Moving On

Here goes, I've been kind of dreading writing this post because it's embarrassing and humbling for me.  Our 12 month stay has turned into a 3 month stay.  We are returning in November.  This was an agonizing decision that we spent a long time trying to figure out.  There are a couple of reasons why we need to go back to the states (one of which we aren't free to discuss here).  The other reason is this: we agreed before we came that if we all weren't doing well, then we would re-evaluate.  Well, 3 of us are doing fine but 1 is not.  Benjamin just has not adjusted to this way of life and we fear he probably never will – at least not during his elementary years.  He has regressed.  All of the hard behavior work we and his teachers did last year has been undone here. Home education is almost non-existent as he will only do a couple things a day and they are on his terms or he'll refuse all together (OK that part hasn't changed much from KDG but still….).  He dislikes going out and having people stare and paw at him (can't blame him for that one).  We can't discipline him in public because, well, he's Chinese and we're not.  So his consequences are not always immediate like they need to be.  He cries "I want to go home!!" almost daily.  He's even packed up his suitcase a few times and tried to leave, saying he was going to get his ticket (for the airplane).

 

We made a promise to him, to God, and to his orphanage that we would take care of him, do what's best for him, love him through the hard times.  Only we can do that.  There are other people that will continue to do God's work in China but we are the only ones that can take care of our sweet Benji.  That was the deciding factor for us.  How can we continue to work with orphans if we aren't taking the best care of the 1 orphan God entrusted us with?  We definitely plan to stay involved with the kids here though, doing what we can for Swallow's Nest Children's Home from the states.  We wish the situation was different, but it's not.  So, we will move on from here for now and maybe someday we'll return.

 

Dennis will actually remain on staff with the school he's at.  They've re-hired him as an international consultant.  He will recruit American teachers, build partnerships between American schools, and much more.  They've also agreed to fly him back yearly to meet with them.

 

So, what's next?  Dennis will need to finish his dissertation, compiling all of the research he's obtained here and will also be working.  Benji will go to school ASAP!!!  I think we will have our Benji back after a few weeks of him being in a structured classroom with his 6 year old peers.  I will continue to home educate Emily and work a little on the side if need be.  We don't know where we'll be living yet; we're waiting to hear back on some job applications.

 

Thanks for all of your support throughout our little adventure.  See you soon.

 

Catching Up

So, I really haven't blogged and shared our stories as much as I had hoped to while in China.  There are several reasons for that – unreliable internet service, blocked access to my blog, an active little boy, and a new baby to cuddle with.  Our eyes have really been opened up here; we thought we knew so much about the plight of orphans in China before we came but now we know so much more.  There is so much to share but a public blog is not the place.

 

Dennis is coming along on his research and we have some preliminary plans for returning home and will share those in my next post (I promise!!!).  We just have some details to figure out first.

 

For those of you that don't know, we are fostering a 5 month old baby girl.  She is the most delightful little thing ever!!!  We don't know her story, why she was orphaned, but assume it's because she has Down syndrome.  She's not available for adoption yet, but hopefully someday soon she will be listed.  She is asleep right now next to me, lying in Benji's lap.  He insisted on covering her up with his blankie and putting his stuffed animal next to her.  This is HUGE considering how much Benji likes to share his things (never).  What a good big brother he is!!  It is the sweetest thing ever watching my 2 Chinese, DS angels laugh, play and snuggle together.

 

We went to the International Fellowship on Sunday and during worship I was brought to tears by this song.  As I was looking into our sweet foster baby's eyes it really hit me that He knows her name; He hears her cries; He will NEVER leave her.  We don't know what the future holds for this precious baby (hopefully it involves us!).  We are so blessed just to be a part of her life, if even for a little while.

 

He Knows My Name

 

I have a Maker
He formed My Heart
Before even time began
My life was in hands

-Chorus-
He knows my name
He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls
And hears me when I call

I have a father
He calls me his own
He'll never leave me
No matter where I go

Sweet Babies

Thanks to all of you who prayed and contributed money to Swallows Nest Children's Home for the surgeries of the 3 babies with Spina Bifida.  Nearly $6,000 has been raised!!!  Sadly, one of the babies did not make it out of the NICU but we rejoice that she is out of pain and now in the arms of her heavenly Father.  Some of your money will go to pay for her hospital stay and the rest will go towards the surgeries of the 2 others.  There is still time to donate, so please do so as you feel led.  Please go to Swallows Nest website for updates: www.swallowsnestzz.org

 

Love,

Sarah