In December 2007, I sold some ornaments and auctioned off a painting to help raise money for 2 children being cared for by IAAP who needed immediately surgery. This is my heart that children be helped.

I HAVE INCLUDED EXCERPTS FROM IAAP ABOUT BOTH CHILDREN. PLEASE KEEP THEM IN YOUR PRAYERS Tian Tian had a CT scan yesterday. The CT showed that the shunt is now functioning but that the arachnoid cyst in the right side of her brain has grown. The doctors had planned to replace the shunt and also repair the skin around the shunt. Now that the cyst has grown and has become a major concern they have had to change their plan. The doctors in Changchun do not have the equipment to operate on the cyst. They now plan to do an MRI tomorrow and send it to the Beijing QingHua University Hospital where they have the equipment and doctors to perform the surgery. After consultation with the doctors in Beijing, a decision will be made as to when they will transfer her to Beijing for the surgery. Her general condition right now is good. She is eating and sleeping well. We feel she is in good hands with the doctors in Changchun and in Beijing cooperating to see that she receives the best medical care possible. The photos we have here were taken yesterday at the hospital in Changchun. Continue to keep her in your prayers as her difficult journey continues. UPDATE: - Tian Tian December 7, 2007 TianTian has recovered from her URI (upper respiratory infection) but the doctors are keeping her on an antibiotic until she has her surgery to prevent any further complications. The MRI showed more significant enlargement of the arachnoid cyst than they had expected. It must be taken care of as soon as possible. The doctors in Beijing are in agreement, and the earliest date for her surgery will be next Wednesday. TianTian has suffered with poor health since the day she was born. This precious little one seldom fusses...she seems to understand that those who cause her pain are only trying to make her better. Maybe this surgery will make her better for a long time.

TIAN TIAN UPDATE! 12-19-07

TIAN TIAN UPDATE: DECEMBER 19,2007 TianTian has finally had her surgery in Beijing. She is now in the ICU, and will remain there until her heart rate returns to normal. It has been rather high since she came out of the operating room. We are waiting for a report from the surgeons to hear what they found during her surgery, and if they were able to accomplish all they had hoped. The photos of Tian were taken shortly before she was taken to surgery, and soon after the surgery was finished. Please keep this little one in your thoughts and prayers during the next several days. We are so thankful to those of you who graciously donated to her surgery fund. You have given TianTian a chance for a healthy future. Now we must wait and hope for the best. You can keep up to date on Tian Tian by clicking on the link below. As we receive updates they will be posted there. http://bringinghopetochildren.org/news.html

Tian Tian update: December 20,2007 Current News December 20, 2007 TianTian came out of the ICU around 10:30am and she had milk about 10:50am on Thursday China time. Her movement seems to be normal, her crying is normal and she has a normal temperature. If all continues to go well she should be on her way home in about three days. We do not yet know if they drained the cyst or completely removed it. As soon as we have more information we will post it here. December 19, 2007 TianTian has finally had her surgery in Beijing. She is now in the ICU, and will remain there until her heart rate returns to normal. It has been rather high since she came out of the operating room. We are waiting for a report from the surgeons to hear what they found during her surgery, and if they were able to accomplish all they had hoped. The photos of Tian were taken shortly before she was taken to surgery, and soon after the surgery was finished. Please keep this little one in your thoughts and prayers during the next several days. We are so thankful to those of you who graciously donated to her surgery fund. You have given TianTian a chance for a healthy future. Now we must wait and hope for the best. UPDATE:MARCH 2008 I GOT WORD WHILE I WAS IN AFRICA THAT TIAN TIAN WENT HOME O BE WITH JESUS. THOUGH OUR HEARTS ARE BROKENM WE KNOW THAT SHE IS COMPLETELY HEALED NOW AND IS IN JESUS' ARMS. SHE NO LONGER SUFFERS AND NOW HAS A FOREVER FAMILY

I HAVE INCLUDED UPDATES ON ZHANG QI FROM IAAP Zhang Qi is doing a little better. Hannah saw him yesterday in the Siping Hospital and he is getting some color in his cheeks. The nanny was able to feed him 50ml of formula in about 30 minutes and is feeding him every three hours. He had a little strength today and he cried when the nurse stuck him with a needle to draw blood. This is a good sign since he was unable to cry when he first arrived at the hospital and they were unable to draw any blood for tests. When he arrived at the hospital, he weighed 3.85 pounds. The current plan is to see if he continues to gain strength over the next few days. If he continues to improve he will be taken back to our foster care center in Siping. They want him out of the hospital as soon as possible because there are many people there with the flu and in his weakened condition the flu would surely be fatal. We will continue to update you on his condition and we want to thank those of you who donated to his care and to Tian Tian's care. I hope you can all see by these two cases what a difference your donations can make. These donations don't just make a small difference, they save lives. Most of your donations are in the $10 to $25 range; not huge donations. But your donation with everyone else's saves lives. For the cost of a meal at an average restaurant you helped save a life! Think of how powerful that is. You have touched two lives half a world away and given them a chance. Not many people can say they have accomplished that today. UPDATE: Update - Zhang Qi December 7, 2007 Zhang Qi is stable, although he has developed a cough. He is continuing to take his formula; although slowly, which is to be expected. If all goes well in the next several days, he should be able to come "home" to our Center in Siping. There are several nannies waiting there to spoil him! UPDATE: January 3, 2008 Zhang Qi has made tremendous progress! He now weighs 5.5 pounds and as you can see in the photo he does not even look like the same child. The photo at the left is now and the photo at the right is when he first arrived at our Center from the orphanage. His life was saved by all of you who donated to his care in the hospital and by the dedicated staff at our Siping Center. What a great way to start the new year. Each of you can make a difference in a child's life. If Zhang Qi could he would give you all a big hug and a kiss.