I received a call on Friday morning from the family adopting Salem letting us know they have received PreApproval from China. The next step for them is to submit the paperwork (dossier) proving they are who they say they are in the initial paperwork (Letter of Intent and Introduction letter). Hopefully they will be able to complete their paperwork quickly.
After learning that the CCAA denied us PreApproval for Salem, I contacted CHI and asked them to please not send her file back to China. I explained to them how deeply we loved her. I told them how she had become a part of a large extended family, including church, work and a community, and the love they feel for her is great. I told them I had asked them to continue to pray for her and for CHI to find a family for her. I asked them to please find a family that will love and cherish her as deeply as we have and would have in the future. I explained to them that I had seen the love that the CHI family has for their children and I want her to be a part of that family. I asked them to please find her a strong Christian family that will teach her scripture and be the support she needs throughout her life. CHI honored every one of those wishes and I will be forever grateful for the love and support I received from them during that time. They were heartbroken for us because of our loss, but the ultimate goal in this whole process was for a little girl to find a forever "family" and that is what has happened.
We have been assured by Salem's family that we will be a part of her life. Our family will have the opportunity to know her. She will at some point in her life know her story. She will know what part we played in her life and how much we loved and cherished the time she spent as "ours" in our hearts. We will continue to love her and pray for her as she grows. She holds a very special place in each of our hearts and the love we have felt for her will never be forgotten and will continue to grow.
To all of those who donated items for the yard sales, bought items in support of our efforts, and donated money to prevent the "vintage couch" from being delivered to your front porch, that money has been forwarded to the family of Qing Zu Qiao. That was money to bring her home, and that is where the funds will be used. We felt very strongly from the beginning that all those funds belonged to her adoption expenses and her family will be using that money to bring her home. Thank you to each one who donated. She will have a forever family partly because of something you contributed.
Salem's family is very excited about their journey to their newest soon-to-be daughter. Please pray for their wisdom, strength, health, guidance, and provisions in order to bring her home soon. They are following a ministry that has been placed on their lives. God has called them to provide a home and family for those in need and we will continue to be supportive of their ministry.
Special prayers for the next step in Salem's life. She has been loved for many months and soon she will feel that love first hand.
