Thursday, Sept. 17 ~ Elijah's orphanage and finding spot

Today we went to visit Elijah's orphanage and finding spot. We had to drive about an hour to get to the orphanage. For an orphanage, it was nice. The director was pleasant and seemed to care about the kids. The nannies in Elijah's room were great with the babies. I asked and was told that they stay in with the babies all the time. At Abbey's orphanage, the nannies rotate, so the kids will not attach. Elijah wasn't too keen on the director, but he loved the nannies. One in particular, he kept going to. He also interacted with the other children. At one point, he took a toy and walked over and gave it to another child. We got a picture of him doing this. He went to the nannies, and then just as happily, came back to us. We did not go into the part with the older kids. They were doing a procedure on a child with club feet in the infant room. The director said that children from other orphanages were brought here for treatment. There was a hospital and retirement community all on the same campus.

Our family with the director of the orphanage

With the little girl whose crib was next to his. Her papers have been sent in for adoption. When we walked in the room, it was very apparent that they were special friends. They both started to giggle and "slap" hands. As they must have done, between the bars of their cribs.

His empty crib

Elijah giving a toy to a little boy

Going to his favorite nanny

Then, we traveled to the town where he was found. This part of our day was very somber to me and John. The area was surrounded by extreme poverty. I've never seen anything like it in the U.S. His finding ad said that he was found by a taxation office by a river. The river was stagnant and polluted with trash. I can imagine his parents really not being able to take care of him. It was a difficult moment for me. On the one hand, I know that he will have a much better life and more opportunities, but on the other hand, parents lost a son; a beautiful, healthy, intelligent son. I have to rest that God has a plan for Elijah to be raised by us. It was quite emotional for me, and I found myself blinking back tears of sadness for his parents.

The tax office signFinding spot

Another view of the finding spot.

Housing near finding spot

Rice fields near his finding spot

Our travels today took us into little visited places of China, and I'm grateful to be able to see glimpses into what Elijah's life would have been like. It was extremely interesting to see inside the real China.