I apologize in advance but this will be a very long post today. I need to detail the days events for Joy’s benefit (this journal will be placed on a cd for her to read one day ).
Today we went to Joy’s orphanage and it was a very good experience for all of us. Joy seemed excited to see the caregivers and Director but was content to stay in my lap. When they came and took her from me, she went but hesitantly and looked back at me to see if it was ok – HALLELUIAH!!!! They were all so nice and seemed to genuinely love her and welcomed us very warmly. We spend about 20 minutes in a small conference room where we could ask questions about Joy’s life. We were told about her before her surgery and the improvements in her health afterward. She had the surgery at 2 years old and the money was given by a businessman in Guangzhou (the city we are staying in but about 2 ½ hours from the city she lived in) thru the Red Cross. After her surgery, the orphanage doctor (who was there today) took care of Joy in her home until she was well enough to go back to the Orphanage.
There are over 100 children in the orphanage and Joy was the 17th to be adopted. We went upstairs to where Joy’s room was. There were 10 children in this small room and Joy was the oldest. She had certain responsibilities in caring for the others. We could tell that she ‘mothered’ them in a child’s sort of way. The children seemed very well cared for and loved and the facilities were clean. The caregivers work in shifts and there is usually one caregiver at each shift, but sometimes two. We were not clear as to when there were two. The caregiver that was on duty at the time we were there seemed very loving toward the children. The children seemed interested in us and wanted to be picked up. When I picked up one little girl, Joy was not happy and came up to me and said something in Cantonese that ended with my mommy. So I did what any mommy would do – quickly put this child down to make her happy.
We left there and went with the Director, Asst. Director, and the Head Carergiver to a local restaurant. Anna, Joy and I rode with the Head Caregiver and Director. Anna and I both looked at each other and just chucked because there we were, in China, driving in a car with 2 women and my little girl, but we could not understand anything they were talking about. When we arrived at the restaurant, David was asked to go and pick out the food that we would eat – it was all still alive. It was actually very good but the kids and I mostly stuck to the rice and noodles. David ate EVERYTHING – pray he doesn’t get sick because some of the food wasn’t recognizable.
When we got ready to leave, the women from the orphanage and myself were very teary but not Joy. She didn’t seem to be bothered at all by the goodbyes and gladly climbed into the van with us while we all waved goodbye. It was an amazing experience. I really don’t know how to even explain how surreal it was to be sitting there with these women and our new daughter. Knowing that they had been such an important part of her life. They were very appreciative of us adopting Joy and said they could tell that we would love her and treat her as our own. They also commented on how much Hope and Joy looked a like – we think so too.
The driver for the orphanage offered to take us to the place where Joy was found. It was about a 20 to 30 minute drive and on the way we pulled over and he showed us where the new orphanage would be built in about 2 – 3 years. We arrived at an outside market place and walked around until he found the spot she was left, next to a bakery. We were able to take pictures of me holding her in the spot that she was found – a very emotional experience to say the least. We took many pictures and video of the market and the people.
So here we are back in our 4 star hotel. A little girl who’s life has changed forever and a family who will never be the same because of her. Thank you to all who prayed for us today. And thank you to all how have loved and supported us thru this process. To those that still wait to hold you child for the first time – it is worth it all.
Love, The Oakes
September 13, 2006
The China Dolls
With Orphanage Staff
The Bed Joy Slept On
GooGoo (big brother) and Mei Mei (little sister)
Joy's Finding Spot -- That is a bakery to the right of us.
