PingYu Home of Hope

One of the first construction projects we needed to accomplish before it got too cold, was building a brick wall in the front of our building making a hallway. This wall not only adds extra security for the children, but it will also help keep the bad weather out; which will help us keep the children’s rooms warmer.

Later there will be windows installed from the top of the brick wall to the ceiling to finish the wall. We are currently getting prices from a few different window contractors to make sure we get the best quality at the best price.

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Unexpected New Gate!

When we arrived we first saw the existing gate and as you can tell by the picture below left, it looked big and fancy. What you can not see is the very poor condition it was in. The metal it was made out of was very thin and weak. We knew we would have to replace it but thought it could wait until later in the year….until we opened it to pull our van in and the top henge broke and the door almost smashed David when he opened it. Our new door, as you can tell in the picture below right, is not fancy at all but it is very strong and sturdy.

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The other construction projects that need to be finished

• Install proper electrical outlets, lighting and light switches in each of the rooms.
• Install 1 water heater, shower faucet and lavatory faucet in the bathrooms
• Install the needed sinks and faucets in the kitchen and dining hall to wash dishes
• Tile new hallway floor and on the wall around the sinks in the kitchen and dining hall
• Build a few walls to make:
• Closets for the children
• Storage room for the kitchen
• Storage room for extra supplies

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While we are waiting for the many different quotes, we have been busy trying to clean our front yard too. Last week we went out and bought new shovels and brooms and put them to use quickly.

Left: Michelle picking up trash from the yard. Right: David and Ben burning dead weeds

All three boys, Jaxin Eli and Tyler enjoying their new yard

Team work

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“The Work of Your Hands Rewards You!”

We just wanted to show what 2 days of really hard work can accomplish.
The pictures you see first were taken this August when we first saw the building, and there was a lot of green vegetation.

Unfortunately we did not take a lot of pictures of what the yard looked like before we started cleaning it up. There was dead grass and weeds all over the driveway, fence, and yard. The only picture we have is of the circle area you see below left.

The funny thing is, if you look at the picture with all the vegetation, you can not see any sidewalks in the yard. We were quite surprised to find them too.

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We want to thank you for your financial support and keeping us in your thoughts. The opening day is scheduled for February 19th 2010, which is just around the corner! We need to complete all the required construction before buying all the supplies, materials and furnishings that will be needed to turn these 16 empty rooms into a home full of love, joy and hope!
We wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!