Yesterday was definitely the longest day of our time in China, partly because of the long 2 hour each way bus trip to the Baoan Children's Welfare Center, and partly because of the emotional drain to see where our daughter has spent her entire life.
Along with the other adoptive families, we boarded the bus at 8:30 and, after a 30 minute stop to draw blood for the TB tests, we began the trip to Shenzhen.
The scenery of the trip was a seemingly endless string of 30-40 story apartment buildings. As I look out the window I try to imagine where everyone works and how they spend their free time, and I just cannot do it. They just go on and on and on...
We arrived at the orphanage at around 11:30 and were greeted with smiles, gifts and bottled water by the staff. Shortly, we entered and were shown classrooms, the play area, and the general grounds. The other families were greeted by foster parents and teachers, and we began to wonder if anyone really took notice of Wren or gave her special attention. Shortly after, her teacher came over to talk. Wren smiled at her and was friendly. The teacher told us that Wren was actually put into isolation for a month a second time for her skin rash. Prior to the second stint she was making progress but the isolation set her back again and she was sent back to the special focus classroom upstairs.
We then realized that there were NO kids to be seen anywhere, despite the fact that several hundred call Baoan home. We were ushered past a small dark room of about 20 sleeping tots, but that was it! No one ever told us why the kids were kept out of sight, except that our guide suggested that some of the older kids could be traumatized by outside visitors and would question why they were not "chosen." Nevertheless, the experience was eerie and we did not feel like we really were able to glean anything about what her life has been like for the last 2 years.
We then were escorted to a room with two large round tables and then the food started coming. The feast was anything like we had seen thus far. This was real Chinese food that did not resemble anything we ever ate in America.
I was expecting to travel back to Guangzhou when we left, but our guide Richard told us we were going to have time to visit the "finding spots" for some of our kids. After stopping at a bus station where one family's child was found, we went to the Songgang People's Hospital to see where our sweet girl was abandoned.
The hospital was swarming with people much like shopping malls would be on Thanksgiving weekend. People, noise...so much to see. One of the other kids was left beside a basketball court on the hospital grounds, and when our guide asked where the court was located, an employee pointed to a large hole in the ground surrounded by construction vehicles. This part of the child's history was totally removed.
I look at several young girls among the crowd, and wonder what Wren's birth mother looks like and if there was some infinitetesimal chance she could be there. We take the elevator to the second floor to see where she was left on the day she was born. People are still swarming and I realize that Wren was probably not there long before she was found. Our somber mood seemed to intensify. I try to empathize with her birth mother and the decision that she made, but I just can't seem to understand the desperation that she must have felt. I have to tell myself that Wren was left there because her birth mom felt it was Wren's only chance to have a good life. I will keep telling myself that for a long time and I pray that it is true.
Leaving to head back to Guangzhou, I again gaze out at the endless apartment buildings full of people. I look down at my beautiful new daughter and her loving mom who will never leave her...a new mom that will die for her. I am so happy we will be able to teach our little girl about Jesus and give her the opportunity to learn about the person of Jesus. I am grateful she will have the opportunity to say yes to him and to tell others, and today I pray that she will make that decision for herself one day.
Entrance of orphanage
Courtyard of orphanage
The feast!
The "finding spot"
Great story! Thanks for sharing with us. I felt like I was traveling along with you as you told the story. It seems so important that you understand the things that Wren has been through and I am really impressed with the thought that the adoption agency put into giving you all insight into the journey Wren's been on so far. It's especially encouraging to see how she's opening up to you all! I look forward to meeting her when you all return.
ReplyDeleteLove bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.