Today we went to a beautiful park in Fuzhou City that was over 1600 years old. It was kind of like central park and six flags all mixed in one. There were beautiful trees and flowers and people everywhere just enjoying life. We walked for about an hour. People stare at us alot. I am not sure if it is because we are Americans with a Chinese baby or because of Madelines port wine stain. I just stare back and smile like a crazy person.
After the park we went to the orphanage where Madeline was abandoned. They showed us the gate where she was left and then we toured the inside. I wish they would have let me take photos inside but they said no.
It was very heart breaking to hear all the cries as we entered the building. We went up a flight of stairs and walked to the second floor where the babies were. The conditions were good and the rooms were clean. The sad part was all the babies were in their steel cribs and laying on plywood.
They did not have mattresses for any child. The babies smiled when we talked to them and some would turn in their cribs to watch us walk through the room. I met a baby girl and talked to her and she smiled a lot at me because I am handsome American boy!
I wanted to smuggle her in my backpack and take her home too. She really touched my heart. Shannon met a little boy with a cleft pallet and lip and we would smile so big at her. The would watch us through the windows as we walked from room to room.
Madeline was very sleepy and was getting restless so we left and took her back to the hotel to take a nap. I gave her an oreo and she was content watching some crazy Chinese cartoon. she fell asleep holding the oreo.
The picture above of the building with the gate is the orphanage she was left at. The woman actually left her right outside the gate.
10 comments:
As usual, the first thing that I do in the morning is check on Madeline.Emma asked me if I could please get her cereal before I look at Madeline.:>) Love the picture of her holding the oreo...we had some oreos ourselves yesterday...double stuff. So I can already see that she will fit right in. I knew that the orphange trip would be hard for you.I am sure that none of us can fathom the emotions that took place with you and Jay yesterday.You never know, you may be planning another trip to China one day for another precious one. Y'all are one day closer to coming home and we look forward to a beautiful homecoming. Love you both, Jill
Love is long suffering and kind;it does not envy...it is not puffed up,it does not seek its own way, is not easily provoked,thinks no evil;it does not rejoice in iniquity but rejoices in the truth;it bears all things,believes all things,hopes all things,endures all things. Love nver fails. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
This is really an amazing adventure. God is bigger than we let him be, and this journey is definitely stretching you!
Psalm 127:3
How's my Compaq? I miss it....I cried yesterday.
MS
I know that you cannot even fathom how somebody would leave that precious girl at the gate of an orphanage. I can't either. But, I think it was because she belonged to you!
Jay and Shannon,
I didn't realize that you would actually get to walk in her history over there. How much closer that brings you to fathom her reality before you came into her life. May you bond more each day as God chooses to bless more than we can ask or imagine.
Christie
still praying...
Toy and DeWaine
Hey guys! I know that trip to the orphanage was hard but I'm sure it was worth it to learn more about Madeline.I can tell from the smile on that precious face that she is trusting you more and more each day.I think about you all daily and can't wait to see new adventures each day. See ya soon!
Hey if you get a chance check my facebook page for pictures of Hannah on July 4th.
Tonya
Jay & Shannon
I love all the pictures. Madeline is a beautiful little girl and it sounds like you are building a bond of love with her.
God is good.
Cathy
I think about ya'll all the time and pray for you each time I do. I hope that things are stil going good. Your trip today sounds hard, but you made it through with God's strength and comfort. Be safe and take care of each other and Madeline. Miss you...
love,
jodi
Those are the kind of sad stories that you don't think about until it affects you or someone you know. Thank God she was found and taken in unharmed and that He led the Bentley's to her! Shannon, it seems like ages ago that you told me that you felt STRONGLY led to do this and now that I think back on it, it had to have been close to the time that she was born. She was left at that gate for you and Jay. It's amazing when the realization of God's plans and timing in our life "smacks" you in the face! Jay, I really look forward to your witty remarks of the day and always get a laugh from something on your post. Still praying and anticipating your return.
- Shauna
It was so good to hear your voices this morning. You always sound as if you are calling from just around the corner. We took the kids to story time this morning. The boys really liked it all. BaBa took them in and Hannah and PawPaw stayed in the childrens section of the library. She had talked about wanting to check out some books on horses, but we spent our time looking at books on China. The boys got 5 books each to check out and we read them two each today before nap time. We got Hannah this afternoon and brought her home with us to spend the night. She and BaBa are sacked out together as they are very tired. Mama fixed her great meatloaf for supper with mashed potatoes, sliver queen corn that Nana and Poppy shared with us. We took some over to Jo and the boys for their supper and then came back and took Hannah to the Moore's pool. She entertained her BaBa and PawPaw with her special secret jumps into the pool and dazzeled us with her water aerobics, synchronized water ballet. It was quite the show with her BaBa announcing all the performances. The crowd of two roared in applause and shouted with glee at each performance. Then it was back to our house for shower, popcorn and a movie. We are all very tired so I will turn it too. Love you all and miss you so much. Oh, Hannah was very hesitant about coming over to spend the night because she did not want to miss her Mama and Daddy's phone call in the morning. She was afraid that by being over here, she would not get to talk to you if you called. She is really missing her Mama and Daddy, but remains strong and is such a big help to us all. Good night, sweet dreams, we love you with all our hearts.
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