GOTCHA Day!

Good evening.

Wow, what a day. Internet connections are better in Sprague river than here in Taiyuan!

We left this morning bright and early. We were on the bus at 0530 and after a couple of hours of BUSY airport and short flights, we arrived in Taiyuan about 9:30. We were met by our local guide, Rose, at the airport, and we went directly to the Civil Affairs Office for our appointment to meet our new son.

First off, let me tell you, I really appreciate all that Amy, Liniker, and Sherry ( our AWAA national guides) do for us. I am so very glad that we are not first timers at the adoption rodeo. We struggled through about 1 1/2 hours of waiting, conversations and paperwork. and we left there about 1145.

Attached with this post you will see a picture of Levi (Wang Xiaowen). This photo was taken as he walked in with his foster mother, an interpreter and the director of the orphanage representing the foster family. In this photo, you will see a look in his eyes that will break your heart. He is a very handsome young man! As we rose to meet the him, I leaned forward, and held out my hand to shake his. He shook like a leaf in a windstorm, and his eyes say it all. As I search this photo, I recall the fear, wondering, excitement, and a mild amount of terror! He spoke the greeting "hello" in response and then we went and sat together on the couch while the women talked. The interpreter helped Beth with many questions, and they had a good talk about Levi. It was almost heartbreaking to listen to them talk, I knew that he could understand them. He could feel the conversation that centered on him like he was not there!

Our first meeting...

I am not sure that I have met any Chinese woman capable of asking a question quietly!! WOW. I took a few minutes to speak with Levi, via an interpreter. Very short answers. Due to his cleft repair and appearance, he shields himself slightly and does not talk directly. He is extremely shy and was so nervous. He clasp his hands to still the shaking!

Just hanging out for a bit...

The blessing of having the women to ask questions of was a double edged sword. They were worried that he would be afraid, worried that he would not know how to talk to us, worried that he would be embarrassed to share a room with a family.. and so on...  After a long conversation, we left to go get a photo taken for his adoption paperwork, then we went to go to our hotel and check in. Our hotel is in the nice part of down town. This is a STEEL and COAL town. They call it the Pittsburgh of China. The skies are gray, my contacts are scratchy, and you can feel it as your breath! Welcome to steel town! The way we have worked it out is that Levi and I are sharing a room and Beth and my sister Faith are sharing. Plenty of guy time and plenty of privacy!! Don't worry ladies.

Beth, Levi and his foster mother.

We had about 1 hour of paperwork to do here at the hotel. After the guide left, we walked down to find a bookstore with English/Chinese so we can talk... we were helped by a nice young man who wanted to practice his English and he was very helpful. At about 3 pm before we finally were able to sit down to lunch! Guess what we ate... PIZZA HUT. Lindsey would have been so happy! We were! We had a Hawaiian pizza, Levi also ordered fried rice. I don't think he had ever had pizza. He ate the rice, and the pizza. It was awesome, he used the electronic translator to tell us he was very hungry, we are making end roads!

Coming back to the hotel, the taxi ride made him car sick. We have about an 8 hour road trip tomorrow! Pray about that one!!

At the hotel, Beth and Faith left the two boys to talk. We used the computer and translator and books and talked for a long time, about an hour or two. He asked the hard questions... why do you want to adopt me, why cant I stay with my mother (foster), why do you need another boy in your family, will your family like me, how can I live with you when we can not talk, and many more. My heart is broken. He is so lost and lonely and scared.

At the tail end of the conversation, we were able to speak about whether or not he wanted to come with us, he does have a choice. In the end, he told me, "Yes, I want to be your son." We spoke about things like English names, he wanted to know if he had one... I told him. He thought for a moment, then spoke softly, "My name is Levi," then a bit louder with a smile, "My name is Levi". He smiled so big. He wanted to tell his new mother...so I called and she came over to our room. She sat down, he looked at her and said, "My name is Levi."  It was priceless to see her eyes smile. So incredible to see the love in her eyes.

So...that brings me to now. We took about an hour long walk tonight, just walking, (looking for Starbucks). No luck. Back at the room, we skyped Sophie, Amie and Grandma/Grandpa at 0530 in the morning!!! SORRY!! The ladies left shortly after. We talked a bit more, then while he played solitaire on the computer, I showered etc... Then the fun part. I gave him the bathing, brushing, combing, hygiene lessons....a bit of a battle communicating. Not bad, but just awkward.

Now, he is bathing, and I am ready for bed. Please pray for us as we move forward. God is good, and always there. I covet your prayers and the strength only the Holy Spirit can provide. Specifically, as I draw boundaries, instructions, and rules for someone who has none, pray for understanding, clarity and acceptance. We have a big week ahead. I will email more tomorrow and also more photos.

Thank you again for your prayers, we love you and miss you all.

To the Glory of God.....

Paul