Grace Finds a Home
This is our story of traveling to China to bring home our daughter Grace.Friday, November 21, 2008
Last Night in China
Bidding farewell to China is harder than we thought it would be. Tonight we ate in the Italian restaurant on the island and then took a slow walk home...lingering a bit longer in this exotic (to us) atmosphere. The people of China have been very gracious to us. There has not seemed to be any resentment or rancor that we are taking one of their own to another life in another culture. Rather, there seems to be appreciation that a little girl with nothing and no one is now going to have a decent shot at life. We have great appreciation for the way they cared for our daughter. They sent her off with a backpack full of clothes and pictures of her friends and gifts. There was even a banana packed in a pocket for the ride home. She has been well loved even before we arrived.
As I write this, at about 9:15 in the evening, we are anticipating a short night. We have to be in the lobby for our ride to the airport at 6:30 am. Grace has a case of the giggles and can't seem to get settled down. Kathy is singing Jesus Loves Me to her. Intermittently, she sings along, mimicking the words without knowing what she is saying. We are praying she will drop off soon since we have such a long trip tomorrow. We fly from Guangzhou to Beijing for about three hours. Then we fly from Beijing to Newark for about 14 hours. Then we fly from Newark to Charlotte for about an hour and a half. We'll be home by 9:15 pm.
When we touch down in Newark, Grace will automatically become a US citizen. All that will be left to do is to get her a Social Security card and a US Passport and everything will be official. Now the real work begins. Parenting. Thanks to all of you who have followed our blog with your interest and your prayers. Now we seek an interest in your prayers as we begin to proctor this young lady for the Kingdom.
If you think of it, check this site from time to time. Periodically, we'll post some pictures and let
you know how Grace is doing.
See you stateside,
Rick, Kathy, Bradley, and Grace
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Winning the Paperchase
Success! This morning Helen called us to report that all of our documents were ready a whole day early. This meant that we were to be at the United States Consulate at 4:00 pm to receive them and take our oath. The consulate is in downtown Guangzhou. We went up about four levels of escalators and were herded into a large room along with many families, all of whom were adopting Chinese children. After queuing up to have our passports checked we took a seat. Children were everywhere...laughing, crying, sleeping, screaming, and playing. Parents were swapping their stories and trying to keep kids in line. Eventually, the consulate general came out and took the microphone. He welcomed us to Guangzhou and congratulated us on our expanded families. He noted that November is National Adoption Month in the USA. Then he shared some statistics. Today, 52 families from 29 states were receiving immigration documents for their children. Then he mentioned that several of the children are having birthdays this month. He shared that Grace Minjun Russell's birthday is November 30 and that she will be 4 years old. Everybody cheered! Then he had all of us stand and raise our right hands. Next came the oath: "Do you certify that the paperwork and documents you have submitted are authentic and true?" Everybody said "I do" and that was it. We received three important documents at this point. One was a sealed brown envelope with various documents inside for the customs/immigration officials at Newark, NJ where we will land in the USA. This package is only to be opened by homeland security at that time. The second document we received was the adoption decree. The third document was Grace's Chinese passport with a visa to the USA in it. She will be traveling on a Chinese passport...but when she lands on US soil she will become an American citizen. The picture at left shows Grace proudly holding her new passport. When we get home we will apply for her new USA passport.
It felt almost like a graduation...as though we had recieved our diploma for completing our BS degree in adoption and immigration. Anyway you slice it, we won the paperchase and we're bringing home Grace!
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
After yesterday's post a comment was posted asking how it was that Grace ended up in the orphanage in the first place. Sorry for not sharing more about this before. Back in July we received our referral of Grace. This is a document that has medical reports, and a narrative about Grace's activities in the orphanage. Here is what it says about how she arrived there:
"Admission course and physical condition at that time:
Zhong Minjun, Female, DOB: Nov. 30, 2004 was picked up under a tree on Wenhua road in Minzhong town on May 16, 2005, and then was sent to our institute by Minzhong town police station. After admitted, Zhong Minjun was sent to our medical room for examination at once, and then was isolated for observation for one week. With the physical examination, she was identified no infectious disease, and was transferred for collective life. Since she has congenital heart disease, and was weak, it was difficult to be fed. But she still got the excellent care from the caretakers. She had VSD repair surgery on Dec. 7, 2005 in the people's hospital, and recovered well. She takes a bath each day whether in summer or in winter, and insists on taking activities outside for 2 hours, and goes to take class..."
That is what we know. Most likely, she was wrapped up in a blanket and put in a box or a basket and left in an a place where she would be sure to be found. Her parents obviously wanted to remain anonymous. We are told that the police always try to piece together evidence that will help them to find the parents. If they ever do, which is rare, the child is returned to them and they are penalized with a fine. We do not know if there was a note attached to her blanket which established her date of birth, or if the orphanage just made an educated guess.
We have often speculated as to the reasons why her parents would have abandoned such a beautiful child. Perhaps it was because she was sick and they had no way of affording the necessary surgery. Or maybe it was because of China's one-child policy and they had had their hearts set on having a son to care for them in old age and to carry on the family name. Or maybe it was a combination of these reasons. In Chinese culture, especially in the countryside where traditional ideas prevail, it is very important to have a son. Maybe this was the father's idea to abandon this girl and pressured his wife into it. Who knows? We have a copy of the newspaper ad that ran for some days advertising for her parents to come forward and identify themselves. They never did. On this side of heaven we will never know the whole story. It's our job now to raise Grace in the knowledge of Jesus and the gospel so that someday she can learn the rest of the story from the One who created her.
It's a sad story that has turned out with a happy ending!
Next time....
Rick
"Admission course and physical condition at that time:
Zhong Minjun, Female, DOB: Nov. 30, 2004 was picked up under a tree on Wenhua road in Minzhong town on May 16, 2005, and then was sent to our institute by Minzhong town police station. After admitted, Zhong Minjun was sent to our medical room for examination at once, and then was isolated for observation for one week. With the physical examination, she was identified no infectious disease, and was transferred for collective life. Since she has congenital heart disease, and was weak, it was difficult to be fed. But she still got the excellent care from the caretakers. She had VSD repair surgery on Dec. 7, 2005 in the people's hospital, and recovered well. She takes a bath each day whether in summer or in winter, and insists on taking activities outside for 2 hours, and goes to take class..."
That is what we know. Most likely, she was wrapped up in a blanket and put in a box or a basket and left in an a place where she would be sure to be found. Her parents obviously wanted to remain anonymous. We are told that the police always try to piece together evidence that will help them to find the parents. If they ever do, which is rare, the child is returned to them and they are penalized with a fine. We do not know if there was a note attached to her blanket which established her date of birth, or if the orphanage just made an educated guess.
We have often speculated as to the reasons why her parents would have abandoned such a beautiful child. Perhaps it was because she was sick and they had no way of affording the necessary surgery. Or maybe it was because of China's one-child policy and they had had their hearts set on having a son to care for them in old age and to carry on the family name. Or maybe it was a combination of these reasons. In Chinese culture, especially in the countryside where traditional ideas prevail, it is very important to have a son. Maybe this was the father's idea to abandon this girl and pressured his wife into it. Who knows? We have a copy of the newspaper ad that ran for some days advertising for her parents to come forward and identify themselves. They never did. On this side of heaven we will never know the whole story. It's our job now to raise Grace in the knowledge of Jesus and the gospel so that someday she can learn the rest of the story from the One who created her.
It's a sad story that has turned out with a happy ending!
Next time....
Rick
Kiddie Rides
Grace says: The bee ride is too scary!
Trying not to cry after the Bee ride
Everything's OK
Driver's ed class
The carousel is more my speed
This morning we hailed a taxi in front of the hotel and took a ride to the Kiddie Amusement Park. We spent an hour or two on the train, the monorail, the cars on rails, and the carousel. Grace loved all of it except the ride that looked like a bee. It's one of those that goes around and up and down. It was a little too much of a thrill for her. You can see from the pictures above that after she got off she tried real hard to be brave and not cry. Big brother Bradley coached her through it quite admirably. The real thrill ride however, was the taxi ride home. We drove through the Quingping Market where we were yesterday. In this place there seems to be a lack of rules governing the road. Who has the right of way? I conclude it's whoever gets there first. In the market, there are bicycle rickshaws, men with hand trucks, and pedestrians carrying huge sacks all vying for a strip of pavement about ten feet wide. Pedestrians and automobiles seem to come from all directions and they play chicken for the right of way. Our taxi driver was a stoic. I was observing all kinds of drama and confusion through my part of the windshield; our driver however, seemed nonplussed by it all. He was as calm and peaceful as though he was taking a nap in a hammock under a palm tree. The good news is, we got back to the hotel safely.
Helen, our facilitator came by our room today with some documents she had just received on our behalf. The most important of these was issued by the Guangzhou Notary Public Office. It is a certificate that indicates Grace's eligibility for adoption. It simply says: "This is to certify that Zhong Minjun, female, was born on November 30, 2004. Her birthplace and natural parents are unknown." These words make it possible for us to take her home. We are more than happy to claim her.
Another document she brought us today was a letter from Grace's orphanage. It tells about her daily schedule: When she wakes up, when she takes a bath, what she usually eats, and what she likes to play with. The most interesting part to us was the part I quote below (without any grammar corrections):
Personality
"Junjun is a gentle, smart, lovely child who likes playing with the blocks, balls, dolls, and puzzles, and likes listening to the music, dancing, and playing with the others. She likes all the staff and the teachers. On weekends, some of the teachers and the staff always bring her home to play. When we showed her the pictures of Dad, Mom, and Brother she seems very excited and very proud of having a family. In the orphanage, she was deeply loved by the teachers and the nannies. We hope she will be grow up happily and healthily under the good care of her parents, and have a happy life."
Zhongshan Children's Welfare Institute
11-5-2008
I think she can already tell that we are proud to have her as a part of our family.
Until the next post...
Rick, Kathy, Bradley, and Grace (Junjun)
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Going to the Market
The Quingping Market
Got eels? Live eels and shrimp in the vats. Live bullfrogs and turtles in the cages.
A Guangzhou native market shopper who was gracious enough to have her picture taken with Grace.
Back on Shamian Island
Today we walked across the bridge and over the canal to the mainland. Within a couple of blocks we stepped back in time a few hundred years as we entered the Quingping market. It looked like everything came in (and out) on bicycle rickshaws or hand pushed carts. The stalls were crowded and ancient looking and the labyrinthine alleyways between them were only 5-7 feet wide. Many of the merchants live right in the market in a room or two above their stall. Our sense of smell was alternately pleased and then assaulted by their wares. For us vegetarians we saw nuts, ginseng, sugar cane, sassafras, jasmine, tea, prickly fruit, oranges, lettuce, leeks and the list goes on. If you like food that moves, you could buy live bullfrogs, living eels, turtles, snakes, and shrimp that were still swimming. If you thought you needed it, you could buy a jumbo hefty bag full of dried seahorses. Some of the merchants would weigh their goods on modern digital scales, but many of them used ancient balancing scales like in Bible times. We seemed to be the only westerners wandering around the market. We got a few stares partly because of our Chinese daughter and partly because of the big camera around my neck. But several of the natives were happy to have their picture taken with us. All in all it was quite a day. Our guidebook says this is one of the largest and most famous markets in all of China. It also says this: "For some visitors, the atmosphere is too gory, while for others it is exhilaratingly Chinese." We would concur on both points.
I have complained in earlier posts about the voluminous paperwork and the time it takes for the bureaucracy to churn it out. But in reality, it is a great blessing to have this time. We are basically marooned here for 12 days. We are using the time to bond with Grace and soak in the culture of China. It is turning into a relaxing vacation that is helping us adjust as a family to our new circumstances. There is a peaceful sense settling over us that this mission trip to China has resulted in the completion of our family. Grace is truly a gift of joy. It is amazing how we have totally fallen in love with her in just a matter of days.
Adoption is not the conventional way to build a family, but it is a wonderful way. And it has some fringe benefits that go along with it. One of those is travel to faraway countries and different cultures. Another is that it carries with it the option of leapfrogging all the way over diapers, potty training, and sleepless nights walking the floor with a crying baby.
We'll talk again....
Rick, Kathy, Bradley, and Grace
Monday, November 17, 2008
Quiet Day
Breakfast is good at the Victory Hotel...
...but we still haven't tried the steamed bum...would you?
Big hat
Bathing Beauty
Boats on the Pearl River at night.We had no appointments today. A chance to sleep in, have a late breakfast, and read the paper. Breakfast is included at the hotel. They have omelettes made to order, cereal, soy beans, salad, tropical fruits, and lots of other things I am not adventurous enough to try. Later, Bradley got caught up on some homework. We went up on the roof of the hotel to the pool. The air was in the 80's but the water was much colder. Bradley went all the way in, but Grace, Mom, and Dad only managed to get in ankle deep. We had dinner at a Thai restaurant and were amazed at Grace's facility with chopsticks. She's teaching us how to use them. In her tiny hands, those sticks become very effective pincers. She can manage rice and all manner of slippery vegetables. We walked to the riverfront and had ice cream to celebrate Grace's one week anniversary as a member of the family. We were disappointed that the much heralded laser show over the river didn't happen tonight. So, we settled for some pictures of the lighted buildings and boats. I believe I could be a rich man if I were a neon salesman in China.
Tomorrow we hope to venture off the island to the famous Qingping outdoor market. This is where you can buy almost anything to eat that you never thought anybody would ever eat. We have heard they have scorpions and cicadas on a stick, cats and dogs on the barbecue, pigs feet, goose hand, and ostrich kidney. Apart from that I guess it's your average run-of-the-mill market. We'll let you know how it turns out
Time to sleep....
Rick, Kathy, Bradley, and Grace
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Chinese Folk Arts Museum
Helen, Guide and paperwork expert.
Ivory Carving
Looks like a photo...but it's embroidery
Palm frond fans
Roof carvings
Chinese Folk Arts Center
Shamian Island
Music Teacher
"V" for Victory Hotel
Banyan Tree on Shamian Island
Yes, they are everywhere...
Shamian Island Scene
Learning to use the Ipod
More paperworkWe are staying at the Victory Hotel on Shamian Island in Guangzhou. This city of 9,000,000 people is pretty ugly and very polluted...but Shamian Island is a quiet refuge. It's a small island of reclaimed land surrounded by the Pearl River. You can walk all the way around the Island in about 35 minutes. If you were here, I think you'd agree with us that it looks kind of like Savannah, Georgia or the old part of Charleston, South Carolina. The streets are lined with Victorian Style buildings from the 1800's. The walks are framed with tropical Banyan trees that are draped with what looks kind of like spanish moss. The island is connected to the city by several pedestrian and automobile bridges. Stepping across the bridge from the island to the city is like entering another world. In the mornings when I jog along the riverfront there are huge groups of Chinese people of all ages standing in formation practicing the ancient art of Tai Chi. It looks kind of like a cross between yoga and kung fu done in very slow motion. They do it for exercise and for it's meditational aspects. In the interior of the island you'll find many parks and walkways filled with an interesting mix of people. The first ones you notice are the school children in their uniforms. They seem to be everywhere playing badminton or kicking a ball. The second thing you might notice is the large number of western couples (like us) pushing a stroller with a chinese child. We are all here for at least 8-12 days waiting for paperwork and consulate appointments. It's a very quiet and family friendly place. In the 1800's and early 1900's this island was set aside as a place for embassies and consulates and a setting for western business headquarters and offices. That's why all the buildings look European or colonial. If you want to find out more about this place, there is a great article on wikipedia.com. Just search for Shamian Island, Guangzhou.
Yesterday and today we were busy with paperwork and touring. I won't bore you with the paperwork. It's the cross that international adoptive families must bear. But it's worth it! The touring is what gives us respite from the paperwork. Today we went to a Chinese Folk Arts Museum. It is housed in the 100 year old home of the wealthy Chen family. The house itself is a work of traditional Chinese architecture. Inside they have exhibits of Chinese painting, reed fan making, sculpture, ivory carving, and embroidery. Since pictures are worth a thousand words, check out the ones I have posted.
We have gotten acquainted with several other adoptive families. Each one has a story. Rob and Debbie Barrie traveled with us in Beijing. They just arrived here after picking up their daughter Molly from another province. Molly has big brown eyes and her cuteness stops the show wherever she goes. Molly's special need is that she is deaf. Rob and Debbie have learned sign language to communicate. When they get home to Huntsville, Alabama they'll be blending Molly into their family which also includes two boys age 5 and 7. Their hearts are huge.
Several of the families we have met are back here adopting for the second or third time. We have met a couple of families who have adopted children from Ukraine, like us, and are now here in China to expand their families again. It's easy to get acquainted with these folks because we all speak the same language and have so many shared experiences...we all kind of belong to the same club.
Grace continues to be a neverending source of entertainment and joy. She has really attached to her Mom. She likes to play with Dad and Bradley, but if Mom gets too far away she gets a little nervous. As we've talked to several other families, we have heard the same story. So many of the nannies in the orphanages are female, that sometimes it takes a bit longer for little girls to attach to men.
Only six more days before we fly home!
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Six Banyans Buddhist Temple/White Cloud Mtn.
Today we posted a lot of pictures of our travels. Our first stop was at the Six Banyans Buddhist Temple. This temple is 1,450 years old. It has a very tall pagoda and a temple with three huge Buddhas inside. They represent the past, the present and the future. Some of the adoptive families took advantage of the opportunity to have the monks bless their child. This involved some chanting, some incense being waved around, and some leaves being sprinkled on your head. We watched, but didn't feel comfortable with that kind of blessing. As we listened to a summary of Buddhist beliefs, we found ourselves inwardly praising God for the truth that salvation is a free gift that comes from a power outside of ourselves.
Later we went to White Cloud Mountain Park. This is a formal garden that displays seasonal decorations. It was disappointing that the beautiful topiary trees that were here during Randy and Ruth's visit have been taken away. Our guide told us they were a temporary exhibition. In any case, it's a beautiful park...and we had a beautiful day to enjoy it.
It is interesting to drive around this city. There are gleaming new skyscrapers, ancient looking market stalls, expensive Audi's and Mercedes driving alongside hand pulled rickshaws.
Our favorite mistranslation of the day: This was on a sign next to a park on the Pearl River:
"Do not spit everywhere ant litter up. The violator will be amerced a fine within range of 20-50 yuan." (We did not change any of the spellings).
It has been good to finally be sleeping all the way through the night. It took us until just a couple of days ago to get over the jet lag that comes from a 13 hour time difference. I suppose we'll go through it again after we get home!
Thanks for your comments on our blog...and for your e-mails. It's good to feel connected to home when you are on the other side of the world in a strange culture. Happy Sabbath everyone!
Later we went to White Cloud Mountain Park. This is a formal garden that displays seasonal decorations. It was disappointing that the beautiful topiary trees that were here during Randy and Ruth's visit have been taken away. Our guide told us they were a temporary exhibition. In any case, it's a beautiful park...and we had a beautiful day to enjoy it.
It is interesting to drive around this city. There are gleaming new skyscrapers, ancient looking market stalls, expensive Audi's and Mercedes driving alongside hand pulled rickshaws.
Our favorite mistranslation of the day: This was on a sign next to a park on the Pearl River:
"Do not spit everywhere ant litter up. The violator will be amerced a fine within range of 20-50 yuan." (We did not change any of the spellings).
It has been good to finally be sleeping all the way through the night. It took us until just a couple of days ago to get over the jet lag that comes from a 13 hour time difference. I suppose we'll go through it again after we get home!
Thanks for your comments on our blog...and for your e-mails. It's good to feel connected to home when you are on the other side of the world in a strange culture. Happy Sabbath everyone!
Beautiful Garden.
Teatime.
Ice cream goes down easy.
Keeping cool by the fountain.
White Cloud Mountain Park
Hurry up, let's go!
Beating the drum for prayer time.
Our guide Helen, loves kids.
Three Buddhas-past, present, future.
Can you read this?
The Pagoda at Six Banyans Buddhist Temple
Riding highShopping Day
Helen is our Chinese guide and facilitator for our time in Guangzhou. She works for a travel agency that contracts with Living Hope Adoption Agency to take care of adopting families. She is working with us and two other families. We go as a group on various excursions. Helen also understands each document we need to have completed and when. She keeps them all for us and makes sure they are filled out--and then she just tells us where to sign. This frees us up to concentrate on parenting and bonding. It's a great service...and she is such a gentle, patient, smiling person. Having her around makes us feel that everything is going to be OK.
Today she took us shopping. We went to a store with traditional Chinese arts and crafts and dishes etc. We bought a little Chinese tea set for Grace. Next we went to a large pedestrian mall with stall after stall of shops that sold nothing but pearls. In another part of the mall we found kids DVD's with both English and Mandarin soundtracks. They sell for only $2 apiece. Bradley wanted to look at the Ipods in the electronic shop. We found what looked like the Ipod Nano (8GB) selling for 100 RMB (about $15). We bought a couple of them--even though we are sure they are knockoffs.
Shopping here is an adventure in negotiation. If you are in a large mall or supermarket type store, the prices are fixed. But in the small shops and stalls you can try to get your best price. If something is selling for 300RMB (about $45), you ought to be able to get it for 100 to 150 RMB. It all depends how much skill and energy you have for haggling.
We have been having fun reading signs that have been translated from Mandarin Chinese to English. Almost always there is twisted grammar and stilted syntax. Here are some examples:
Some friendly tips on a sign in our hotel:
- Please kindly note that gun, explosions and any other lawless or dangerous items are forbidden to be taken here for the safe reason.
- We recommend you to use the latch to avoid the disturbance.
- Please do not let stranger into your room to avoid the accident or unpleasant situation may be possibly occurred.
- Please beware the fire and do not smoke in bed and dry your clothes on lamps.
Grace is still a joy. Sunny and cheerful almost all the time. Today however, she showed us that she has a strong little will of her own. When naptime came, it was definitely not on her agenda. She pitched a category three tantrum that lasted long enough to wear her out so that she slept for two hours. She thought she could win out...but in this case she found out Mom and Dad are not easy to pushover. In her new environment and new schedule she is just pushing the limits to find out where the boundaries are. I guess she is just like any kid out there.
We finished the day at an Italian restaurant where Grace had her first pizza. I think she liked it...but the mushrooms?--not so much!
More later...
Rick, Kathy, Bradley, and Grace.
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