The BFF Visit

Mia & Danie 7/2009




Before we left for China to adopt our second daughter, Mia, I had connected, via the internet, with other families that either had adopted or were waiting to adopt children from Nanning, the city where our daughter awaited us. When we finally got our travel dates, I e-mailed the list to see if anyone wanted me to try to check on their waiting son or daughter. There were three families that replied and sent me small packages to give to their child. Fortunately, we were able to give the three packages to the orphanage staff to deliver to the children who were all in foster care. We soon discovered that one of the children, Danie, just happened to be the best friend of our new daughter. They both lived with foster families in the same apartment complex, on the same floor. The foster mothers were friends, so the two girls played together every day, and attended pre-school together for a time.

Several days after Mia came to us, we went to take a tour of the Nanning Social Welfare Institute where Mia spent the first year of her life. We never did make it into the building. As we walked toward the campus, we were met by Mia's foster parents, and the three children we had inquired about, and their foster moms. Later that evening we had dinner with Mia's foster family and some of their friends, including Danie. It was there that Mia had to say her last good-bye's to the people she knew and loved. We knew that Danie was going to be adopted into a family in Washington state, but we didn't know if they would see each other again.

Last Sunday, 3 1/2 years later, Danie came to visit! Her family was on a cross-country trip and made an overnight stop to visit. Danie stepped out of the motor home and the two of them just stared at each other. Finally, I said, "well, give her a hug!" They giggled and hugged and ran upstairs to play and get re-acquainted. It was as if they started where they left off. It was at that moment that I was reminded of God's grace and his love for orphans. These two little girls had to lose so much - their country, their culture, their friends and their families. I think God honored their brave little hearts and allowed them to not have to lose each other. They share a friendship that is very unique and very special and I know that they will be BFF (best friends forever)!

Dina Ackermann