Andrew's Beginning, Part 2

Andrew began his new life at Maria's Big House of Hope (MBHOH), and then 15 months later, he was placed back at the orphanage in which he was first admitted. His orphanage is called Luoyang Children's Welfare Institute. The orphanage staff were his overseers, and they gave Andrew the name of Dang, Zan Cheng.

After we wrote China to tell them we wanted to adopt Andrew, the CCCWA moved him out of Maria's Big House of Hope and into the orphanage to prepare him for leaving the country--vaccinations, etc.

MBHOH and the orphanage are on the same street, and Steven Curtis Chapman's group is trying to move the orphanage across the street from MBHOH in order to better assist the orphanage staff and the children who live there.



 The front of Andrew's orphanage:

 The back of his orphanage:

In the fall we sent two care packages to the orphanage for Andrew, and we sent two disposable cameras--one in each package. When we received Andrew on Gotcha Day, the nanny returned to us one of the cameras. We developed the film and found the following pictures.

Andrew is in the arms of the nanny in the background:

Can you see bordum on his face?

Buddies! This little beauty, Xiao Xiao, was adopted, too. J

 He looks so small next to that empty bookcase:

 I see stress behind those eyes.

It appears that Andrew had a big buddy

who was looking out for him:

 Notice the camera flash?

 I was told the orphanage is very dark.

We adopted both our children through Chinese Children Adoption International (CCAI). CCAI is very involved with this particular orphanage, giving them donations and sending volunteers and workers over to help. There is even a special room called "Lily's Room"--named after our agency's co-founder. Our agency truly cares for orphans!

When Derek went to visit the orphanage, the nannies showed him exactly which crib was Andrew's. Derek is standing by Andrew's crib, and he slept in the crib with another child. The little girl, Xiao Xiao, (from the above pictures) was in the crib right next to Andrew's. Her crib is to the left of Andrew's in the picture below:

As you look at the above picture, you will see where some of the donations go--bedding. I realize not every orphanage is so blessed. There is so much work to be done.

"But You, God, see the trouble of the afflicted;
You consider their grief and take it in hand.
…You are the helper of the fatherless."
Psalm 10:14

"A father to the fatherless…is God in His holy dwelling."
 Psalm 68:5

I am so thankful God cares about orphans.
What a loving God!
"God is love."
I John 4:8