Wednesday, September
8, 2010
Today was a day for paperwork processing and waiting
for final documents. Therefore, we decided to make good use of
our “free day”. Following a tip from our friends back at home,
the Grabowski family, we decided to entice our travel group to
venture with us to the Shaolin Temple and home of a popular,
prestigious Kung Fu School. It was risky encouraging other
families to drive two hours one way with us to see a view that
we ourselves had not yet witnessed. But the Grabowski’s did not
lead us astray. The drive there was scenic. We were able to see
much of the countryside without the large buildings impeding our
view. There was still more people on the road than one can
imagine, but the sights were stunning.
The weather in the city has been warm and humid. We feel like we
sweat, er… uh, I mean, glisten all day long. Unfortunately, the
hotel had decided that the weather is mild outside and so the
air conditioning has been turned off in the hotel. We pop open
the door to create a little more of a draft. This paired with
the fact that we cannot flush toilet paper due to the plumbing
constraints here, make for an interesting atmosphere.
As we rode on the big bus up into the mountains, we could feel
the temperature outside cool and the view became breathtaking.
We enjoyed the ambiance while spending time holding Bella and
encouraging her to trust. Bella Trinity is still very cautious,
sad, and timid. She will close her eyes to escape anytime she
gets too much stimulation coming in. I know she was well cared
for in her foster/medical placement, as her heart is so tender
and broken right now. She spent the entire bus ride vacillating
between sleeping and taking quick glimpses at those around her.
She will close her eyes and pretend to sleep to avoid contact.
The other challenge she continues to have is that her little
tummy is so upset. She has been unable to keep anything down and
has spit-up every time she eats or drinks. It is so sad to see
her struggle and yet we continue to focus on the fact that this
is just a short season and she will come through. She will only
let me hold her and while she is awake, she is pretty much stuck
to me (of course, I am pleased to oblige). Right now she avoids
eye contact with others. Occasionally she will let Breanna hold
her too, but only for a few moments. So far, she will not crawl,
walk, talk, or eat much of anything. She is just very very
unsure. It has been a very hard week for her.
Once we arrived at the Shaolin Temple, I felt like we had walked
into a scene from the movie Kung Fu Panda. The clouds
mysteriously danced over the mountain peaks and the sound of
boys turning into young men while practicing Kung Fu echoed in
the air. The temperature was probably 15 degrees cooler than
back in the capital city. The air was crisp and fresh.
We ate lunch at a tasty restaurant on the Shaolin Temple
Grounds. And then rode an open tour bus to the Pagoda Forrest.
This mountain side had over 250 pagodas that were burial sites
of monks from the temple. It was an incredibly historical site
to see. The Shaolin Temple grounds were also rich with history
and were an intriguing experience.
Next we saw a fast-paced, highly skilled, awesome Kung Fu Show
that the students from the Martial Arts School perform. They had
amazing strength, noteworthy flexibility, and inspiring agility.
All in all, it was an incredible afternoon.
This evening was full of continued refusal of food, vomiting,
and sadness from little Bella. She is really struggling and is
so very troubled. When I look into her eyes, I see a little girl
that is overcome with grief, anxiety, and fear. She is trying to
be brave and yet she is a bundle of vulnerable emotions. We
continue to encourage her and I continue to hold her. We know
that this is part of the process and that her pain is real and
confusing to her. We love her so much and feel so badly for her.
Yet again we know that time will heal her wounds and love will
bring forth transformation and victory. Please pray for her and
her apprehensive little heart.
|
Mystery of the Shaolin Temple
Young Boys Becoming Men
Baba, Mama, and Trouble Bella
Inspired- Oh No!
The Team at the Pagoda Forrest
The Pagoda Forrest |
