GongYi Home of Hope

So far in May we have had two birthdays. “Tim” (on the left) and “Seth” . They are both fourteen now and are growing so fast. It seems like just yesterday they came to us (2 1/2 years ago now) so small and fragile. Now they are strong and well mannered and their voices are even starting to change. It makes us realize how little time we really have in molding and shaping these young lives. Tim is now in his school’s “Bugle Corp” and really likes it. Seth is doing well in school and is actually excelling in Math.

“June” truly did manage to get some of the birthday cake in her mouth. But as is traditionally custom here in China some of the cake has to be put on your friend’s and relative’s face. A birthday party is to be a time of fun and happiness and a minor cake fight is all part of the fun. On occasion they even catch “Yie Yie” (Grandpa Nathan) and get some cake smeared on his face as well.

“Rena” decided to hide behind a flower or planter to eat her piece of Birthday Cake. I don’t think it did much good because I seem to remember a short time after I took this picture she came up to me and showed me her face covered with pink, yellow and blue icing. It is amazing to see how these children have grown in stature and character during the time they have been here. “Rena” and her brother “Bryan” are a joy to have around with their mischievous yet tender hearted personalities. Always good for a laugh yet always ready to lend a helping hand when needed.

On the left, “Joey”, “Gail“, “Heidi” and “Rena” all wait for big brother “Seth” to give them their piece of his birthday cake. You can almost see in Joey’s eyes that he is planning on the exact spot where his piece of cake is going to land on “Seth”! Of course you have the two little ladies “Gail” and “Heidi” who simply won’t do those kind of things. That just isn’t lady like! But most of the children with a small exception of a few, do get into the “cake mess” as I call it.

“Luke” and “Michael” sure don’t have any problems with eating all of their cake. Both of them wanted second helpings so they weren’t about to waste their cake by putting it on another person’s face… Michael seems to be saying “It tastes just fine on my own face.. and that’s where I want all of it!” They are both in kindergarten now and doing very well in their preschool courses.