The Waiting Child: How the Faith and Love of One Orphan Saved the Life of Another

Easily one of the most touching and inspiring stories I've ever read. As an adoptive parent myself and soon to begin the process again, I cried through every chapter and could not put the book down.I feel compelled to answer some of the criticisms I've read. First of all, this IS beautifully written. Though a self-acknowleged first-time writer, the author writes in a style that is refreshing and unpretentious, perfectly suited to the purpose. This is a real-life account which does not need elaborate plot and character development. Yes, I would have liked more details in certain places but have to respect the privacy of the family and those who worked to bend the rules and work around the system.Secondly, the charge that the author is racist and somehow planted anti-China sentiments is absurd. She has Chinese daughters, a neice, and nephews whom she obviously loves dearly. She acknowledges up front that she views China with American eyes yet is clear that she has come to love China and tries to instill appreciation for it in her children. Most parents who adopt internationally realize how important this is for their childrens' self-esteem. Jaclyn's negative feelings toward China have much less to do with a lack of national and cultural pride than they do with personal loss and the harshness of orphanage life. It is only after she has begun to heal, that Jaclyn begins to recall simple pleasures and the kindness of those that looked after her there.Thirdly, the author is NOT trying to toot her own horn either by adopting these wonderful kids or by telling this story. She is simply commending those who choose not to look the other way from children who wait. Within the adoption community, there is a bias from the "politically correct" against those who would seek to "save a child" as if the desire to parent and the needs of those children were somehow mutually exclusive. (Although it is theoretically possible that one might treat adoptees as inferior to bio children, I've very rarely seen it happen). No matter how good the orphanage, children belong with a loving family, whether in China or abroad. No, they are not "lucky" for having been separated from their birth families, their culture, and their heritage-this is tragic. Are they fortunate to be adopted when only 4% (officially, actual number is most likely much smaller)of those abandoned ever will be? And (although not in the best interest of intercountry relations to boast) to a country where they will not only have material advantages and educational opportunity but MUCH more importantly, personal and religious freedoms which many have and continue to die to obtain and protect?This is an important read. It inspires hope for anyone in any circumstance and calls us to examine our priorities. But specifically, it calls attention to the needs of children everywhere. If it has inspired just one person or couple to form or enlarge a family through adoption - and adoption is NOT second-best

Cindy Champnella writes on her dedication page, "For Jaclyn....my light, my love, my sorrow, my joy....my child." Thus begins the most beautiful story you will ever read. It's the story of 4 year old Jaclyn, adopted from a Chinese orphanage, and her never-ending determination and yearning to bring home the 2 year old boy she loved and "mothered" there. I have known Cindy for a number of years now, and have known the story of Jaclyn and Lee. Yet reading this incredible story in its entirity was so moving I couldn't put it down. Being an adoptive Mom myself, I was very glad to read Cindy's truthful tale of adoption...tremendous joys coupled with moments of raw grief. This is a must-read for anyone who loves children, and is willing to be inspired by the love of a 4 year old, and inspired by her parents who dared to believe that dreams really can come true.

This is a story that has much in common with many older girls' tales who were adopted from China. I read this book straight through to the end. It absolutely corraborates what my daughter, adopted from China at 5, has told us. I found it to be very straight forward and unsoppy considering the content although my husband couldn't help shedding a few tears for Jaclyn's baby. My next move was to order extra copies for friends and relatives. Proceeds from the purchase of this book go to Half the Sky Foundation, an organization that gives aid to orphanages in China. I highly reccommend this true story. It even has a happy ending!

International adoption has taken off, but older children aren't generally a part of the ever-increasing number of kids joining families in the USA. This book will give you reason to pause and think about the possiblity of adding an older child to your family. Cindy tells the truth about the pluses and minuses of this kind of family-building. She shares a special loving insight into the mind of a post-institutionalized child who has the heart to worry about the fate of "her baby" in China. I shared this journey vicariously with her as she posted to our "list" about her kids,... She hasn't disappointed me with her book. I am blown away by it, and only wish I were the kind of mom that she is.

The Waiting Child is a wonderful book that anyone who has adopted from China or is in the process of adopting an older child must read. It chronicles the relentless campaign that Jaclyn, adopted at the age of four, launches to bring home her baby, a little boy that she took care of in her social welfare institute. As an adoptive mother with a daughter from China, I found this book to be very powerful. It helped put into prospective the experience that some of China's parentless children have while they are waiting for their forever families. The book includes a lot of information about life in an orphanage, as Jaclyn was old enough to share her memories. In addition, I was deeply moved by how resilient Jaclyn was even though she had experienced a lot of trauma and change in her short lives. While Jaclyn's story has a lot of sorrow, it is a story of great triumph, despite the fact that Jaclyn had experienced serves loss, neglect, and upheaval she prevails. The author, Cindy Champnella, is very candid and honest about some of the challenges that are involved in adopting an older child. She share how Jaclyn felt about being adopted by an American couple, and Cindy's own reservations of adopting a child who would be removed from her culture and language. Jaclyn, like so many children adopted from China, is a survivor who loves life. The Waiting Child is a powerful story.