Shantou orphanage

On Thursday, we were able to visit Aaron Li's orphanage in Shantou.  We left early that morning, flying to the nearest airport, and then taking a bus into Shantou.  The orphanage sent a van to pick us up at the bus stop.  WE had a big lunch with the orphanage director (who was a lady), the lady who brought Yao Yao on Gotcha Day and our guide Becky and then we went to Yao Yao's orphanage. Everyone was so incredibly kind and it was obvious how much they loved Yao Yao.  We met his teacher that would always take him home with her on the weekends.  All the babies seemed very well cared for but it was still incredible hard to see them, knowing how much they needed a family.  Many of the babies had already been adopted and were waiting for their family to come, which was wonderful. 

 

In Yao Yao's file, it said that there was a note pinned to him when he was left at the orphanage gate that told his birthday.  I asked about that, and they still had a copy of the note.  I couldn't believe it.  The director made a copy of it for me, and I am so incredibly grateful to have this for Yao Yao when he is older.

 

We meet Yao Yao's best friend, who I recognized immediately because she was in almost all of the pictures I had received of Yao Yao during the adoption process.  She is five and is registered for adoption but still waiting for a family.  I hope and praying that God will place her in a family soon.  She was so loving and wanted to be held.  She loved playing ball and cars with Tollie. 

 

Yao Yao did very well, but I know it was hard an him and hard on his favorite teacher.  Tollie said she had tears in her eyes as we were saying goodbye.  It is so wonderful to know that he was in a place that he experienced such love.   I am sure that there are orphanages that are not like this, but it was obvious that the sweet sweet orphanage director really did care about those children along with the nannies.  I know that they will miss our sweet baby, but I am so very glad he is ours.  He is truly amazing, and all the prayers that were lifted for him were answered.  He is a joy, and it is obvious that he loves having a family.