Just to catch everyone up since we did not get to post yesterday, Dale suffered the wrath of Mu Shu after some adventurous dining. Thankfully we have meds with us that our doctor prescribed in the event of traveler's diarreah. Just a few doses and he was almost back to normal. He's teading lightly this morning and being a bit more cautious until he feels 100% again.
Yesterday we were surprised to find that Minqi's mom's (Li Quan) boss (we called him Uncle Jiang) would accompany us, along with Minqi's mom, friend Elan, and our drive Uncle Cheng to Lin'An Social Welfare Institute where Olivia spent her first year. He is very knowledgable of the area and visits the SWI at least once each year to take assistance to the staff there. Lin'An is about an hour outside Hangzhou and the scenery along the way is beautiful and interesting. We saw terraces cut into the hillsides where tea is cultivated, rice paddies, and lush greenery. The area is a bit mountainous, too big to call hills, but not really steep mountains. (Uncle Buck, Olivia thought you would like the drive, especially up to the SWI because that part was a little like the road to your house).
When we arrived at Lin'An SWI we were greeted by Director Zhang, a seemingly proud and quiet individual. We were served hot tea and invited to sit down while Olivia's paperwork was retrieved for us to view. We were allowed to take pictures of her file, which was slim, just like she was when we met her. Afterward we were allowed to visit the infant room where Olivia had stayed until we came for her. The caregiver stated that she remembered Olivia, that she had been quite ill shortly before we came to get her, but that they were not too worried about her since there was "an American doctor in our group who would see after her."
In this room there were 5 babies, all but one with an obvious physical impairment. Olivia and Abigail talked to them, held their hands, and tickled their feet. It was touching for me to see how my girls responded to the babies and wanted to play with them. We had brought bubbles and beads to make bracelets with the older children but Dir. Zhang indicated that that would not be possible at this time due to the health of the older children. We were told that there are 53 orphans and 27 elderly in residence. The beautiful quilts that were made by the women's quilt group at First Baptist were graciously received and will be put to good use this winter. They were very appreciative of these gifts. (Thank you, ladies! we were very proud to have these to offer).
Following our visit to Lin'An SWI Uncle Jiang took us to a nearby farm for lunch. In Lin'An there are no official restaurants, but the local farmers open their farms for visitors to dine. It was INCREDIBLE to say the least. We were escorted to a private dining room with a balcony over the fish pond. Everything was prepared fresh and grown right there on the farm organically. In the middle of the table there was a huge lazy susan on which dish after dish was placed for everyone to enjoy, Chinese style. When you want something from across the table you simply turn the lazy susan until you can reach what you want. Some of the dishes we tasted were turtle soup, fish stew, chicken stew, pumpkin seeds, steamed baby bok choy, snow peas, Chinese cucumber, potato cakes, burnt rice (delicious), Chinese lettuce, and sugared tomato. Everything was delicious! There was so much we couldn't eat it all. Their hospitality again was overwhelming.
During our lunch Olivia experienced her first "squatty potty." I meant to take a picture of it so those of you who don't know what I'm talking about would understand. I'll try to take a shot of one later. She was a trooper. I was impressed with her skill. :o)
Following our wonderful meal we drove back into Hangzhou to visit West Lake where we took a boat across the water to the island. The weather was perfect and beautiful. The flowers on the island were simply georgous and fragrant. Abigail kept saying how much grandma would love to come here and see the roses and lilies. It was a beautiful experience.
It was so nice to have Elan along with us to translate, though I think Li Quan's English is quite good. We will always treasure the time we had with them today and remember the beautiful hospitality that was shared with us. Lin'An SWI is being relocated later this year and we are thankful we were able to visit before that took place. A lot of questions were answered and it was good to see first hand where Olivia began her life.
Please everyone, continue to pray that we will have a safe journey. We leave tomorrow for Beijing and we will be sad to leave Minqi's family and Olivia's home town behind. But we will be closer to our Benjamin, so we have that to look forward to.
Love to all,
Dale, Carmen, Abigail, and Olivia
COMMENTS FROM FRIENDS AND FAMILY:
*Glad you are having such a wonderful time. It sounds like a beautiful place. I am so glad you are sharing your experience with us. Happy, happy thought coming your way!!
Posted by: Jennifer Jorgenson on May 10, 2010 at 05:54 P.M.
Carmen,
Just have to tell you I think Olivia looks like you. Sounds like ya'll are having a great time. Hope Dale feels better soon. We saw "squatty potties" while in Taiwan. Fortunately we never had to try one, usually they also had western potties in the same bathroom. Tony and I are planning on moving to Taiwan in October for atleast a year. One of the things I can't wait to do is to take Kiaya to visit the orphanage. I can't wait for the caretakers to see how well she's done. Plus I want her to see where she spent her first 20 months.
Take care and have fun!
Praying for you guys!
Keturah
Posted by: Keturah Sosa on May 10, 2010 at 06:36 P.M.
*Posted by: MINQI father OF HANGZHOU on May 10, 2010 at 06:46 P.M.
Thanks to God for everything! For the quilts and Elan. She will be going to Seattle shortly after you leave and she did a wonderful job translating to make us understood.
The Lin'an SWI is going to move soon as the new one is still building. Because of that we could see Olivia's documents and caregiver.It's just amazing how God's plan is! If we don't have the connection with Lin'an SWI, it's just to hard to find it.
The quilts are exquisite. We hope that God's words could flow in to children's hearts through the quilts.
We are touched and share every bit of happiness we had with you.
Pray that you have a safe trip.
Love you all!
Xin Liu
Posted by: it's translating time again =P on May 10, 2010 at 07:06 P.M.
*It looks like you guys are having a wonderful time. It looks beautiful over there. Take care and be safe. Keep the pictures up!
Posted by: Sheryl Arnold on May 11, 2010 at 06:33 A.M.
*I hope you are taking lots of pictures. It sounds like you are haivng a wonderful time. How nice that you got to spend time with Minqi's family. Enjoy yourselves and keep us posted.
Kiss the girls for me.
Love you all,
Cindi
Posted by: Cindi Moore on May 11, 2010 at 07:15 A.M.
*The area you are in sounds gorgeous. I hope you took plenty on pictures of the roses and lilies. I can't wait to see them. It is amazing how God works and has allowed you time with Minqi's parents, friends and at Lin'An SWI. I am waiting anxiously on hearing and seeing about the first time you get to our new boy Benjamin. Give the girls kisses and hugs.
Love,
Penny
Posted by: Cousin Penny on May 11, 2010 at 07:49 A.M.
*Kulla and I will be keeping you in our prayers daily for a continued safe and wonderful journey. We miss you lots!!!! Please tell Olivia that Uncle Mark and Aunt Kulla have lots of guava candy to give to her when she returns!!! We stopped by the Oriental Market last Saturday, the one you told us about in Lakeland. Turns out the owners are Thai so Kulla had a wonderful time talking and sharing with them.
All Our Love,
Mark and Kulla
Posted by: Mark and Kulla Croy on May 11, 2010 at 05:50 P.M.
*Hey guys, I'm glad to hear you're having a wonderful time! What an experience!! I can't wait to see you to hear it all in person. You're in my thoughts. Love you, niki
Posted by: Niki on May 11, 2010 at 06:06 P.M.
*What a wonderful experience you all are having. So exciting that Abigail and Olivia can see the land they come from and are, hopefully, old enough to remember most of it. What an amazing trip for them!! When are ya'll getting your son and "little brother?" Did you take pictures of any of the quilts? What a touching gift your friends made for you...Amazing!!! What a special "memory" gift to leave with them, and so useful. Ya'll take care, stay safe! My love and prayers to ALL of you.
Betty Jo
Posted by: Betty Jo Phillips on May 11, 2010 at 07:03 P.M.
*Croy Family!
Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us with your words and pictures. My three boys have loved hearing about your adventures. THey want to know when we can visit China as well!
Enjoy your new friends and family!
Pirke family
Posted by: Dawn Pirke on May 12, 2010 at 05:08 A.M.
*We thank God for how He orchestrated your visit to the Lin'An SWI. It provides a connection for our daughter, Emily, -- Olivia's orphanage sister -- that she otherwise would not have.
Our hearts and prayers are with you as you complete this stage of your journey to bring Benjamin into your family.
God Bless
The Spykstras
Posted by: Rob Spykstra on May 12, 2010 at 10:54 A.M.
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