Sunday in Guangzhou

Guangzhou is soooo much different than the other cities we've visited in China. Maybe I should rephrase that -- Shamian Island is sooooo much different than any other part of China we've visited: no incessant honking of horns; no life-threatening street crossings; no oh-my-goodness-I've-never-seen-a-Caucasian type stares; no toxic layer of pollution blanketing the sky; (for the most part) no major language barriers. Yes -- Shamian Island in Guangzhou is a wonderful place to debrief (and detoxify) before heading home!

First thing this morning, the five CHI families all met in our coordinator's (Elsie's) room to fill-out the paperwork necessary for our appointment at the American Consulate. Yes, more paperwork! This step allows us to apply for and receive our new children's visas to America.

After all the our paperwork was checked and rechecked, we went to Shamian Christ Church here on the island. We have been told that this is a "government church", meaning it has government approval, is restricted in some way on what it can preach, and is "watched" by the government. By the message the pastor preached today (it was in both Mandarin and English), you would have never known it was restricted at all. He talked about discerning truth from heresy, used a lot of scripture, and left no doubt that Jesus is the one and only way to truth/salvation. His words about what heresy is and what form it might come in would likely cause many churches in America to fidget in their seats. We were impressed and thrilled that the people in China are hearing God's Word of Truth! This church was filled to capacity and overflowing with people. How exciting! I was moved to tears to hear them lift up their voices and sing "Praises to Your Name" in English.

The Chinese/English NIV Bible we bought in the church bookstore. Yes - God's Word being sold and spread around China :o)!!

This afternoon, Elsie took us on a walk to what she called a "grocery store". I, of course, was picturing Walmart or Carrefour. Nope! It ended up being a relatively little hole in the wall. My first clue should have been all of the interesting food items for sale a long the way (this area is "off the island", by the way).

On the way to the "grocery store"...

Are these the Chinese Forest Frogs I saw on the menu at the Thai restaurant last night??

I sure hope that these are not what we ate at the orphanage lunch -- I suddenly feel sick :o-

Take your pick: Dead...

...or Alive??

Ahhhhhhhhhhh, RUN ---It's the Monkey's Paw!!!!!!!!!!

No scorpions for us. We'd rather eat a "jelly" from the "grocery story".

Walking home from the store. Ji Hao loves his Jie Jie!

A class of children asking us to sign our names in their book. Their English was very impressive.

Tonight, Brant and Ji Hao were again sword-fighting, and (oops!) Ji Hao's sword broke when Brant was defending against it. Ji hao was so cute...He came in to our room, face scowling, finger pointing at Brant, and tattled on him in Mandarin. We tried our best to explain to him that both he and Brant were playing together, and that both were equally responsible. He seemed to understand and was soon back to all smiles! Daddy, of course, used his awesome "fix-anything" skills and put it back together with (of all things) dental floss. That should hold it for a few more battles.

Ji hao is such a sunshiny little guy. His huge smile and bubbling energy light up the room. He seems so happy, strutting along wherever we go without complaint. Today, he did a lot of singing as we were walking up and down the streets. We really have had no "issues" with him at all, and we are so amazed how perfectly he has blended in with us.

He is so very little. He will be eight in July, and most of the sizes 6-7 I bought for him are too big. The thing that fits him best is a pair of size 5 shorts my sister Cindy had bought for him. His little arms and legs are just sooo tiny. He is a great eater, so I'm sure he'll be growing quickly on the all-American diet he'll soon be consuming.

THANK YOU, Mom and Cindy for sacrificing soooo much to come and stay at our home with Brielle. I really don't know how to begin to repay you. You are priceless!