Silent Tears

Just finished reading this book called "Silent Tears", by Kay Bratt. It is a MUST read for all of you adoptive parents of China children. I would also like all my friends who are considering adoption, to also read this book. It will give you a new understanding of what these children we are now loving, could have faced before they were put in our arms. Kay spent over 4 years volunteering in a Chinese orphanage. She writes down what she witnessed while there, and how it affected her. Also, how she tried to love these children and show them some compassion in their bleak world. She was also able to make some small changes in the way they were cared for, and helped many get some necessary surgeries.

Please read this if you have the chance. It is at times hard, but it has given me a new appreciation for my daughter, and the challenges she may have faced early on. I feel so blessed that God picked her, to rise above it all, and be placed in our family. I still believe Ellie was in a "good" orphanage, but some of the things Kay describes in her book, probably go on in most orphanages, just due to the lack of time, workers, and because of some Chinese customs.

I can't say that I could adopt again, but after reading this book, I really feel like I need to do more. So watch out, all you friends of mine, who have ever even mentioned adoption to me, because I'm going to be praying hard that God uses you to accomplish His will in a child who so desperately, just needs to be loved and wanted.

One more thing.....the title of the book is very telling. I also used those words to describe the first time I saw Ellie. "For the first few moments, she stood there, silent, as big crocodile tears streamed down her cheeks". I can only imagine how many other times in her first 14 months of life she cried those same quiet tears, trying to console herself in her small, lonely world.

On a happy side note, I am sooo proud of my boys!! They both chose to be baptized this last Sunday.......following God's command to do so.