Book Review: The Bridge

The hardest part of a book review is not to give too much away. That's how I feel about The Bridge by Kay Pratt. I thoroughly enjoyed this story of Fei Fei (a blind, five-year-old orphan boy). I especially enjoyed reading this one after Silent Tears: A Journey of Hope in a Chinese Orphanage, where we're first introduced to Fei Fei. It was a short story and a quick read, and the book ends on such an uplifting note. 

Here's part of the product description from Amazon: "In present day China, an old woman's house sits opposite an ancient bridge. Not just any bridge--but a special one because it has always been known as The Lucky Bridge. In olden days it was said that to walk over it...would bring the traveler good luck. Because of its reputation, over the years it has also become a popular place for young mothers to their children. .... When no one else will, Jing steps in to prevent the children from frostbite, abuse and hunger, and then she delivers them safely to the orphanage."

It was lovely to read from the perspective of Jing. By painting such a vivid picture of the old woman's life, we can understand how and why Jing's situation with Fei Fei is so compelling, and difficult for her. Of course, the greatest moment is when Jing shares an old Chinese folk tale about a frog living inside a well. I won't share that particular tale now - you should definitely read it yourself - But, I will share the story of the frog with my sons....what a beautiful way to introduce a child to the big world we live in. Thank you, Kay. 

Book Review: Silent Tears: A Journey of Hope in a Chinese Orphanage

I read this amazing book Silent Tears: A Journey of Hope in a Chinese Orphanage by Kay Bratt. It was difficult to put into words how I felt about the book and Kay's nearly five years helping China's orphans. The following is an Amazon posting by the adoptive father of one of the little babies that Kay cared for in China. He definitely described my feelings about this book. I will read Kay's other books about life in China, and I hope you do to.......


"Kay, This is Le Men's dad. (Le Men was a heart baby in the orphanage described in this book.)

I wanted to write to you and let you know what an astounding service you have done in the publishing of your book. You have provided a glimpse into a world that many, including myself, are unable to fathom and terrified of realizing really exists. As the father of eight, I love my children more desperately than most people can comprehend. And so, it is difficult for me to comprehend situations of abuse and neglect like you describe. I would not have had the strength and determination that you showed to continue returning. I have great confidence in my skills and ability to succeed in many areas in this world. In the battle you faced, I am ashamed to say I would have failed. My love for children would not have been sufficient to overcome my weaknesses.

You asked in your book how God could let these children suffer. I believe in a loving and compassionate God. But, I also believe that we have free will and that nature will play its role of random change within our lives. The whims of men and culture created the situations you describe, not God. God provides the canvas and the paint. We provide the hand. He gently guides the brush when we ask Him.

Xiao Gou
Feb. 2012

As I read your book I started out with anger as I read of the suffering of the children. As I read deeper into your story I began to understand, as you did, that the staff in the orphanage were buffering themselves emotionally in a situation that was largely a no win situation. It brought to mind stories from the Civil War and Vietnam where doctors quickly amputated limbs to save a life because there were not sufficient resources, personnel or supplies to save limbs or lives of all those injured. Better to save something than to lose it all. But, it takes an emotional buffering to operate in such situations as you describe. I do not think I could have faced it.

Until I read your book, I did not understand the linkage my wife and I truly played in adopting our four lovely children from China. People tell us 'what a wonderful thing you have done'. We reply 'we did it out of selfishness, an overwhelming desire to have more children in our lives and our family'. I am sure many think we are being modest, but this is very true for us. We never approached adoption as a means of rescuing a child. We were driven by an incredible need to love children. Frankly, it was a need that neither of us fully understood then or now. We did not know of the desperation of the children other than through fleeting comments or inferences or rumors.

Now, I understand that God was guiding my wife and me in ways we did not recognize. We were definitely responding to your prayers without knowing of you or the influence your prayers were having in our lives. I know in my heart that God spoke to us and guided us even as you spoke to Him. So, have faith that God does listen to prayers and does work in ways we can not fathom.

Kay Bratt, Author,
Child Advocate, and
Woman Extraordinaire!

Thank you for all you did for our lovely Le Men. He is truly an astounding boy and will grow into an amazing man. He is loaded with love and compassion and he continues to teach us and expand us each day. These are things that you made possible through your determination to save a child. We have purchased an additional copy of your book to keep for him until he is old enough to read it and understand your blessings, sacrifices and determination that made his life possible.

Thank you for what you have done and the sacrifices you have made. Your incredible determination resulted in simple acts of love and kindness that can change a world. I am sure the Lord will bless and keep you and yours."

www.kaybratt.com

China's Gold Medals Are Tarnished

The "coach" standing on the
legs of a very young gymnast

The training regimes of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) and Romanians created Nadia Comaneci, Svetlana Boguinskaya, and Maria Gorokhovskaya. {For those of you who don't know, those are Olympic gymnasts.} Talented women no doubt, but all started their Olympic training started at very young ages (5 or 6) at government training centers. These countries were producing professional athletes for the Olympics.

In 1986, the Olympic charter changed and removed the distinction of "amateur" and "professional." Now, professionals from all countries could challenge the Soviet professionals. The Soviet Bloc dominated the Olympics from 1952-1991. The USSR dissolved in 1991. Romania's socialist republic was overthrown in 1989 with army-supported countrywide revolts. {Interestingly, Nadia Comaneci defected from Romania in 1989.

Now, it is the People's Republic of China's turn. It is the new Soviet Union of the Olympics. I'll leave out the Olympic political history of China, but they couldn't participate in the Olympics until the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. That's when they started to dominate the medals. Why? Same reason - government training centers. But, it appears the People's Republic of China's training centers are more brutal, and start with much younger children.

A young girl is pushed thru
a tough exercise routine.

The Chinese do not celebrate their winning gold medals. Watch the Olympic athletes leave a venue. You can't tell that they are the winning athletes. Their emotionless faces don't display happiness and joy of their great achievements. That's because they're programmed, literally, to win the gold. What happens to these athletes when they return to China? More specifically, what happens to the ones that don't win a gold medal. What about the badminton players who were disqualified and sent home. What happens if you bring shame upon yourself and China? I don't even want to think about the possibilities.

Children doing punishing exercises
"to toughen them up."

The Olympic Spirit is "building a peaceful and better world which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity, and fair play." As long as there are countries like China that torture children into award-winning athletes there will be no peaceful and better world. How does their brutal training help to instill a spirit of friendship, solidarity, and fair play?

Finally, there's Ye Shiwen, who astounded the swimming world by knocking more than a second off the world record for the 400m individual medley. There were immediate speculation of doping with steroids or other drugs. Ye insists that her "results come from hard work and training." Perhaps there are steroids or other doping methods being used. Or, perhaps she's a young girl who was beaten into becoming an Olympic champion.