Orphanage visit

One day an elephant saw a hummingbird lying on its back with its tiny feet up in the air.

"What are you doing?" asked the elephant.

The hummingbird replied, "I heard that the sky might fall today, and so I am ready to help hold it up, should it fall.”

The elephant laughed cruelly. “Do you really think,” he said, "that those tiny feet could help hold up the sky?”

The hummingbird kept his feet up in the air, intent on his purpose, as he replied, "Not alone. But each must do what he can. And this is what I can do.”
–  A Chinese Folktale

Today we visited Zac's orphanage, the Children's Welfare Institute of Chongqing City.  It was amazing to see some of the places from the pictures we were sent of Zac.  We met with the assistant director and Zac's caregiver.  We also got the opportunity to help out another Lifeline family by finding their son and taking pictures of him.  Zac was happy.  He didn't seem scared or homesick.  As usual he was glued to Mama.  We brought cookies for the orphanage, and he spent the visit smearing one all over his face.  We got to see his play areas and his sleeping area.  We took pictures outside of the playground where some of his early photos were taken.  Since his arrival at the orphanage, Zac has received physical therapy from a group called Half the Sky (from the old Chinese adage "A woman holds up half the sky").  http://www.halfthesky.org/en/content/million-rainbows  Their goal is to ensure that every orphaned child has a caring adult in his/her life and a chance at a bright future.  On the way to the orphanage our guide gave us Zac's "Child's Memory Book" from Half the Sky.  This is such an amazing blessing!  One of the truly sad things about adoption is the years that you missed....  All the memories and pictures.  We thought we would never have Zac's "baby book".  But they had maintained a thick packet of notes, photos, and drawings since the beginning!  Our hearts just about broke!  What a gift!  Of course, all the notes are in Chinese, so we will need some help to translate it.  But what a treasure!

We were so happy to have been able to visit the orphanage.  We felt like it was an important step in our journey.  But there are over 500 children at Chongqing, and it was heartbreaking to walk away with only one.

Children's Welfare Institute

The sleeping area and Zac's crib

Zac and DeAnna with his caregiver

Zac's slide.

The third floor was Zac's play area

"While there is life, there is hope."

Outside the gate.