Orphanage Visit + Finding Place

This morning was .... difficult.

We thought Heidi could eat a small variety of foods. We went to breakfast and when I tried to put her in the high chair she started crying. I held her on my lap and tried to feed her some oatmeal. She wasn’t having ît. To get her to eat I had to drizzle oatmeal down her mouth. 

It was as sad as you can imagine. She cried the whole time I fed her.

Trent walked her around so I could grab a bite. 

That steamed bun in the front was amazing! It was filled with some sort of egg custard. Very delicious!

Back in our room after breakfast and she was looking so cute!

We did a quick FaceTime with the girls. They loved Heidi’s outfit. 

Then we put her back to bed. She woke up around 6am after going to bed at 8 Pm. She seemed so tired that we had her lie down before we left to go to her orphanage at 10 am. 

When in China.... baby wearing in a taxi. 

This is a layout of the new orphanage building. The square building with the opening in the middle is the group home building where Heidi has lived since January. She had been doing poorly so she moved to the group home. She would go to the main orphanage during the day then the group home mother would pick her up and take her back to the house for lunch, naps, then again in the evening for dinner and sleep. 

Outside the orphanage building. 

We were met on our way inside by a girl who appeared to be about 16. She was chatting with our guide and our guide told us the girl lives there her whole life. While waiting to meet the orphanage director another teenage boy showed up. Our guide again mentioned they always lived at the orphanage. When I asked how old they are she said 22 and 23. It felt really, really sad. 

We were able to meet the orphanage director to give her the items donated. Trent was happy not to have to carry heavy garbage bags around anymore.

I was surprised they allowed us to walk through the orphanage guided by our guide and the woman I think was the assistant director. We were told there were about 200 children part of that orphanage, many with severe special needs. As we walked through we saw this to be true. I was surprised and happy to see a tremendous amount of good equipment, therapy tools and large spaces for the kids. Unfortunately we learned later that while this looks nice, there are no therapists to use the equipment with the children. Many of the older children were doing lessons. There was a class of about 8 Kindergarteners who were so precious. 

We were unable to take any photos inside but we did get to meet Heidi’s main caregiver in the baby room. She was just as enthusiastic as she was in the videos we received. We are unsure what Heidi’s cognitive skills are and how much she understands. However, the caregiver asked if she wants to get down from mama and go in the room and play. Heidi started screaming and crying.... I felt terrible for her, but it felt like a good sign for us. 

We were able to visit Heidi’s group home mom. It was nice to get some things cleared up about her eating. She has never sat in a high chair (no wonder she cried) and the mom feeds her holding her and spooning food into her mouth. 

After leaving there we took another taxi to Heidis finding place. It was in a more run down area of town. Going there cleared up some misconceptions I had. 

When you look to the right from the SOS center. 

When you look to the left. 

The SOS center. I had thought this was similar to a baby hatch. However, that was incorrect. Some documents we received noted her limbs we’re blue when she was found and I thought it was from lack of oxygen since she was so small. However, it could be that she was blue from cold as she was left outside these gates in winter. The fact that she survived is a miracle. 

We learned many people don’t know what this building is for so it’s not uncommon for babies to be left here. It’s actually a center for children who’s parents have died. Our guide mentioned death in fire or flood and had made contributions. Abandoned children do not live here. 

We were glad to go back to the hotel. We survived another screaming meal for Heidi but she was very cheerful afterwards. 

How big’s Heidi?

So big!

Oh, and we got slightly scolded for having her legs showing even though it was 80*. 

Her went to a shop that sells baby supplies. I was thrilled to find a bottle with a spoon on the end. Hannah had recommended it to us and it was a similar tool we used for Ruthie with her cleft palate as she was unable to suck a bottle. 

She finally fell asleep in the carrier on the way back from the walk. 

I couldn’t believe she stayed asleep! After some rest and some fun play time we fed her again. More crying but definitely easier with the spoon bottle. 

We met up with the other families for dinner at Pizza Hut Bistro. Definitely an interesting menu. Our meal came with fried calamari and American potato salad that had hotdogs cut up in it. Everything was surprisingly good. Another couple got the steak because... just have to try new things in China. I had a taste and to me it tasted like a thick slice of spam. Delicious, but not steak.

Pizza Hut China still had the same tasty crust!

We finished our evening by walking to the light show. We didn’t stay out long enough for the fountain show to start... maybe tomorrow. 

Our hotel lit up for the show. 

Went back to the hotel and I recalled reading before that sometimes babies in orphanages are given pretty hot bottles. We tried heating it up and while she cried at first, she drank the whole thing. It was great! We gave her a quick bath, lotioned her up and got her settled for bed. She fell asleep easily. 

I would write more about some observations I’m making of Heidi’s special needs but I’m falling asleep as I type. Thank you all for your continued prayers. We feel them! We have joy in the midst of the most challenging circumstances. We love you all!