REPORT OF VISIT TO EAGLES WINGS 3
Date: 27th June - 11th July 2011
My Name is Chen Yixiang John, I am currently an undergraduate at National University of Singapore (NUS). During the above-mentioned dates, I led a team of 10 members to Jiao Zuo City, Henan Province, China to visit and encourage Chew Gim, as well as to provide companionship and bless the children there. The team consisted of young adults, 6 who are from Grace B-P Family, and 4 of my friends from Varsity Fellowship (VCF) in NUS. Most of us are university students or young graduates starting out in the workforce. This report will briefly highlight some of the things we did during the duration of our stay there.
I shall first mention some of the things we did everyday with the kids. Every morning, we joined the children for their morning exercise. In addition, we took most of our meals with the children, it was a good experience just eating the same food as them, and also to communicate and interact with them during their meal times. It also provided a chance for us to communicate with the caregivers, as they would also sit down for their meals with the children. Another thing we did everyday was to bring the children down for their daily evening walks around the orphanage. These slow strolls also provided us with ample time to play with the children and speak with the caregivers.
Other than the above-mentioned daily routine, there are other things we planned for and did with the
children. On days 2 - 4, the whole team went to Xi Wang Le Yuan (COATs school), and we spent the entire day there teaching the children about Love, Joy and Peace. We did this through songs, stories (told in skits, pictures and shadow puppets) and games. It wasn't easy, especially since many of the children were at a different learning level from what we had assumed. Nonetheless, it was a good experience for us just to be there and to accompany the children.
On days 5 and 6, we taught the exact same things to the children in Eagles' Wings 3. Since the children here learned faster, we could go faster and also complete everything within the 2 days. Most of them could understand the stories, and they really enjoyed the games we played and the songs sung.
On day 7, we planned to bring them to the park, and then to eat lunch either at Dico's or KFC. It rained throughout the night and into the morning, so we brought them to a shopping centre in the town instead. We managed to find a shop, which provided Art & Craft materials. Some of them did the craft while the younger children went into the playground. After that, we brought all of them to MacDonald's where we got each of them a Happy Meal. In the evening, we had a farewell session, complete with food, a video, pictures and songs. 
On day 8, half of the team left for home. The remaining 5 of us went out to purchase some essential items for the children. We bought water bottles and sharpeners for them.
On days 9 - 12, we spent the time while the kids were away at school, or taking an afternoon nap, to repaint the interior wall in Eagles Wings 3. We used the theme of Love, Joy and Peace, and came up with an Ocean, with ships, a whale and a dove. The wall still has space for other groups, 
which may want to follow up by painting other things on.
On day 13, we brought the children out to the local zoo. Some of them were coming in contact with animals for the first time, and were quite scared. Nonetheless, I believe it was a good experience for them. We brought them to KFC for lunch after that. We were very blessed by the staff at both MacDonald's and KFC, whose service standards were exemplary.
On day 14, Aunty Chew Gim brought the team out for R&R in the town. We also purchased and delivered new floor mats to Xi Wang Le Yuan, and on day 15, the second team left just after lunch.
I thank our Father for this opportunity to see His work beyond our country and comfort zone. I am
heartened by the ministry of COAT, and the work, effort and money going into supporting these orphans. I, on behalf of the team, would like to extend our appreciation and gratitude to COAT for allowing us to visit and teach at Xi Wang Le Yuan and Eagles' Wings 3. The trip has been a real blessing to each of us. As much as we came to teach about Love, Joy and Peace, we realized we ourselves were learning a lot about Love, Joy and Peace from the children. I (We) will definitely be thinking of how we can continue to follow up with the children, so that our engagement with the children does not end at the 2 weeks we were there.
Submitted by:
Chen Yixiang John
Team Leader
