Stranger anxiety a breath of fresh air

The last two days we have been in Maoming at the orphanage here.

It has been balm to the soul.

The kids are still orphans and there are still heart breaking cases but it has been so different.  For one, the nanny/child ratio is 3-4 nannies per 15-20 children...much improved on the 1 to 20 ratio we saw a day earlier.  The nannies could thoroughly answer questions and it was refreshing to see the children have stranger anxiety and hide behind their nannies.  Many past adoptive families sent updates back so the nannies could see how the kids were doing in their forever families.

We had a very busy day yesterday (Tuesday).  It was like working at the pediatrician's office again (complete with a full waiting room and a doctor running behind).  To say we were tired at the end of the day could quite possibly be an understatement.

Many of the kids we saw had the usual diagnoses:

Down syndrome
Cleft palate
Mental delay (which can have a variety of titles)
Heart disease

The list could go on but that is what we saw the most.  Our translator in the morning was less than helpful and more concerned with being on her phone than anything.  I thought the doctor was GOING TO LOSE HER MIND!

Of all the stations to have an out to lunch translator - medical is NOT it.  Fortunately we were able to get a different translator for the afternoon.  Medical things in general are hard to translate so much got lost in translation but we were able to make due.

We did see one pretty sick little heart baby who ( and I am not exaggerating) was blue.  If the doctor had had her way she would have gone straight to the hospital but that isn't necessarily how things work in China nor in an orphanage.  We are hoping the local foster care center will take her and get her help but we aren't sure if treatment will be in time.  Please pray that this sweet baby can know love in her lifetime and if it God's will that she will get the treatment she needs before her heart is too damaged.

That baby threw a little bit of a monkey wrench in the afternoon but we got through the rest of the kids (33 in all yesterday).  My roommate and I went to KFC last night for dinner.  It was what you would expect from a KFC but I didn't have to eat with chopsticks so you'll hear no complaints here.

Today we returned to Maoming ( minus our morning translator - who I can't say I was sorry to see go). We saw a handful of sweet cuties today before lunch.  After lunch and rest-time (everyone takes a rest) we walked around the block (not sure what you call it here) and visited a couple a private family foster homes.  An empty - nester couple is sponsored by Lifeline through Maoming orphanage to take 4 orphans into their home and care for them.  It was fun to see a couple of these homes.  The kids were darling and were thriving.

The last two days have been busy but rewarding.  We are done seeing kids and all the information and  thousands of pictures will be/ have been sent back to the states to add to the files of children waiting to be adopted.  (Not all of the pictures will be added - that may be a bit overwhelming)

We leave Maoming in the morning to travel back to Guangzhou, do some shopping (pray I can find a spoon to add to my collection and make quick gift decisions.). We will have dinner and spend one more night here in China before departing for home Friday.

I'm sure shopping will be an adventure so I will try to post about that tomorrow before I call it a trip!

Thank you for praying for me.  I appreciate everyone's love and encouragement.