tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-189970222024-03-07T00:29:39.901-08:00Along the JourneyDavid Thomas Bondyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06641490047461418995noreply@blogger.comBlogger302125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18997022.post-67294899307859075202020-03-31T10:41:00.001-07:002020-03-31T10:44:00.606-07:00Apartment Hunting<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We hit the pavement with our Canadian colleagues for the next couple of weeks. When our individual efforts didn’t pay off, we engaged a local realtor to help us find what we were looking for. And what we were looking for was pretty specific. It had to be in a specific complex and have a specific size. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 12px;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One apartment after another was turned down for various reasons. Too small; too old; in bad repair, etc. Our precious daughters had shared a room for many years, and our oldest was especially keen to have her own space “for the first time ever” (her words). Finally, we came upon a suitable apartment that was in area we needed it to be. Unfortunately, the landlord was asking too much.</span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 12px;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We were reluctant to give up, as we could see she really wanted us to be her renters. Her son was in Washington, D.C. for work and she was confident we would take good care of her property. There was a good bit of common ground.</span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV6vxBJ68P3Ied2NLBuYGAu4dL9ANtwcq6uNUjJlLmH9nzB5UgTBLsoYmWFfPC7oIQg_yK4xyBC4xAjecri9JIEsuoLNVk1IeqNNZbipZTkScrTpYg4e39FoqbetKdGndAc6kV/s1600/66413473_1419447511531701_4144831787840831488_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="702" data-original-width="960" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV6vxBJ68P3Ied2NLBuYGAu4dL9ANtwcq6uNUjJlLmH9nzB5UgTBLsoYmWFfPC7oIQg_yK4xyBC4xAjecri9JIEsuoLNVk1IeqNNZbipZTkScrTpYg4e39FoqbetKdGndAc6kV/s400/66413473_1419447511531701_4144831787840831488_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner with our Landlord (left of Gracy) and her husband and son</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At this point, we engaged the help of our Singaporean colleague Karen. She grew up speaking both English and Mandarin Chinese fluently and is a fabulous negotiator in her own right. After about thirty minutes of lively banter she had talked them down an additional 800 RMB per month (about $150 USD). </span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 12px;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We moved in on October 1st, just over a month after our arrival. We were finally able to stop living out of suitcases! With this foundational piece in place, we could now turn our attention to several storms that had begun brewing months prior to our arrival. </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One thing we have learned about living overseas. Though many of the days may feel ordinary, the overall instability of living abroad means there is never a dull moment!</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></div>
David Thomas Bondyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06641490047461418995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18997022.post-48752426405840299832020-03-30T09:48:00.001-07:002020-03-30T09:49:16.075-07:00Rewind<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzhvhY6mR67sSu-G1jbJ0eBcPK4hJqMRnaurwUX76uAjUDSozygYwZEXuzzdR6qw48TtsfpZMbCjW3ddcAg1uZFmD8G3hP9GKDFgUZxN48xya2TeWI3o2qRqhJOCh0uOQQ-gPK/s1600/Rewind-EDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzhvhY6mR67sSu-G1jbJ0eBcPK4hJqMRnaurwUX76uAjUDSozygYwZEXuzzdR6qw48TtsfpZMbCjW3ddcAg1uZFmD8G3hP9GKDFgUZxN48xya2TeWI3o2qRqhJOCh0uOQQ-gPK/s400/Rewind-EDP.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Since we have been forced to temporarily push the pause button on our on-site, overseas service for the time being, now seems like a good time to begin reviewing the past 18 months in China. With likely several weeks or longer to work with, I might as well begin at the beginning.</span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 12px;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We boarded a plane on August 29th, 2018, to return to China for our third stint. We knew going in that the organization we had chosen to join was facing some hard times. But nothing could have prepared us for what was to transpire in the coming months. It would be a year and a half of what felt like a potent cocktail of constant change, continuous crisis, and unprecedented opportunity.</span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 12px;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The first ten days, we lived with a family of four in their four bedroom apartment. Talk about cramped! They were very kind and yet after ten days, we all felt the need for a change. The couple living at the guest flat moved to another colleague’s apartment so we could have our own space. And since we were required to live in the same complex as our teammates, it made for slim pickings when it came to apartment hunting. </span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 12px;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Not used to restrictions and limitations, this was our first introduction to a charity project in open collaboration with the government. In our previous times in China, even though we knew that we needed to be particular in what we did or didn’t do, we were rarely in regular communication with local authorities. In this situation, we needed their explicit permission to engage in any new initiative. I knew there was going to be a learning curve.</span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 12px;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In addition, our wonderful international team of volunteers was truly “International.” In our previous experiences we had worked with all Americans except for one German couple, one British couple, and one family with a Canadian father. Our new team had Canadians, British, Australians, Singaporeans, a gal from Taiwan, and short-term volunteers from various other parts of Europe. It was both a breath of fresh area and an awakening to various new points of view!</span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 12px;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And though in retrospect I am nothing short of both grateful and amazed at what God has allowed us to participate in, there is no doubt that this third “new beginning” was a shock to our individualistic, American style of life and work abroad.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></div>
David Thomas Bondyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06641490047461418995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18997022.post-18508858891226078442020-03-27T11:20:00.000-07:002020-03-27T11:22:28.477-07:00Tapestry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLwOKH8Tt6Wwyrv-p_IqjCNBtyAleOHTIfp8tOHnvMzD5SQQk3MZx-h4_aZRIxEmUDEzKSF2i6PhUc7DiC8McASVgL03WyGuwnnclLO0UL5tAJSWBUK_0dZemWPCLvSAwMcUZa/s1600/H3382-2T.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="473" data-original-width="700" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLwOKH8Tt6Wwyrv-p_IqjCNBtyAleOHTIfp8tOHnvMzD5SQQk3MZx-h4_aZRIxEmUDEzKSF2i6PhUc7DiC8McASVgL03WyGuwnnclLO0UL5tAJSWBUK_0dZemWPCLvSAwMcUZa/s400/H3382-2T.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This morning we had the chance to reconnect with someone we worked with during our early days in China. </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Karen served as our language consultant as we first began to become acquainted with the Chinese language.</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">She had already been in China for a number of years at that point, and was always very gracious and encouraging as we made slow but steady progress.</span><br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 12px;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">She was also with us when we passed our final language check and were declared “fit” to serve in the roles we were recruited to fulfill. Many things have changed since those early days, but the bonds remain as strong as ever. </span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 12px;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And this serves as an important reminder when we are forced to face the unexpected but inevitable bends in the road. When we put our faith and trust in God, nothing is wasted. Even seemingly incompatible experiences are somehow miraculously woven into a tapestry that can often only be seen clearly in retrospect.</span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 12px;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And for us this beautiful, intricate tapestry is the web of warm relationships God has given us over the years. And though we all may now be removed by distance, our call this morning was a testimony of the unbreakable connection God forges through mutual service to a higher calling. </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So for those of you who are transient like us, be encouraged. You are gone, but never forgotten! And if we don’t meet again on this side of heaven, I’ll be looking for you on the other side with a big smile on my face.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></div>
David Thomas Bondyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06641490047461418995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18997022.post-79076532232839547132020-03-25T16:23:00.001-07:002020-03-25T19:04:25.038-07:00The Long Way BackThis morning we had the opportunity to meet with our entire International Team via Zoom call. On of our therapists led us in worship. She was even able to put up slides with lyrics on the call. Our Field Director had also prepared a devotional that we read and discussed together.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYgpI6K3kuxb74s6Q5hVgDWdT3r-tN8plK-GUPXHroUoM_P1CQxhUSbeYkRzN94gN1YfQoyDRuqMy2KWzOBxhxeU_fKIB0VPFNkMpAGtO48egDs_o4CYAulBHK7F-Gd-Ra25Fn/s1600/IMG_2680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1440" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYgpI6K3kuxb74s6Q5hVgDWdT3r-tN8plK-GUPXHroUoM_P1CQxhUSbeYkRzN94gN1YfQoyDRuqMy2KWzOBxhxeU_fKIB0VPFNkMpAGtO48egDs_o4CYAulBHK7F-Gd-Ra25Fn/s400/IMG_2680.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zoom call with our International Team</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
As it always is, our discussion was both frank and personal. When you serve abroad, there isn't much need for pretense or presentation. What you see is what you get. We serve the broken and the vulnerable. They have nothing to hid and really nothing to apologize for. They teach us so much!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Other than reaffirming our bonds of friendship and partnership, one other thing that was confirmed during this time together for me personally. We long to go back. Yes, it's been nice to be home and see familiar faces. But the same calling that took us thousands of miles from our families still calls us to make every effort to return. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So, like many of you, we are waiting. Waiting for things to return to normal so we can return to our normal. In the meantime, we will wait patiently and with gratitude - trusting that His plans for our family will ultimately be as GOOD as He is.<br />
<div>
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
David Thomas Bondyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06641490047461418995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18997022.post-75940644208381858972020-03-24T12:51:00.003-07:002020-03-24T12:52:02.070-07:00In Our AbsenceLast night I had the pleasure of connecting with our Local Manager to hear how things are going on the other side of the pond. She was in good spirits as we talked about work-related matters that are pressing at present. She said the other staff are glad to be back at work and that there is a pretty positive vibe at the office right now. And though I was certainly relieved to hear this, my heart couldn't help but long to be back in the thick of it again. <br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But two things have been a great encouragement to me recently, even though for the time being we are forced to be far away. Firstly, we are looking to hire someone to handle our local fundraising and communications. As Alice and I discussed the requirements of the position, I gave her a pop quiz on what kind of people we are looking for. "What are the three characteristics we are looking for?" I asked. She responded quickly, "Humble, Hungry, and Smart!" She then proceeded to give a brief explanation of each of these traits. She even gave an example of one staff member neither of us hired who does not exemplify these traits :)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The second encouraging thing was a text from the mother of two vulnerable boys living with a disability. Here is a paraphrase of what she wrote: "Your love gives our family the strength to carry on and to not feel alone. Even though you are not family, you feel like family." What a testimony to the impact of our team!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV0oTfNm79UXm_89ZCmlpaftaBpEgRmOQ0KWdAxxZG_yqc7oo0rg56vzJdFIjUIW41SIJCSuwkWV4-8CRaxMN3NiuuyqkRlOVJILRcxnT2tcQ6cvZGvPTj7kYU1sjfhhSqS5hN/s1600/Fan+Fan+Mom+Text.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV0oTfNm79UXm_89ZCmlpaftaBpEgRmOQ0KWdAxxZG_yqc7oo0rg56vzJdFIjUIW41SIJCSuwkWV4-8CRaxMN3NiuuyqkRlOVJILRcxnT2tcQ6cvZGvPTj7kYU1sjfhhSqS5hN/s400/Fan+Fan+Mom+Text.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<div>
And though for a time we are apart, I am confident that God will use our absence to strategically move people to step up when it matters most.</div>
David Thomas Bondyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06641490047461418995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18997022.post-49321074102314928412020-03-23T14:17:00.000-07:002020-03-25T16:24:29.355-07:00Current Status<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaZwpnk11VYxx2zfaTsD9IlpqGdqQIhLQVVMPaaBqOHEjUD6bUs5edGHrM14IRltyxme_-VhYeFFmrfZCbofsbgoMygQJEl5nPl2_EYGw_0A1KUBINx-Sp6MfGxsqrnihZ4uBr/s1600/status-update.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaZwpnk11VYxx2zfaTsD9IlpqGdqQIhLQVVMPaaBqOHEjUD6bUs5edGHrM14IRltyxme_-VhYeFFmrfZCbofsbgoMygQJEl5nPl2_EYGw_0A1KUBINx-Sp6MfGxsqrnihZ4uBr/s320/status-update.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
When the first few cases popped up on the West Coast, I don't think anyone could have guessed how quickly it would become a national phenomenon. But now COVID-19 dominates every feed and every newscast from New York to Bombay!<br />
<br />
So here we are, sitting in radically different circumstances, and yet the reality is still the same. We are physically separate from our work for the time being. So how do we cope with being quarantined in a second country? The answer is simple. In addition to making sure our kids are on track with school, we do everything we can to support the people who are still on the ground serving orphans and vulnerable children.<br />
<br />
We are in daily contact with the staff and are diligent to pass along news and photos to our ICC partners around the world (offices in 7 countries). We meet weekly with our Local Manager to discuss both strategy and operations. We "sit in" on weekly staff meetings virtually and give input and encouragement.<br />
<br />
And we pray - daily - that God would protect our staff and families and that He would further the good work that he has begun. Please pray with us!David Thomas Bondyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06641490047461418995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18997022.post-57254895647860529012020-03-20T10:32:00.000-07:002020-03-20T10:33:16.578-07:00Early Days<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgukDuUczLdmVMmsCY6KqjEtjxhavddAnJSDCZVDy6dtqZzwjx4i7tfgSjSzogxtf10T3fQPB9-nEJoIw5tlsh2gmHGd4-6oME6nB_xJ9x-haaSchx4ghQfBFrstK2tpGK7bX7m/s1600/cartoon-sweet-home-cute-new-design-cartoon-sweet-home-illustration-cute-new-vector-design-editable-ready-to-use-105866703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgukDuUczLdmVMmsCY6KqjEtjxhavddAnJSDCZVDy6dtqZzwjx4i7tfgSjSzogxtf10T3fQPB9-nEJoIw5tlsh2gmHGd4-6oME6nB_xJ9x-haaSchx4ghQfBFrstK2tpGK7bX7m/s320/cartoon-sweet-home-cute-new-design-cartoon-sweet-home-illustration-cute-new-vector-design-editable-ready-to-use-105866703.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Our first day back we gathered with Gracy's family for a celebratory lunch. It was wonderful to see familiar faces and spaces that we had longed to see for many months. The food wasn't bad either. We don't eat a lot of lunch meat, sandwiches, and salads in China. So this was indeed a readymade feast. After filling our bellies, the name of the game was staying awake until bedtime! Having slept maybe a total of 3-4 hours in 21, I was the first one to go down for the count. Gracy and the kids fared better.<br />
<br />
The weekend led to a joyful reunion with members of our home church. It was special worshipping freely with fellow saints with a good cup of coffee in hand. The message was on point and we were on cloud nine. The following week included more coffee and more friends. <br />
<br />
In the weeks that followed, we were hearing the first signs that the virus was abating in China and were beginning to dream of an early or late April return to our field of service. Then we began to hear reports that COVID-19 had popped up in Washington State. At first, the reports were sporadic and I maintained an optimistic outlook that what we experienced abroad was unlikely to repeat itself here.<br />
<br />
But as I sit here now on my picturesque porch in Eastern Georgia, everything has changed and yet somehow everything is the same!David Thomas Bondyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06641490047461418995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18997022.post-23640018874354735812020-03-19T10:42:00.000-07:002020-03-19T10:42:56.506-07:00Home SoilAfter waiting several hours to board our flight to South Korea, we were on our way. Since we were departing close to midnight, it was going to be pretty difficult to delay sleeping during our five hour first leg to Seoul. But with the help of in-flight Tetris and The Shawshank Redemption (one of my favorites), I managed to get by with sleeping only an hour or so. But the three and a half hour layover in Korea was formidable.<br />
<br />
There is nothing more vulnerable than falling asleep from exhaustion at an international airport with vital personal belongings scattered loosely about your person. In moments like these, I am grateful that most of those around me are also weary travelers rather than desperate pickpockets. There is like an unwritten code with frequent travelers that you do not do to others what you would hate for someone to do to you! <br />
<br />
So we left at 11:15 PM Thai time on February 17th and landed at 6:30 AM Korean time on February 18th. After our layover, we departed for Atlanta at 9:30 AM or so local time on February 18th and landed around 9:15 AM Atlanta time also on February 18th!! Pretty crazy, huh? Gracy's parents met us at the airport and whisked us home.<br />
<br />
There was quite a tearful reunion both at the airport and at the house. Our children saw our dog Daisy for the first time in 18 months. Here is a photo of us right after walking in the front door!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge3kjFLFZmcj0MMYs4W8c8H3w-3hG9EJIz4DYlYFATs7Gu-SbXdasNyQGNnCOuzU430FRtMveLJOoWkXDdGkje5hwKqeAzMXZ3SI4POa7dlO_LtJq5meK-Jl_RnFHzYaIvdDLD/s1600/87038060_1622830784526705_7442061877284175872_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="698" data-original-width="960" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge3kjFLFZmcj0MMYs4W8c8H3w-3hG9EJIz4DYlYFATs7Gu-SbXdasNyQGNnCOuzU430FRtMveLJOoWkXDdGkje5hwKqeAzMXZ3SI4POa7dlO_LtJq5meK-Jl_RnFHzYaIvdDLD/s320/87038060_1622830784526705_7442061877284175872_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />David Thomas Bondyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06641490047461418995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18997022.post-61648394116673317902020-03-18T12:58:00.003-07:002020-03-18T13:00:19.216-07:00Thailand<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6OJCJPzdvaJO87OgDmkVAMgY84TlWgeMkUgxwPRCQlhZQxPEfBVx72p0VVobYk2KktITcQuy5QPzlWte8BCZ-Jh7mf9jlwLdGECeq3g8zpXxNDEPguJbHl9lLfDSDFJn8FbLP/s1600/84259571_1608208052655645_3702853947703164928_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="812" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6OJCJPzdvaJO87OgDmkVAMgY84TlWgeMkUgxwPRCQlhZQxPEfBVx72p0VVobYk2KktITcQuy5QPzlWte8BCZ-Jh7mf9jlwLdGECeq3g8zpXxNDEPguJbHl9lLfDSDFJn8FbLP/s320/84259571_1608208052655645_3702853947703164928_n.jpg" width="269" /></a></div>
Upon arrival in Thailand, we changed into shorts and purchased temporary SIM cards for our mobile phones. Though there were still surgical masks in view, the warm weather and the ease and friendliness of Thai culture quickly lifted our spirits. We spent the first few nights at a guest house just inside "The Moat" in Old Towne Chiang Mai (which is centrally located and surrounded by an ancient fortress-like structure and moat for protection from invaders). Our first meal was at a simple, roadside restaurant where we dined on various types of curry and some Pad Thai. <br />
<br />
After a few days, we were able to move into The Juniper Tree - a guest house frequented by Overseas Workers like us for R&R. There were a number of other families there, and for the first time in 18 months we saw our children surrounded by friends who spoke their heart language. We love China, but Chinese children are in school seven days a week and rarely have time for socializing except on bi-annual school breaks. More than once I teared up at the sight of our three children ambling easily with their new cohort over the next ten days. <br />
<br />
But during those ten days we were going to have to make some hard decisions. Our original return flight to China had already been canceled. We were already going to have to shorten our intended stay in Thailand and lengthen our stay at the guest house due to ICC's first Global Summit being canceled due to the Coronavirus. At this point, we had three options. 1) Try to find another way back to China and re-enter an indefinite quarantine situation. 2) Stay in Thailand indefinitely without our children's homeschool resources and try to ride it out. 3) Contemplate returning to the US for a time to stabilize our family and then return hopefully sooner rather than later.<br />
<br />
After days of prayer and conversations with people we trust, we made the difficult decision to return to the US temporarily. But what about timing? We knew that 14 days at that time was the magic number for quarantine. So to ease our border crossings, we planned to fly on the evening of February 17th (14 full days after we left China) and transit via South Korea before hitting US soil in Atlanta on the morning of February 18th. <br />
<br />
With both heavy and happy hearts (hating to leave but happy to see friends and family), we pulled our masks back out and suited up for the second leg of our unexpected journey!David Thomas Bondyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06641490047461418995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18997022.post-54494179774031978672020-03-17T13:47:00.001-07:002020-03-17T13:48:55.072-07:00Take Off<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYTccQuB9GKJEgSRp-Sn-0Mb7XjLntTKG_oXn-PAGFKSzlBk2zRMGjzhWm5Yretcg6eFCrp6ryo_5SKFCJWwQ3vzSE_pX76fxGcBx3KVX9cIwR7ni1diYl4rD_fQJfjlFtSI_M/s1600/A321XLR-AirAsia--e1567567856589.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1600" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYTccQuB9GKJEgSRp-Sn-0Mb7XjLntTKG_oXn-PAGFKSzlBk2zRMGjzhWm5Yretcg6eFCrp6ryo_5SKFCJWwQ3vzSE_pX76fxGcBx3KVX9cIwR7ni1diYl4rD_fQJfjlFtSI_M/s320/A321XLR-AirAsia--e1567567856589.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The weekend before we flew, we made the difficult decision to self-quarantine. Up until that point, we had made a few trips out and about to the grocery store and to the park. On Saturday evening, the walls felt like they were closing in on us. By Sunday evening, my anxiety was at a fever pitch and I was checking Air Asia's site every half hour or so to make sure you could still purchase seats on our departing flight.<br />
<br />
On Monday morning, we left the house at 8 AM for our 1 PM flight. We arrived about 9 AM at the airport prepared for increased security measures. We were a bit early to check in, so I connected to the free airport Wi-Fi and was actually able to find a live stream of the Super Bowl between the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs. When we were finally able to enter into the secure area, the 49ers were leading 20-10 and the game looked out-of-reach. <br />
<br />
After prolonged security inspection, we were able to get through to our gate and began the final hour or so of frantic app checking to make sure we were still about to be on our way. My mind and heart prepared for the real possibility that our flight may be pulled at the last minute. The stakes felt quite high.<br />
<br />
At last! We were called to board our flight. Shortly after we were seated, we began to realize there would be fewer passengers on the plane than we had ever seen before. In addition to our family, nineteen other brave souls were also bound for Thailand that day. We all breathed an audible sigh of relief when we went wheels up around 12:55 PM and were on our way to Chiang Mai.<br />
<br />
We were each very grateful when we successfully landed in Thailand and this first leg of our journey was now complete. Little did we know this would be just a first step in an altogether unexpected international pivot that would unfold in the coming weeks.<br />
<br />
<br />David Thomas Bondyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06641490047461418995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18997022.post-56432281746578578972020-03-16T14:13:00.002-07:002020-03-16T14:13:40.518-07:00What a Ride!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-SaODSbWmsIqEYAAkdogZXA0XKooZZxiuo-PLJnGVeUGOCGeU3uUa5P-3FmPSZw7WiHkyKZiKAVuNDVbpV3KHvrwSMpPGADjZZiTxt8AvdYxCw1cblmVX7BY17Oh7OquyfFdN/s1600/zF5BmTmeAgFonjDELDNZkZ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-SaODSbWmsIqEYAAkdogZXA0XKooZZxiuo-PLJnGVeUGOCGeU3uUa5P-3FmPSZw7WiHkyKZiKAVuNDVbpV3KHvrwSMpPGADjZZiTxt8AvdYxCw1cblmVX7BY17Oh7OquyfFdN/s320/zF5BmTmeAgFonjDELDNZkZ.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
So our Coronavirus story began around the end of January. We were out for Gracy's birthday on January 21st when we began to hear rumblings of a virus that was making some noise in the neighboring province of Hubei. Within a few days, Chinese New Year had arrived and people began their scheduled holiday. But before festivities kicked off in earnest, all everyone was talking about was the Novel (or "New") Coronavirus that had broken out in the city of Wuhan (the capital of Hubei Province). <br />
<br />
We had planned to spend New Year's Eve with the boys in one of ICC's group homes, but decided instead instead to self-quarantine. We didn't know the full extent of what was happening, but all signs pointed to something serious. As the numbers of those infected continued to climb and the safety measures required began to multiply, we began to be concerned that we would struggle to keep our scheduled Visa Run to Thailand at the beginning of February.<br />
<br />
On January 31st, merely ten days from the evening we first heard about Coronavirus (now known as COVID-19), we were more than a little concerned that our flight slated for February 8th was in danger of being canceled. We requested a friend who had booked our initial tickets, Geoff, to move our flight up to that weekend if possible. The best he could do was move it to Monday, February 3rd. This set us up for a nervy weekend filled with doubt about our travel plans. Our concern deepened when within 24 hours of moving our flight ahead, our original flight was indeed canceled!!David Thomas Bondyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06641490047461418995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18997022.post-25935496875055623802019-02-06T20:57:00.003-08:002019-02-06T20:57:52.527-08:00TommyAs we entered the one room, first floor apartment that Grandma lives in we were warmly welcomed by Tommy's mother and grandmother. Tommy sat quietly watching television with his eyes half-closed. Grandma busied herself with making sure we had somewhere to sit while Mom plied me with curious questions about work and family.<br />
<br />
Tommy's Cerebral Palsy, coupled with Mom's own special needs, is a significant burden for Grandma. But she faces each day with cheer and determination. They have chosen to live in this smaller abode (provided for Grandma by the company she retired from) because it is on the first floor and is located closer to where Tommy will go for therapy this Spring.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5lfISUA-JbOlTnbt7hiTw4GQUgiFuZivV7fzKMTmgqkUEdUG_NihgSprJiONWw5_DRzSM2n-kzPGbpox9tmiukp1NkNhNNLSnh18iVr3oIUP3_txxASlTUBPLK48xHPBpRbp9/s1600/IMG_0418.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5lfISUA-JbOlTnbt7hiTw4GQUgiFuZivV7fzKMTmgqkUEdUG_NihgSprJiONWw5_DRzSM2n-kzPGbpox9tmiukp1NkNhNNLSnh18iVr3oIUP3_txxASlTUBPLK48xHPBpRbp9/s400/IMG_0418.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
They could live in a larger apartment but it is located on the fourth floor with no elevator and is further away. Tommy needs quite a bit of assistance getting around and basically needs to be carried up and down stairs, so this residence makes sense.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXAgaMWLSmjcmLdAIUlIwkOASEw3NFBkPO8P642UpT6b52sLY3UqKIISSBOvw6JJnytaud03HyvHVhGCr8pPTIakKBoVbpXEZW1NL3nWPuSMuPpvQJueQ1b0NX91LVcvWHuEUR/s1600/IMG_0420.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXAgaMWLSmjcmLdAIUlIwkOASEw3NFBkPO8P642UpT6b52sLY3UqKIISSBOvw6JJnytaud03HyvHVhGCr8pPTIakKBoVbpXEZW1NL3nWPuSMuPpvQJueQ1b0NX91LVcvWHuEUR/s400/IMG_0420.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Our desire is provide and refer needed resources and services to special families like these. #FamilyPartnersProgram<br />
<br />
<br />David Thomas Bondyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06641490047461418995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18997022.post-85590415169486351782019-02-01T18:51:00.003-08:002019-02-01T19:03:20.749-08:00LucyMy first introduction to Lucy was at the age of thirteen. She clearly has a disability but walks confidently, smiles easily, and responds shyly when you interact with her. Her devoted grandmother is always with her, and they both seem happy and vibrant. But I soon learned that their joy has been borne from a long and difficult journey for both Grandma and Lucy. <br />
<br />
From birth, Lucy's paternal Grandmother has taken care of her. While pregnant, her mother began drinking and smoking as a response to marital stress. When Lucy was born with Cerebral Palsy, the doctors recommended that she and her husband abandon their child. But Grandma was unwilling to give Lucy up. <br />
<br />
So with her small income of $90 per month, this determined retiree tackled the daily care of her grandchild. In addition, she was responsible for almost $300 per month in medical bills for her precious bundle.<br />
<br />
After a short time, Grandma became concerned at her lack of support. Her son and daughter-in-law were unwilling to help. Her friends and neighbors were also not supportive. They felt she had brought this burden upon herself. Feeling as if she had run out of options, Grandma eventually considered legal action to sue for compensation. But when faced with the awful prospect of legal action agains her own flesh and blood, she backed down. To this day, she continues to receive no financial support from Lucy's own biological parents.<br />
<br />
When Lucy was five years old, Grandma learned about our Family Partners Program (FPP) through a friend. Up until this time, she and Lucy spent most of their time confined to her sixth floor apartment (with no elevators!). "Therapy" was limited to whatever Grandma could concoct. Ropes helped with stretching and PVC pipes made for walking aids. Eventually, through Grandma's perseverance and tenacity Lucy could lean and even stand. But since Lucy was unable to move her feet this remarkable 60+ year old woman would kneel on the floor and move her granddaughter's feet to help her progress. Lucy was finally able to walk at four years old!<br />
<br />
In order to attend courses at FPP, Grandma has to carry Lucy to the bus and travel forty minutes one way. She hopes that through our program Lucy will have better educational opportunities and achieve greater independence. The treatment she receives has greatly reduced Grandma's burden. Lucy's emotional health is improving and her capabilities are expanding. And she is living a much fuller life as a result.<br />
<br />
Grandma has also found help and support through the program. She has found kindness. She has found friendship. She has found a community that feels like a family.<br />
<br />
It is quite a privilege for Gracy and I to get to work with families like this!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_vcAFsyxJ3y4U7R8N2EI0PIALHILvKnYDzhy-WXthILs7-JQ81AC7RFQSK4Vc4Pb6rZWiN2gHVbnSzYwGlhyphenhyphenS7UvdOS8vU-kqnpyTYlkYAKjA6QmQehUoS9RMk1F_E4YZPjmS/s1600/%25E4%25BD%2595%25E9%259B%2585%25E5%25AE%2589%25E7%2590%25AA+-+He+Ya+An+Qi+and+Grandmother+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="899" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_vcAFsyxJ3y4U7R8N2EI0PIALHILvKnYDzhy-WXthILs7-JQ81AC7RFQSK4Vc4Pb6rZWiN2gHVbnSzYwGlhyphenhyphenS7UvdOS8vU-kqnpyTYlkYAKjA6QmQehUoS9RMk1F_E4YZPjmS/s640/%25E4%25BD%2595%25E9%259B%2585%25E5%25AE%2589%25E7%2590%25AA+-+He+Ya+An+Qi+and+Grandmother+2.jpg" width="356" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span></div>
David Thomas Bondyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06641490047461418995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18997022.post-9471580985592433462019-01-01T23:35:00.000-08:002019-01-01T23:35:42.024-08:00Oh, the Weather Outside ...This past week or so has been bitterly cold. Truthfully, those of you who live in colder areas would laugh when I tell you it's in the 20's and 30's (Fahrenheit), but try getting by without central heat and air! Locals are masterful at making do without heat. They layer, bundle up, and snuggle up with hot water bottles. My office mates boast their electric bill never goes over $20. They are shocked that our bill is over $100. I guess I'll just keep that to myself!David Thomas Bondyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06641490047461418995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18997022.post-74229621778650469172018-12-12T20:48:00.000-08:002019-01-01T23:13:10.757-08:00Little ThingsIt is amazing how quickly little things add up when you are living abroad. Recently, we were having problems with our kitchen sink. I called the maintenance man who works for our apartment complex to come have a look. <br />
<br />
Upon entering our residence, he quickly inquired as to whether or not I had any tools that he could use. After learning that I did not, he informed me that he would not be able to help me. I asked if he could refer me to a professional who could help, and he responded that he didn't know of anyone and then bid me a cheerful "good day."<br />
<br />
In the end we were able to resolve this issue with a cheap plunger, but I had already begun making plans to get by with only half a kitchen sink! This is just one example of how something that would be small back home becomes quite large abroad. Many of you who have traveled abroad can relate to this I'm sure!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />David Thomas Bondyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06641490047461418995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18997022.post-33044155045448168802018-11-15T18:49:00.000-08:002018-11-15T18:49:06.874-08:00Strengthening FamiliesRecently we have been asked to help with a program that focuses on strengthening families here with disabled children. Each family situation is unique; as are the needs of their little bundles of joy. The children range in age from 4-17 years old. Some are cared for by parents. Some are cared for by grandparents. But each caregiver shares a heroic spirit that refuses to give up on these children.<br />
<br />
As I've begun to hear their individual stories, it is impossible not to be moved by their decision to stick by their kin regardless of the consequences. Financial consequences, relational distance, and societal pressure are a recipe for discouragement for these determined caregivers. <br />
<br />
But through the individualized therapy, special education, and dedicated social work offered through ICC's Family Partners Program these precious souls have found a glimmer of hope at the end of a dark and lonely tunnel. Through partnership with professionals, there is hope for tangible progress. Through partnership with other caregivers, there is hope for mutual support. Through contact with other children, there is hope of acceptance and friendship.<br />
<br />
Be thinking of us as we engage in helping to develop this worthy work.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBX5DVXk_Nfphwid6D45cmcla5dumqMYaGpLkaIfDA99lBKDGWEkH7hRI_AHcVHxLU2DF5qBrF31qxXkvprVioXjGYl14U_CqSd9RR3sgNir_ldqJBPKuzy2hOkC9QtgOyqoj1/s1600/%25E4%25BD%2595%25E9%259B%2585%25E5%25AE%2589%25E7%2590%25AA+-+He+Ya+An+Qi+and+Grandmother+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="899" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBX5DVXk_Nfphwid6D45cmcla5dumqMYaGpLkaIfDA99lBKDGWEkH7hRI_AHcVHxLU2DF5qBrF31qxXkvprVioXjGYl14U_CqSd9RR3sgNir_ldqJBPKuzy2hOkC9QtgOyqoj1/s400/%25E4%25BD%2595%25E9%259B%2585%25E5%25AE%2589%25E7%2590%25AA+-+He+Ya+An+Qi+and+Grandmother+2.jpg" width="223" /></a></div>
<br />David Thomas Bondyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06641490047461418995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18997022.post-26657466969631563932018-10-21T23:30:00.003-07:002018-12-11T19:07:22.776-08:00If Only We Could All Walk A Mile ... <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT2MVstCtF2-ZT0kYy6M7VqzbPf-Mkl4VLLluDWG5LIPoowtUhtezEoxrsZCZbAI6_ACTGR0F0e6csixKp9C20O3hW1Ivq00TlrYzFkjEGNhF1JiaCDH9driXViuhoPQlUJyTI/s1600/Passport.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="259" data-original-width="194" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT2MVstCtF2-ZT0kYy6M7VqzbPf-Mkl4VLLluDWG5LIPoowtUhtezEoxrsZCZbAI6_ACTGR0F0e6csixKp9C20O3hW1Ivq00TlrYzFkjEGNhF1JiaCDH9driXViuhoPQlUJyTI/s320/Passport.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
It's hard to describe how it feels for your status to be uncertain in your country of residence. Having spent the first 27 years of my life living in the US this is something I had always taken for granted. I never questioned the fact that I belonged because I was an American by birth.<br />
<br />
Fast forward to my current situation. On Saturday, I will board a train and cross a border in order to fulfill the requirements of the Visa I have been issued. Every sixty days, I must leave the country that I live in and re-enter in order to be able to stay another sixty days and then repeat the process again. <br />
<br />
Every time I walk out the door, I am reminded that I am a guest. When the local authorities require that I officially notify the police of my place of residence, I am again reminded that I am a guest. When our hosts "request" that we inform them every time we leave the city, for how long, and for what purpose, I am reminded that I am a - you guessed it - a guest!<br />
<br />
It changes you to be a "foreigner." You smile more, are more shy than normal, and are careful not to offend. You are humbled by your ignorance - of the language, of the culture, and of all the ways in which small children are more proficient than you. The extra attention embarrasses you. The occasional hostility unnerves you. You are not yourself, and yet it seems you know yourself for the first time.<br />
<br />
All-in-all, when you get past the ways in which you are traumatized by the experience, traveling abroad certainly can bring each of us one step closer to living in harmony with others. #BeKind #SameWorldDifferentLensDavid Thomas Bondyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06641490047461418995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18997022.post-41001980471124826422018-10-15T01:00:00.001-07:002018-10-15T01:00:58.444-07:00Happy Birthday Caleb!On Saturday, our British friends notified us there was a family living in our building who were interested in having the girls participate in a fashion show. After being introduced via social media, they invited us to dinner last night to begin a friendship. As it happened to be Caleb's birthday, we asked if it would be okay to spend time with strangers on his special day. <br />
<br />
They picked us up at 5:30 in the evening and whisked us away to a nice hotel and a third floor restaurant. Much to Caleb's delight, we would be having hot pot for dinner! What this means is that you have an individual pot of soup over an open flame which you then use to slow cook meat and vegetables and then consume them over the course of a couple of hours. <br />
<br />
It is such a pleasure to watch Father shape our children to where they are willing to be content with an unexpected, chaotic, and lively evening about town with people they've never met!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicd6QbMsk0puADd-2KelelU9GtGn87XxWJgy79K9uYMRThlKcIfnACOYUGnHWpiQui91gTRA14dqnvgJIQpETTMhNwM-Z5kkOs79XzPw2FU0f5q8m5rvCaZudrM0UkXU81D1e1/s1600/IMG_0323.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicd6QbMsk0puADd-2KelelU9GtGn87XxWJgy79K9uYMRThlKcIfnACOYUGnHWpiQui91gTRA14dqnvgJIQpETTMhNwM-Z5kkOs79XzPw2FU0f5q8m5rvCaZudrM0UkXU81D1e1/s400/IMG_0323.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caleb's birthday dinner</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
David Thomas Bondyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06641490047461418995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18997022.post-56308608477245889102018-10-11T08:09:00.001-07:002018-10-15T01:02:25.886-07:00Time is Flying!It's hard to believe that we have already been here since August 30th. For the first week, I felt mostly zombified. Having this kind of jet lag is like being a severely-muted version of your self until your body adjusts. <br />
<br />
After the first week of orientation and other firsts, we went away for a staff retreat that gave us a chance to get to know the whole team. There was teaching, singing, sharing, and plenty of lifting each other up. We are very encouraged by the quality of our new co-workers. Their sensitivity to Dad and graciousness toward one another have already been a tremendous blessing.<br />
<br />
Shortly after coming back from this time away, we engaged in a brief but furious period of house-hunting with the help of our Canadian colleagues. We did find a nice apartment and once we sat down with the Landlord, our Singaporean co-worker helped us negotiate a price we felt we could live with. That was early September. We just moved in last Friday! <br />
<br />
Another bright spot has been our early involvement with the different project locations and youth/children that we are caring for. So many special kids and caregivers all in one project! It's hard to believe that we have been able to walk right into something that has been ongoing for the past 25 years. <br />
<br />
And at the same time, as it always is, transition is on the horizon. Please be asking with us as we all prepare for a new normal which will begin by the end of the calendar year. Ask for patience, perseverance, and for Dad's hand to be evident in all the details. We love you all!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBq1csOL6s9DYaSAnUmdg9eXyZX9QjHezc8eWAlH4BkUI2nAHxuTxiHLDLTiSw_RdLEIkgFLG4I9TvOzgGgy91ytcDSffqjW6S1_rqINXBH-aWEV6-33Dn0pcvv7oA2lfSosOZ/s1600/Graciousness+Room+9.2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1048" data-original-width="774" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBq1csOL6s9DYaSAnUmdg9eXyZX9QjHezc8eWAlH4BkUI2nAHxuTxiHLDLTiSw_RdLEIkgFLG4I9TvOzgGgy91ytcDSffqjW6S1_rqINXBH-aWEV6-33Dn0pcvv7oA2lfSosOZ/s400/Graciousness+Room+9.2018.jpg" width="295" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />David Thomas Bondyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06641490047461418995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18997022.post-74753732260084306202018-07-23T18:19:00.000-07:002018-10-08T00:12:08.884-07:00The Countdown is On!We are just a few short weeks away from returning to China for the third time. Some of the feelings are familiar, but our situation is not. When we went to the field as twenty somethings in 2007, we had no idea what we were in for. We had two small children, and we were full of both idealism and ignorance.<br />
<br />
This time (after living there for a total of over seven years) we will not be departing to the foreign so much as returning to the familiar. We have a teenager now and two who are not far behind; and though the idealism is still there, some of the ignorance has now been removed.<br />
<br />
It took so much less faith to leave when we felt like we had nothing to lose. Now, we are keenly aware of the opportunities and stability we are leaving behind... our home... relationships... career advancements... aging parents... potential investments for the future... Yet the call on our lives has not faded with time, nor has it paled in comparison to the security we've enjoyed in the States. In fact, it has grown deeper, more urgent, more pressing. Now is the time to leave what we can see, to invest in what we cannot, and trust our good Father as He leads us forward. <br />
<br />
We greatly appreciate your prayers as we prepare to take the plunge once again!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhPlxG2_I55dgpFiznxKD4yeOOZvyjLXWIOmxLFai6_X-qkEHGM2P0z-4hwvHX5M0tJDSIeJWu5Qx0li1QACDZWBrIMZLRxMBV2hrwbPg5cYCMfMdiLePv_-iDPzSt5m6imVvK/s1600/EOS+5D+Mark+III_8752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhPlxG2_I55dgpFiznxKD4yeOOZvyjLXWIOmxLFai6_X-qkEHGM2P0z-4hwvHX5M0tJDSIeJWu5Qx0li1QACDZWBrIMZLRxMBV2hrwbPg5cYCMfMdiLePv_-iDPzSt5m6imVvK/s320/EOS+5D+Mark+III_8752.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />David Thomas Bondyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06641490047461418995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18997022.post-72434314683628511642013-02-18T00:34:00.001-08:002013-02-18T00:52:36.332-08:00Free!Just this week I heard a great message about the danger of harboring unresolved anger in your heart. I realized that I had some, and followed these three steps prescribed by the speaker that I found immensely helpful:<br />
<br />
1. Identify who you are angry with<br />
2. Determine what they owe you (what was <i>taken</i> from you)<br />
3. Decide to cancel the debt<br />
<br />
The simple definition he gave for anger is "YOU OWE ME." So after, identifying the people and determining specifically what it was I felt they owed me, I was able to consciously and verbally 'cancel' the debt. The speaker quoted both Paul and JC in establishing the truth that FORGIVENESS is the only way to break the power of anger, and he was right. Feeling very happy and free right now!David Thomas Bondyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06641490047461418995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18997022.post-23176713405315040942012-10-10T03:57:00.001-07:002012-10-10T03:57:22.901-07:00Kids Playing in the Park<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/NFU4vps8zA0?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />David Thomas Bondyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06641490047461418995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18997022.post-47967837802471978962012-09-24T19:41:00.001-07:002012-09-24T19:41:26.475-07:00Kids New Preschool<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/QgONZo4XtnM?fs=1" width="480"></iframe>David Thomas Bondyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06641490047461418995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18997022.post-5398250013681869132012-06-21T11:53:00.001-07:002012-06-21T11:53:15.115-07:00Sweating the small stuffIt's amazing to me how quickly one can go from excitement about what Father has done to apprehension about the future. I'm embarrassed to admit that this is often the case with me. When I look back over how He has provided for me since I put my trust in Him in 1997, he has come through time and again in a big, big way. Yet here I sit, six weeks from our return to Asia, concerned about some of the details of our return. Will I ever learn? :)David Thomas Bondyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06641490047461418995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18997022.post-38413414931086240312012-05-31T19:48:00.000-07:002012-05-31T19:48:16.832-07:00Jammin'<br />
My (Gracy's) parents were in Asia visiting us, and we'd taken them to a small minority village called "Ancient Tree". Among many other moments I'll never forget from that day was this one...<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/c0O3-Krp-pU" width="560"></iframe>David Thomas Bondyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06641490047461418995noreply@blogger.com