Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Orphanage and Finding Spot Visit - Wednesday

We have gone back and forth since Monday afternoon when we met Zhenzhen about going back to visit her orphanage and finding spot. We planned to go all along, but seeing the grief in her face made us second guess it. Our guide thought it would make her sad. We finally decided that we would regret not going too much if we skipped it. So, Tuesday at the Civil Affairs Building we told our guide we wanted to go and she made arrangements for the driver and the orphanage director. 

The orphanage is two and a half hours away from Nanjing City where we are staying. We left after breakfast and headed southeast to Wuxi City. Zhenzhen was a little nervous again and she fought against sitting in my lap most of the way. Wuxi City is a very prosperous area, and a brand new orphanage facility was opened in March of this year. We have seen pictures of the older facility, but we were anxious to see the new one. Since the orphanage just opened, the guide and driver had a hard time finding it, but when we pulled it, Zhenzhen knew where we were - she told our guide she was back home. Our guide told her that we were going to visit her friends and nannies and then go back, she was okay with that and underwood. We were met in the parking lot by the Director and taken into the main lobby - which greeted us with a huge LCD screen - this was was state of the art - it was like walking into a first class children's hospital back home - clean and beautifully decorated. When we walked into the lobby, several nannies came right out saying Zhenzhen's name, they scooped her up and we loving on her and she was so happy. We were presented with more gifts - I'll get back to that!


Then the assistant director and Zhenzhen gave us a tour of the facility. It was like nothing that I imagined - how blessed to know that our daughter has been cared for so well, I know this isn't the normal orphanage conditions. We made our way up to the wing where she lived (no pictures were allowed, unfortunately). The rooms were nice and cool from the air conditioning! Her friends had just laid down for nap time, so when we walked in the room about 50 kids heads popped up and looked at us - so many precious children! Zhenzhen went right to her bed - a top bunk and was ready to take a nap! They let us take one picture of her in her bed! There was a little girl in the next bed over that immediately wanted a hug - I hugged this precious little girl and was overwhelmed by the need of these children. 

The wing also has its own classroom - complete with computer and flat screen TV - this was the room that the parties we sent were held. Then a washroom - there was a big bamboo or teak tub where they bathe the children - several western pottys and an eating room! We were amazed!

We were then taken to a room to have lunch with the orphanage director. While we waited the same woman that presented us with gifts when we first arrived was there to say good-bye to us. As I was looking at her, I realized that she was the same woman from the photo album we received on Monday. I had our guide ask her if she made the album, and she did! She is a volunteer at the orphanage that was Zhenzhen's foster mom! I think my heart may have skipped a beat. I thanked this woman, because I know that she loved our daughter and showed her what a real family was like. She presented us with more gifts for Zhenzhen and told us that the flash drive she gave us had music that she dances to and also her email address to stay in touch! She gave me a silk scarf and also gave us a beautiful necklace to give Makenna when she is older. She gave Zhenzhen a thumbs up and said good-bye! She and I hugged and she left - so many answered prayers in that one meeting. I know we will learn more over the years and Makenna shares stories with us, but we were both moved to complete tears for the gift God granted by letting us meet this woman.

After lunch we went outside and took some pictures with the Director and Assistant Director. They took a picture of our family to send to the foundation in Hong Kong that provided Zhenzhen's palate surgery in March. Then it was time to say good-bye - one last good-bye for our brave little girl! She didn't want to leave, but we carried her to the van and she cried on my lap. This time she only cried for a few minutes. 

Our next stop was her finding place at Wuxi People's Hospital. We took pictures outside the building - and by the sign with the hospital name. We also drove by the old orphanage. The guide also wanted to show us Wuxi's large fresh water lake so we topped for more pictures. Then we were done and said we were ready to head back. Zhenzhen said we are going back, too! On the way back to the hotel, she seemed more relaxed, she would sit in my lap and let me kiss her more. She was playing with Baba and let me hold her facing me instead of facing out. She finally fell asleep and let me hold her while she slept. She was happy to be back at the hotel with us, she held my hand without fighting and we went back up to our room!

Today wad an emotional day for all of us, but the memories and things learned are so very worth the short period of hurt. Thank you Lord for answering our prayers today!



Her nannies were so excited to see her!

This is your foster mom - love!!



Her classroom


Her bed


Outside her orphanage

The director and assistant director

Her finding spot

At the lake in Wuxi





















1 comment:

  1. So glad you got to go to her orphanage, and meet her nanny. How cool that they gave you her favorite music. I bet that will help in moments of grieving. I love the picture of Jason and Makenna by the lake. We keep praying!

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