Learning more about Ancient (and not-so-Ancient) China

Our favorites, so far, from some of the books we've used in our study. We were really impacted by Hudson Taylor's life ("God's Adventurer"), who founded the China Inland Mission. Great book!
Learning how to play Chinese Chess (Peter and Pauline)
Ancient China map -- George and Michael learned about artifacts and historical sites as they placed the correlating stickers on their map.

Five Loaves Ministry

Five Loaves is a ministry our church has to inner-city children once a week. We go to their neighborhoods and pick up the children (approx. 50) and bring them to 5th Street. Here are some snapshots of our weekly times together. We are truly blessed to be a part of these children's lives... (Above is our Coordinator, Jeff, giving instructions for the night).
Drew and some of his favorite girls. (They flock to him!)
George and Daddy
Peter pretending to be mad

Five Loaves - Snapshots from 5th Street

Julie
Jen
Ketura, Pauline, Jayden, Jasmine
Lily
Pauline
Pauline
Caleb, Michael, Jeffrey

Many Activities at 5th Street

LEARNING GOD'S WORD - Drew teaching
SINGING PRAISES - Micah
PLAYING BASKETBALL - Caleb, Peter, Sam and Lily
EATING HOT MEALS - Emily with her group

Preparing Food for 5th Street Children

Sarah Ann busily preparing food -- spaghetti, homemade bread, fresh veggies and grapes, plus homemade whoopie pies for dessert...

History Studies

Chinese paper dolls
We've been having lots of fun exploring China as part of our "Eastern Hemisphere" studies. The children actually asked if we could please continue history through the summer! Peter chose a project to find a recipe and make homemade egg rolls and Pauline chose to design Chinese fashions true to 3 different time periods in Chinese history.

Making a Chinese Fan

Requires very precise folding, you know. :)
Curious onlooker (as always).
Did I do it right? Will it work?
It worked! My little Lotus-of-the-Valley.

Building a Great Wall of China Watchtower

What are all these pieces for?? What do we...whaa??
OK -- order resumed and construction on the Wall Tower begins.
George practicing his strategy, getting ready for the Great Wall games.
Handsome Peter

Finished Great Wall Tower

The work is done -- let the games begin...

Little boys' Homemade Version

Michael and George of course had to make another Great Wall, so they could each have a "fort." Here's the one they made from anything-in-sight, including hymnals. Very serious workers.

Waiting on Dads

While waiting on their dads to get out of a meeting, the girls decided to have some fun singing. The praise to God sounded like angels from heaven.