Back to Zhengjiang 10 Years After ( 2 ) - The Zhengjiang SWI

The relevant page of the book of doptees including the four Zhenjiang girls in our group.


Zhenjiang (2) – The Zhenjiang Social Welfare Service Center

By Mitchell Senft










The Zhenjiang Social Welfare Service Center of which Shayna was cared for in its orphanage division, as it were, at its prior facility, since torn down for urban renewal. (We did not go there. The babies were brought to us in Nanjing in 1997 because operations were being transferred to the facility which we toured today.)
Shayana with Former Director Mr. Ji

Ms. Zhang, the then and now caregiver

We met with, exchanged gifts with one of the girls' caretakers, Ms. Zhang, still with the orphanage, its current director, and with the 97 director, now apparently the #2 for the entire center. We were greeted in a sort of director’s meeting-type room with a welcome Wang Jiang-Lu banner. We were shown records, some we had, some not, as well as the relevant page from what seemed to be the big book of adoptee, which had all four girls identified as well as a fifth. Donna gave them the printouts of the numerous photos of Denise and the one of Julia.

We had a brief tour of the orphanage, now with a lot more or a higher percentage of seriously special needs kids. I should say it was special needs heavy among the babies and infants, far less so among the older kids. Obviously the reason were told no photos or recording, although same was allowed in the private rooms, where we met and was served lunch. We said our goodbyes.

Back to Zhengjiang 10 Year Later ( 1 ) - Train Ride

Donna and Shayna on the train from Shanghai to Zhenjiang

Zhenjiang (1) – Train Ride

By Mitchell Senft

I almost even recognized the train station on arrival. (This after confirming the three subsequent nights at the Galaxy, which involved, apparently, a wake up call to Zoe, who did not sound very awake at all at 0700.Her agency had made the arrangements including paying in advance.)

Great train ride, once we learn the hard way that we had reserved seats (the passenger in whose seat we were occupying literally pointed it out to us). Train was new, clean, fast, with at least one non-flushing toilet. Food was a beverage cart, not a pot of tea carried by army personnel or people dressed liked army personnel (aged memory fails on this point). Met at the station by Lily, the guide/interpreter whose agency was retained on our behalf by George Wu and from there directly to the hired vehicle and the ride to...

Blessings from China by Roberta Diggs
Gladney mom, Roberta Diggs, has published her first book entitled Blessings from China. In this book Roberta takes you on a journey halfway around the world of her and her husband’s mission to rescue two abandoned children, Tracie and Marcie. You will laugh and cry as you follow the moving experience of Roberta and Billy as they become first-time parents in the forties. It is a poignant memoir about the reality of adoption, spiced with humor and the blessings of God. Blessings from China is sure to warm your heart and inspire your soul.

Roberta Diggs is a devoted wife and mother busy being a domestic engineer for her family. She has spoken on occasion to groups about her journey of adoption to China through the Gladney Center. She has a great passion for the people of China and especially for the orphanages that are full of children. She has been active in church, teaching young people and has been the women’s missionary leader. Roberta and her husband, Billy, live on a farm in western Oklahoma where they enjoy time with their two beautiful daughters, Tracie and Marcie.

Shanghai SuperKids Volunteers Visiting Shanghai Children's Home

Janet Fink hols up a child of special need in Shanghai (above)

Dian, Janet and Pat in Shanghai Super Kids shirt (right)

SSK Volunteers with SCH staff and Children. (above)

The man in white shirt is Director Wang from Shanghai Children's Home

Gladney mom, Janet Fink, and two professional therapists, Pat Marcus and Diane Schmidt, of the Shanghai SuperKids just returned from their first volunteer trip to the Shanghai Children's Home. It was a huge success and one they will never forget. While there they saw a total of 300 children and worked with more than 100 of them. They trained at least 20 caretakers and 20 rehabilitation staff. They were able to identify and measure 4 preteens with spinal cord injury who need better wheel chairs and identify and measure a small group of children who need walkers and special chairs to help them sit up and function more normally. On their last day, the director of the Shanghai Children's Home gave each of the volunteers a special certificate that thanked them for their work and for respecting the SCH guidelines. The Shanghai SuperKids are looking to raise more money with the hope to return in October to follow up on the work they began and to see the remaining 400 children. Shanghai SuperKids was initiated by Janet Fink and is a project of Glandey's China Initiative. For more information, please visit www.superkids.chinainitiative.org.

MJ and Nici Are In China 3--Nanchang--Gotcha!!!

Monday, July 09, 2007
Gotcha!

On Sunday, we left Beijing for Nanchang and arrived at approximately 12:45 pm. We were met by our new guide who brought us to our hotel. While enroute to the hotel, she informed us that we would meet our babies! When we arrived at the hotel, we only had about 2 hours to get ready and freshen up before leaving for the CCAA office. After what seemed like an endless drive, we finally arrived at the building. We had to take and elevator up to the 26th floor. When we arrived, the babies had not arrived, so we had to wait for them. We paced the floor for what seemed like hours. Finally, the babies arrived! None of them were crying. They all were so good and it was such a wonderful moment to finally meet our daughter. Words cannot explain how we felt. Also, my greatest fear of not recognizing her, went out the window. I knew her right when I saw her! The CCAA building was very hot and miserable. It seemed like we were there forever.
When we got back to the hotel, we changed Meghan and dressed her in a 9mos outfit. We quickly learned that she would need a couple of 6 month outfits because she is so tiny. We did not expect her to be so little! We took her to dinner with our group and she is such a good little eater! After dinner we took her back to the room and played with her until bathtime. She did great in the tub, but whimpered when we first put her in the little tub the hotel provided. After bathtime we soothed her and she fell asleep on my chest, while her daddy worked on some paperwork for the CCAA.
Here are some pictures from our special day!

MJ and Nici Are In China 2--Beijing!!!

Saturday, July 07, 2007

Today we had a full day of touring. We first went to a Jade Factory where we learned how to tell the difference between quality Jade and fake Jade. It was very informative and we learned a lot about Jade! Then we had the opportunity to walk around and look at beautiful Jade goods. We could also purchase items at this location.

In this picture, the gentleman is carving the Jade. After he carves it, another worker then polishes it. After our visit to the Jade factory, we headed north out of Beijing towards the Great Wall. The view was beautiful as we approached the wall.

These are padlocks lining the wall as you first begin the climb. The locks are placed there by lovers and then once it is attatched, they throw away the key to symbolize their long lasting love.
Here is a view from the first guard tower looking up the wall. Some of the steps were high, some were short. They were very uneven, making the climb up the wall tiring and treacherous. It was also very hot! We were sweating like crazy!
I was able to make it up the wall to an area between the second and third guard towers. In this picture you scan see some of the wall snaking amongst the mountains.
After we toured the wall, we went to lunch at the Friendship store. This was fun and there were so many great things to buy and see. This store is government owned, so you can't barter, but it was an interesting way of shopping because you tell the sales representative what you want. She then writes it up on a ticket that you are given as you enter the store. After she gives you a copy of the ticket, you take it to the cashier and pay for it. The sales representative then gives you your items. After a little bit of shopping, we headed to the Ming Tombs. This was very beautiful and the grounds were immaculate. The tombs are guarded by animals, mystic beasts, and soldiers.

Once we finished walking the grounds at the Ming Tombs, we headed back to the city and then went to tour a Silk Carpet Factory. This was very interesting and we can see why those carpets are so expensive. Each one is hand made. The girls who make the carpets have to take a break every 30 minutes because of the tedious work.

We ended the day with a nice Peking Duck dinner. They carved the duck before bringing it to our table, but they put the meat in these nice porcelin dishes.

After dinner, we headed back to the hotel to pack and get some rest before our travel to Nanchang.
This is a picture of our hotel room. It was very nice and the beds are a little hard, but we were so tired everyday that it did not really bother us. Overall we really enjoyed staying at the hotel. Today (Sunday) we are flying to Nanchang. We are hoping we will get Meghan today, but we will definately get her tomorrow. I have no idea how our blog looks because I am unable to look at it, but I can post. So I hope it makes sense! We are going to try to post updates from Nanchang, providing that we are able to connect to the internet. Hopefully our next post will be from Nanchang! Only 8 hours until we hopefully see Meghan!

MJ and Nici Are In China--Beijing!!!

Editor's Note: This is from MJ and Nici's blog. For more pictures and back entries, please visit their blog here.

We finally made it to Beijing! Our flight over was uneventful, but long. I was nervous about all the flying, but that was quickly forgotten when we stepped foot in China!

We left Dallas at eight in the morning on Wed. and arrived in SFO at 940am pacific time. We left SFO at 1115am and 11hours and 26 minutes later we touched down in Beijing. Customs was busy, but we got through it with no problems.
We were not expecting such a nice hotel! It is very nice and it has all the ammenities that a person needs when traveling on such a long trip! This is a picture of the countdown clock for the Olympics on the Cultural Museum in Tian'an Men Square.
Here is a picture of the gate that led to the Forbidden City.
A picture of some rickshaws driving down the street in the Hutong district of Beijing.

This is a picture from the Silk Factory Institute. We learned how the silk is made and then processed to make goods. It was very interesting!

This is a picture from the Chinese Acrobatic Show. This was a great way to end the day! We really enjoyed the show and were amazed at the flexibility and balance all of the performers had.

Tomorrow we will continue our adventures and I plan to post some pictures on the blog tomorrow.

Abby and Georgia With Their Daddy!!!

Mom Pam writes:

Attached you will find pictures of Dad (Paul) with Abigail (Abby) and Georgia taken on Fathers Day 2007. Abigail is 5 1/2 years old and was adopted on August 6, 2002 in the Jiangsu Province. Georgia is 3 1/2 years old and was adopted on September 12, 2004 in the Jiangxi Province.

Sarah and Lauren With Their Daddy!!!

Lilly And Her Daddy!!!

Mom Kristen writes:

Hi! These are a few pics of my Husband Mark & our daughter Lilly and her
brothers Hunter & Fisher. Lilly truly has the men in her life wrapped
around her little finger! Mark is a great dad, the kids love him dearly.
The pics are of Mark and Lilly camping in New Mexico, Christmas 2006 and
just this past week at the beach in North Padre Island, Tx.
Lilly's gotcha date is July 17, 2004, from Zhonjou, in the Fujian province.
We were very blessed to get her at just 7 mo. old!

Whitney And Her Daddy!

Whitney is enjoying a day at the Central Park Zoo with her father, Jeff.(left and bottom right). In the top right picture they are at a birthday party in Pound Ridge, NJ. Whitney is from Chongqing and turned 2 in February.

Ian And His Daddy!!!

Dad Andrew writes:

This is a picture of Ian (from the town Guan Yuan in Sichuan, adopted May 17, 2005, Age 2 in this picture- he's 3 now) and dad Andrew. Struggling with potty training.

ShiPeng And His Daddy!!!

Here are some pictures of Gladney's longtime facilitator, Samson, and his baby boy ShiPeng, along with Samson's wife Chrysanthemum and his mother, the proud Grandma! These pictures were taken at a park outside Guangzhou in March. ShiPeng has since grown a lot and now weighs almost 17 pounds!

Emily And Her Daddy!!!

Mom Lisa writes:

Attached is a picture of Andy with our daughter Emily. Emily is from the Hunan Province (Yueyang County SWI) and was adopted in Nov 2004. She is now 3 1/2 years old.

Alida And Her Daddy!!!

Mom Jennifer writes:

Alida with her dad, Bill. Age 3 1/2, Guangdong Province, DongGuan City SWI, adopted 9/13/04.

Lylia Ting And Her Daddy!!!

Mom Deborah writes:

These are photos we took in China last January. Lylia Ting Corbett is now 6 years old. We adopted her in January 2007 from the Bejing Children’s Orphanage. In the first photo she is the one with the orange jacket.

Nina And Her Daddy!!!

Dad Eric writes:

Enclosed is my father's day photo submission. Since I'm usually BEHIND the camera 98% of the time when taking pictures of Nina,I'm not usually seen in them with her!! I hope this one will do.

Here are our stats:
Eric and Nina Ping
Nina is from the Hunan Province
We adopted her in July 2005
She will be 3 years old on August 14th
We live in Bernardsville, NJ

This photo was taken at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, AZ in April 2007. We were in Arizona to visit relatives and I was racing in Ironman Arizona. A few days before the race we took an evening stroll through this lush and peaceful garden. Nina was fascinated seeing all sorts of desert birds and colorful flowers.

James, Kathryn and Sarah And Their Daddy!!!

From Mom Stephanie:

Chris is the photographer in the family so it was hard to find pictures of him alone with the kids, but I dug up a few! (I really need to take some more of him alone with our youngest, Sarah, though!). James is almost 7 1/2 now, Kathryn (Guangdong, adopted 2006) will be 2 1/2 on July 1st and Sarah(Guangdong, adopted 2007) is 21 months. These pictures were all taken within the last six months. The one of Chris standing behind Sarah in her stroller was taken at the Guangzhou Zoo in March.

As you can see Chris almost always has a child hugging him or riding his back!

Kathryn in particular is a real Daddy's Girl these days!!


Happy Father's Day To All Dads!