Adoption Stories, Journey for Orphaned Youth

Food and Bonding

When Michelle and I were in Seoul for Michael’s adoption we took the time to go on a Korean Food Tour with a guide and some friends we met along the journey. The guide spent the day presenting a variety of food and dining experiences. My favorite was the back, back alley off an alley bar that served a Korean drink called Makgeolli. As we sipped the lightly carbonated rice drink and ate different marinated tofu we shared stories with our new American friends and Korean guides. We bonded and friends and discussed bonding our children that we were meeting in the next day.

The next day we got to spend time with Michael. How did we bond? Food. We fed him little gerber puffs and he fed us. It built familiarity and trust.

One of the most popular questions we receive about Jacob, after language, is what does he like to eat. Yes food is different 7,636 miles away. There are different tastes, different smells, different preparation, different types of fruits and vegetable. However, there is something innate in humans, we want to try different foods and drink. And this is the point. This exploration is one of the many ways to bound and connect with anyone from a different place.

Jacob wants to try all types of food. We have developed a signing system for the foods he likes, doesn’t like and food he finds so, so. He has given the thumbs up to Michelle’s Chinese soups. He thought the frozen pork buns were so, so (the bun was a bit too chewy. He was intrigued by the process of building his own taco. There are many other examples. Of course he is 12, so he is eating us out of house and home.

On our Korean restaurant tour we went had a traditional Confucian meal. This meal was more than just an exploration of food, but a ritual of honor, manners and the bonding of family and friends. While we were in our room eating, I was watching a family who was celebrating their first birthday. The celebration was food and future. It was interesting to watch as you could see the joy in the birthday boy for being recognized as the point of honor with his family.

Time spent to eat a meal is what keeps the family bound.

Upated “Adoption Stories” Page

Today I have added new links to stories about adoption on our Adoption Stories page. These stories are about what adoption means to Chinese orphans and the evolving demographics of Chinese orphans. There is so much information out there that we can link to. Please explore.

If you have your own story you want to share here, please let me know bu completing the form at Ask us Question. Just let us know it is okay to publish.

Enjoy the day!!!

A Big Gift

Adoption—it’s a miracle for the person you’re adopting. You know, there’s a reason they’re in the orphanage—something bad happened. When they get a new family, it’s like a gift from God. A big gift.
– – – Joseph (adopted at 12 years-olds)

I was catching up on some readings this morning when I found a note from a friend. She was sharing with me a story of a young man, Joseph, who was adopted from Ethiopia when he was 12 years-old. Joseph discussed why he believes that adoption is important.

Joseph wasn’t always a orphan. He and his younger sister were 8 and 5 when they lost their mother and were relocated to an orphanage. He prayed and maintained hope as other younger children were adopted by eager parents. But one day a couple who lived their lives with a profound sense that when Jesus commanded His church to care for widows and orphans came to welcome Joseph and his sister into their family.

Joseph’s story comes to us at a time when we are in the final hours of anticipation before Jacob’s arrival. This story shows there are people with open hearts and open homes to help Jacob continue his story. Jacob has the same hopes that Joseph had. We have the same hope for him too.

You can read the post about Joseph at http://www.ashleypdickens.com/adoption-through-the-eyes-of-a-once-orphan/ btw, he is getting a little sister named Nora.

Adoption—it’s a miracle for the person you’re adopting. You know, there’s a reason they’re in the orphanage—something bad happened. When they get a new family, it’s like a gift from God. A big gift. – – – Joseph (adopted at 12 years-olds)

Adoption—it’s a miracle for the person you’re adopting. You know, there’s a reason they’re in the orphanage—something bad happened. When they get a new family, it’s like a gift from God. A big gift.
– – – Joseph (adopted at 12 years-olds)