciation for each other: Chan for the Dr. who cared for & nurtured young, sickly MM and the Dr for Chan for giving him a new life in a loving home!! We rode past the hospital where MM had been abandoned--his finding spot. Then headed back to his new life!!!

#31 Tidbits
Our ride to Luoyang gave me the opportunity to pepper our CCAI rep, Tina with lots of questions:
-Apartment cost $2300 per sq meter
-Most apartments are shared by 2 generations
-Few retirement homes as it is frowned on to have parents there
-the hundreds of apartment building going up (Counted 35 in @ 5 min drive) are private investors & will most likely not be occupied for a while. (Same story we heard 4 yrs ago.)
-Cars cost between $3300 & $17,000
-Average wage is $400-500 per month
-As far as TIna knew:
No Chinese have adopted American kids.
Most kids in orphanages had special needs.
Chinese can adopt from orphanage at no cost but few do.
Chinese can adopt from other Chinese families at a cost but few do.
-Crops in field now are wheat & the same field will be planted to corn with both harvested in the same year.
-Drove by several homes build into the side of clay hills.
-Also drove by several men sweeping with bamboo brooms along the expressway--what an endless job!
-And a bit of humor: When MM spits food out, Chan tells him, "No, No--Don't you know there's starving children in China!!"

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# 26 Being a Mom. #27 Meeting Yaya (Gpa) #28 Shopping

#26 Being a Mom
Mathew Ming's (MM) first night went pretty good--especially for me cause I just rolled over and went back to sleep when MM woke up at 11 pm & Chan comforted him & let him lie next to her until he was vast asleep an hour or so later. Chan woke up early, got herself & the diaper bag ready so when MM woke up, she could just cuddle him while he drank his bottle, change diapers, dress him & feed him a banana. She's loving being a Mommy & MM melts in her arms. We were at breakfast buffet by 8. It was a great place to see what he likes to eat--hard boiled eggs, toast & yogurt...and most everything else except some Chinese! Chan & MM went off to do more paperwork but I stayed with Malaya--the 10 year old daughter of one of the families here--who was sick & both parents had to to to sign papers. I used the down time to catch up on my writing & typing. They got back around noon & we ate in our room & were entertained by MM till 1:30 when it was time to go fill out passport papers. I again stayed with Malaya. Chan had helped me get the app that rerouted internet so I could read Facebook again...my connection to home & friends!

#27 Meeting YaYa (Gpa)
A world away but thanks to skype--MM met his YaYa (Gpa--my big brother). Staring at the happy, laughing image while Chan repeated "YaYa, Gpa"--MM put his face right up to the screen making his Gpa laugh harder. Next day, scene was repeated but MM was catching on & to his Gpa's delight said, "YaYa". Gpa's grin filled the screen! Next day scene, MM added a dance, lots more babbling, smacking the phone & several loud "YaYa!" Gpa was belly laughing. What a treat for Chan, Gpa & MM...and me.

#28 Shopping
Since MM is accustomed to wearing 3 layers of warm clothing--we headed to the mall with Dennis, Elizabeth & Benny (their new son). The walk to the mall was down right dangerous--it was snowing, the walk was slippery & motorcycles & bikes buzzed by almost running us over. As we tried to walk slowly & carefully, crowds of people almost bowled us over. The mall was NOT a welcome relief as it was cold there too. We did find some more layers & shoes for MM--thanks to Dennis who is Amer-Chinese & speaks some Chinese. Our trip back to the hotel was better but we were all chilled to the bone before we got into our warm hotel. Leaving the hotel for dinner was not an option so we all ate at the fancy hotel. Dennis ordered for us. It was way past bedtime but Chan wanted to give MM a bath--which he wasn't sure he wanted, but got. Then she put on 2 sets of PJ's & he strutted around the room so happy. Think he's realizing how great his life now is!!


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#21.5. Roger's AHV Thoughts

#21.5. Roger's AHV Thoughts

To have a friend, it is necessary to be a friend. It is just common sense, but something that I recall reminding my students about each year. I am happy to say that this idea appears to be alive in the volunteers that are making friends in Louisiana as they rebuild some of the 200,000 homes devastated by the flooding last August..
The All Hands volunteers plan, gather supplies and tools, pack their lunch, then travel to their assigned site to spend their energy and their time being a friend to someone they might not even know. Just like a good friend who will drop anything to help...they put their lives on hold for a period of time to use their talents in service of others. Some work for a day...or three! Some arrive thinking they will stay for a short time and decide to stay for months. Many move from project to project...traveling from Detroit to Tennessee to Louisiana to Nepal...working with
All Hands for years! Everyone we worked with seemed to be energized by the project. They even cheered and celebrated when the project in Louisiana was extended .

Some of my best memories of feeling that I had done the right thing have often involved helping a neighbor or a relative in need. Helping someone move or fix something or just helping with a small chore has always put a smile on my face and a spring in my step. I like to think that being there for your neighbor is what we all should do.
Our family has always been blessed with good neighbors who stopped by to visit and they have often pitched in to help. The volunteers at All Hands are like good neighbors who have put their own plans on hold so they can reach out to distant neighbors in time of need. I never heard a volunteer complain about the work or the fact that there was no pay for the work. The satisfaction of knowing they helped was sufficient payment to buoy their spirits and lift them to do the next job. I hope to again be a good neighbor with All Hands as they do the work of reaching out to those in great need.