We're in Guangzhou

Hey all, we made to to Guangzhou late on Friday night and to the White Swan about 10:30 pm. It's Sunday afternoon right now and since we didn't want to pay the high cost of internet at the White Swan, we walked down to the Starbucks and are enjoying a caramel machiatto & a mango smoothy on the porch of the Starbucks in the very tropical city of Guangzhou....it's beautiful!! (Sorry no photos today as I left the camera cord in the hotel.) :(

We checked out of the hotel around 2pm and had to wait around in the lobby for Megan's passport. We finally received it at 4:15 and left for the airport. Our flight was late due to thunderstorms but once we were in the air all was good. Megan did wonderfully on the flight, especially once the dinner came and she ate all of her rice plus some of Natalee's. Unfortunately Natalee did not fare as well. She was sitting with Kyle in the row ahead of Megan & I and almost immediately fell asleep. She was saying her head hurt really bad. Once we landed in Guangzhou (1 1/2 half later) she had quite a temperature and was not feeling well at all. I'm so thankful that we met the American doctor with the other agency in Guiyang - he was very willing to check her out once we got to the hotel. The White Swan is about 40 minutes away from the airport and both girls slept the entire way. Once in our room we just let both girls sleep. The night was rough!!! Both Kyle & I were very worried about Natalee! She spiked such a high temperature (silly me did not even bring a thermometer - oops!) and was complaining that her stomach hurt so bad. I was so worried that it was apendicitis. We gave her tylenol and said many prayers.

Dr. John came in the morning to check Natalee out. He said everything sounded good and thought that she most likely picked up a local Guiyang virus. She was in bed all day Saturday with a high fever and not feeling well at all. She started to perk up late afternoon on Saturday and her fever was down to 99.9 (I borrowed a thermometer from another mom). Mom & Megan had to go do the Medical visit alone - it was very hard to leave Nat & Dad in the room alone not feeling well. It's really hard to see your little girl so sick and be so far from home - I know that your prayers, even if you didn't know she was sick - have helped. We met up with the rest of our Bethany families too and they also were praying for Nat.

Medical exam....Megan had to see 3 doctors for the medical reports...ENT - passed no problem....height & weight = 27.2 kg, 97 cm....physical exam the doctor said all looked good but he doesn't think she has had heart surgery. hmmmmm?????? this will be interesting to find out more once we're home. She did so well, not crying at all and was very cooperative.

Back at the hotel we had our noodle lunch and let Mom rest with Nat while Daddy took Megan out and did some shopping and sight seeing on the beautiful Shamian island. It was great that she actually asked to go out with Daddy - isn't that awesome! When they returned we all played in the room for awhile. Then, Megan & Mom were going to go out with the group to Lucy's for supper. However, we had torential rain & thunderstorms which prevented us from going. We waited about 40 minutes and things let up a little so we tried only to go out and get soaked from the flooding in the streets. So...back to the hotel. A few other families & us decided to order pizza from Papa John's which was about a 2 hour ordeal and we didn't even received all the pizza's we ordred. Oh well, it was good and we had good fellowship with new friends.
Natalee was able to join us for pizza and is feeling better - thanks for all the prayers - God is good!

The past two days have been great with Megan! We didn't have any grieving and only a few times of whinning that were not related to normal 3 year old issues. She has been having lots of fun goofing off with Daddy and smiling quite a bit. She is starting to parrot our words and saying some things in English. She will say her name "Megan" but it's not just "megan"...it's "Megan Zhang HuiYi".

This morning I had a meeting for all the finalization of the paperwork for the Consulate appointment...there are mounds of papers so it's wonderful to have our Bethany China Director help us organize all of it and help us...Thank you!. And now...we are enjoying our drinks, updating the blog and will now go shopping!

We hope all is well! Hopefully I'll get a chance to update again before we leave and I'll try to remember my camera cord. Tomorrow (Monday) we have a free day, Tuesday we have Visa appointment and pack up, Wednesday we leave. Wow....it's hard to believe our journey here in China is coming to a close.

Zai jian - talk to ya later!

Only 6 days left - by Natalee

Yesterday was a really cool day. We went to a Miao Village and met some nice people there. We looked through some of their houses. They were not like ours. We played some fun games with them. They were dressed in their traditional costumes. One of the games my dad played with them and he was bopped by some of the girls, which was supposed to happen. When the game ended they took my dad and another Mr. Kysle and Miss Ellen into a small room. They put lipstick all over their faces. The boys were outlined in kisses. My dad looked really weird. Megan was wondering where he went and was glad he came back. The kids got to dance with the people, too. I think my dad may have got some video of me dancing. There was a very hard bamboo game, I didn't try it, but Megan and mommy did. Megan wasn't too sure about it.

Today we are going to fly to Guangzhou. At breakfast we saw our friends Cole, Tian Tian, Miss Beth, and Mr. Kysle. Today is going to be a great day:) I hope I don't go deaf on the plane, like before.
Love,
Natalee

Last Day in Guiyang - Friday, March 27

The sun just broke through the clouds. It has been cooler the past two days, which has felt wonderful to us Northerners. If you have followed the weather on our blog it has said rain, but we only felt a little yesterday at the Miao Village and it was quite tropical and refreshing. Today it is mostly cloudy, low 60's. Forecast for Guangzhou is for rain and thunderstorms the next 2 days. We'll see, rain was in the forecast here, too, but we have had fine weather.

Today Megan is having her best day ever. She woke up well, no grieving. We played games before bath time, and had good breakfast, with a 3 year old mischief. We have come back to the room to pack up, we have a late check out for 2PM local time. We leave for the airport at 4PM, we are still awaiting Megan's passport. We were told it needs to be signed by the governor, but this should not be a problem. We are not concerned, as everything in China waits til the last minute.

Megan has had one brief grief moment as she sees mommy packing, but it was very brief. She has no problems with daddy carrying her today. This is good, because mommy has a very sore back. Megan and Natalee are playing well, laughing and using the Chinese Ling Doll. Megan is teaching Natalee some Chinese. It sounds great, can't understand it, but it is so cute. I hope we can hang on to this language. The girls will have to do some catch up in Chinese class when we get back. Megan said her name today. She prefers the whole name: Megan Zhang Huiyi.

Have a great night, day, evening, wherever you may be. Blessings, kyle.

Our last night in Guiyang

What an incredible day we experienced. We were truly blessed today, we actually are blessed everyday, but somedays you may recongnize it more. I cannot say thank you enough to our new friends; Dr. John & Sandra, Ellen, Gretchen, Beth&Kysle, and guide Jessica. We had a great adventure with you all today to the Miao Village. I cannot wait to see the video of the dancing and games. Kysle, Dr. John, and I at one point had a new bride, but I think we gave back the red scarves, so are no longer committed. Words are hard to express this experience. We will share pictures and video upon our return. Thanks new friends!! Looking forward to the next leg of our trip as we all share the same flight to Guangzhou.

Tonight is bittersweet. Our journey takes another step. We sleep for the last time at this hotel. And tomorrow evening Megan will experience her first airplane ride (Only 1 hour 15 minutes). Megan and I continue to bond. Today I received a hug, not out of affection, but out of keep me safe, which is just as good. I even got to pick her up after her nap, which is the most difficult time for her, to try to bring some comfort. (She mourns the hardest after nap times) I wasn't too successful, but she let me hold her.

Megan loves her sister. They have bonded well. Tonight the girls are playing in bed. They are supposed to be sleeping or at least trying to, but are laughing and goofing on their mom. And tonight, I heard it, for the first time, Megan said, 'da da'. It is soft and sweet. God is so good. I can imagine how He must feel when one of His dear chilren addresses Him, 'da da'. What a great feeling this must be. Tonight at prayer time, Megan did not interupt, like past nights. She listened and at the end, I think she was about to try to say, 'Amen', but couldn't quite figure it out. I am so going to enjoy teaching her about our precious Lord and Savior. What a privilege it is that our God chose Kristin and I to teach this little girl about Him. And she has such a bold personality, I know she will accomplish what He has for her for the Kingdom. Baby steps..............................

What beautiful countryside we saw today. What handiwork of our God. Thank you Lord for giving us the opportunity to witness your beauty!! You are the Great, I AM!!

Blessings to all, as some slumber, and as some get to activities; know our God never sleeps or slumbers - He is doing a new thing (Is. 43:19) With love and prayers, kyle.

Miao Villiage trip

We went to the Miao villiage which was an hour drive south of Guiyang city. The country side along the ride was incredible - photos just don't capture the beauty. These photos are of the lake and fields around the Miao villiage complete with water buffalo. The people were very friendly and welcomed us with a buffalo horn full of rice wine. Our guide told us to make sure we didn't touch the horn or that meant we wanted to drink the entire thing - yikes.

After touring their village we went to watch them perform traditional dances. They invited us to dance with them and then they played traditional games (finding a spouse). Both Kyle & I were involved but Kyle's dance was hilarious! You'll have to see the video!
Natalee thought it was great that Daddy chose a new bride. :) Oh, and she took many of these photos.

There are several different Miao tribes this one is called the "tall hat" Miao and the single point means the lady is married.

Here is Kyle's dance. :) The Miao are a very happy people.

It felt a little like being on "survivor" (my favorite show) it was a great trip and experience! Thank you especially to our new friends Dr. John & Sandra, Beth & Kysle, Ellen and guide Jessica for allowing us to join them on this trip. It was amazing and we enjoyed being able to share it with you all!

Steph - you mentioned that our journey is your new favorite "amazing race" - well it sure has felt like that at times.

The girls just woke up from their nap so I'll have to get going...It's very bittersweet to think that this is our last night in Guiyang. We have enjoyed being able to "be Chinese" in a small part these past 10 days here in Guiyang. Getting to know the people, experience daily life to a point, see the sights, hear the sounds...these are all so important to sharing with Megan her birthcountry. Tomorrow afternoon we fly to Guangzhou to finish the adoption process. We'll meet up with several other Bethany families and do our last bit of shopping. Thanks again for all your support, prayers & comments we love it. Blessings to all, Kristin

Thursday, March 26 - Miao Village

Today we are privileged to get a tour of an ancient Miao Village. We thought we were going to do this the other day, but the cost was too high. We will be touring with another adoption agency's group; the cost is much more reasonable, less than half of what our travel guide was going to charge. The trip will be about 50KM, and take about 1 hour 20 minutes by small bus. (They had room for us and invited us last night at dinner to join them.) This was supposed to be the day we tour the orphanage, but the details for that are still being worked out. Tomorrow is our last day in Guiyang City. We continue to be blessed with wonderful weather. Another high 60's today, with part sun. Our flight to Guangzhou is scheduled for 6:40PM Friday, which is 6:40 AM in Michigan, the same day. Only 1 hour 15 minute flight.

Some quick facts on the Miao People:

• Animists (believe in spirits)
• More than 8 million lost without Christ (89%)
• Trapped by persecuting governments
• Isolated by high mountains
• Only 3 of 80 Miao languages have Scriptures
• Poor and oppressed
• Friendly and hospitable
• Lovers of music, dance, and art
• In need of the Good News

Have a blessed day!!

Kyle, Kristin, Natalee, and Megan Zhang Huiyi

Wednesday - Hebin Park

Big sister & Little sister - these shirts were gifts from a friend and they both look so adorable today. Megan woke up in a good mood today and was giving everyone "high 5's". She's not much for smiling for the camera unlike her sister, but we have had quite a few smiles today and yesterday afternoon. Today we went to Hebin Park near the center of the city. It was a beautiful, peaceful park with lots of flowers, trees and people enjoying the day. Today the weather is quite cloudy and a very refreshing 55 degrees. Daddy carried Megan all day today and she did so well!

The girls rode on their first amusement park ride together. At Hebin Park there are several fair type rides. Megan said she wanted to but once the ride started she wasn't so sure, Natalee liked it though. After the park we walked to the People's Square where there were many flying kites and remote control planes. The Wal**art is located here - it's an interesting building with these two triangle "tops" that you enter into and go under the ground. We couldn't go in because shortly before we got there they had a fire in the store. The tv news crew was there and you could smell the smoke in the air. We then walked trying to find the "bird and pet market" but took a wrong turn. After figuring out our mistake we walked to where we though it was - not sure we really saw it though we did see nice things around the city.

We had our usually lunch of noodles and the girls played for awhile before nap. Megan still grieves alot after waking up from naps. We sure are enjoying the city of Guiyang and spending time with our girls. I just mentioned to Kyle that I'd like to go to Margaritas restaurant for supper....I miss the variety of foods available at home... I guess that will be one of my first meals once home. Hopefully Megan will like Mexican food - the resturant here in the hotel has a "mexican" buffet during the night but let me tell you...it is nothing like the authentic stuff at home and there are some very interesting dishes???

Blessings to all! Zai jian! Kristin

PS - thank you Rachel for your advice on skype... unfortunately the laptop we brought with us is an old one and it doesn't have a microphone built in. :( Bummer...we'll know better next time.