Hello to all!

 

It has been a very busy summer and September, and now it is already October!  So much has been happening that it is difficult to condense it, but I will try to give you the highlights.  In it all, I want you to know that we see the mighty hand of our Father and know that He is working in ways that are seen and unseen, and we give Him all the glory for who He is and what He has done and continues to do.

 

First of all, Hannah has been matched with and will be adopted by a family in Louisiana!  We are so happy for her.  She came to Hidden Treasures in September of last year - only one month after having open heart surgery.  We have watched her grow and flourish and know that her new family will love her as much as we do.  We continue to BELIEVE that every child at Hidden Treasures will soon be with the special family that our

Father has chosen for them.

 

Hidden Treasures now has another child added to its ever-growing family!  His name is Justin, and he is 12 years old.  He is from Ming Hou (Mike and Deena's town).  His mother is dead, and his family situation is not good for a child.  He was very quiet and sad when he first came but is now coming out of his shell and is blossoming in all areas of his life.  He and David are now living in Mike and Deena's home and go to the same school together - both are very good students.  Glory and little Sarah have moved to the main house.  Rose is in the third house with Sarah and Dave Behrens - they are taking care of all the children with cerebral palsy, and the children are doing awesome under their special attention and love.  Please remember them as they will be traveling to Hong Kong to renew their visas and to receive further training in the area of care and therapy for children who have cerebral palsy.

 

Hope just celebrated her 14th birthday, and our Father continues to bless her in wonderful ways.  She was able to have the mole removed from her face; and as you can see from the pictures, she smiles big for the camera now!  She is in middle school; and through a very generous donation from a family here in the States, has been able to attend a brand new private school where she will receive an excellent education.  Two college students come every week day to help tutor all the school-age children with homework, and everyone is doing very well.  Logan and Mitchell are excelling in areas they once struggled with and even seem to enjoy school!!

 

The playroom at Hidden Treasures has been given a new facelift.  Once again, through the generosity of people from the States, Mike and Deena have been able to tile the walls and add cabinets for storage.  This is an important room for our toddlers, and these renovations have greatly improved the safety and functionality of the room.  Thank you!

 

In our last update, we told you about the money donated for the purchase of the cottages next to Hidden Treasures.  Since that time, the owners decided they wanted four times the amount of money the contract was written for, and so Hidden Treasures was unable to get them.  We know that when one door is closed, another one even better will be opened.  The opportunity to move to a large facility seven stories high with adjourning buildings has become available for future use.  This, of course, would be a big step of faith and take much preparation and planning.  Mike and Deena need wisdom and guidance as to what is our Father's perfect plan and timing.  Please lift them up as they endeavor to walk in that path.

 

There are many needs at Hidden Treasures right now that need urgent prayer.  Illnesses among the children, staff and helpers continue to reoccur.  Those who are the weakest seem to suffer the most.  We hold on to the promises of our Father and claim health over ALL at Hidden Treasures.  Staff shortages have caused those working so hard to be under an additional load.   Many wonderful visiting teams have been sent to us during the last few months, and their help was invaluable.  The two reunited sisters Tian Ci and Tian En are both working there now and are a huge blessing.  An older woman was hired (she is excellent with the children), but she has just learned that she has to go back to her old job for an additional three months in order to get her promised pension.  Mike and Deena are very careful in the hiring of staff.  Please believe with us that the right people will be quickly sent to us to help love, nurture, teach and care for these precious children who have been entrusted to our care.  Also in renewing their year visas, new regulations (unknown to Mike and Deena) have complicated and delayed the process.  We know our Father can make a way where there is none, and we come against any plan of the enemy to stop this from happening. 

 

We are so thankful for the everyday miracles that occur at Hidden Treasures.  Our Father is so faithful to us.  As we continue to grow, so does all of our basic needs and the list of the many, many things that we would like to do to enhance the lives of all the children.  Thank you so much for your support.  As Mike and Deena have told you so many times, we could not do this without you. 

 

Mike and Deena and their family are very excited about their trip to the USA at the end of this month.  They will be in the States for 4 1/2 weeks, and we know this will be a great time of renewal, visiting, fun and fellowship.

We are asking that they will have a safe trip with no delays or lost luggage and that the time difference will have a minimal affect on everyone!  We ask for a special blessing on the staff and volunteers and visiting teams that will be helping out at Hidden Treasures while they are away.

 

We continue to be amazed at what our Father has done in such a short period of time in China.  We will do our best to keep you informed as to all new developments.  You can always check out the website for any new pictures.  Look in the last set of pictures on second screen under Photos.

 

In His love,

Nancy

Hello to all!

 

So happy to be sending you current information on Loaves and Fishes International and Hidden Treasures!  The newsletter is self-explanatory and is from the very heart of Mike and Deena.  Since they sent the newsletter, new babies have been added and more awesome testimonies have been added to the miraculous story of Hidden Treasures.

 

As you can see by the pictures, they have two new little baby boys, both with cerebral palsy issues.  They are both at the third house with Sarah and Dave and other children with cerebral palsy and are doing wonderfully well in their new environment!  Timothy is 5 months old, and Jackson is 8 months old and both are very handsome as all our boys are!  I am also sending a picture of little Sarah who is mentioned in the newsletter - what a blessing she is to everyone!

 

Hidden Treasures now has 25 children including Mike and Deena's children.  Amazing!!  Our Father continues to provide for all He has called them to do through His love for the nation of China and her people.  Another miracle - Mike and Deena have been given a year old Kia automobile - red with power everything - including automatic drive, leather seats, rear seat belts and a CD player!  Not only that, but they have been given the money to buy the cottages next to Hidden Treasures that they have been wanting for a long time!  Also, two sisters who were separated in infancy and recently reunited are going to start working at Hidden Treasures, giving them a chance to know each other better and to be with children whom they both love.  All this has been provided by a few families who love our Father and have listened to His voice.  How great is that!!  There are other things in the planning stage which we will let you know about as they happen.

 

We continue to realize that when you are called to do something, no matter how big, you will always be equipped and given what you need to accomplish His plan.  We are amazed at His goodness and give Him all the glory for all that He has done and will do in the future.

 

Once again, thank you for your part in helping us - we appreciate you so much!

 

Blessed to be a blessing,

Nancy

There is so much to tell.  Many doors are being opened for Hidden Treasures, especially in the area of medical help for all the children.  Contacts with new doctors, hospitals, facilitators and USA friends are making it possible for us to get a more precise diagnosis on the conditions of many of the babies and children who have more serious illnesses.  They have been able to have more extensive tests done, and progress is being made in the area of further treatment.

 

We know all the children have been on your hearts.  Little Rose is still the one who has the most serious needs.  MRI tests showed that one side of her brain has not developed fully and that is the reason for her misshapen head.  She has no fluid on the brain which we are thankful for.  No surgery is needed, and a second seizure medicine has helped with the frequency and intensity of her seizures.  Chelsea's seizures have been able to be controlled by medicine.  It has taken her time to respond to the love and attention she receives at Hidden Treasures, and she smiled a great big smile for the first time last week!  Joy is gaining weight and catching up developmentally and is a very good baby.  Mary is a bundle of laughs and has a cheery disposition.  Her surgery for her tongue will be done shortly.

 

Aaron, who has acid reflux, was tested because of his abdominal pain.  Results showed no twisted bowel and that his herniated navel was not the cause of his pain.  In conjunction with medicine, he is now being fed smaller portions more often and that seems to be helping.  By his picture, you can see he is looking much better.

 

An orthopedic surgeon from Guangzhou visited Hidden Treasures and evaluated the children with orthopedic needs.  Deena said he was very thorough, competent and kind.  He found that Ruby needs surgery on her hip which would greatly relieve her discomfort and possibly would enable her to someday stand and walk.  Also, Glory who has serious feet problems needs surgery.  If it not corrected, it will cause her to become wheelchair bound in the future.  They would both have to go to Guangzhou for the surgeries, and it would be a 20 day hospital stay.

 

This can all seem so overwhelming, but how wonderful it is to find that something can be done to so greatly improve the quality of life for these special beautiful children!  We take one day at a time and completely trust that we will be lead and guided in the perfect path so that each child will be able to fulfill their intended purpose in this life.

 

A team of seven people, one of them a  neurologist, from the USA (isn't it amazing!) visited Hidden Treasures last week.  He paid special attention to Caleb and his needs.  Although he feels Caleb is now strong enough for the first surgery on his cleft lip/palate, he is concerned about post operative conditions that might arise because of some of his health issues.  Please continue to believe that the right decisions will be made.  The team was amazed that Caleb is on no medication and is doing so well.  Doctors last year told Deena and Mike that babies with Caleb's problems usually don't live past 12 months and life expectancy is 24 months maximum.  Caleb will be celebrating his 2nd year birthday April 26th!!  He is getting stronger everyday and is a joy to all!  Please remember his skin condition.  When it starts to get warm, his skin breaks out in blisters and oozes continually, making it very uncomfortable for him.  They have not been able to find any medication or treatment that helps.

 

Praise report for Michael!  He had a very complicated cleft palate surgery and has recovered remarkably well.  What a little trooper he is - very brave for such a little boy.  Sarah and David Behrens, who are believing Michael will be their son soon, were able to be in China for the surgery.   Just recently they decided to dedicate one year of their lives to living in China and working at Hidden Treasures!  We are so very thankful for what they are doing!

 

Benjamin had his first surgery on his cleft lip last week and is home and recovering well.  He is very healthy and such a good baby.  Sonny is adjusting well to life at Hidden Treasures - his new life is truly a miracle.  That smile is contagious and makes everyone laugh.  Working with autism takes patience, but results are being seen.

 

Lily is a happy bubbly little girl; and although the doctors initially said she was blind, she can now see enough to do what she wants to do - we are believing for our Father's best for her life and are seeing it come to pass.  Hannah is a delight and is trying to walk.  Beth is a little nurturing Mom to all around her and is all girl.  Rebecca is spunky and can hold her own with anyone, but at the same time is very sweet and loving.  They are all truly beautiful inside and out!

 

Jonathan is all boy and very smart.  Daniel is a jewel and so loving.  Hidden Treasures now has a learning center on the third floor, and the toddlers have a special place where they are learning many things.  We have been blessed with volunteer help.  Ashlea is from Australia and has committed one year of her young life to be at Hidden Treasures and help with the care of the children.  Kristen is from FL, USA, and is there for three months.  They are truly remarkable young women who love unconditionally and are sharing that love with everyone around them.

 

Tina and Josh are now back in China with their son Josiah, who is four months old.  They have their own apartment, and Josh is helping out at Hidden Treasures almost daily. 

 

Hope is a sister to everyone, especially Logan, Mitchell and Priscilla.  She is doing well in school and is eager to help in any way she can.  She, Glory, Rose and Caleb are living next door in the new building with Mike and Deena and their family.  Their new home is beautiful and has been a real blessing to their family and has given them a special place all their own.  The boys are doing well in school and are excelling in the Chinese language; especially in speaking it.  They many times interpret for Deena and Mike!  Priscilla has started pre-school and loves it and is learning very quickly.

 

In the folder of pictures, you will see a group of run down cottages.  This will be the next project for Hidden Treasures, and we are in the process of reaching an agreement for the rental of these properties, which are next door to their buildings.  They will require renovation, but it will give us much more room to expand even further and bring in more children and have places for visiting teams and friends to stay.  Thank you Father for increasing our territory!

 

From Nancy - Deena's Mom:

I have exciting news.  I am going to China for the first time!  I will depart on the 24th of April and will return on May 30th - 5 weeks total.  Sami Morgan (a strong, powerful young woman of faith!) is going with me, and we know it will be an awesome live-changing trip.  I can't wait to see firsthand all that I have experienced in my heart!

Mike and Deena had a great weekend celebrating their 13th wedding anniversary.  It keeps getting better and better!