from China were taken when we were at the orphanage.
sadly most of mine from there were gone with the camera. :( but luckily, everyone else was a little camera happy too. :)
so i thought i would share these pictures and thoughts with you.
This was the most challenging part of the whole trip for me. (And apparently I am working backwards through the trip.) It was challenging because it was one of those times you could just FEEL God telling you what His plans are for you. Even when you may not be ready to hear the truth or even know what you are listening to.
You know?
Anyway...
We visited the Show Hope Healing Home, in Zheng Zhou - a place for orphaned babies to go when they are recovering from or dealing with an illness or disease of some kind. Many of them have cleft palates or heart conditions.
Obviously, we bonded.
I put two, yes two, little tykes to sleeep. They just completely zonked out in my arms. The caretakers seemed impressed.
Yes, I have skills. Just call me the baby whisperer and call me if you need me. My number is 555-skills.
My patience and skill know no bounds.
I wanted to pick them all up and put them in my suitcase and bring them home.
For real.
Seriously.
All 50 of them or more.
Seriously, I know I could find wonderful families for all those kids, if the mamas and papas (also a band form the 60's) could just snuggle them for a minute.
That's all it takes for your heart to knit to one of these little kiddos - one minute.
Fortunately and unfortunately, you can't just carry a baby through customs.
Ryan you would have loved that, right?!? (I am pretty sure you would have loved it!)
(photos courtesy of facebook albums of Olivia and Tami.)
But did you know, you can sponsor those kids right now?
You can, check out this website.
Seriously, look at that face.
How can you not love her? I want to squeeze her right now!
Luckily, these are some of the best cared for orphans in the whole world. Their caretakers must be amoung the most loving and smiling women in China. Each baby was held everyday and snuggled and fed and changed and bathed and loved...everyday.
Did you know that is uncommon in orphanages around the world?
Well, it's true.
And you can make it better, by adopting or sponsoring one of these little faces or finding one of your own around the world.
Like our friends who are currently in the process of adopting some precious little people right now.
Check out Paige's story and Ian and Julie's story.