Early this morning, Monday, after a 2 1/2 hour drive south to En Ping in constant rain, we were warmly greeted by Rachel's orphanage director. The director drove out to meet us at an intersection in town. We then followed her through the back roads and dirt roads to arrive to the En Ping Social Welfare Institute (Enping SWI). What we found was a very nice place. We were greeted by all the staff including Rachel's two caretakers. Several other workers were nice enough to say hello and hold her once more. The director presented us with two handmade palmtree fans especially from Southern Guangdong. We will keep these as warm reminders of her beginning.
This orphanage was very gracious with their time. Turns out, it's not only an orphanage, it's also an elderly care center (like a nursing home). There are over 300 senior citizens on two floors with the children on the 3rd floor. Right now, they only have 6 children. We got to meet each one. We saw everything from where Rachel slept, to where she played, to meeting her "best friend". Her "best friend" is 3 years old and was wearing one of the new dresses we brought from Texas. Randy's Mom and friends from her church-building group handmade over 30 dresses and shorts for us to donate to Rachel's orphanage. The director was very pleased to show us the dresses fit perfectly and will be put to good use for many children. In all, the SWI has an outdoor feel because every room opens to a beautiful courtyard. So, it was truly a pleasant place to visit. Every worker had a smile.
The director then drove us to Rachel's "FINDING PLACE"; where as a baby she was discovered before being brought to the orphanage. On February 25, 2007 Rachel was left as the newest of newborns in an area where a kind stranger found her and was immediately cared for by the orphanage doctor. Experiencing this finding place left us with a myriad of emotions, and we are grateful for our true little miracle, because she truly is. Her finding place story is her own to share some day.
On that note, they also say it was raining that day just like today. As we returned to our room around 2:30 local time, we were startled by the emergency alarms going off countrywide. This was a somber reminder and moment of silence for last week's earthquake in Sichuan province. Thus giving us a quiet, reflective day altogether. We are thankful. We are blessed beyond measure.
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