Coming home

As I prepare to go round on these precious babies one last time, I reflect back on our trip here in Beijing at New Hope.  We have had so many wonderful experiences.  We were able to go to The Great Wall.  We saw Tiananmen Square and learned a little about it's history. We went shopping in a Chinese Market (crazy fun bargaining and Lauren Ayres is a champ).  We saw the Beijing Zoo with 8 babies from New Hope. We have had wonderful meals with the Martins, Rebecca and Mikey, Jona and Kristine the nurses and New Hope, and Robin Hill.  But of all of this, I believe the most fun times and times that we will most remember we're the ones spent here in New Hope holding, treating, and playing with babies.

As I've said before, it only takes a second for these babies to melt your heart. At first when you see their circumstances being orphaned and so sick you are heart broken.  But then you spend time with them, and see how happy and loving they are,  then you fall in love.  You can't wait until the next baby climbs into you lap to read, play, or just snuggle a little.  These babies do not yet have a family except for the staff and volunteers at New Hope.  Some will be here for a long time, but others will leave tomorrow, or next week, or next month to make room for another sick baby.  They will return to their state orphanage where they will hopefully be loved and cared for until one day, by God's grace they are adopted into a family.

Our time here has been short.  I would love to have been able to stay longer, but that's not God's plan for our family right now. So we will pack up and head home this evening and arrive back in the US late Sunday night.  I cant wait to see Porter, and sleep in my own bed.  We will resume work, school, and extracurricular activities as soon as we get back.  I pray that as we leave that we have completed the purpose for which God called us here.  I also pray that as we get back to our "normal" lives, we don't forget to lift these babies up to our Father everyday.  We pray for healing, for comfort when healing isn't God's plan, and for families to step up and welcome these children into their homes. The Bible commands us multiple times to care for the fatherless.  I'm thankful that has used my family to carry out His command.  I also pray that we keep our hearts and minds open to further opportunities to share His love with more of the " least of these.".

Thank you to all who have prayed during our travels.  I wish you all could experience the joy of spending time with these kids. Please continue to pray for Joyce Hill as she recovers.  Pray for Dr. Steve Martin and his family as he cares for all of the babies in New Hope Special Care Centers. Pray for all of the nurses, volunteers, and support staff as well.  The lives of these children depend on their care.