Friday morning

Good morning!

It's Friday morning in China. We said goodbye to the kids last night. It went well. We ate a yummy meal which included 13 dishes!!!! Oh my! This trip I have finally realized that Chinese hospitality means that the plates just keep coming! 

Then we gave each of the kids an award and we spoke about each of them and told them how special they are! Then we gave them gift bags filled with the gifts and candy that my friends from home had sent. 

(His says Best Athlete)

One of their favorite things in their gift bags was nail polish and I got to paint one of my girls nails. They LOVED it. 

The director of the group home gave a tearful meaningful speech at the end saying that other agencies had wanted to help these kids but no one had made his kids feel as special as we had. He said that we made unique attachments with the kids and made them feel valued for the first time. Boom. Thank you,God! And thank you to everyone who gave me stuff to bring here for the kids.

Then they left. My thought as I blew kisses and waved good bye was next time you see a white girl it will be your mommy. I had peace. This was not the end, but the beginning for them.

The bus pulled away and we walked slowly and silently and tearfully back to our hotel. 

HOPE is what fills my mind and my heart right now. 

Knowing these kids gives me great hope. Will my perspective change when I get back and advocate for them? When I get back to American materialism, and American HIV stigma, and the American dream, will I still have hope?  My hope must be grounded in the Lord Jesus Christ.  He alone will never disappoint. He is our HOPE.  Excited to see what He does. 

Lord, these kids need You. Please tell their families they are here. And tell them to get their adoption paperwork ready now. 

Will you join me in praying for God's power in these kids' lives?