skip to content

 

THANKYOU SO MUCH!!!

 

5am - In Eagles' Wings 3, excited children woke up with screams of delight to the small bag of goodies at the end of their beds. Each child had a bag of little toys, a lolly or two (lollipops for the Americans) and a spoon of their very own! How exciting is that! Getting such a surprise brings delight to our children. One of the children even put her biscuit between her teeth so she would have both hands to hold on to her goodies!

9.30am - Santa Claus and his helpers arrived at Xi Wang Le Yuan to the sound of Jingle Bells. The room was electric with anticipation, even the teachers were excited! Santa quickly got busy handing each child a beautiful package, and what a delight to see each one open their gift, hardly daring to believe in their good luck. When Ling Ling, one of our 11 year old girls, received her gift she was so intent on holding on to it that at first she wouldn't even put it down to open it! But when she did she found a new Barbie doll and some clothes to keep Barbie looking sharp. She couldn't have been happier or more amazed that this marvelous doll was hers. This truly happens only one day a year for these children, and only because of the wonderful and generous COAT sponsors. But Santa had much more to do...

10.30am - Santa and his elves arrived at Eagles' Wings 4. The children here have severe disabilities and have not had the chance to have such a lovely Christmas before. Their response to Santa and their gifts was quite a joy. While others may not see the people inside, we know their lovely spirits and the difference that care and attention has made. Even a small gift is another way to reach these children with a love they have never known.


11am - While still at Eagles' Wings 4, we receive a phone call from Jiale, "Where is Santa?" We made the short trip to the next building where our Eagles Wings 1 children live to find eleven children beautifully dressed and very excited.

Bei Bei, a twelve year old boy, received his gift with disappointment. It was just a box! "What was all the excitement about a box" When Lou Huan, COAT's China Administrator, saw his dejected face she asked him why he hadn't opened his gift. His reply was he thought it was just a box. Oh, dear! She helped him unwrap the box to find a well-crafted play set made of wood. His disappointment quickly changed to surprise and then happiness as she helped him build a fort and a tower. His face tells the story - one very happy boy who had never had a gift like that before.

Santa stayed in Eagles' Wings 1 for almost on hour playing not only Santa but also uncle and handy man while helping put together all the toys that needed his touch. It was clear that Santa received a special gift today, too. Being needed and being able to give of yourself, particularly to children who have so little and appreciate so much, is an amazing gift in itself.

11.50AM - A phone call from Eagles' Wings 2 confirmed that the older children were home from school so down the lane we went to our third apartment in this neighborhood. When the older children saw Santa they guessed who it was straight away but they were still very excited. Since most of the younger children were in bed for their rest time we decided we had enough time to eat first then get the others up for the presents. The Christmas lunch we ordered in had just arrived. It was very delicious: honey chicken (everyone's favorite), a beef and mushrooms dish, a yummy pork dish and five different types of vegi dishes.  As children, ayis, Santa's elves and Santa, too, sat around the table together, the chatter and excitement was infectious and reminded me of home. We didn't linger over lunch though because the  older children kids had to go back to school. Their enthusiasm for the meal and their excitement over the gifts made the delicious lunch disappear quickly. Very soon the floor mats were filled with children who were filled with excitement. (Not to mention that someone couldn't wait and had already been peeking!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Like many little ones, YanYan (17 months) didn't want any part of Santa. But she just loved the blow up donkey that all the toddlers were wanting to ride. Sheng An, 3 years old and one of our kids with spina bifida, was thrilled with his new wooden train set and wouldn't let anyone else play with it. Cheng Cheng (19 months) was walking with his new cart of blocks.

Before Santa left to rest up for his final stop of the day, we got the Eagles' Wings 2 family together for a photo. (The elf in front of the window is me.)

4.50pm - Our driver arrived to switch hats one more time and play Santa for the children in Eagles' Wings 3. They were expecting me to be Santa, as I have done in the past, but I really enjoyed just sitting back and being a helper.

We all know how hard it is to wait our turn, and even more so when you have so little and are worried that you may be left out of the fun.  A few of the older kids got upset at having to wait for Santa to find their gift. Poor Jin Qui was last to get his gift last year and was so upset thinking he had been forgotten.  Well, this year he was  second to last, just the way to gifts were passed out. I would have cheated a bit and picked his gift sooner, but I don't read Chinese! He waited a bit more patiently this year, and his remote control car seemed to make the wait worthwhile - he loves it! You Peng was the one who had a hard time waiting this year, but tears are all forgotten once he had unwrapped a multi-piece tractor complete with Ma and Pa Farmers and a cow!

All the older girls were given a toiletries bag filled with lots of goodies - brush and comb, lip balm, hand cream, tooth brush, hair clips, and a fold up mirror - and a baby doll with a magic milk bottle. Such simple things, perhaps, but they were a big hit.



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At all his stops Santa also gave the ayis their Christmas bonus and posed with them for photos.  They were very happy to get this token and also enjoyed the special treat of having their picture taken, too.



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

The children and staff of Eagles' Wings were blessed today because of the many generous people who gave something extra this holiday season whether it was toys or knitted hats or a donation to fund our scrumptious lunch and give our ayis a small bonus. On their behalf, and on behalf of all the COAT staff volunteers, I thank you for your caring heart for these orphans. And a special thanks as well to the families who sponsor these children and ayis all year round. Without your faithful giving, there would be no Eagles' Wings. 

I also want to add my own personal thanks. Since this will be my last Christmas in our Eagles' Wings homes, I want to thank you all for making it such a special one. Being the ambassador of your kindness has been a special joy and a blessing to me. These memories will be forever cherished.

Thank you.

 Jenny NaiNai