3/25/04

Yesterday we visited your first home,Huazhou City. We were allowed by the Chinese unit to visit your orphanage. Three families, along with Henry (HOPE guide) and Kevin (photographer) took a six hour bus ride, one way – on the way we stopped in Mao Ming for lunch where we were joined by Henry’s mom. Arriving into Huazhou I felt very nervous, just knowing that someone out there knew you but didn’t know the new life you had begun. We asked a local to show us the to the orphanage – the streets were narrow with many people & shops along the way. Once we headed in the orphanage I started to cry. The world felt so insignificant. The building had about six stories, half were for the elderly and half for the children. We were met by the Director and Assistant Director, along with a previous Director and two other orphanage staff. They took us to a meeting room ~ The halls were very clean and quiet, the room was large and beautiful. There we were given fruit and water as we presented our gifts to the Director. Afterwards they took us up to the third floor. We saw your playroom, although at that time no children were there. We took a few pictures of the room and the city new. Huazhou was about 600,000 residents, and appeared to be working class and somewhat run-down. The next room we saw was of some babies there were 37 cribs in rows, with stainless steel bars. All the babies were around 9-11 months and healthy looking. They slept on boards and each had a nice, warm blanket. We all took some pictures but it took every ounce of my being to not sob. Even though the babies were being taken care of, it was so sad. All of us wanted to scoop up more babies to take home with us. I’m not sure how many of those children will ever make it into a home, but I pray whatever happens they will have a happy life. Jenna, I’m not sure how difficult this will be for you to read, but I am so thankful you are with us. I cannot imagine you living there until you could make it on your own. Both of our destiny didn’t have it planned that way, however. God knew exactly where you needed to be. Us together, our family, forever. We are now complete.

Leaving the orphanage was difficult, and once my tears started flowing I just could not stop. One of the directors, then, did our family a life-long memory. He boarded the bus and pointed the way to the Great-Wall Hotel where you were found by a female employee. The bus stopped and we took many, many pictures. Pictures of the hotel, the street, the people walking by. I wanted you to know as much as possible about your culture, your heritage and your background. I want you to know where you came from, and be proud. Whoever had enough love and courage to give you over to a potential life of happiness & prosperity must be remembered. Even though her face will never be known, yo, as her legacy will. Always be proud of your background, Jenna.

I spent a few hours of the bus ride home reflecting on all we saw and cried a lot. The countryside was beautiful, and I saw the insignificance of my life, and its trials. The people of China are very hard workers and live off so little, but are so content in life. My heart has so much to learn from them. My vow is to teach you as much as I possibly can about your country of birth, the chinese people and their culture. It is who you are, and will significantly contribute to who we will become as a family. I love you so much, Jenna.

Mom