Tianjin and Beijing

Tianjin and Beijing

November 26th, 2010

Ron and I came early to China in order to see his cousin Cindy and her family.  Cindy and her husband Phil have lived in China for 20 years and are also adoptive parents of two Chinese girls.   Biking to the local market and cultural streets were highlights for us in Tianjin.

 Not only do we share a love for Chinese children but we have a deep bond of shared faith that united our time.

In China it is expected that you will barter for the price of goods that are bought in a market setting.  Cindy is the master.   Since we saw a photo of a mural of a Panda bear on the wall of the orphanage that John is in, we have been drawn to Pandas.   While shopping at the “Cultural Center”, we noticed a traditional Chinese painting on white silk of a mother Panda with a baby Panda.   Knowing we wanted to buy the painting Cindy started bargaining in Mandarin for a good price.  By the end of the session, the shop owner teased her/us that we had gotten such a good deal on the painting that she wouldn’t have any lunch money for the day!   Although humor does not always translate well between cultures, through Phil and Cindy, it was clear she was joking and we all found such pleasure in sharing that moment together.

Yesterday in Beijing, our adoption group of 14 families met for a tour.  In Ancient Chinese times, eight small homes were built around a common well.  In Beijing this area, called the Hutong homes, has been preserved.  The streets are very narrow and tourists are plentiful, therefore the common mode of transportation is the rickshaw. 

We also visited Tiananmen Square, the birth place of “modern China”, the People’s Republic of China and the Forbidden City. 

As we spend time with the adoption group, we are putting together bits and pieces of the stories of the other 13 families in the group.  Three are coming for their second Chinese child and one couple is adopting their third Chinese son.  Many have biological children at home – including one couple that also has 6 grandchildren!   Collectively, we seem to all be filled with hopeful anticipation as well as a bit of unease knowing that our futures are about to change drastically. 

We leave for Zhengzhou, the capital of Henan province in less than 24 hours.  And Monday – 15 hours ahead of US time zones, we get to meet our son!!!   Please pray for all these dear children whose lives are also drastically going to change in the next few days.   Their stress is often manifested physically in either getting sick or not being able to sleep. 

So grateful for your friendship and support!