Surgery!

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

We will enjoy our feast on Saturday, if He wills, as this week we continue on at school. 

I've enjoyed a marvelous birthday with so many loving well-wishes from far away, precious cards from my students and colleagues, flowers from parents, SKYPE visits and a precious gift from my parents, dozens of kisses from my kids, and the most creative card from my dear husband, ever.

If the day could have possibly gotten better...it did...

Qian Qian received his first surgery!  His lip is now closed!

I will have pictures in a few days as I plan to visit him in the hospital soon.

Finally as he nears 10 months of age, his mother is looking on his changed face for the first time this morning!  All went perfectly well, and our local helpers were truly touched by the results of all their efforts.

I was further delighted to hear that Qian Qian's father, who if you remember had abandoned the mother as she would not give up Qian Qian because he saw the situation as hopeless, traveled to our city (many, many hours by train with no seat)...to see the miracle for himself.  They were reunited as a family at the hospital yesterday!

We are in awe of His mercy and the privilege of watching this healing.  What a beautiful way to remember this Thanksgiving.  We will continue to lift up Qian Qian's family as they begin a new chapter together. 

He will be cared for in our city for the next several months as we continue to "fatten him up," so that we can send him in the Spring to meet the Medical M team in Kunming and have his palate closed.  

Continue to lift up his family as they live very simple lives with a meager existence.  We hope that the day will come in the not too distant future, when they can return to live on the land as farmers in their home province, as generations of their people have done before.

Must rally the troops for school!

May your hearts be full of Thanksgiving today and everyday for all He has done!