Day #9: A Tearful Goodbye To Jiangxi

You'll notice the absence of Bob and Robby in the picture below! They were smart enough to stay away from the crazy costumes. For some reason, I'm foolish enough to post it on the worldwide web.



We took all of todays photos at the fifteen hundred year old Tengweng Pavilion in Nanchang where we climbed to the top for one final look at Autumn's province, Jiangxi. She asked if you could see "home" from up there, but "home" was two hours away.

Autumn had a really difficult day and was very quiet for most of the afternoon. After Lisa left our room, having just presented us with Autumn's passport, I asked her if she was sad. The dam broke. She just sat on the bed and cried. I held her and prayed out loud over her knowing that only the Lord could comfort this kind of grieving. Lexi joined in on a group hug, then Bob and finally Robby. We all just kind of encircled her and I kept whispering the name of Jesus over her.

We thought pizza might help so we journeyed out to find the famed Pizza Hut in Nanchang. I have to say that I've never enjoyed a pizza more, but Autumn didn't like it one bit. She wrinkled her nose and told us so. We still had one quiet little lady on our hands.

Soon we met baby Mei and her parents, Barbie and Ed, to go to the airport. Upon seeing Mei, Autumn jumped into big sister mode. Barbie and Ed were great about letting Autumn carry her through the airport. That helped a great deal and she loved the plane flight. In fact, we found out that she loves coffee when the stewardess came through with some.

We are now in Guangzhou at the White Swan Hotel which is lovely and will begin the the process of being approved by the U.S. Consulate early tomorrow morning. We were delighted to find that there is a Christian church nearby that we can attend. It is in Mandarin with English translation. Please pray for Autumn this weekend. Ask the Holy Spirit to rest heavily upon her and our entire family for this, her first exposure to our Lord and Savior!

We have been praying with and for her, but she is obviously unaccustomed to all of it. Lisa explained to her that we will teach her how to pray soon. And so we will! Won't you join us in approaching the throne of heaven to prepare it for the presence of the precious voice of Autumn Qiu Yun Gresh?