China’s Winter Weather-Keep Praying

I’m sorry to keep posting about needs, but these things are what make my heart ache. I wish that I could help them all, but I can’t. Here’s the latest from Half the Sky Foundation. I’m just posting reports of a few of the orphanages that are hit the hardest to give you an idea of what they are going through.

Chenzhou, Hunan – still facing the most difficulties of the orphanages we’ve reached. They’ve had no electricity or running water for 8 days and there is almost no possibility that power will be restored before New Year’s Eve (the 6th of February.) Because of the blackout, the hospital is closed. 20 children are ill and being cared for by institution staff as well as they can. The banks are closed so staff is contributing personal funds to buy food, coal and diapers. Prices are skyrocketing as all roads to Chenzhou remain impassable.

Huangshi, Hubei – is in desperate need of disposable diapers. They ask for funds to purchase since goods can’t be sent to them right now. All heater/air conditioners have stopped functioning. They need quilts and warm clothes for the children. Several HTS nannies have fallen on the ice on their way to work and they need medicine to treat cuts and bruises.

Jiujiang, Jiangxi – had another heavy snow storm last night. Pipes have burst and the five boilers are broken. They are unable to bathe the children and are having trouble keeping them warm. They need quilts, bedding, warm shoes and space heaters. They need medicine for infant coughs and colds.

Nanning, Guangxi – is experiencing its worst winter in 48 years. They are doing their best to weather the storm but could use 6 large space heaters, 86 warm quilts for our Family Village and disposable diapers. Like many places, they are having trouble finding affordable food right now and would appreciate a subsidy to help through this difficult time.

Half the Sky Foundation normally focuses on ways to improve the living conditions of the orphans and their development, but because of this emergency situation they have started a “Little Mouse Emergency Fund” (I think “mouse” is because it’s the “Year of the Rat”, thus the cute little mouse above). They plan to use the emergency fund to help meet the needs of their orphanages and then use any remaining money to help meet the needs of other orphanages. Here’s the link to donate. If you’re broke, like me, then pray. That’s the most powerful thing we can do after all. And I find comfort in knowing that God sees and knows everything that is going on in China and other parts of the world, such as Kenya, and cares deeply about every single person there.

Two sparrows cost only a penny, but not even one of them can die without your Father’s knowing it. God even knows how many hairs are on your head. So don’t be afraid. You are worth much more than many sparrows. (Matthew 10:29-31)