4th orphanage

I have downloaded photos several times now and they just won't work. So, Here are some thoughts from a very tired me.

We ventured to our 4th orphanage this morning.  It was a 3 hour drive across Guangdong. Green trees, jagged mountains, we were in the middle of nowhere.  Then we arrived at the tiny poor town were the orphanage sits.

This is how it has been going on these visits.  We arrive and I get all excited to see the kids.  Then we sit for a very long time chatting with officials (remember the chatting is all in Chinese so I understand absolutely NOTHING).  I know this is important to do.  

Today was a little different as they whisked us away down and around twisty roads/alleys to a random unassuming restaurant.  With a green scum pond and stray little dogs.  They serve us lunch.  Let's just say when they serve oysters when you are landlocked I got a bit nervous.  I figured the soup broth would be a safe bet until I heard it was pigeon. . . NO can DO!  All in all the lunch was good and we were on our way.

We returned to the orphanage and only had to wait a few minutes to see the kids.  This is when my tummy does flip flops with all sorts of anticipation.  

This is the deal.  Kids are not meant to live in sterile institutions.  

There is very little human contact or connection.  Several of the kids had rope around their feet presumably to tie them to their beds.   

So many very very sad kids with little to no hope of a future.  There were no toys.  Kids were folded in half in walkers, lifeless.

There was a sweet tiny girl just a preteen.  We hope to get her out ASAP!  She will make an awesome addition to a family someday.  

A little one with cloudy eyes.  She is sad and void but I know she is in there she just needs a momma to scoop her up and give her a chance to grow.  She followed directions well and was scared of us white ladies, which is so appropriate.  A beautiful girl!

All I can say is this is so many layers of Fu&*ed up ness that I don't have words for.