M & M

Today we met our guide at 10:30am and it was refreshing to get out.  We started out to head for the park but it started to rain and so we ended up going to theGuangxi museum (which was so neat because Andrew had asked me about doing that and I had asked David but he said that most families preferred the park...we are deferring to him).  But the museum was very interesting and gave us some one on one time with David to ask him about the area and just learn more about the culture.  It was very fascinating. 

Afer we left I thought he would want to take us back to the hotel but he wondered if we wanted to go to the local market or take a houseboat tour to see local life.  He thought that was more interesting than shopping and I certainly agreed.  He was appreciating our interest in the culture and people and wanted to share that with us.  He was so relieved to find out we weren't big shoppers.  So he ended up having the driver drop us all off at the local market and that was really something else.  I had heard about it but was really shocked at how it felt to be there. The sights and sounds were unbelievable. We were so out of place it was hysterical.  Not really.  I felt very nervous.  But I was so grateful for the experience.  David stopped to buy a couple things along the way which was good.

As we rode we learned more about Jake and his foster family.  In the market David showed us a house that was similar to where Jake lived.  It made me sad for the sweet family and him and helped me to see the need he has for a forever family and how much his life will change.  He lives in a very tiny apartment in a building which David has told the foster family that the government will close down soon.  I sighed but he said this was good news for the family because the government will provide better housing.  He told me about how he tracked down Jake for the initial pictures back in October.  He doesn't do that through the orphanage.  But he had an idea and begin to talk with some adoptive families in the area.  One foster family whose father runs a grocery store recognized Jake and pointed David in the right direction.  This family has two little boys with CP (one mild) and asked David to help them find families for these boys.  They are on the shared list David thinks and are friends of Jake's.  There is so much need here.

We firmed up more plans for our meeting of Jake tomorrow.  We also found out that the foster family might even want to have us for dinner later in the week.  Though the foster mom and dad aren't very techy, the son and daughter-in-law might be able to help us keep in touch by email and blogging. 

I am becoming more excited by the hour.

Oh, the girls and I ventured into the local mall that's less than a half block from the hotel.  We were able to find a play area that David says Jake will enjoy.  We also went back to the Walmart (we get so many stares!!) and were able to pick up a couple of things for Jake (we think his scratching is very dry skin so got some special lotion and also got a Pleasant Goat toy).  I am sorry if I am boring you with the details but also trying to journal our trip.