Time to Say Goodbye

"It is better to have loved and lost then never to have loved at all." ~ Alfred Lord Tennyson

We had our last day with the kids yesterday. It was gut wrenching to leave them, but it was made easier knowing that they have wonderful nannies who really care for them, even if they are a spread thin with so many little ones.

Today we traveled back to Beijing and we fly home tomorrow night after going to the Pearl Market in the morning. It will be hard for all of us to say goodbye to this beautiful country and the wonderful people who have become our friend. No more for now because it is dinner time!

Morning devo time!

Getting our focus in the right place before heading out to love the kids

Sean, Cathy, Kim, Joanne, Amy, Anna, Kara, Tatiana, Jenna, The head director, Lois, Barb, The deputy director, The head of the children's department, The other two deputy directors 

Barb and Cody

My favorite little smily face who has yet to be given an American name

Amy with another of ours to be assigned a name

Cathy and Jenna

Jenna and Kara were really hoping Amy would not like the bun so they would get it.

Going Deeper

Now that we are almost at the end of our time with the children I went around to my team mates with the prompt. Everyone knows by now that we love the kids and that they are so precious. Can you give me a specific story? An interaction with a child that was funny or touching. This is part of what they shared.

"From the first day I noticed Emma because she was set back and not as involved as the other kids. She would stand against the wall by herself, and so I was immediately drawn to her. The more time I spent time with her, the more little things would remind me of L* (Jenna's adopted Chinese sister). What tugged at my heart the most was that even when toys were brought in she did not want to leave me because she likes being held more than anything." ~Jenna

"They have their favorite team members and will run past others to seek out a specific person. It is endearing to see them bonding with us." ~ Kim

"The first day we got there and we couldn't go right in (we always wait and put on shoe covers to keep the floors clean for the little ones crawling around) I was standing at the window (that looks into the nursery from the hallway), and one of the little girls was having a fit to get to me and so I stuck my hand against the window and she came up to the window and stuck her hand on the window where it would be touching. And now every morning when she sees me coming she runs up and sticks her hand on the window so we are almost touching.

I had another neat thing happen today. Y*, the one who has the AFOs, I would hug her every day and spend hours with her, but for the life of me I couldn't get her to smile. She would cuddle, but she wouldn't even put her arms up to be picked up. If you walked over with outstretched arms she would kind of turn away. Today I had a full lap already but I saw her staring at me from across the room so I scooted my chair over to her crib. Once I got there I reached out my hands and she turned away. I kept my hands up though and when she looked back I curled my fingers in a come on over motion, and all of a sudden she had the biggest smile! and she kept smiling and started crawling over to me smiling all the way. I got her up into my lap and hugged and loved on her, and she put her little cheek up for me to give her a kiss. So that was really special." ~ Cathy

"I used the laggy blankets to play picaboo with two babies at the same time. It was a room full of giggles. Plus I had Cody on my lap and he was giggling too. One of the boys needed me to pull his blanket off, but the other one could do it himself. Plus I was making a popping sound with my finger and cheek and they were all giggling at that too. The baby would point at me to do it again. After I fed A* I was giving him water, but he wasn't really drinking it, so I set the cup behind me. What do you know but Dominic came over and dumped it on my head! It's a good thing I had my rain jacket on! He must have told A* what he was about to do because he gave just the biggest belly laugh. I mean the two of them just thought it was the funniest thing ever, so that was worth it. I remember Dominic saying to Sean and he translated for us "Hey make sure all you people come back" when we left this morning. And this after giving us trouble all day."~Barb

"Dominic had a cut on his finger and he allowed me to wash it and put a bandaid on it and then sat with me and just let me love on him for quite a few minutes which is unusual for the ever rooming ever curious Dominic." ~Joanne

"This one little girl would never smile or laugh. Well sometimes smile, but hardly ever. Today I was touching her stomach and she was laughing and laughing. I was with her for over half a hour and I would say she was laughing 90% of the time. It is so great to see them bonding with us." ~Lois

"I feel like this is the first day they discovered my hair. It was up in a ponytail all the other days, but today it was down in a braid. The girls did not notice it so much, but it was a real temptation for the boys. They undid the braid, and then they realized I had a bobby pin in my bangs and went for that. They just kept changing the hair style. I think my hair was messed with at least ten times. Tucking it away did not work. Oh no! I had to put it all away in a bun." ~Amy

"I love when they don't realize that you have a full lap and can't hold more than three. They run over when you have a full lap and are like "Pick me up! Pick me up!" Another touching thing was this morning Jason came over and I rubbed his cheek and then a minute later he reached out and rubbed mine." ~Kara

"Zzzzzz" ~Anna (guys we just get so tired that by the time I make it through all the rooms somebody is asleep!)

They really are bonding with us as much as we are with them. It is wonderful and heartbreaking to see all the love. Heartbreaking only because tomorrow is out last day with all our new little friends. A week is not long to get to know someone, especially the shy ones who are only now trusting us enough to smile at us. Then of course there is the challenge of not sharing a language! However, love knows no limits and our hearts are all connected in an unbreakable way forever. Our greatest hope is that wonderful families will also feel this connection and be moved to give these kids loving homes. Even our translator who started the week a bit reserved and professional has been taken mind, body and soul by these kids and carries and romps around with them until he is covered in sweat. Tomorrow is our last day with the kids, so please be asking Him along with us that anything we need to note, we will. Anything we have missed till now we will notice.

Goodnight all!
Tatiana

*Children without assigned American pseudonym names are only identified by their initial to protect their privacy.

A Precautionary Tale

I don't think I've ever been so honestly tired. In bed by nine and up by six. But the delight is working with the children. Carrying them around and having them respond to you. Now the nannies are even taking interest in us. Today they wanted to take pictures with us, but that's been happening all over China! We have been photography models for any Chinese that wants a picture. Feels great to be in Asia, and this district seems much more like it than Beijing. Yesterday during break we had a little trip to the South China Sea. It was pure nostalgia, but there was a camel and horses which I have not seen before on the South China Sea. That was different. The sound of the put-put boats reminded me of Malaysia. He is good to give us the desires of our heart.

This could be called a precautionary tale. Today we took the kids for shots. Each of us holding a babe. So twenty in a van. When they told us we would be helping take the kids for their shots they called it precautionary needles. A real adventure, with no seatbelt.

~Barb (Dictated to Tatiana)

Jason likes his laggy blanket. He was folding them up.

Joanne with one of the nannies

Barb, Anna, Tatiana, Cathy, Lois, Jenna, Kim, Amy, and Kara at dinner

It was delicious, and what lovely presentation!

The camel Barb was talking about.

P.S. All photo credits go to Joanne

Another Day with the Babes + An Afternoon at the Beach

Good Evening to my U.S. friends (and good morning to my people on the other side of the globe) Happy International Working Women's Day!

Sean got us all flowers for international working women's day. Isn't he the best?!

Yesterday I feel like we all settled in much better. We kind of knew what was going on, and already knew some of the kids. We continued working on assessment forms for the ones who's files America World will be/has gotten, and loving on all of them. I am so excited to share all about them with you guys once we have the green light. They are so full of personality and many are super mischievous! Kara, Jenna, and Amy had their hands overfull trying to do coloring papers with them. Kara spent the majority of the time trying to convince one little one that the purpose of crayons is not to be eaten. It got so crazy they had to call in support from some of the rest of us. It is great to be able to play with them. One of them mimics in a really deep voice and Barb had him saying hello to us all by name. Lois and Cathy were making the rounds making sure everyone was held. Lois is popular I saw at least two kids cry when she put them down to give someone else a turn. Kim, Amy, and Joanne did some great physical evaluations. There is one boy who loves to join Joanne's evaluations because he is addicted to stringing the blocks she has in her bag to check their fine motor skills. Anna spent most of her time hug/holding the quiet ones. Barb had one of the more rowdy boys dancing in a circle with her, and was always going around laughing and telling them all that they were good boys and girls. And that they are!

The staff likes us to leave after lunch while the kids are napping for about two hours. Today we got to go to the South China Sea during the break!!

Amy's "smile for your husband" pose

Kim, Sean, Lois, and Joanne

Amy has been named the cool supervising adult by Jenna and Kara. Can't imagine why

Kara, Jenna, Cathy, Amy, Barb, Kim, Anna, Tatiana, Joanne, Lois, and Sean. The camel owner took this for us!

Anna's "smile for your mother" pose

I did not give Lois instructions

So many photos taken

A selfie with someone taking a photo in the background 

Sensory taggy blankets for the kids we will be bringing with us today.

We will be off to be with the kids again soon. Right after breakfast and devo time.

Goodbye all.

Love,

Tatiana

The Real First Day ~ Meeting the Kids

Today was our first day in the orphanage. We spent the morning playing with all the kids in two connected rooms. At one point I tried to count them all, but some were getting changed and lots were on the move so I am going to say we had 25-30 kids in the rooms with us. The man who gave us a tour, I am not sure of his position, said there are about 50 kids total. They range in age from a few months old to eighteen years old. The ones we were playing with were mostly under five because the older kids go to school if able.

In the afternoon after lunch and siesta time, we went back to the orphanage and went to a separate room to get pictures and start assessment forms for the kids who's files America World Adoption has. It was so great to have a physical therapist (Kim), an occupational therapist (Joanne), and a nurse (Amy) to help with assessing the children's mobility and development. It was also wonderful to get to know these kids better so that we can really advocate for them to perspective families. We are only here for a week so there is only so much we can do, but if we can get to know them and share who they are we will hopefully find them forever families. I collected some brief thoughts from all my team members on today.

"We met some beautiful children who were very affectionate. They enjoyed their time with us. Some of the big hits for toys were the beach balls and the matchbox cars. We found that the children shared a lot which was lovely to see. They have beautiful hearts. ~Kim

"I fell in love with the kids instantly. All the babies were so precious and holding them in my arms  and seeing their face light up was my favorite thing. The older kids had so much fun with light up toys and bouncy balls and one older girl in particular was always giving out hugs. The last little boy I held I never wanted to let go and I'm so excited to return tomorrow!" ~ Anna

"It was rewording to be able to love on the children today. I am thankful I have been doing Iron Man Fitness for the past year so I was ready for picking up all the kids today." ~Lois

"To hear the squeals, giggles, and laughter of the children greet us was inspiring and inviting as we entered the orphanage in the morning, and when we returned after lunch. I was thankful that I was able to use my occupational therapy skills to help assess the children in order to tell their stories and find them forever families." ~ Joanne

"It was wonderful interacting, loving on them, and them responding back with lots of love. It was a privilege for our Father to allow us the opportunity to love on these precious children." ~Cathy

"The kids were just a great joy. The staff was very gracious. The delight of being with children again. The joy of sharing in their fun and seeing them play with all the toys we brought Balls bouncing and cars zinging by. A few rascally ones and a few gentle ones." ~Barb

"I saw precious children each unique in their personalities and desires with so much potential to be loved, nurtured, and cherished."~ Amy

"It was a blessing to be able to hold each one of those beautiful children and be a part of their lives even if only for a moment." ~Kara

"Zzzzzzz" ~Jenna (She was sleeping when I went to get her quote.)

Thank you for supporting us. I know it means a lot to everyone to know the team we have behind our team. Please keep bringing us and our goal to find families before our Father.

Goodnight!
~Tatiana

Travel to the South

Anna Checking out all the cool snack options

Hi Everyone!

Yesterday we safely made it to our area of service down in the south near Hong Kong. Barb and I have been in raptures with the place. Beijing is one of the most westernized areas of China. Barb's comment on the difference of feeling was "I thought I was in Asia this whole time, but now I know." I have the window open in my hotel room so I can listen to all the motor scooters and trucks honking. The music of Asia.

Our leader Kim earnestly explaining something to us

Amy enjoying her water

Jenna and Kara know how to enjoy a bus ride.

I think this is the only time Barb stopped chatting and telling stories the whole way

Intro to all the Team Members

Hello Everyone,

Sorry there was not a post yesterday. The internet has been painfully slow most of the time and we had a packed day! I wanted to let you all get to know the whole team before we go any farther. So here they are!

Left to Right Barb, Tatiana, Lois, Joanne, Jenna (squatting), Kim, Anna, Cathy (hiding) Amy, and Kara

Back row left to right Barb, Cathy, Lois, Kara, Jenna, Tatiana, Kim
Front row Anna, Joanne, and Amy

Kim Crampsey- Mother of 4 (ages 17 to 6) my youngest was adopted from China in 2011.
Traveled to China in 2014 with America World to work with partner orphanage. I am a physical therapist. 

Jenna Crampsey- I am a junior in high school and enjoy playing soccer for the school and rec leagues. . I just recently became interested in photography and am currently taking a school course. I have a lot of experience with kids; both from being the oldest of 4 siblings, the youngest of which is an adopted little girl from China, and running camps during the summer and leading child care activities. This will be my second time to China, the first time to get my younger sister. I feel very led to go to China and offer whatever God can use for his glory.

Anna Pappas. I work as a barista for Starbucks, front desk receptionist for a gym, and a childcare worker once a week. I've been working with kids, including kids with special needs, for the past 10 years in volunteering and paid positions. This is my second time visiting an orphanage in China with American World.

Kara Hahn - I'm a junior in high school, hoping to study either education or medical training in college in order to pursue a career in missions with orphans. I have just returned from a missions trip to an orphanage in Tijuana, Mexico, and have really felt God calling me to more missions work with orphans now and in the future.

Barb Forster-I am a retired nurse working with the elderly and hospice. I was a dorm parent in Malaysia for 10 years I had from 16 to 18 boys every year aged 10 to 12. As it was a boarding school for missionary children I was totally responsible for everything except their hours in school. A joy and a deep responsibility. I had a radio program for children for five years especially using storytelling. graduated from radio broadcasting school.

Amy Pietras- I have been married for three years to a wonderful man from Poland. I am a registered nurse with a Bachelors of Science in Nursing. I have been a pediatric nurse for eight years, and am currently working as a school nurse at Mountain Mission School in Virginia, which ministers to underprivileged children from around the world. My husband and I love to travel and experience new cultures. So far I have visited 15 countries on 4 continents, and am always looking for new opportunities to expand that list!

Tatiana Martin - Current college student studying English and business. I have been on two service projects to Vietnam to work in orphanages. Once I graduate I plan to move to Asia and work full time with orphans. I have been working in childcare for more than a decade and am especially skilled with infants. I also have worked part time with a handyman and know basic carpentry, and painting.

Cathy Johnson- Mom to 2, grandmother to 4 grandchildren work in property management and nursing skills I use on medical missions every year 2 times a year.

Joanne Pennington: I am married without children. I have been working as an occupational therapist for 26 years primarily with adults with neurological injuries and also hand injuries. I have some pediatric experience in acute rehab and outpatient as well as worked for World Vision in an orphanage in Romania for one year. At church I teach 4 year olds and I am just finishing up my 3 year term as deaconess.


Lois Lilienthal- I am married and have two daughters and a niece that we call our daughter. We became her guardians when she was eleven and she is still part of our lives. I am a grandmother to eight grandchildren, four boys and four girls. I am retired and now care for children in my home ranging in age from one to seven years old.