Xiao Hua “Christina” 1/11/98 Luoyang Orphanage, Henan

Xiao Hua is a very smart girl who loves to laugh. She is always smiling and laughing about something, even if no one else around her gets the joke. She has very poor vision and has been diagnosed with mandible osteoporosis, which makes her bones extremely fragile. We have to be very careful when she does physical exercise.

Xiao Hua has really liked school while she’s been at Bethel. She studies very seriously and does well. She speaks very good English and wants to be a translator when she grows up! She has done so well that she is even now working in the Bethel office as a translator for groups of visitors that come through. She loves showing Bethel to new people, and sometimes will even treat them to one of her songs. Xiao Hua thrives when given responsibility that she receives acknowledgment from. She enjoys arts and crafts, but especially singing.

Since she is growing up into a real lady, she has been transitioning into a role of more freedom and responsibility. We want to ensure that she has all the skills necessary for life on her own some day, including cooking, vocational training, and living independently. We are really proud of Xiao Hua and how far she has come!

What is one of your favorite things to do? Shopping for new clothes, but I don’t like to watch movies.

How do you like to pass time on the weekends? I like to listen to my new MP4 player.

Do you have a favorite animal around Bethel? I like Ami, the golden retriever.

What do you want to be when you grow up? I want to be a translator! I am already translating at Bethel.

Where would you go if you could go anywhere in the world? I want to go to America and visit New York City.