Trip to China
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Thursday, July 5, 2007 Today the dichotomy of China has really struck my heart. You can feel the tension between the old and the new, the ancient and modern, the conservative and progressive. In the photo of Nanchang you can see the ancient pavilion built to entertain royals and high level officials contrasted with a modernizing city and a suspension bridge that is an engineering wonder. Jiangxi is an underdeveloped province. You see Mercedes share the road with carts of pigs and rice bag laden bicycles. The Farmer’s Market where most commoners shop was mortifying to some of the Americans with unchilled meat and live frogs for dinner. On the other hand, our hotel has more inlaid marble than a Ritz Carlton. The people of our two countries have such different cultures, yet underneath we want the same things. To raise our children, to be understood, to seek enlightenment. Even Ava’s short life is a story of contrast. We found out today through translation that she was found on the street in front of a store that had not yet opened. The store owner found her on her birthday and brought her to the Social Welfare Institute. Her city is so poor and rural. Now, she’s the belle of the ball in a fancy hotel, dressed like a fashion plate and taking photos with Iron Chef. Her Chinese name means “little rose” small and beautiful. Even then someone knew…Her English name means “desired and bright”. She is all of those things. I am so humbled by all of the things I have seen here and the people I have met. Ava is such a blessing to our lives. I have witnessed so many coincidences during our journey to her, and have heard like stories from the other parents here to adopt their babies. All of this has only strengthened my spiritual beliefs. Only God could perform such complex miracles as I have seen…to bring East and West together, parents and children, His people joined as they should be.

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