Orphanage visit and family fun

Yesterday was a rainy day in Chongqing. The rain kind of echoed my sentiments as we went to see where Brooklyn has spent the last 2 1/2 years of her life. As we arrived we realized the immense size of the facility. There are over 500 children housed there. The facility also includes a hospital and a school.

Brooklyn showed us the crib that she slept in.

We got to meet her crib mate. They were obviously good friends.

 Brooklyn did well and returned to us on her own.

We saw the granite pandas

We also saw a familiar site, the swingset where one of her referral pictures was taken.

 It was sad to leave behind all of those beautiful children that we saw. We saw three children whose forever families will be coming to get them in the coming months. Others may never have a family. These children were excited just to get a hug, or to show off the project they were working on. I know I can't provide a forever family for all of them, but I'm thankful that Brooklyn now has a Mama and a Daddy to give her hugs and be proud of her work. I'm thankful that there is one less  orphan. I pray that God will lay it on the hearts of many others to provide loving homes for these innocent children who have no home.

Back at the hotel it ws time for a nap, and play time.

Today our guide will pick up Brooklyn's passport and completed paperwork and we will depart for Guangzhou for the next phase of our journey. This is a bittersweet day. We are glad to be moving on but sad to be leaving Brooklyn's birthplace.

Brooklyn will have a physical on Saturday morning in order to get her visa issued. We have an appointment at the consulate on Thursday and will receive the visa on Friday. We will then fly out of Hong Kong on Sunday because it was much less expensive than flying from Guangzhou.

 It is now 3:30 AM and Brooklyn has been awake for an hour and a half. She is trying to sort things out. She is confused and afraid. Please pray that she will continue to bond to us as she grieves the loss of the only home she has ever known and will have the peace that passes all understanding that only God can give. Also pray that all goes well with her physicals and there are no holdups.

I hope to have better internet access in Guangzhou and be able to blog sometime other than the middle of the night when I can be more comprehendable. Until then good day from Chonging, China.