We played and played. As I watched Jojo squatting in the sand building a ?? (not sure), he exclaimed "America GOOD for me!! China no good for me." I had to agree.
Now this may seem harsh to some of you and maybe a little unappreciative of the country who gave me my son. But the truth is the truth. China wasn't very good to him. After being totally immersed in English for four months, he is fluent. He even uses English euphemisms and slang correctly. The kiddo is SMART!
But in the Chinese orphanage he was considered "mentally retarded". He wore a diaper and was not allowed to go on field trips or even to the playground with the other children because of his problem. At bedtime one night he sadly described watching the other children go on excursions and having to stay back with the physically and mentally disabled. There was a vacant, straight-ahead stare on his face as he told me. I said "That must have made you very sad." He was still. Then his face crumpled and he cried out in anguish "Me SO sad!!" and then fell into my arms and wept.
Thank God for healing. Thank God that he is here now.
He tells me more, every day a little more. I am learning my son. He is mine.
I grieve that I was not there to help him then, and I marvel at how God protected his tender heart. He is developmentally like a four or five year old now. But in other ways he is much older, much wiser. He is gentle to others, and he still worries about the little children we left behind. He told me very matter of factly that at night the children would be hit about the head and neck if they talked or made noises, but he would very quietly tell stories to the younger children. They must miss him now.
But he is free. He hasn't needed a diaper since the day he left the orphanage. His sisters take him to the playground to swing whenever he wants. His brothers play outside with him every day. A friend gave him a new scooter all his own. The beach is just a short drive away. He has a real Mommy and a Daddy who is coming home in 8 weeks from Afghanistan.
Life is good in America for Josiah MingHua Conard.
But lets pray for those left behind. They need Mommy's and Daddy's too.
