We had the opportunity to meet with and have lunch with Dr. Kim today. Dr. Kim is the founder of Eastern Welfare Society the adoption agency on this side of the earth. He founded the agency with the support of the Korean Government 45 years ago. Since then they have had over 45,000 adoptions that they have facilitated. In addition to the adoption agency and the guest house we are staying at here they have 5 other programs and sites that they own and support including 2 special needs facilities, an unwed mothers home, a school, and an orphanage for children that would otherwise to available for adoption but their parents couldn't be found or they didn't do the release paperwork. Amongst all the good and all the amazing hard work that this place provides to help with adoptions they walk the walk when it comes to taking care of the all that life can bring both the good and the messy.
He is 94 years old he speaks very softly and uses a cane. He had two things that he said that stuck with me.
A) He has had to and is trying to change the minds and hearts of Korean Nationals when it comes to adoption. The society here places much emphasis on your lineage. Therefore adopted children are not afforded the same social status. That is changing over time. The interesting thing about that is that people who do choose in country domestic adoptions prefer girls. That is why there are now many more boys being adopted internationally.
2) He spoke very fondly of America. He thanked us for the many men that died when the Chinese invaded through North Korea. He talked about the support that America provided when Japan occupied Korea, he talked about how America brought Christianity to Korea, and how he feels that if it weren't for America and our support and sacrifice Korea wouldn't be an independent democracy today.
In a time when I wonder if America is capable of making a foreign policy decision that won't some day bite us in the @$$. It is wonderful to hear a saintly man speak so highly of our past efforts, lives lost, and policy decisions.
I tried to scrunch down in the picture so I didn't look like a giant.
We are off to see little girl again. Hope she likes me. She is so sweet!
1 comment:
Hi, guys! Thanks for the message. We were at a celebration dinner for a poet from Minneota who hand selected a 13 course traditional Chinese feast, preceded by shots of Icelandic vodka. I don't know how it compares to Paris Baguette.
I find the time and date change a little trippy (you probably do too, but it's worse for me--I am writing from the past, but you are communicating with me from the future!), but I think by now you have had your latest "meeting" with Ammi. I hope everyone stuck to the agenda and left with action items.
I can't believe how cute she is--I am imagining her already in Petra and Davie's hand-me-downs, especially that multicolor speckly sweater somebody (Katie?) knit...
Speaking of clothes, since your youngest is such a stickler for the dress code, does Lee have to wear a tie to the airport? Or is it casual day on Friday? Only dool more days! Taekwondo!
Post a Comment