Sunday afternoons = Zhong wen afternoons. 

2 hours of Chinese language are now accompanied by an hour of traditional Chinese dance. Ashlyn, meet fan dancing. Fan dancing, meet Ashlyn. The two will never be the same.

We’ve only met twice so far. And, yes, “we” because I’m full in.

We’ve done the greetings (Ni hao! Ni Hao Ma?). We’ve done some introduction (Ni ji sui?). This week, we also reviewed, “Where are you from?” or “What is your nationality?” Lao Shi (teacher) had the children repeat, “I am American.” No brainer for Ashlyn. Wo shi Mei guo ren.

But, there’s a little girl in her class who was adopted from China.

When it was time to practice with a friend, Ashlyn and Sweet Little Girl came over to me for help (more like facilitation since my Chinese is, well, lacking). Ni shi na guo ren? Sweet Little Girl was quiet. She just looked at me.

“Do you know what to say?” Sweet Little Girl was quiet.
“Do you want to say, ‘I’m American.’ or ‘I’m Chinese.”

“I don’t know.”

“Well, you could say either one. You are American. But, you are also Chinese. You can decide which one you want to say.”

Still quiet.

Another child came up to practice, and Ashlyn moved on to conversation with him. Sweet Little Girl just stayed next to me listening to them.

“I want to say I’m Chinese.”

I pulled Ashlyn back over. Ni shi na guo ren?
Go ahead, Sweet Little Girl, a little coaching, then “Wo shi Zhong guo ren.”

The class sat back down, and Lao Shi asked each one questions they had to answer aloud.

She got to Sweet Little Girl. Ni shi na guo ren? Quiet. Ni shi na guo ren? Quiet. She started to coach her to say, “I’m American.”

I spoke up, “No, no, she wants to say she’s Chinese.” Oh. Oh, okay.

And, Sweet Little Girl told her, “Wo shi Zhong guo ren.”

And, then the teacher moved on to the next child.

We were in China–just Mark and me–and were needing to leave to come home.

We were at his orphanage in Xi’an. And, someone there who worked with Xiao Feng came out to talk to us about him. They said he needed some new medicine  and that he was anxious about having it.

Mark went into the room where he was laying in bed to be with him while I stayed with the orphanage staff. I don’t remember what we talked about, but we talked about the little boy.

Mark then came out and told me how anxious he thought Xiao Feng was.

So, I went to him.

I sat by his bed on the floor and just touched his face and head. He was awake at first and then fell asleep. Mark came in to gently tell me we needed to leave. I told him we’d leave the next day because I could not leave Xiao Xiao’s side until morning. Mark understood.

And, I just sat there and kept touching him warmly like I would one of my own children when they are sick or upset.

And, then I woke up.

Mark handed Lydia to me while he went to make her a bottle. And, I snuggled her close in our bed under lots of covers, and I thought about Xiao Feng.

I’ve had some families ask about him. I’ve sent his file to several people. But, I haven’t heard from anyone yet if God has called them to bring him home. As far as I know, he’s still waiting. He has probably seen a lot of children leave the orphanage to meet their families. I trust it will be his turn soon. This boy is ready to bless someone’s family.

I feel like he’s already blessed me.