Wow, that was an experience! We got to meet Brandon’s foster parents, their adult daughter, and the daughter’s 8 y.o. son today. We visited here at our hotel for 2 hours, then walked to McD’s for a snack, then came back to the hotel pool to watch the boys swim. They left around 7:30pm. They are very, very gracious, appreciative, loving people. We can tell Brandon was very loved. It was quite emotional at times. When they arrived and when they left, it made Brandon cry. That’s the first time we’ve seen him get emotional. Our friend, Wei, was a wonderful interpreter for us. It was touching to hear that his foster father (who works as a cook at Brandon’s school) used to eat lunch with Brandon every day. Now he eats alone and can’t even finish his meal because he misses eating with Brandon! They truly loved him. They want to stay in touch with Brandon and with us via QQ or Skype. It almost feels like they want an open “adoption”, which I’m normally not in favor of…but when it’s across the ocean, and someone that has been a positive blessing to our child for “10” years, I think that’s different. I also think there’s possibly a lot more to this than just the adoption of a child (not that that’s not huge enough). I wonder if this doesn’t also include a friendship that will open doors to the gospel which could influence a whole circle of people that don’t yet know Him.
SHANGHAI TOURISTS: We also toured around Shanghai today with Wei’s wonderful help…ate some really good Chinese food…toured a popular garden…saw The Bund… rode a city bus…and walked the streets of Shanghai. Every bit of it was an experience!
GETTING WEARY AT TIMES: International travel is hard to begin with… then add in the realization that we still have a long road ahead of us (to bond and teach the language to 2 boys before we can really begin to share our hearts with each other), plus add in the adoption details such as the fact that Eric’s passport still hasn’t caught up with us yet and the fact that someone else’s goof just cost us an additional $600…. and add in the fact that we’re way out of our comfort zone…. and not in control of many things….and have 8 days to go…and you have 2 parents that are starting to get weary… and when we’re weary we don’t handle those glitches as graciously as we should. Thanks for your prayers, dear friends and family, they are not going to waste! We’ve come to realize one good reason to be stretched – to help us feel and relate (in some small way) to what our new sons are going to feel as they transition to America…(being out of control, not knowing the language, missing home, feeling out of place, etc.) No small adjustment for anyone, let alone 11 year old boys!
FAMILY DEVOTIONS: On a more positive note, we had family devotions last night for the first time. I had reminded Eric that Father Luke gave him a New Testament in Chinese and English and suggested he get it out. He later picked it up and began to read starting with Matthew. He read about 6 chapters until I interrupted and picked a verse we could “talk” about. I referenced how I had asked for salt at KFC earlier and we talked about how we (the Hood family and Eric) are salt and light to Brandon, since we know Jesus and Brandon doesn’t. Then Brandon came in (from his shower) and we all read John 3:16 in English and Chinese and briefly “talked” about it. We pray for Eric’s continued growth in his faith (he was confirmed in the Catholic church last year), for Brandon’s salvation, and for God to use Eric in a special way to be the Chinese speaking link to Brandon’s understanding of the gospel.
TRIVIA QUESTION: How is it that the Chinese can eat real spicy foods and yet not be able to handle the taste of Crest toothpaste?
Answer: It’s all what you’re used to. It doesn’t appear that our boys have grown up brushing their teeth, so we literally started with Toothbrushing 101 and are progressing well already. They’re very compliant boys. We say brush your teeth…and they do it. Exception: We say go take a shower…Brandon says ok…Eric says “do I have to?”
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