At the Orphanage
We got to the Orphanage around 3pm. It was very clean and welcoming. It was set up with a small playground outside in the middle (like a courtyard) and rooms surrounding it. We followed our rep to his room where lots of kids gathered at the gate to welcome us. The kids were so excited. Our translator told us the kids were saying that Hien was taking a bath to get ready to get on a plane (smile). We watched Hien from the entryway as his caretaker scrubbed him down quickly and found him some clothes and some shoes from a closet under the stairs. Hien looked back nervously at us and smiled. Then he walked up to me anxiously (Krista), nuzzled his face in my chest, wrapped his legs tightly around me and I picked him up. Tears began to stream down his face. As we walked away from his room he reached out his arm toward his friends and he began crying louder. He continued to cry as we met with the Orphanage Director and he hollered loudly as Larry took him to the van. Soon, he began to relax. As we drove down the street, he nestled closer and closer as he began to melt into my chest. Larry began tickling him and making faces and Hien's eyes lit up and a smile broke through the curious, somewhat fearful expression on his face. By the time we were back at the hotel he seemed completely calm, wide-eyed and wondering.
Back at the Hotel
For a couple hours he was very quiet. He quickly grabbed the TV remote and began changing channels for about an hour. He was captivated by all the buttons and various programs. Then he was playing with a toy car (Lightning McQueen) that Larry gave him at the orphanage and a stuffed soccer ball. He kept all his toys at very close range at all times.
Larry left for a few minutes to pick up some food from the market as Eli and I laid on the bed playing and watching the Disney Cars movie. He vrrroomed Lightning McQueen around the bed as he watched the car on screen. I prayed that Eli and Larry would have lots of fun together...Sure enough, when Larry got back the ice broke and Hien began smiling and playing happily.
During the last couple hours before bed he really started loosening up (We all crashed around 8pm our time cause we were so tired and that is his usual bedtime.)
He was playing and laughing and sword fighting with chop sticks...We were laughing so hard during dinner cause he was totally using chopsticks! We gave him an Asian style spoon at first and he was totally uninterested in his noodle soup. Then he spotted the chopsticks, grabbed them, and went to town! It was sooooo cute! Then he saw himself in a mirror and he just started laughing and playing...I bet by the time we come home he will be a totally different kid. At the orphanage they said that he is really shy. Didn't seem like it last night though!
In Our Arms
We are so blessed! We can already see how God is fitting Eli into our family. He is so perfect in every way! God chose us to raise him up and love him the way Christ loves him. Last night was such an incredible picture of love, peace, and joy! We got the chance to nurture Eli during tough transitions and he grew in peace and joy as he received our love. Thank you so much for your prayers. We couldn't ask for a better first day with our amazing little Hien!
May Christ's grace, peace, and joy be with you,
Larry and Krista Lain
