I promised that I'd give a better update about our trip to Xuzhou yesterday. I'll do my best to get most of it done here during nap time. We'll see how I do. Both kids definitely are in need of sleep, and they're both sawing logs for now, but I'll be surprised if it lasts long. Please pray for both of our children. Luke is pretty sick. His cough is getting worse. Last night was horrid for the two of us as I was up pacing the floor with him most of the night. Hope is over-tired and it is catching up with her. She's also starting to feel some jealousy when it comes to sharing her parents with her little brother. I know this is normal big sister stuff, but it is still hard.
Anyway, here is the scoop from yesterday. We we're up early and had a pretty quick breakfast before meeting Nancy in the lobby to head to the train station. We were given a choice between renting a van for the day or taking the "fast" train. Well the train was cheaper and faster. What would've taken 4+ hours in a van, took us an hour and a half. AND, who doesn't want to try a ride in a bullet train. It was pretty cool.
Here we are at the train station...
When we arrived in Xuzhou, we took a taxi to the orphanage. It was about a 20 dive through the city to get there. Funny story...our taxi driver missed the turn into the SWI. So naturally he did what anybody else would do, he stopped right there on the highway, put the car in reverse, and backed up to the driveway. Seriously! Sometimes it is so scary to be a passenger in China. In the cities there are pedestrians, bikes, and scooters ALL over the roads. There just doesn't really seem to be any rhyme or reason to it. But that is a whole different post. For now I'll get back to the SWI visit.
So, we arrived at Xuzhou SWI at about 11:00. We had some short introductions and then were given a tour of the current facility. The children were eating lunch, so I got to feed Luke in his old playroom with all of his friends. I think they said the dish was sort of a thick congee with fish mixed into it. Ms. Tang (assistant director) also ordered a nice bowl of noodles for Hope to eat with the children. Everyone was so gracious. After the children were through eating, Hope was allowed to go around the room handing out some animal crackers we'd brought along. It was very sweet. There was one little boy who thought they should all be his though. LOL There is one in every crowd. :)
We've Arrived
Lunch With Friends - I felt pretty good about a couple things that happened while we were in the room here. I think Luke has definitely started to bond with us. He kept a pretty close eye on his sister as she wondered around the room. Also, he turned down a nanny when she reached for him. He wanted to stay with Mommy. And, we notice him checking in with us if he falls, or needs attention for something. There is a definite preference for Mom over Dad right now, but we made some good progress in that department today, too. I'll have to blog more about that later.
This was Luke's crib. He did not have a cribmate, but we did learn that he has lots of friends, and that he especially likes the girls. Apparently he liked to kiss them. :) We were able to take some pictures of the other children so we'll be able to share with Luke about all his wonderful friends there.
Copies of the Abandonment Paperwork (This is Nancy on the left and Ms. Tang on the right)
Luke was found here on these rocks at the entrance by one of the orphanage workers on his way in one morning.
After our short tour, Ms. Tang and some of the office workers treated us to this phenomenal lunch.
Everything was wonderful. Ron got some attention because he did well with his chopsticks.
I had some emotional moments at the restaurant because we were able to interview the workers with some questions I'd written down. The biggest gift we'll have for Luke is that we were able to take video of some of the conversation. We also asked them if they wanted to record a message that Luke could hear when he got older, so we have some priceless video messages for our son. He was so loved. We let the workers hold him and play with him a bit when we were done eating. I know, I know...attachment...BUT they were so wonderful with him, and I think they should have the chance to say goodbye. My tears started flowing, which of course caused some concern for Hope, but I couldn't help it. What wonderful people these men and women are who care for these children with such love and tenderness.
When we got back to the orphanage after lunch, this is what we saw...
We were also given the chance to walk around the grounds a bit to see the new facility they are working on. The children are set to move into the new building in September. It looks like it is going to be quite the place. They will definitely have more room. I asked Ms. Tang how many children they care for, and she said there are currently about 200 in the SWI and another 300 in foster homes. Those numbers shocked me! I would never have expected those numbers to be so high. She also said that a new baby was found and arrived at the orphanage just yesterday morning before we got there. I wish we could've brought them all home.
To see Luke's home for his first year of life was truly a gift. The trip to the SWI was one we had some reservations and mixed feelings about, but we are so glad we went. We were introduced to wonderful people and were able to thank them in person for caring for our sweet boy. For that reason alone, the trip was worthwhile. The bonus is that we were able to document some of our son's story and we feel so blessed to have had such an opportunity.
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