Emotional Day

Today we left at 7 am for a 5 hour ride to Guilin.  I know I've mentioned it a number of times before, but our guide, David, rocks.  It is easy to see his true love for the children, and has helped tremendously making Chun's adjustment go as well as it has.
We started out by visiting the SWI, and talking to the supervisor who remembered Chun.  I found out that she was only there until she was about 4 or 5, and then spent another period of time there later on.  I was allowed to walk around outside and take some pictures, not inside, but not sure if that is b/c it was so long since she was there, or if it was just their policy.
Next we drove to Chun's school..even though school is not in session for the summer,we were allowed to go in and her classroom door was open, so I got to take some pictures of her inside.
Our next stop was to a local noodle shop for lunch.  Guilin is known for their rice noodles.  I have to admit that I prayed hard for favor of not getting sick..using local bowls and chopsticks and food.  God is good, no issues, and noodles were delicious and very spicy!
Then, were back in the car, for the main reason of the trip..a visit with Chun's foster family.  Hearing Chun's screams of delight, will be in my brain forever.  She kept asking if she could make this trip, so that we could all meet each other, and for her to see her 2 best friends one last time.  We were greeted not only by her foster mom, but by her foster sisters, her aunt, her teacher (who loved her lots) and her best friend, her foster brother and foster mother.  We spent the next several hours, gaining insight into the last year of Chun's life (sadly, she was only with this foster mom for a little less than a year) and sharing many tears of happiness and gratefulness with each other.  The immense gift this was to us all, is beyond words.  I took lots of photos, and her best friend's mom asked me to help find families for her 2 children (of course, Chun asks everyday for us to adopt her one friend :)  We promised to keep in touch and send pictures, and continue to let Chun call home.  Her fm asked if she could call me sister..it is my privilege!
On the way back, our guide took us to see a little of Guilin, he wasn't aware of my request to stay overnight..think it was his boss who nixed the idea!!  It is beautiful there, and will do my best to make it back to visit.  Was taken to the "elephant trunk" but due to all the heavy rains the past few weeks, it is underwater :(  Grateful just to have a glimpse.
Our ride back was very emotional, to say the least.  Several episodes of hard crying, so understandable, and my heart broke and cried with her.  She is worried about her friend, about being able to call home (which we have told her several times, would be ok, if she asked) and about learning a new language, foods, etc.  All so  normal, and I just keep assuring her as best I can.  Told her none of her siblings have starved, and they all learned the language,it will just take a little time.  We arrived "home" at almost 11, exhausted in every way.  Too much more to post.  But here are some pictures of the day.

We arrived "home" at almost 11, exhausted in every way.  Too much more to post.  But here are some pictures of the day.