Recently my wife, Shirley and I had the opportunity to travel with John and Sarah Rummage of Founding Family and Donna Robinson from Sovereign Grace Community Church, Las Vegas, NV to China. The main purpose of our trip was to was to take pictures to be used by the Foundation at several of the orphanages and special care units. We also did some sight seeing, visiting the Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and other wonders of China.

Shortly after arriving at our first stop in China we met Joyce and Robin Hill and toured their wonderful facility. After the first snap or two of the camera I realized it would be hard to capture in photographs the love and devotion given to these babies by their nannies and the many volunteers needed to care for them. We were so impressed how well each facility was organized and maintained. The buildings are not only functional to care for large numbers of babies; they also have a home like atmosphere. You can tell taking care of these little ones is a true labor of love.

While in Xian we visited Amanda who was caring for 16 babies in her three bedroom apartment! When we arrived there we were met by volunteers, each holding a baby. Several more babies were sleeping or happily playing on the floor. The common goal everywhere we visited is to provide the best care for the babies until they can be adopted into a forever family. Some of these babies need medical care and or surgeries that are expensive. If not for the special care provided at homes like Amanda’s some babies would not be here today.

We were astounded at the large number of children in China’s orphanages. The good news is there are people like Robin and Joyce Hill, Amanda and the many volunteers who so freely give of their time to care for these children in China. They are making such difference in the life of these children.

It was obvious to us how much these homes primarily depend on donations to organizations like Founding Family Charitable Foundation. This trip has changed our lives in many ways and we will never forget the precious little faces and smiles we saw while we were there. After returning from China we both agree the most rewarding part of our trip was the time we were able to spend with the babies at Hope Foster Care, Phillip Hayden Homes, Amanda’s in Xian and the two Special Care Units. For me it was a privilege and honor to be able to document this trip in photographs, we look forward to returning one day.

Marc and Shirley Banning

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