Dear Host Kids,
Five of our 17 host kids on the van headed to the airport!
You have started quite possibly the longest journey of your lives. You are excited, and scared, and happy, and anxious. How will it feel to fly? What will America look like? What will my host family be like? Will there be lots of kids there? Will they have any pets? Will I like any of the food?
While your heads are spinning with questions, so are ours! Will he feel comfortable in our home? Will we be able to communicate with him? Will she like the Chinese recipes that I have been practicing? Will she be OK in a bedroom alone, or would she rather share with her host sister? Will we be able to find his forever family?
This is just a quick note to let you know that even though there are so many unanswered questions between us, we are ready for you! We are excited for you! You are so very much wanted, and so many people have been working together for months to make sure that you have an amazing trip! We have been praying for you, dreaming of you, envisioning you, and preparing both physically and emotionally for you. And the time to meet you is finally {almost} here!
It will take some time to get used to things here, but know that we will be with you to show you everything you need to know. We will be with you through the scary, and the sad, and the confusing, and the fun! And all we ask in return is that you not only have fun, but that you learn from us. Learn from your host siblings¦.learn how to play¦.learn how to be a part of a family¦.start to learn how to let your guard down, even if only a little bit. And while you are busy learning and having fun, we know that it will be us who will learn the biggest lessons from you. Lessons in courage, lessons in humility, lessons in love.
So safe travels sweet ones, and rest up, knowing that there are so many of us ready to welcome you with open arms.
Love,
Your friends, and family, at Madison