We got to go to the orphanage yesterday. It took a three hour bus ride, but it was a beautiful trip and well worth the time. Along the way to the orphanage, we saw lots or rice fields, we saw an oyster farm, we saw small roads, we saw mountains... True China.
When we arrived at the town she was from, we saw a "small" rural town. The town had about 200,000 people. Pretty small by China standards. A couple of turns later and we arrived at the orphanage. They began a celebration as we arrived. Lots of firecrackers at the front gate. Also at the front gate, there was a red scrool saying "Welcome Back" with each adopted childs name on the scrool. It was very touching and very nice. It was a neat beginning. Once we got off of the bus, we went to a receiption with some fruit and water. After the receiption, we got to tour the entire baby complex. There were 24 children still in the orphanage. Some of these children were elgible for adoption and some were not. We got to see the beds that Lexi and her friends slept in. We got to watch some of the children in the play area. We took lots of pictures (something like 388 pictures that day.) Lexi seemed to be fine with it. But she wanted to be with Karla which made us feel good. Jared made a friend with a child of one of the orphanage staff. They played on the playground. We were even allowed to interact with the children of the orphanage including holding and playing with them.
We were allowed to see all of the paperwork that they had on Lexi. After that we took a few more pictures and then went with the director to a nice lunch. This lunch was put on by the orphanage and was pretty good. They even offered us some ice cold beer. (Very nice by our thoughts!)
After the meal, we took the 3 hour trip back to our hotel and finished the night off with a little shopping.
Pretty nice day, but too stimulating for Lexi... She had a rough night.
When we arrived at the town she was from, we saw a "small" rural town. The town had about 200,000 people. Pretty small by China standards. A couple of turns later and we arrived at the orphanage. They began a celebration as we arrived. Lots of firecrackers at the front gate. Also at the front gate, there was a red scrool saying "Welcome Back" with each adopted childs name on the scrool. It was very touching and very nice. It was a neat beginning. Once we got off of the bus, we went to a receiption with some fruit and water. After the receiption, we got to tour the entire baby complex. There were 24 children still in the orphanage. Some of these children were elgible for adoption and some were not. We got to see the beds that Lexi and her friends slept in. We got to watch some of the children in the play area. We took lots of pictures (something like 388 pictures that day.) Lexi seemed to be fine with it. But she wanted to be with Karla which made us feel good. Jared made a friend with a child of one of the orphanage staff. They played on the playground. We were even allowed to interact with the children of the orphanage including holding and playing with them.
We were allowed to see all of the paperwork that they had on Lexi. After that we took a few more pictures and then went with the director to a nice lunch. This lunch was put on by the orphanage and was pretty good. They even offered us some ice cold beer. (Very nice by our thoughts!)
After the meal, we took the 3 hour trip back to our hotel and finished the night off with a little shopping.
Pretty nice day, but too stimulating for Lexi... She had a rough night.
8 comments:
I'm so glad they allowed to you visit the orphanage. I know you are enjoying your trip but we are excited about your homecoming too.
I can't wait to hear all about your trip to the orphanage. It must have been so special. Glad to here that Lexi did good with it.
When do you leave for Guangzhou? Tell Sissy & Susan hello from us.
Here...we are gearing up for Questapalooza in 3 days. Can you believe it? Leadership retreat was last Friday. It was amazing! Thought you might want to know what's going on back home.
So excited about seeing you all when you return home. Enjoy the remainder of your trip.
Thanks for posting the pictures! I can't wait to log on everyday to see if there is something new.
Kathy, Merle, & Abby
Thanks Laura! We are ready to come home but have to spend 1 more week here in China for all of the offical paperwork to be finished so she is legally ours and legally and American citizen as soon as our plane lands on American soil! Isn't that exciting!!
How are things back in the neighborhood?
Hi Kathy! It was well worth the long bus ride to see Lexi's hometown. We too LOTS of pictures and will share them with you when we return.
I can hardly believe QPZA is here and we are going to miss it! Would you be able to check on Michelle often? She is setting up her food stand and Craig was supposed to be there to help her set up her tent and get tables and everything ready. :( She tells us not to worry and that she will be fine and just have her workers help her, but I want it to be a smooth and enjoyable time for her and I don't want her to stress. I love that girl!
We leave today for Guangzhou and we are soooo ready!!
I think we finally have a quiet member of the Borck family. Lexi seems to have much of the same personality as Abby! I can't wait for them to meet!
Love you guys and give my Quest family hugs for me!!! Karla
Hi Guys,
She is beautiful! We can't wait to meet her! Take Care!
Love You Lots,
Angie Stathis (Ashton & Alyssa)
Since you asked.... Lots of drama in the hood. There have been 3 fires on our block in 4 days. I'll tell you about it when you get home.
OMGosh! Hope things settle down. I am looking forward to coming HOME!!
The pictures are great! It looks like Lexi is fitting right in. We can't wait to meet her in person! Love ya,
Sandy, Aaron, Tyler, and Olivia
Post a Comment