We arrived safely in Nanning and after going through lots of different checks, we gathered our luggage (I really only packed what we needed, but the luggage sure is a bear to tote around, but we are getting it down to a science) and were greeted by our guide David. He is very nice. We could tell that he had some words with a lady who wouldn't let us take our carts any further than the curb. We managed to get it all in the van somehow and were on our way for an hour drive to the Marriott. None of us had seatbelts. I am trusting the Lord with all of our safety but I honestly can't say that it isn't stressful.
We were able to do a little planning for the week with David. It looks like Jake will come to the hotel Monday afternoon and then we'll go to the Civil Affairs office Tuesday for all the adoption paperwork. David knows Jake and I was right that he was the one that had taken the pictures and video back in May and I also think he took the ones back from October. He was able to share some things about Jake that are precious. He says Jake is really smart and can say many words. He's friendly and outgoing and has a close, close attachment with his foster mom. David thinks he sleeps mostly with her and likes the yogurt drinks we'll be getting from Walmart in a little while. They do call him Hong Fu. Many of the children get nicknames so we'll still see what the ayis (short for aunts, but like nannies) call him. We think he will come to the hotel with David and some ayis from the orphanage. Please keep praying for his adjustment. David says that the foster mom would like to meet us and, although we think that this could be difficult in the short term, we also think it could be very good for the long haul. She wants to wait until later in the week once he has had time to adjust to us. This tells me that she loves him. We'll see how he does with everything. We also are going to get to go see the orphanage as it is within 10 minutes walking of the foster family. Apparently Jake is the last foster child they will have as they have a new grandbaby and want to spend time with him / her. I asked why the family has fostered and David said because they love children. We are praising God for this love.
Today we have been hanging out in the hotel room. The food for the girls is much more difficult than I had expected.
We're doing all the things that we were told to do like using bottled water for brushing teeth and making sure that we don't get water in our mouths during showers and making sure we don't plug something up without adapters. I think this wouldn't be hard with just Jeff and I but having the children here is making it more difficult. We're still glad we brought them but are having to change some expectations on our parts. God is using this trip to refine us still.
Our big outing for the day is to go to Walmart. You might laugh, but I dread it. I guess the big reason is that I nearly totally lost it on the sidewalk. I mean talking about making a scene. Apparently flipflops from Old Navy are very, very slippery on slimy side walks. It was very scary but as soon as I got my balance, guess what? I almost lost it again!! Talk about standing out. So I then looked like an oversized old lady American because I was walking SO slow. This put us all into hyper vigilant mode. Not a good combination for a family under the stress of being in a foreign country for adoption. So when the children asked about going to the dragon boat festival, the answer was clear for me.
We can count on one hand the number of folks here in the hotel that speak English...okay, maybe just one.
So for prayer requests, pray for patience for Jeff and I and for the children. Pray that God will work mightily in all of our hearts as we move closer to Jake and for sweet Jake. I can't wait to get to know him. There will be so many things to plan for at that point for any outing. I can't imagine quite yet. Diapers, underwear, or just going on the street as Parker and I saw during our one outing for something to drink (the time when I nearly wiped out). Planning for gluten free meals to go, a toddler, in a foreign country with three very dependent, normal children. I can't yet imagine getting back on the plane with all of us. Could be so interesting!!! Please keep praying Friends!! We so, so appreciate it.
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