March 30, 2008 In A Few Hours We Will Be Holding Our Baby Girl!
Today we departed Beijing and arrived in Guangzhou. We are thankful for all of you as your prayers and support have been felt here. China is an amazing culture yet not so amazing in a spiritual sense. Yesterday we learned that less than half of the people in China have any kind of faith at all and only 5% claim to be Christians. The good news is that the fastest growing religion in China in the twenty-first century is Christianity, mostly in “underground churches”. It will be exciting to see the changes that God will make in this beautiful country.
On the way from the airport to our hotel we saw a much different perspective of China as you can see from the picture of a typical Guangzhou apartment. We then crossed the bridge and couldn’t help but notice a stark contrast to the island where we are staying. The room at the Old Victory is quaint and as you notice the crib in the picture below will only be used for putting her toys and books! Angelina will be snuggled right between us! The only thing that is missing is Liliana and Eli.
Tonight Bill, our Guide, took us for a foot massage. It was unbelievable! We were pampered from head to toe! Another hysterical moment occurred when Greg tripped over the huge wooden bucket of water and nearly ripped his paper shorts off!!! Since we were all in the same room there was a roar of laughter that could have been heard in the entire building!
We are settling in for the night knowing that in a matter of hours we will be holding our baby girl and would like you to be a part of our prayer.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you Lord for getting us to this point. Without you none of this would be possible
We are excited, anxious, and in awe of what you have in store for us. We give you thanks and praise for all you have done in our lives and for all that you will continue to do.
Thank you for blessing us with a wonderful family. We are so thankful to see your love in the hearts of Liliana and Eli and know that we will see this love in Angelina as well. We ask that tomorrow you fill the room with your Holy Spirit so that all who are there will feel your presence and will not leave there unchanged.
Thank you for providing us with a wonderful church family. We know they will continue to pray and encourage Angelina to help her come to know you and to grow in her faith.
I am thankful for Lisa, through her love for you; you changed me. Please continue to draw me closer to you and to make me a better husband, father, son, brother, and friend so that others may see your love and draw closer to you as well. It is our prayer that you will help us be the parents you call us to be.
We pray for those who do not know you; that they may seek and find you. We pray for the people of China. We pray for what you have started to do in this country. Please draw us all closer to you each day and place that passion in our hearts to seek you daily.
We know you have a plan for Angelina. We ask that you bless her and make it clear what your will is for her life. We know you will work through her to change our lives and the lives of many others.
Thank you for showing us that adoption is a perfect picture of what you have done for us in making us your children through Your Son, Jesus Christ.
