Monday, Chin Clan Temple

Adoption can be very hard at times.  Today was the hardest adoption day we have ever been through.   A lot of discussion, a lot of tears.  Support from our other kids and words of wisdom from one of our sons and daughter in law.   It was a hard day but in the end we know that God is in control.

Maybe some day we can share the details but not for now.

Today we visited one of our favorite spots in Guangzhou "the Chin Clan Temple"  This started out as a place for the Chin family to gather.  It later became a place where students could stay while in the area learning.  It has been an art school and is now basically a history museum.  The grounds have beautiful buildings with wonderful art and furnishings.

Entrance to Chin Temple

The intricate art work is amazing to see.

The kids are getting along great.

check the detail of this on a wall.

and this at the roof line.

This is an amazing place.

This is so detailed.

This is one panel of a series of doors made of carved sandalwood. 

The kids with a Bonsai tree

Statue titled selling leechees. (SP) 

Beautiful ivory carving.

some apartments behind the temple.  Just China Life.

The next stop was to a Tea Ceremony.   On the way there we walked through a village market and passed a lot of vendors.   David stopped and purchased some Leeches for us in the market.   Maria loves these and have enjoyed them nearly every day at breakfast.

walking through the market with all the locals.

David buying leechees

the local meat market.

Back to the Tea Ceremony, not much ceremony about it just a lady making tea and pouring into cups.  They served some Dim Sum that was pretty good.  They talked about the different tea's and let us sample it.  The lady is a music teacher and plays an old style string instrument.  I never could get the name in English.  She played beautifully and afterward showed Maria and Josh how to play too.

tea ceremony  The tea was good.

enjoying the fruit from the market.

Some dim sum to go with the tea.   Some interesting tastes here.

Music Time:

beautiful music

the kids watching the music.  Hannah loves music.

Maria learning to play

Joshua playing

time to say goodbye 

Then we were back to the hotel (as usual). These guides don't keep us out very long each day usually about 3 hours and they want to take us back.  Today Robin wanted to get her hair trimmed too so we went back to the salon where they took good care of us.  David then showed us a restaurant where we could have dinner.   He marked up a menu for us selecting some great items.  We went back and had a wonderful dinner. 

After dinner Hannah had a hard time of grief.   She cried and called for Mamma but the mamma she wants is her primary care giver at the orphanage.   Very hard to watch her go through this and to try and comfort her.   Adoption can be very ugly at times.  Today was VERY HARD in so many ways.  but we will get through and survive.  Adoption can also be a visual glimpse of the gospel.  This trip we have seen both sides.  So much that we would like to say but just can not at this point.