Thursday, June 21, 2007

Wow! What a day! It began with a wonderful breakfast, (just so you know, we had lo mien noodles for breakfast & loved every minute!) ;0) After breakfast we visited the Jiang Men Orphanage. It is about a 2hr. drive from our hotel, but it was worth it! When we arrived we were greeted by the Assistant Orphanage Director & was escorted into a small conference room were we had fresh fruit and bottled water waiting just for us! The people there were VERY hospitable. With the help of our wonderful guides we were able to talk with each other and visit. Next, we met the Director and we had a Fabulous Lunch! They just kept bringing out the food! Man oh Man, It was good! After lunch we went back to the orphanage and gave them some of the supplies that we had brought & CCI purchased some larger items there in China. Some of the supplies that we brought were, blankets (made by a church in FL.) medical supplies, stuffed bears, stickers & hair clips for the girls! The director allowed us to give these items to the children. You should have seen their faces “light up”! It was soo sweet! We all walked around giving out stickers & hair clips. We showed the girls what to do with the hair clips & we showed the boys how to spin the tops we brought them. Needless to say, I was having a blast! The children were very receptive to us & very playful. We played games & then the children put on a show for us. It was Great! I wish, I could show pictures, but, I’m abiding by the rules, & resisting the temptation to put those precious faces on the internet! We’ll have plenty to show off later though!

While we were there I commented on the Assistant Director’s shoes. I told the guide to tell her, “I love them, they’re so cute!” Later on, after she heard it was my Birthday, she left the room & came back in with the shoes in a bag and a key chain for me, on my Birthday! Can you believe that?? “Come to Bless, and get Blessed!” We got blessed so much today with those children. I wish I could take them ALL home! At the end of the day, the children “signed” a song that meant “ I have a Grateful Heart” They said that was what they had…a Grateful Heart, that we thought enough to care and come see them! (Can you say…my cup runneth over?) Wow! God was there and we knew it! He truly goes before us, and surrounds us with Love!

With all the excitement today, we didn’t have time to see the infants, so guess what..???? We get to go back tomorrow!!! I can hardly wait!