All roads lead to Bengbu

It’s been a long time since my first trip in 2005 to Bengbu.  What started out as an interesting challenge for shipping logistics has developed into a personal discovery of my very identity. 

I have met some amazing people along the way, and have been blessed to come to know several families and beautiful children.  I have developed long standing friendships with local volunteers, and have cherished the repoire of trust with the orphanage staff. 

After 10 years, I finally pore over the data of the past.  Of all the families I have delivered messages for, of all the donations we have made for the children.  I have a list of over 200 families from all over the world.  The donors that have been so generous, giving each and every year for our cousins.  I am so humbled, and so honored to be a part of the team that has done so much for the children. 

We have funded therapies and surgeries.  We have provided special needs equipment, medical supplies, books, and baby formula. We have supplied beds, blanket, furniture, and computers.  And, just as for our children, these items do not languish on the shelves, but are used, worn out, outgrown, and we ask donors to provide for them again.  And they do. 

Just so incredibly awesome. 

I am especially proud of the fact that we have participated in a Chinese New Year donation every year since 2006.  Many times adoptive families want to do something that really CONNECTS them with the orphanage.  They want to know that what they are doing lets the people there know that they feel connected to them in a deep way.  

  Spring Festival in China is synonymous with “family connection”.  Symbolic gifts of clothing, shoes, food, and “red envelop money” are very impactful ways of showing the children, the staff, and the community that WE ARE HERE, and that we have a connection to Bengbu.  And I am so grateful for families that donate in order for us to maintain that connection to Bengbu SWI.

 

  I invite the reader to click on the links to see the previous blogs to see our past journeys in detail, and in photos. 

 As with every journey to China, they all have a significant twist, with each one challenging me, and deepening my understanding and appreciation of the children and the staff at Bengbu.   

  This trip will be no different.

  We will be providing a donation of warm clothing for the cold winter now closing in on Bengbu. I will also be checking in on Meng Lu, a bright young man, now 25 years old, who has spent his entire life in the orphanage, and is struggling to make it on his own, despite his physical disabilities.  With his extremely sharp mind, and his pride, he is working to save money to get a job as a taxi driver. 

  I will be with my family on this journey, which includes our 2 daughters, both adopted from China, although not from Bengbu.  My youngest daughter will be celebrating her birthday this year in the land of her birth.  It will be a very special time for us to be all alone together.  

  And we will have another very special twist to our journey, which I will hold as a good surprise for our blog readers.  It will be a very memorable trip, indeed!