This posting regards my most recent newsletter, which was sent out today.

For those who are not aware of my snail-mail updates, I send out 2 newsletters a year:  Winter and Spring.  This newsletter is formatted, run off, stuffed and sealed by my hometown church and helpers, then mailed out to (currently) 877 on my newsletter list.  I have my own NGO mailing code so the cost of mailing is very reasonable, a total of $163 this time around.  Paper, envelopes, colored ink costs add about $225 for a total of around $400 per mailing.  This is paid for by many of you who donate to my newsletter fund and also by  funding from the United Methodist GBGM.

The Current Newsletter

When I landed on Jan. 9, I immediately began the process of getting this out to everyone.  I hate waiting until the last minute and wanted the news to get to people ASAP.

Within 8 days, my newsletter was ready to go and about to be mailed.  However, all the preparation work involved was before the virus was truly problematic.  I had 877 newsletters with updates that appeared all of China was normal and I would be returning on time to begin the school year as always.

A Late Mailing; Changes in Updates

Also reported in that newsletter was my itineration (visiting) dates in the summer to do presentations and talks about Amity and China.  I do this every 3 years as a part of my contract before it is renewed.  Little did I know that I would be immediately “stuck” in the States for at least 2 or 3 months, even longer, until US flights began to return to China.

Rather than throw away 877 sealed newsletters to change the dates, and give virus news,  I left the updates as-is and held off mailing hem until today.

The General Board of Global Ministries, and the Amity Foundation, have all approved of a different plan:  I am now itineration from March 1 – April 13, maybe even further onward.

The contact person is the same but the dates are not so those of you who are on the newsletter list, and happen to check this website, be aware of this.

Want A Visit? March 1 – April 13 —  Who to Contact

My contact person is the same person in the newsletter.  Only the dates have changed.

If you want to be on my itineration schedule, please contact:   Carolyn Yockey at CLPY508@aol.com; Telephone 309-452-3936.   Address:  508 Normal Avenue, Normal IL  61761. 

A Few Other Notes

I’ve had several people ask me where Wuhan, the virus epicenter, is located compared to my city, Luzhou,  in Sichuan Province.  See below:  Wuhan first photo; Luzhou (near Zigong), second photo

The two are 700 miles apart but at present, all cities are on lockdown with no one going in or out of city limits.  Self-Quarantine is necessary if you are going from city to city for any reason. In many cases, national highway police will not allow private cars on toll roads unless necessary.  Trucks, long distance buses, and emergency vehicles  are all fine with signed, proper paperwork allowing them road use..

Closing Things Off

It’s been years since I’ve been home for Valentine’s Day so February 14th became a fun event in my home.  My mom and I prepared our Valentines for one another with goodies, chocolates and cards.

Bridget’s First Valentine’s Day in America

Who came away on top? It was Miss B, Little Bridget!  Our Chinese rescue had her very first Valentine’s Day celebration in her adopted country, complete with a Valentine’s Day  bear gift (Dollar Store, so great!) ………

and plenty of lovin’.

Now there is one very lucky, spoiled little Chinese immigrant.

From Illinois, here’s wishing you Peace (平安), ping an, for your day.