He was supposed to arrive in January, this 8-year-old superhero who wheeled his way into our hearts when China re-opened orphan hosting this fall. 🦸🏻‍♂‍
And then, because of issues with passports and appointments and embassies and bureaucracies, his hosting trip was rescheduled for February.
For the last month, our team has been preparing hearts and homes and beds and business cards, scheduling appointments with doctors and therapists and photographers and businesses generously opening their doors and services to a little boy who has never known the love of family. This sweet face already had a mental spot at our dinner table, and all four superheroes couldn't wait to love on a boy who had no concept of "ge ge" and "di di," because in real life, he had neither.
But, after airlines cancelled his flight from Beijing last week, we received the official notice from our hosting agency.
Because of the coronavirus, a virus that actually began in Superhero 4’s birth city of Wuhan, China (see our blog about our week in Wuhan here – because truly, this gem of a city is so much more than just the epicenter of a virus), Harry’s trip (as well as most flights from China to America) has been canceled.
The kiddos expected to arrive in D.C. last night will now remain instead at their home orphanage, where their files — already ready for any family to adopt them — will remain without updates.
Without new medical information.
Without the photos and videos and stories of little treasures who now hide behind old and outdated files that don't allow their true personalities to SHINE. 🌟
Although we would never want to put this sweet superhero at risk by asking him to board a plane in a country where a SARS-like virus is running rampant, our team is nonetheless heartbroken over this news. Though we've never met in person, Harry already had a very special place in all our hearts.
One that we're not just willing to abandon now.
China is dealing on a large scale with a virus that has now affected more than 20,000 victims worldwide.
And inside those borders, one little boy is dealing with a condition far worse than being a virus victim.
Being an ORPHAN.
A virus might change Harry’s travel plans, but it doesn’t change his circumstances, his condition or his NEED.
The country of China needs a treatment for coronavirus.
And Harry still needs a HOME.
We might not be able to host this sweet 8-year-old boy in our HOME, but that doesn't mean we can't host him with our advocacy HEARTS. And it doesn’t mean we still can’t be his voice and tell his story.
We've asked the hosting agency to plead with the orphanage to send us any updated photos and videos that they can, as well as any stories or descriptions that might help us better tell Harry's story. Although we’ve not yet received any additional information, we’re not afraid to keep begging for such information until they either block our emails or get annoyed enough to send us what we need to tell his story. 🤷‍♀‍
Because clearly, death by too-many-words and email-overload is how we roll. đź‘Š
In the meantime, let’s be praying for these children.
Let’s be praying for their home country.
And let’s be praying that the helplessness that an entire nation is experiencing right now might open their eyes and hearts to the helplessness that these orphaned children feel every. Single. Day.
Thank you so much for all your love, prayers and support for this little boy we all already love.
Let’s keep fighting for the ONE ... until Harry’s story changes. ❤️
#changeharrysstory