6:00 AM Arrive @ Lambert Airport, St. Louis
8:00 AM Depart for Chicago, IL
9:15 AM Arrive @ O’hara International, Chicago, IL
12:00 noon Depart for Beijing, China
Pray for safe travel, no delays, enjoyable flights.
Pray especially for Kristine and Bethany as this will be there first oversea’s travel experience.
Pray for flexibility and patience when challenges arise.
Thursday, December 8
3:40 PM Arrive Beijing, China
Pray for smooth customs process, no lost luggage, adjustment to time difference, enjoy time in Beijing together. Pray that we would have opportunities as a family to share God’s love and His Gospel with people we meet.
(All of China is 14 hours ahead of St. Louis)
Friday - Saturday, December 9 - 10
Adoption Orientation/Sight Seeing
Pray for rest, enjoyment of Chinese culture as we learn about Joylee’s homeland, comprehension about final legal steps in the adoption process.
Pray for flexibility and patience when challenges arise.Sunday, December 11
Travel to Changchun, Jilin, China (Northeast of Beijing)
Pray for safe flight, no complications, no problems.
Much colder weather, pray for protection from getting sick.
Pray that we would be able to attend worship service together as a family in Beijing before we leave or in Changchun after we arrive. If not, pray for us as we worship together as a family. Pray that we would have opportunities as a family to share God’s love and His Gospel with people we meet.
Pray for flexibility and patience when challenges arise.Monday, December 12
“Gotcha Day” - meet and receive Joylee!
Pray for smooth transition for Joylee from foster care family to her new family.
Pray for quick adjustment to us as her new family, that she would learn to trust us soon and that she would know that we love her and that she is an answer to our prayers. Pray for language barriers to be quickly removed, for our ability to communicate with each other. Pray for a good night of sleep.
Pray for flexibility and patience when challenges arise.Monday, December 12 - Thursday, December 15
Various appointments with Chinese government & Dr.s appointments
Joylee receives her Chinese passport
Pray that each day we begin to get more used to each other, that Joylee would discover the joy of being with her new family, that Bethany would adjust well to having a sibling, that Jeff & Kristine will adjust well to having a toddler around again after such a long time. Pray that there are no complications or problems with any of the paperwork or appointments that Joylee and the Wells family has to go through this week with the Chinese government.
Friday, December 16
Fly from Changchun, Jilin, China to Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
Pray for safe flight with no problems, delays or complications.
Pray for Joylee as she takes her first flight that she would be comfortable and not be crying the entire time. Pray that we continue to grow closer together as a new family. Pray that we would have opportunities as a family to share God’s love and His Gospel with people we meet.
Pray for flexibility and patience when challenges arise.Saturday, December 17
Visa appointment & medical check
Pray that there are no complications or problems with all the U.S. government appointments this week. Pray that Joylee not have any medical issues that would keep her from receiving clearance to travel to the U.S. with us.
Sunday, December 18
Since Joylee is officially a Chinese citizen still, we will not be allowed to go to worship together as a family in China. Pray that we will honor the Lord’s Day together, as a family, in worship together.
Monday - Wednesday, December 19 - 21
Various appointments with US government/Joylee receives her US visa
Pray that there are no complications or problems with all the U.S. government appointments this week. Pray that we would have opportunities as a family to share God’s love and His Gospel with people we meet.
Pray for flexibility and patience when challenges arise.
Thursday, December 22
Joylee receives her visa
(final piece of paperwork clearance before Joylee can leave China)
This is the final hurdle to clear before we can all leave China and head back home. Pray that there is no delay in Joylee’s visa and that everything goes smoothly.
Friday, December 23
Travel by train to Hong Kong
Pray that we have an enjoyable and safe train ride to Hong Kong.
Pray that we arrive on time and enjoy an afternoon of sightseeing and bonding as a family. Pray that we would have opportunities as a family to share God’s love and His Gospel with people we meet.
Pray for flexibility and patience when challenges arise.Saturday, December 24
11:05 AM Depart Hong Kong for Chicago
11:00 AM Arrive @ O’Hara Chicago
2:07 PM Depart O’Hara Chicago for Lambert St. Louis
3:16 PM Arrive @ Lambert St. Louis
We’re Home!
Pray for smooth customs transitions in both China and U.S.
Pray for a good flight from Hong Kong to Chicago (14 hours).
Pray that Joylee does well on the long flight and begins to adjust to the time change for the U.S. Pray that we, as a family, will not be too disruptive of other passengers on the long flight. Pray that there are no delays in Chicago so we can arrive home in St. Louis Christmas Eve afternoon. Pray that Joylee adjusts well to her new home and to our dog, Scrappy.
Pray for flexibility and patience when challenges arise.
Please continue to pray for us as a family to bond together, to learn to love each other more deeply, to recognize and praise God for His blessing of life and the addition to our family. Pray that Joylee quickly adjusts to the time change in the U.S. and that Jeff, Kristine and Bethany get good rest and remain strong and healthy through her time of transition.
