Open Doors

When we found out about our PA, our case worker asked us if we wanted to request again to be able to visit him. The first time we requested was before we submitted our Letter of Intent to adopt him, and they said we could not visit until we had some sort of official paperwork. Normally, this means all the way to Letter of Approval from the Chinese government, after the dossier is approved. But since we received our PA in the beginning of the process, she told us that she thought it was ok to go ahead and ask again. 

We had several questions about this. Is this really the best thing for him? Could we cause more damage to his attachment and bonding to us when we come visit and then leave him there? We he trust us when we are finally able to take him home for good or will he assume that we will leave again? Should he know who we are and that we are trying to adopt him or do we come in as friends who want to play? Can we emotionally handle going to see him, getting to know him and then leaving him there? What about the other kids at the orphanage? How will it affect them if we are coming to visit Qi Long and they don't have anyone? How will I fight wanting to be able to take every single one of the kids home with me? So many questions, many selfish, many fearsome.

We thought about it for 3 days after we received our PA and we finally came to the realization that whatever the outcome and whatever the setbacks or advantages of meeting him this early in the process, we felt like it would be worth it. We spoke with others that live internationally and heard experiences both good and bad about visiting their children during process. And we believe that Father has put us in this position and given us this amazing opportunity, and we need to trust Him to work out the details. We don't even know if the orphanage will say yes, and that will be our answer. But if He allows us to go visit him, we are willing to take a step of faith and leave the details of whatever comes in the future for him to solve. He will make a way. After all, He makes ALL things work together for the GOOD of those who love Him. We keep our eyes on Him and lean not on our own understanding and He makes our paths straight. 

Please pray with us for open doors!