It’s with a subdued sense of sadness that I face today, our last day in Gongyi. I ate breakfast with the older kids, saw them off to school, played pingpong with Calvin (the boy raised by chickens), then took the pre-schoolers on a walk. I am waiting for the school kids to come home so I can eat lunch with them. Then I will go over some paperwork with Nathan, play with the pre-schoolers some more, eat dinner with the school age kids, and (after their TONS of homework is done) play with them one last time before bed. Tomorrow we leave for the airport at 5am. I am filled with a sense of near-panic…I don’t know if and when I might get to see these precious children again; I don’t know what their eternal fates are so I do not have the reassurance of eternity with them; so many of them are so dear to my heart I wish I could spend every day with them nurturing them, pouring into their lives, loving them. What a joy they are! I rest in the peace that my Father knows what He will do and that His love for these children is immeasurably greater than mine.

We were able to help with a few material needs: new backpacks for all of them, a copier for the office, a few toys and snacks for the kids. We were able to love them for a little while: hugs, hi-fives, games played, stories shared, time spent just being together. These children are each so wonderful. I hope they’ve gotten a glimpse of how special I think they are. Perhaps one day they might understand how much Father loves each of them.

My heart has been changed forever by them. Words cannot describe the feeling. My hope for each of you is that you might get to experience this for yourselves one day.

-Catherine

I usually would do a “day in pictures” post, but today was special. I am going to title today’s post, “public urination”.

As I was walking the kindergarten children to school this morning, one kid just suddenly pulled down his pants and started to go right on the street. Immediately following this, 3 other kiddos did the SAME thing, including a little girl.

When we were running errands and visiting banks this afternoon, we saw this little girl just pull down her pants and squatted in the middle of the sidewalk to pee. Definitely took me by surprise; no one else that walked by seemed to be phased one bit! Can you see the pee drain across the sidewalk??

TOO CUTE!

Looking up with great anticipation,
Dan

Our day in pictures. Click on images to enlarge.

Off to school!

Hospital again with Moses. This time, to see the “family doctor”. Not to be disrespectful, but these docs have no physical exam skills and no diagnostic skills WHATSOEVER. It took my entire being to keep my mouth shut and not saying anything during the appointment.

Going to the park:

Port-a-potty:

My picture with Autumn, an abandoned, cleft-lipped baby girl left at the gates of the orphanage. She is now 9 years old. When I look at her, I see one of the most beautiful little girls I have every met in life. I was telling Catherine, I want her as my daughter.