Today was the day we have been looking forward to for a long time – visiting Lia’s

orphanage!  We drove from our hotel to the Sanshui District of Foshan city, about 50 miles.

Once there, we were surprised to see a beautiful town, with wide streets resembling

tree-lined boulevards.  Lia’s orphanage is relatively new and again, we were pleasantly

surprised.  This orphanage cares for only about 20 children. It is mostly used for senior

living.  All the children housed in this orphanage are special needs of some kind.  Lia

stayed there even after her VSD surgery since they still considered her special needs. 

We were saddened at the severity of most of the children.  Only a few are even adoptable

at this time.  Such a heartbreak that was difficult for Lily and Lacy to understand.

Once inside the orphanage, we were treated like very special guests.  The Director, as well

as two of Lia’s nannies, whisked us inside a lovely room with a large table set with bottled

water and many different fruits.  We were honored to be treated as VIP’s on this Sunday

afternoon.  Lia’s initial response to her former life was a bit cool, with furrowed brow.  But

within a few minutes, they had her smiling with her dimples in full view. We were able to

ask any questions we wanted as our guide patiently translated both sides of the table. 

We were then taken upstairs to the room where Lia lived for two years.  We saw her little

crib that still had her nametag in place.  They lovingly handed the tag to us, as this crib

would hold another precious bundle one day soon with a new name and number.  We were

able to pick up the infants and love on them.  Most of them clearly loved the attention and

cooed in our arms.  So hard to put them back down.  In the toddler room we saw mostly

handicapped children.  But they too, had smiles from ear to ear and a couple of caregivers

attended to their needs and waved as we passed by. 

Once our orphanage tour was complete, we had the pleasure of riding over to the local

department store (kinda like a Fred Myer) with the nannies and the Director where we

purchased a washing machine for the orphanage.  A small token to repay the gobs of love

they had given our Lia.  Like a new jet fighter, they promised to stencil Lia Belle Brooks on

the front.  Afterwards we all celebrated with a spin meal at a nearby restaurant.  As the

time came to leave, Lia became fretful, as well as her nannies.  We all hugged and

promised to email and send pictures as Lia grows.  She really wailed in our van for about

30 minutes afterwards then fell asleep in Daddy’s arms.  When we arrived back to the

hotel, she woke-up and quickly inspected all our faces, then walked around the hotel room

making sure all of here play things were still there.  She then became animated and giggly,

like she was now truly home forever.  And, for the first time, she began talking to Lily and

Lacy as if she was ready to share life with her sisters.  This was answered prayer and we

thank the Lord for his wonderful work.

Now we have our U.S. Consulate visit on Monday.   Pick-up Lia’s Visa on Tuesday. 

Head to Hong Kong on Wednesday and back to the U.S. of A on Thursday.  Can’t wait! 

Love you all.  Thanks for your prayer coverage to date and please keep us in pray as we

wrap up and head home.

The Brooks Bunch