by JD | Aug 28, 2011 | China
12 Things I’ve Learned About Shanghai!!!
1. “Lil” is nowhere to be found.
2. Rickshaws are now motorized and a total blast to ride in… probably bad parenting but super fun.
3. Another proud city sponsor of Mystery Meat.
4. The Bund is incredible … cross between the NYC skyline and Disneyland. If you knew nothing about it, like us, google it… Super cool.
5. The Cricket Market is a sight to behold. Come get your feisty cricket warrior for a Friday Night fight. Michael Vicks … you are safe over here.
6. Hotter than a witch’s cuckoo here… Yikes! Like 3 Ken dolls in an Easy Bake Oven.
7. Taxi’s are dirt cheap… so awesome… of course, they don’t speak English and you can’t tell them where you are wanting to go… but once you work that out… dirt cheap…
8. It’s true… they stop you on the street and want to take your picture… Especially Buck… He might as well be Justin Bieber. Very funny. They like to hug him and touch his hair.
9. Subway is fast and spotless…. If you can figure out which station you are going to.
10. Not only is McDonalds, Coca Cola, and KFC everywhere… so is Ikea.
11. The rumors are not true… I have yet to see sheep, goats or chickens on any domestic or international flight.
12. The Neon signs and automated billboards are something right out of Blade Runner. Super cool. They just have to work out the flying cars and they’ll have it down…
On to Hong Kong….
by JD | Aug 20, 2011 | China
As we board the plane headed for Shanghai, I reflect on the last few weeks with a sense of wonder. What a truly profound experience. The Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, The Forbidden City… all seem to pale in comparison to meeting our new family and friends at The New Hope Foundation.
It’s beginning to dawn on me that the toughest part of our journey will be the “good-byes”. Saying farewell to our new pals was pure anguish. Ray-Ray, Au Jun, Mao Mao, Luke, Shannon, Katie, Dr. Joyce and Robin, Dr. Steve & The Martins, The Moore Family, all the mamas ( nurses) and so many others.
My kids and I have had the great honor of experiencing the lives of some remarkable children. Each one welcomed us, allowed us to be part of their daily routines, shared their warmth, their laughter, their tears… I know it sounds a tad melodramatic, but I’m at a loss for how else to express the immensity of our experience and love for these kids.
These guys aren’t just your average kids. As fate would have it, they have been lucky enough to be taken in by the New Hope Foundation … their lives changed forever. Each of these kids comes with a tragic tale of abandonment, physical challenge, and very little hope for a future.
But because the stars aligned, or god blessed them, or the random-ness of the universe would deem it so, these guys won the lottery thanks to Dr. Joyce and Robin Hill. Saved from either sure death or an uncertain existence of pain and suffering, these kids have received the medical attention to either walk again, smile again, talk again, see again, or just to live again. And it’s all topped with a ton of loving kindness and nurturing from the incredible staff at The New Hope Foundation.
My experience with these kids is hard to describe. Quiet moments with them sitting on my lap, or carrying them in my arms, or just waving and smiling from across the room… from playing in a plastic ball pit, to the jungle gym outside, or swimming with the kids in the pool. Greeted in the morning with Ni Hao… which means hello… with smiles… hugs, extended hands with the hopes of being held… all this has truly had a deep effect on me. Cathartic really…
See, I fancied myself a guy who knew the world. Who had a rough and tumble childhood myself with tons of tragedy of my own. With a loss of both of my parents by the age of 8, I thought I had joined the ranks of hard knocks…
But I’m the luckiest man alive… I have two beautiful healthy boys, my own health, a cool career, friends and family that are there for me…. Life is good. I have a new gauge in which to count my blessings.
And still one has to think of all the kids who don’t have the good fortune of being one of the chosen few at New Hope. Of the kids all over the world who still suffer and sit at death’s door without someone to come along and save them. I wish for a million New Hope Foundations… I guess there will always be kids to save on the planet…. I honor the people that find it in the hearts to be selfless and make a difference.
Here is the link to a short film on The New Hope Foundation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvMME-2dJ40
Oh, yeah, The Great Wall was awesome. I took a moment to remember my tribe who spoke up and were heard at Tiananmen Square… Got a kick out of standing in front of the huge picture of Mao hanging over the entrance to The Forbidden City…. And walking through the Forbidden City made me want to see The Last Emperor again and wish I could have lived at that time and experienced the majesty of all that… of course as royalty….
So we are being spoiled on two fronts. The joys of experiencing the awe of different sights and cultures, and secondly and most importantly, the joys of being of service. I hope that our efforts here abroad make a small dent in these angels hearts… because they have opened ours fully.
We’ll be in Shanghai for a few days and then on to Hong Kong to meet the doctors who actually do the surgeries on these kids. Their’s is an interesting story which I’ll report on from there.
And, of course, I’ll give you an update in Shanghai…. Anxious to check it out and the boys and I will look out for Shanghai Lil. We’ll let you know if we come across her.
P.S. – Big Shout out to LEGO! They came through with their promise and Buck has been giving out huge shipments of Lego to all the kids. The kids in our locations are loving them!
Guess the joys of Lego is just universal!!! Play on….
by JD | Aug 10, 2011 | China
We are so honored to being working here at The New Hope Foundation in Beijing. The purpose of this particular facility is to prepare abandoned babies, and kids from orphanages, for surgery, to help arrange their medical procedures and for their post-op observation and recovery. Most of the children have cleft palates, club feet, bowel or bladder disorder, or other serious ailments.
Through the vision and big hearts of Dr. Joyce and Robin Hill, this amazing place was created. Check out the website: http://www.hopefosterhome.com/ If you are able to donate or sponsor a child, this is the place to do it! I’m experiencing it first hand and this place is the real deal. This husband and wife are saints, truly. They are doing all they can in their power to save these kids lives and give them homes. It’s so inspiring.
I have so many stories to tell of our stay so far, but I want to focus on one. A number of these special needs kids have been linked up with an adoptive family after their procedures are done and they have recooperated. There are about 20 kids that I love with all my heart here. Most have families waiting for them.
Which leads me to Ray Ray. That’s kind of his English name. This kid is amazing and my great buddy. Ray Ray has the coolest spirit. Really happy, soulful, deep, cool… hard to describe in words. Everyone just “gets” him. I certainly do. We just have this major connection. He doesn’t have the use of his legs. He has arthrogryposis, which is a disorder, but that doesn’t stop him. With his arms (which he has limited use of) he scoots himself across the floor to you. His spirit is so powerful. He has the best smile, plus he just knows who he is… has a real sense of himself. I will be posting video of him shortly.
If anyone knows of a family that is interested in adopting a special needs child, please, personally let me know. Ray Ray deserves a family who will give him the love he deserves. Believe me, that family will be blessed a thousand fold. He is the greatest guy and would be a great joy to any family.
We had the good fortune of going up to visit The Great Wall with Dr. Steve, another saint, and his family. Dr. Steve let us sit in on the procedure to fix club feet. Another man who is doing great work in the world! Bravo, Dr. Steve. My boys and I are huge fans of this guy.
I will post more in the next day or so…
by JD | Aug 8, 2011 | China
1. I haven’t a clue what anyone is saying when they speak Chinese. I mean not a clue….
2. Real Chinese food is awesome…. but Mystery Meat is not exclusive to Moscow, Russia. It’s available here too!!! I’m starting to feel like it might be available globally… Yikes.
3. Charlotte, NC is not the most humid place on earth.
4. Ice Cream tastes good in any country.
5. There are people on the planet who care deeply and are dedicating their lives to helping others. So inspiring.
6. My heart has exploded with love in a small village on the outskirts of Beijing. I’m so lucky to experience it with these amazing kids. Nothing is better than being greeted each morning with smiles and open arms.
7. My sons are compassionate, caring boys and I’m really proud of how gentle and kind they are with kids less fortunate. Rock on, Lewis Boys!
8. I cannot lie, I miss climate control. Alot.
9. Clubbed feet can be fixed in infants and toddlers by putting them in casts and helping them to re-form their feet… then cutting the achilles tendon and then wearing braces. These lucky kids who are being helped here. They’re given the gift of being able to walk. Bravo to Dr. Joyce, Robin and Dr. Steve! Three real life heroes!
10. The old people in the village have so much character in their faces and so much soul in their smiles. I only wish I could speak their language and hear their stories. Want to just get off my bike and hug them all. Such amazing people.
11. Los Angeles does not have a patent on smog and/or poor air quality or traffic. Trust me.
12. China is booming! Things are happening here. In fact, so much so, that they are trying to slow down the boom so it doesn’t escalate too fast.
by JD | Aug 2, 2011 | China
Hey folks. Here at Hope Healing Home just outside of Beijing. Dr. Joyce and her husband, Robin, are our gracious hosts. Talk about an inspiring couple. These are two people who are truly “walking the talk”. This orphanage is amazing! So beautifully run. The kids are all indoors in a beautiful air conditioned building. The volunteers stay out in Yurts (super cool). The facility is spotless and the staff are terrific. This location helps orphans who are in need of medical attention. There is a large staff, including a number of medical doctors.
We have been holding the babies, playing with the toddlers and just getting adjusted to being in China. Please check out the website and help or donate if you can. http://www.hopefosterhome.com There is a wish list on the website for things they are in need of. If you are moved to want to create a care package for this location, let me know. And, if you are feeling like you might want to volunteer, this is a great location. Pictures and much more news to follow.
12 Things I’ve Learned About Shanghai!!!
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