Today, we traveled to Lian Yun Gang to see Inara's orphanage. I wasn't sure what to expect and was concerned for my girls. I knew the visit would add to Inara's confusion and that the effect on AK would be significant. Both of those concerns played out but the visit was also profoundly amazing. Inara was loved. I mean, really loved. The orphanage staff came out in groups to greet Inara and it was clear that she had a special place in their hearts. She was all smiles seeing everyone who had cared for her and the staff beamed as they passed her from person to person. We were treated to a lunch with the director. It was the most spectacular Chinese food we have eaten yet. The staff was kind and we could see how well the orphanage was run, how well cared for the children were, but, most importantly, how connected they were to the children. 
Inara's orphanage is largely funded by Half the Sky and we learned that it was Half the Sky that funded her surgery in Beijing.
Here is Inara giving us a tour of the play room. 
What was fun to watch was how Inara would grab AK's hand and take her to the toys or her crib.
Inara with her best friend who has also been matched with a family in the US. We hope to be able to locate them so we can keep the girls in touch. 
It was a very emotional day being at the orphanage. Most of the children at the Lian Yun Gang orphanage are special needs children and some severely handicapped. But everywhere you looked there was art and crafts of the children hanging from the walls and ceilings, pictures of them with their nannies, and toys. The place was a flurry of activity and laughter.
Yes, she was most certainly loved. We feel so luck that she had so many people who cared deeply for her and took such good care of her. She is such a well-adjusted, developmentally normal kid and we now know why.
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