Jonathan 'Bao Gui' Is Coming Home...Praise God!

I am working on a new computer and am trying to learn a new program....please excuse the awkward font and format of this post :)

Hanging on my refrigerator is an invitation to an Adoption Shower for Jonathan Daniel (also known by his Chinese name 'Bao Gui')- The shower was over a month ago (March) but I keep it up as a reminder to Pray and Praise God for little Jonathan and as a reminder to lift his forever family (my friend Lisa, her husband Daniel, and their 4 children) up in prayer

There are some reading this that will remember a blog post I 'posted' almost 2 years ago (see the post at the bottom of this page).  Since posting this, Lisa and Daniel have endured many obstacles on their road to get their son.........Through all of the obstacles Daniel and Lisa have never given up!

Lisa had this to say about the 'in between' of the last 2 years waiting for Jonathan.....

'The adoption process has many steps and LOTS of paperwork. Fingerprints were taken, background checks run, reference letters were written, a carbon monoxide detector was installed, finally a home study was completed.  Through the support of friends, a garage sale and bake sale helped to meet some of the early fees.  Many miracles had already taken place just to get this far in the process.  Days from sending their approved home study to the United States Immigration Office for approval, Daniel was laid-off from his job.  The adoption was put on hold. 

By March of 2012 it became clear that completing the adoption was no longer possible.  With broken hearts we submitted a letter asking for their adoption file to be closed and to be withdrawn as his prospective parents.  It was a loss that was difficult to express.  Would people understand that they were grieving the loss of a son, even though he hadn’t died and they had not yet become his parents? 

His picture stayed on the kitchen window sill and silent prayers were sent from a broken mother’s heart, hopeful that God could restore what had been lost.

When things are impossible in our eyes and we have no resources of our own to boast in, God receives all the glory.

 

With our hope in God and His power to save, we asked if it was possible to try again.  Daniel’s new job no longer met the Chinese income requirement, so they requested a waiver and prepared to fast as they waited for an answer from the Chinese government.  Friends from Canada, Indonesia, China, and beyond joined with them in prayer as they waited to see if an exception would be made.  God moved mountains and it was granted.  With great excitement, we were miraculously able to start his adoption again in July of 2012.  The miracles have continued to unfold: one fee was completely waived, other fees were reduced, a grant was applied toward his referral fee.  Friends who share a passion to see orphans joined with families have provided help and support. 

BaoGui means “Precious Treasure.”  In the book of Matthew we are encouraged to store up our treasures in heaven, where moths and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  Adoption is an expression of love.   More than mere words, it says, “You are loved.  You are special.  You are worth more than any earthly treasure.”  His adoption was not done in human strength, but through God’s great power.  He is a precious treasure who will be given a family name and be pointed to his Savior.  Prayerfully he will choose to accept God’s love and know his heavenly Father too.'

In just a few short days (May 3, 2013) Lisa will be on a plane to China to pick Jonathan up and bring him home- If you think of it would you join me in prayer over the next couple of weeks as Lisa and Jonathan make the transition from Jonathan's Orphanage (where he currently is) to the care of Lisa and then back to the States to join his forever family.  We will also be praying for Lisa's health and safety as she travels by herself and for the health of her 4 kiddo's and husband that will be back here in the States.

A current picture of Jonathan!

 

Friday, July 15, 2011

Bringing Precious Bao Gui Home......

As I walked up to a BBQ that my sister had invited me to this past Wed. night (thanks for the invite sis) I already knew that my child hood friend Lisa was going to be there- My sister had mentioned it as we had chatted on the phone about what side dishes we were going to be bringing (she was bringing cream cheese filled peppers and I was bringing cantelope and chips).  The great thing about child hood friends is that you can go with out talking  for years and years yet when you see each other you have an instant connection- 
I had followed Lisa on face book for the past several years and knew by both talking to her and by face book that she and her husband had added to their family of 4 (they have 2 biological children) 2 additional blessings- These blessings came by way of an International adoption from China.  We instantly started talking about their adoption story.........we then talked about Ellie's adoption story........As the conversation continued, I learned that Lisa and her husband Daniel felt a very strong calling to adopt one more precious blessing from China-  A little boy with significant medical needs named Bao Gui (pronounced Bow-Way).  As Lisa started describing the situation surrounding Bao Gui I felt a stirring very deep in my heart- As Lisa talked on, I knew that I was supposed to share her story with all of you.......my blog friends-


May God Bless and keep little Bao Gui as he awaits his placement with his Daniel and Lisa as his forever family.........

BELOW IS BAO GUI'S STORY AS TOLD BY LISA:

Bao Gui

I guess it’s really BaoGui’s story and it began long before our family knew of his need, before our hearts were touched by his sweet smile and before we knew we were called to bring him home. He was abandoned shortly after birth, most likely due to medical needs that his birth parents were unable to provide for. After being taken into the orphanage he was placed in a group foster home for children with severe medical needs. Under the care of Morning Star Foundation, BaoGui’s basic needs have been met; but his greatest need remains unmet. He needs a family, a family who will love him and advocate for him. A family that will love him just the way his body was created, but also fight to bring healing to his little body where possible. He is awaiting surgery to reverse the colostomy that he has had since infancy and is also most likely deaf, though we do not have any medical details pertaining to his failed hearing tests.  

Our love for the children of China has grown deeper and deeper as our family has grown. Having adopted two of our children from China (both through waiting children / special needs programs) we know the difference that a family can make in the life of a child who has only known uncertainty and loss. We want to make that difference in BaoGui’s life, but the financial obligations that come with an adoption have kept us from being able to move forward with the next step. We have been approved by China to adopt BaoGui, but we need to complete our dossier in order to apply for his visa and bring him home. Right now we need to raise $2,500 to complete our home study through Holt International. We are praying for families to come alongside ours to make this possible. Each adoption is a miracle and a tangible expression of love. More than mere words, it says, “You are loved. You are special. You are worth more than any earthly treasure.”

BaoGui’s name translates “Precious Treasure.”

Our family has been forever blessed by adoption; I pray that many more families would also be blessed as they join us and become a part of BaoGui’s story.

“But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not

destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Matthew 6:20-21