Thursday, August 5, 2010

A Five-Year Agreement!

As it turns out, our efforts this summer seem to have been received well. In the few days since returning to the States, I have been in contact with Jumbo and Mr. Li in Doumen. The Doumen Education Academy has signed an agreement for us to bring teams to Doumen to train 80 teachers each of the next five years. We enjoy a special relationship and have had many meaningful conversations with teachers in Doumen. What an opportunity!

I am so thankful for each team member and the various support networks that allowed each one to be in China this summer.

An interesting note - Charles Chapman traveled with the team each of the past three years. He took a year off this year, but stayed involved by posting our blog entries and helping to edit the camp newspaper. He did some of this work while on vacation with his wife. As he and Kim were returning to Fort Wayne from their vacation, waiting at a gate in Detroit Metro Airport, our Delta group (Greg, Terry, Mary Ellen, Donna, Susie, Nancy, Johanna and Holly) walked up to the same gate for their flight to Fort Wayne. So, Charlie traveled with the team this summer after all. A fitting end to a trip characterized by Providence.

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Home again!













Some of our team are still traveling but the largest group is now home. Holly hugs her mom.














Susie is met at the airport by her children (plus one).

Thanks to everyone for your thoughts while our team worked in south China. Remember to return for a wrap-up - coming soon!

A note from Luke.

Piers and I are at the Hong Kong Airport ready to depart.













We had our farewell dinner with Jumbo, Adam, Canaan and Mr. Zhang on Friday night on our way out of Zhuhai. It was great to celebrate a successful venture with old friends.

We had our team debriefing yesterday morning at the hotel. Joanne and Luke left yesterday noon for Beijing. The rest us enjoyed a day in Hong Kong. We walked around, ate dinner at Spaghetti House, went to Victoria Peak, and shopped at the Temple Street Market. We left in several shifts this morning - Rob and Ken left the hotel for Tokyo at 5:30 AM, the Delta folks left the hotel for Detroit at 6:30 AM. Piers and I had breakfast with Jana, Jenaya and Jeff and then left the hotel for Chicago at 9:30 AM. Jeff will fly out tomorrow morning. Jana, Jenaya and Bridger stay in Asia.


It's been a great trip, with an outstanding team. Thanks for keeping us in your thoughts.














The team pauses for a moment in front of the Booth Lodge in Hong Kong before departing.













The Fetters boys enjoy the "Peak" in Hong Kong.