A Son and a Brother

Before we ever went to China, we discussed what it might be like to raise a teenager that had never lived in our home (or in any home).  We had many hopes and dreams, many fears and uncertainties.  We hoped for him to assimilate well into our family.  We hoped he would learn quickly.  We hoped he would be happy in America.  We hoped he would like having us as his family.  We hoped he would be happy to be adopted.  We hoped for many, many things.  But, we often said, the one and only thing we could really hope for and that would be the most important, above all else, is that we hoped he would come to know his Maker as his personal Lord and Savior.

Well, friends, our greatest dream has come true.  Who would have ever thought it would happen so soon, less than 5 months after being adopted.  While still learning a new language, learning to adjust to a new home, new family, new food, new country, our God has become His God.  Our Father has become his Father.  We not only have a new son, we also have a new brother in Christ.

Jian has told us that on his own, a while back, after reading "the blue book" (a Chinese Bible given to us by a friend), he asked Jesus into his heart while in bed one night.  Because he's used to being independent and not having people care about him, he didn't realize this was a big deal and something we would want to know!  We're so thrilled that God has answered our prayers.  In a much bigger way, and much sooner than we could have ever imagined.

At least weekly (and often more), Jian tells us, "I didn't know about God before, when I was in China, no one taught me about God, but, now I know He is real."  And, today, he took communion for the first time, and was able to explain what it meant and what it symbolizes.  What a special day.  What a mighty God we serve.