Orphanage Visit

At last! We actually got to travel to Dongguan today! :-)

And it went even better than I had ever hoped for! PTL!!

Our WONDERFUL adoption agency, Holt International, hired a van and driver and sent along one of their interpretters. They wanted us to go on a Sunday morning to hopefully have lots less traffic, since we weren't to be allowed into the orphanage anyway. Phil and I and Joshua went -- Ryan went on a jade and pearl tour instead.

What was predicted to be a 1.75 hour drive there barely took over one hour, there was so little traffic :-).

And the caretaker that had dropped off Joshua with us was walking by the gate when we drove up, so of all the people working there, she knew us! :-) She graciously gave us permission to walk around the outside of the entire compound, which is quite large. And when a delivery of toy basketballs arrived right then for the orphanage, she generously gave one to Joshua. :-) That helped distract HIM from the emotions probably going on for him, and throwing the ball back and forth to various people
was a great interaction tool.

When the little guy was first told where we were going, he acted sad and scared until he was quickly reassured it was only a visit. When we met the caretaker at the gate, he chatted well with her, but refused to go into her arms, and clung to Phil's neck ;-D.

It turns out Guan Yan was a VERY popular little guy at this orphanage! :-) As we walked around the building, various "aunts" and even a foster dad greeted him happily and briefly played ball with him :-). As we finally left and drove around Dongguan before heading back to Guangzhou, he was waving and saying in Mandarin "Bye Bye, Dongguan", over and over again ;-D. I feel in my heart this was a very good trip for him :-).

There was a disposable camera in the bag that came with Joshua that I just got developed. Precious. Foster mom had taken a bunch of photos in various places of herself and Joshua's siblings (foster or otherwise). She also wrote him/us a letter that we're having translated. Joshua was dressed in the Chinese version of snowpants and a winter coat when when got him ;-). He said his aunt had bought them for him? He also had a nice toy car. He also said his foster mom had made rice and fish and cake for him before he left. It sounds like the two were very close, which bodes well for his future attachment :-).

A great day if a steamy, extra smoggy one! Now if he would JUST take a nap ;-D.

THANKS yet again for your continued prayers!