GUESS WHAT? I'M GOING TO...CHINA!! TO WORK WITH ORPHANS!!

I have some pretty crazy news to share with everyone!!  In just about two weeks, I will be going to China!!

crazy, right?!

Not crazy to me!! I am BEYOND excited!!  My friend, Jenessa, posted a tweet last week mentioning that one of her favorite foster homes in China is in need of someone to work in their baby room for 3-6 months.

I almost didn't respond, but then said, almost jokingly, "If only I could afford to fly to China!" We went back and forth for a while and I had felt my heart being prepared to be away from my job(which I LOVE, by the way) lately, but wasn't really sure why.

When I first moved to Minnesota I said to myself I would not move unless God dropped an opportunity right in my lap.  And that happened, the opportunity dropped and I left my home and packed up and moved to Minnesota.

So when Jenessa posted that tweet, and after we talked...I thought to myself...THERE IT IS! opportunity DROPPED!!

So, I've decided to pack up and move myself to China for 6 months! (ON FEBRUARY 9TH--3 days after my birthday!!)

Jenessa put me in touch with Donna Laurie, who is an american and works at the orphanage in China. She seems like an amazing lady!!

The orphanage I'll be working at is called Eagles Wings(near ZhengZhou, China)! You can check them out on their facebook page, Eagles Wings on Facebook  or on their official website, Eagles Wings China 

Eagles Wings currently operates 8 different homes, all housing kids from newborn to 18 years of age. Most of the children have physical or developmental problems. they are all SO precious!!

They recently had a few extra babies(i've seen pictures of the two babies and OH MY are they precious!!) come into their care and they cannot fully give them all the attention they need with their current staff.

That is where I come in!  I told Donna that I would be 100% for coming over there to help!!  

I am currently in the process of applying with the Chinese Orphans Assistance Team (COAT), who operates Eagles Wings. They are an organization based in Australia.

There are a few things that I will need to be able to get to China right away. Most importantly I need PRAYER!! lots and lots of PRAYER!! I also need approval from COAT to be able to go to China.

Another big thing, is money.  It costs A LOT of money to fly to China, and get the necessary VISA to be allowed into the country.  I am not really one to ask for money...but if I can't raise enough to get these tickets and my VISA, I can't go!  

This postion is also strictly volunteer based. I will receive free room & board, and a small stipend for extras. But that is it!  

In addition to money for plane tickets(around $1,800 roundtrip) and the VISA(around $300--because I will have to get the visa expedited), I will need support to be able to buy basic necessities for living.  Also on a monthly basis, for March thru June, I will need money to cover my rent at my apartment in Minnesota if I can't find someone to take my spot in my apartment, and my car payment, combined about $575.

Initially I will need around $2,500 to get to China. The extra money beyond the plane tickets & visa will cover any unexpected fees during travel, or if I have to pay to store my car somewhere while I'm gone. And to be used once I get to China for food or anything else I might need that Eagles Wings doesn't provide.

I really don't like asking for money, but I can't do this on my own! I was stressing about asking for money, or that I would be able to raise enough, but Jenessa told me, "When you respond to God's direct call of caring for widows and orphans, He blesses it. Every. Single. Time." That gave me SO much hope! 

If any of you, my friends, are able and would love to monetarily contribute to this awesome opportunity, I would be eternally grateful, and so will the orphans!

I have a PayPal account where you can send any donations! the email address to use on PayPal to send money to me is erinmoose@gmail.com

Of course, if you live near me in MN and would like to help, you can always come see me in person!

I can't do this without prayer!! That is the most important thing!!

THANK YOU to anyone and everyone who would possibly help with the money I need for this trip!

Also, please pray that I can get everything else I need to get done for travel done in the next few days!  I need to get a police background check to send to COAT with my application, get my drivers license renewed/changed to an MN license, and the necessary documents ready to send with my VISA application!

God Bless!!

Erin!

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