Projects
CWWOV VISION TRIP TO MONGOLIA - 2010
Women of Vision makes their 5th trip to Mongolia October 7-19, 2010
Team members left to right: LuAnn Yocky, Nancy Johns, April Green, Patty Dalrymple, Debi Green, Kay Ortman, Sandy Grubb
Click here to view the trip itinerary and daily devotions guide.
Check here for updates as the team reports back from the field.
Travelers are safe in Seoul
Sat, 9 Oct 2010
Hello friends,
We arrived safely in Seoul and were graciously greeted by the local World Vision Korea staff, including the country director Sam Park. We've had two good nights sleep and are starting to feel "normal" again.
Each year Korea celebrates World Vision Family Days, an event to honor the thousands of Koreans who sponsor children around the world. Last night we were in the second row for a televised program from a large stadium featuring many famous performing stars, donating their time and talent to put on a wonderful show. There was old film footage shown with World Vision founder Bob Pierce in his early days here in Korea. It is very special for us to be here with Bob's daughter Marilee and her family and enjoy how touching this is for them. Marilee and her husband and daughter were invited on stage last night to greet the audience. She did a great job.
Today we're off to church and some sightseeing. The weather is unseasonably warm -- which is very nice except that these Mongolia-bound travelers packed for much colder weather. But we're not complaining :)
Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. I wish you could all be here with us.
Love,
Sandy
Celebrating in Seoul
October 11, 2010
Dear friends,
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The fabulous children's choir! |
In this prosperous city of 11 million people we have had the unique opportunity to celebrate the dramatic transformation that has taken place during the past 60 years here since the end of the war and the beginning of World Vision. South Korea is indeed World Vision's most impressive success story. For 40 years they received support from World Vision and others to rebuild their country. During the past 20 years, they have grown to become one of the strongest donor countries in the WV family. However, their hearts are heavy for their friends and family in North Korea who still suffer in poverty, and they urge all of us to remember to pray for the children and families there and to use our advocacy efforts to bring change.
This afternoon was "the big celebration" of World Vision's 60 years. The program was a line-up of interesting reflections and enthusiastic congratulations -- looking back and looking forward. A highlight was an outstanding performance by the Korean Children's Choir. The hospitality we have received from the World Vision Korea staff has been remarkable. I feel like I'm an imposter -- taking the place of someone very important! We've met World Vision staff from Albania, Malaysia, India -- and many more countries. Each one has such an interesting story. This experience has been so much richer than I ever imagined.
We are packing this evening and will fly to Mongolia tomorrow evening. Our next update will come from the land of the Blue Sky!
Sandy
From Mongolia:
We felt God's heart break today, but also felt His smile.
Tuesday, October 13
We started the day with a visit to World Vision offices. While there we each read and signed an agreement of behavior outlining what was expected of each of us while we visited the children. It was great to see that the staff here make the protection of the children and their safety a priority. Next we got a briefing on the status of World Vision projects in Mongolia. World Vision Mongolia has made great strides over the last couple of years, working with the local police and government officials. They are making great progress, not only by providing care, but also by educating others on how to effectively help children and families living on the streets and ultimately change culture.
After lunch we visited the Parents Income Generations project and Day Activity Center, where the women make items to sell and then use that money to help support a childcare facility. In the center the children were happy and well cared for. In every place we visited you could feel the genuine caring by all of the staff here.
Next, we visited the Intake Center where children are brought in from the streets. While here they get shelter, food and medical attention if needed. Our hearts broke at the thought of what some of these children must have endured. Some of them had physical signs of abuse, some had been abandoned and some of them were what World Vision calls "unsupervised" children. Each child is identified (if possible) and reunited with family if they can be. Children stay in the center for a couple of days to a couple of months, depending on their circumstances and need. Some of the kids were picked up off the streets the night before and it was their first visit to the center, and others had been in and out of the center many times. We visited and played with the children, and then gave them each with a beanie baby on our way out. They were a big hit.
Our next stop took us to the Light House project.
We visited the girls dorm first. The girls were absolutely delightful. The house was warm and inviting. Each child had come through the intake center, and they each had a special story of where they had been before they arrived. They treated us to music on a small portable piano, and hot tea with grapes that they had actually prepared and also cookies and other homemade snacks. They also each presented us with a special card that they had made. We then divided into two groups and did a book bag coloring project. The staff at the centers are such a blessing. You could feel the genuine love and caring of each child.
When we arrived at the boys house they were working on homework and other quiet projects. They were just as warm and friendly as the girls were. We each introduced ourselves and talked about some basic things. Boy's interest in sports is the same no matter where you go! We sat on the floor with the groups and talked and watched as they each took such detail and time in coloring their book bags. The visit was wonderful.
Poverty is in your face everywhere in Mongolia. The number of children on the street is heartbreaking, but you could feel God's presence and the hope that World Vision is providing to the children in need.
Debi Green
October 14, 2010
Hi Friends,
Today felt like a week -- we saw and experienced so many wonders in this beautiful country. After making time after breakfast to start our day with devotions and prayer, we journeyed out of the city, past the poor ger neighborhoods, and into a new phenom here in UB -- single family housing development Mongolia style! Many people are choosing to move out of the city because of a growing air pollution problem. It was a lovely area with forested hillsides and new houses of assorted styles and sizes. We were just pointing out our window to say "Look at that beautiful home," when we turned into its drive and arrived at World Vision's Light House for children ages 2 to 6. The 4-story brick mansion was built by a Korean church and is run by World Vision. The "Rodem House" serves children who have been found in the city and have no family that can take care of them at this time. They were adorable. They greeted us with singing and dancing. We've never seen a more charming performance.
From there we traveled back to the city and toured the government detention center where men and women and children charged with breaking the law are held waiting for a court date. World Vision is working with the children there to assure their rights and situation as children are considered. As Debi mentioned yesterday, wherever WV is serving the children are showered with love and nurturing care. After touring the facility and meeting some of the boys, we had lunch there in the staff dining room with the director of the detention center and a time to ask him questions.
From there, we had the special opportunity to have lunch (again!) with the World Vision Mongolia country director, Vince Edwards and another new staff person Diana. Vince arrived here 8 weeks ago from his last placement in Bangladesh. We were impressed with his heart for kids and his new home. We are sure he is going to do a great job.
From there we visited a an informal education program. This was a program started by World Vision to help dropouts catch up in school. Now the government is carrying this work forward. World Vision is only involved in helping with providing some supplies and training. We applaud this as great progress as the government is growing and able to take on more and more of the development work themselves.
A few days ago we asked about a new WV project here addressing human trafficking. The WV staff responded to our interest by arranging a meeting for us with the Mongolian Police Agency who shared their program with us and told us stories of how they are using a new network to rescue girls and boys before they are trapped. We were very encouraged with their efforts.
And if that weren't enough of a day, we enjoyed a performance of traditional Mongolian dance, throat singing, music, and contortions -- all with beautiful costumes. And the WV staff, knowing we wanted to do a little shopping took us to the State Dept. Store. Back at the hotel at 7:30, exhausted, we have just finished dinner.
Whew! Quite a day. If there was a theme for the day -- it would be transformation and trust. World Vision's work is transforming the landscape here, especially the lives of the children. At the same time World Vision is gaining the trust of the community and the government, which is opening doors to do more and more transformational work.
Every place we go, we tell those we meet that we are representing many women and friends back home who pray for and support their work. They ask us to extend their gratitude to you.
Good night from Mongolia,
Sandy
October 16, 2010
Greetings from Mongolia,
Spending a night in a ger has connected us with the Mongolian people in a way nothing else can. The vast countryside, the big blue sky, the amazing stars, the warmth of a blazing fire inside a cozy ger -- all of this is exactly the same as it was for these nomadic people a thousand years ago. Some things have not changed. We return with a deeper understanding and compassion for the challenging life here.
Back in the city today, we were treated to a concert by The Children of the Blue Sky Choir. These 30 children are all part of World Vision's programs, and they have changed the way everyone here feels about the potential of "street kids". Their performance was enchanting. We smiled all the way through, with a few tears in our eyes -- happy tears for the lives moving forward after overcoming such incredible challenges.
A group of university students met with us later this afternoon and filled us with hope as they shared their hearts for helping the children of their country. They are a group started by World Vision to build leadership in young people of all ages.
Thanks for following our story!
Sandy
October 18, 2010
Smile! You're on camel camera!
The camels started howling (or whatever camels do) yesterday when we climbed aboard, but they eventually cooperated and lumbered across the plain to give us another taste of the nomadic life. When I asked the Mongolian herder to make them stop so I could take a picture of Kay behind me (we rode in two's), he handed me the reigns to both our camels and offered to take the photo for me. Well, we've never been trusted to guide our own camels before! We don't speak their language. I threw Kay her own reigns not wanting to be responsible for both of us, and as I feared they took advantage of us and decided to make a bee line to home. We tried every Mongolian word we know (all two of them!) and tried our English as well, but to no avail. In the end we laughed and enjoyed the bumpy trotting journey, feeling free and out of control -- actually a good metaphor for a vision trip in general.
That was our morning in Mongolia yesterday. In the evening we joined Cornerstone Church for worship. It was an international church, and we enjoyed singing familiar hymns in our own language. Marilee was the guest speaker and she was amazing. She has her father's gift. Many people were very touched by her message, including myself. This morning she will speak again in World Vision's chapel time.
We've had an amazing week here in Mongolia. We give such thanks and appreciation to the very dear World Vision staff who have sacrificed time with their families to spend time with us.
This is our last day here and we are sad to say good-by to our Mongolian friends, but we are excited to see all of you again.
Thanks for your prayers. We have felt them.
Sandy