House of Grace

Yesterday we traveled to Yangchun, Guangdong to see the House of Grace home where Samuel lived.  It was a 2 1/2 hour drive there and a 4 1/2 hour drive back because of the terrible Guangzhou traffic!  It was a lovely day, though, and we had a very nice visit at both House of Grace and at lunch with the orphanage directors.  

The taller building is House of Grace.  It sits on the orphanage grounds and was once the main orphanage building.

Looking into the gate.

This is where Samuel would go fishing.  It's right outside the House of Grace building.

The main orphanage building.

Playground beside the orphanage.

One of the rooms inside where we went to take pictures.  I've seen other people's pictures of toddlers sitting at those desks.  So cute.  The lady on the left is Fanny, who has helped us Skype with Samuel a few times.  Our guide Judy is the one in glasses.

This lady is Sandra King, who founded House of Grace several years ago.  And the little girl she's holding has a family coming for her!

Samuel with the same little girl.  

This little girl also has a family coming!  They call her Xiao Xiao (very small), but now she is getting chubby!  She's doing great.  :)

Another baby girl with a family!  Sandra says she loves yellow!

This cutie girl has a family, too!  (I just wish her picture had not come out blurry, ugh!)

I had my eye on this boy when AAC first got his file.  He has a family coming soon!

Sandra says this sweet girl has a family, but I don't know them like I do the others.  I'm hoping we can connect with them soon!

This was Samuel's bed at House of Grace.

These next photos are children who do not have families.  Please pray that whoever their mama and daddy are, that they would hear and obey God's call. 

I know that several families have been interested in this sweet boy.  Hopefully he will have a family coming soon.

And this little girl, too.  I know that families have inquired about her, but so far no one has committed.  Please pray.

Here are many babies that need the love and care of a family.  Could it be your family?  Ask God.

Sweet baby girl.

This little girl broke my heart.  I was taking pictures of another baby, and when I turned around Jim was holding her.  She kept trying to have us hold her and hug her.  She was so desperate for love and affection.  I would have taken her with us if I could.  Please pray for her heart and for her future.

Sandra was holding this baby while we were Skyping a couple of weeks ago.  He was found as a newborn, and very very tiny. 

Cribs

Clothes storage

Tooth-brushing station.

Potty station.

As you can see, this place is in need of many things to help them care for these children.  If you do not feel you are called to adopt, then please GIVE and PRAY.  We are all called to care for the orphan.  God tells us this over and over in His Word.

Our family with Sandra at the front door to House of Grace.

After that, we went to lunch at a restaurant with the director and assistant director of the Yangchun orphanage.  Here we are at the tea table, waiting for the food to arrive.

Samuel knows just what to do with tea!

Our party at the lunch table.  To the right is our guide Judy and Miss Yu, the orphanage director.  On the other side of Samuel is our driver and the assistant director.  They all loved Caylie and thought she was cute.  They talked to her in Chinese after I told them she went to Chinese school, but she is shy in both languages, haha.  I did use my Chinese with Miss Yu, and she seemed to appreciate it.  I hope she knows that we care very much about Samuel and helping him to acclimate and feel comfortable in our family and home.  She apologized to us for his behavior, haha.  (He is rather rowdy at times!)

American Christians, there is a whole world full of hurt and brokenness that few of us even know about.  Please pray.  And give.  And love the orphan as our Father calls us to do.