OK, I know what your thinking. I don’t know what to say. We just returned from China six months ago and I PROMISE you that the last thing on our mind was another adoption. Even further from our minds was another trip to China. Kelly and I were perfectly content with our eight kids and two adoptions (www.xanga.com/journeytomia and www.xanga.com/journeytocaleb) and had pretty much come to the conclusion that we were done.
And then I was standing in a surgery suite last Tuesday and Kelly sent me this picture of Xiao Rui:
I took one look at this picture and immediately knew she was a part of our family. I felt an instantaneous bond to this little girl who seems so full of life! Why in the world has someone not adopted such a precious child? The second picture Kelly sent me, at her recent 11 year old birthday, didn’t help.
How could I say “no”? I couldn’t. And so, the adventure begins again.
Ali (as we have decided to call her) lives in a “rural” area of China in a very overcrowded orphanage. We were told today that there are sometimes 2 – 3 babies in each crib. Because of the Port Wine Stain on Ali’s face, she was abandoned at birth and has been waiting for someone to come and take her home to her “forever” family. We have had the opportunity to talk with several people who have had first hand contact with Ali and with the workers at the orphanage and they have all told us that she is SO loved by everyone that comes in contact with her. But, the staff has been concerned that Ali is quickly approaching her 14th birthday and at that time children are no longer adoptable in China. This orphanage has just recently had several children “age out” and has struggled to get some of these wonderful children adopted and out of the orphanage. We were also told that there are as many as thirty other children in this orphanage that should be on adoption lists, but they can not get the paperwork approved to get them out. How blessed we are to have the opportunity to get this little girl out and yet how sad that there are so many that will not get the same privilege.
I’m sure at this point you are wondering if we are crazy. The other day I met a lady who, when told that we have eight children, two of which are adopted, asked “why?” My response? “Why not?” Can you honestly look at these pictures of Ali and say “no”? If no one were to adopt her, the BEST that she could hope for would be a chance to stay on at the orphanage and be a nurse. All you have to do is look at Ali’s pictures and know that she is destined for so much more in life than to be cast aside by a society that views her minor condition as a curse.
So, Kelly and I have spent a whirlwind week getting paperwork together, having our home visit done, and getting fingerprints sent off. I can’t stand for this little girl to stay in country one DAY longer than necissiary. Please pray that the process goes much more quickly than would be expected.
The good news is that, because of all the contacts we are devloping, I think we will get LOT’S of pictures of Ali to post! So, please check back often and we will put up stuff as soon as we get it.
I want to thank everyone for all the support they have given over the last two adoptions and we are looking forward to the encouragment everyone will provide on this adoption! This will be an adventure, but undoubtedly a very rewarding one.
Cameron