Tuesday,
March 10, 2015
I drove to Warrenton
to drop Adeline & Graham off with NaNa and PaPa. Definitely had some
anxiety leaving the littles, but knew they would be in good hands. Nancy (so
thankful for her!) picked us up at 2pm to take us to the airport as our flight
left STL @ 5pm for ATL. Then...WE MET LAURA! This may seem minor, but this was
a HUGE blessing to me. This woman has played such an instrumental part in our
journey. I was thrilled to finally meet her face to face after SO many
conversations via phone, text and FB. She was traveling with her daughter,
Rachel. It was great to hear more of her story. Hear more about Ghana. Then off
to a long flight to Amsterdam, Holland. Short layover and another long flight
to Accra, Ghana. A couple movies, some reading, chit chat and some sleep too
and we FINALLY made it!
Wednesday,
March 11, 2015
Arriving in
Accra…24ish hours later. It was dark. Late at night around 8:30pm and the
airport was crowded. People were everywhere outside. Dirt parking lot, if u can
call it a parking lot. After a short bit, we found Joe (our driver who Laura
had arranged to pick us up) and John (Great Mission International (GMI)
Orphanage Director). We didn't know John would be picking us up too, but oh so
thankful. We were able to hear more about him and how the orphanage started. A
story I will share another time as it is ever so moving. A 20 minute or so
drive later and we were at the Starlite Lodge. They had no record of our
reservation, evidently this is normal. Nonetheless, we were able to get rooms.
Rooms to crash in, literally.
Thursday,
March 12, 2015
The walk was
probably 3/4 a mile or so on a dirt road, 90+ degrees, potent sun. A concrete
gate surrounds the entire home. We walk thru the gate and it was rather quiet.
Most of the kids were in school. We noticed a couple there which we found out
to be Katy & Wil (long term volunteers for Feeding the Orphans). And there
was Francis sitting beside Katy eating rice porridge from a cup. His head
turned down. His back a little hunched over. A very somber look on his face.
And quiet. No words. He appeared extremely timid. Possibly taking it all in. At
this point, we are just strangers walking into the orphanage. Francis doesn't
know who we are or why we are there. He doesn't have any idea that we are
adopting him and plan to take him home with us one day.
Katy got a coloring
book and crayons and I started to color to engage Francis. He didn't really
want to color, but ever so slowly started to warm up to us and come out of
shell. He took Scott's sunglasses and started to be a little playful. And then
peek-a-boo by lifting his shirt over his head. It was amazing to see him smile
and that spirit inside of him light up.
We asked if we could
take him with us. A quick change of clothes and he was in Scott's arms. He was
definitely drawn to Scott first. And I was thankful. Thankful he was drawn to
either of us at this point. Thankful to see him smiling with us. We walked to
the Busy Mouth for lunch. He thoroughly enjoyed a Fanta and Chicken Fried Rice.
;)
All of us went back
to the hotel for a nap. Scott, me, Francis, Laura, Rachel and Ryzak (another
boy from GMI that is friends with Rachel). Francis fell asleep in between
Rachel and Ryzak. It was very sweet. Scott napped in our room while I spent a
little time alone, outside, trying to take it all in. The smell in the air. The
noise. The view. All of it.
We walked back to
GMI a little later and got to hang out a bit with the kids. Auntie Grace (the
woman who takes care of Francis) bathed him. It was beautiful. This boy LOVES
the water and LOVES baths.
That evening, we
also went to Daddy Paul's orphanage. Eye opening, to say the least. The
conditions, not one I could imagine living in. But, there is love. And a lot of
it. Finally, Francis came to me. He was staying close to Scott the whole day,
but my heart was overflowing when I got to hold him.
Katy & Wil
joined us for dinner at a pizza place. Um, nothing like American pizza and I am
100% sure I won't be going back there. But it was nice to be with new friends.
And especially nice to have Francis with us still. But, I have to admit…Francis
was a ball of energy that night. Giving me and Scott a run for our money just
trying not to lose him. He was running around….everywhere. Wil dropped us back
at Starlite Lodge for the evening. Scott and I wondered if having Francis with
us was a good idea. While we so wanted to have him with us to spend as much
time with him as possible, we didn't really think through the pros and cons and
if it was a good idea for Francis. But, at this point, he WAS there. Francis
struggled falling asleep. Not sure what was going thru his mind, but I am sure
he was scared. And we can't blame him for that. Scott tried to console him
similar to how he is able to so easily console Graham back home, but it wasn't
working. I took him and he fell asleep laying on top of me. Holding me tightly
and I, holding him tightly too.
Friday,
March 13, 2015
Waking up was
joyous. Francis was very curious and filled with smiles. Joe (our amazing and
SAFE driver) picked us up at 7am to take to Moree Beach Resort (close to Cape
Coast which is by the orphanage Jojo lives). Moses came with us. He is 19 years
old young and extremely mature for his age. He is also an orphan and well known
at GMI. Currently living in a transitional home figuring out his next steps in
life. He was amazing to have by our side for the weekend. For us and for
Francis.
We said goodbye to
Laura and her daughter. So, so very thankful to have had her with us for the
first couple days.
Three and a half
hours later or so we arrived. It was a rather LONG drive. No seat belts, of
course. Francis had a very hard time sitting. Moses and I managed to tag team
Francis in the back seat. ;)
We checked in, ate
lunch & waited for Elvis (Director at Children's Home of Hope (CHOH)
orphanage) to pick us up to meet Jojo. He showed us the school first since all
the kids were just being released.
Jojo was off to our
right, walking in the arms of an older boy. Just like Francis, I could tell
instantly it was him. There he was. Right in front of us. I cannot put into
words what that felt like. Seeing our boys from the first time…it's just
indescribable. Elvis asked the older boy to put Jojo on Scott's lap and that
was an epic fail. Jojo screamed and began to cry. Obviously scared. The older
boy took Jojo back and we drove to CHOH where we waited for Jojo to show up.
And meet him again...
Elvis told us that
Jojo's best bud is Jeff and whatever Jeff does, Jojo will follow suit. So,
someone asked if we had candy. Oh. My. Goodness. We thought of everything to
bring with us on this trip. EXCEPT CANDY!!! So, we dug into our backpack and
pulled out some cashews. Who knew cashews would be the trick to make him warm
up fast...him & his little buddy Jeff, but they did!!!
It was a Friday
afternoon and Elvis told us that all the children in the community meet up at a
nearby Soccer Field to play, so we decided to walk there with Jojo and a few of
the older boys. Jojo has a very small physique, but wow…that doesn't stop him from
playing with the others. No matter how big they might be. He was all over the
place. He loves soccer (ok, football in Ghana).
It was time to go
back and Jojo wanted to be carried. He fell asleep in Scott's arms on walk
back. Hard. There was no waking him up. So we were able to put him in his bed
& went back to hotel. Elvis said to see how today went and IF Jojo was ok
with things, then we could take him with us Saturday. And, that was our plan...
Jojo's bed (on the bottom)
Saturday,
March 14, 2015
Woke up to a lazy
morning at Moree Beach as Elvis said to pick up Jojo @ 1pm. So, we took
advantage of some one on one time with Francis on the beach. I would like to
say that this was a magical, beautiful experience. Truth is, the beach was
extremely dirty with objects/trash everywhere. We had to watch every step we
took. Francis didn't want us to put him down, so we held him the entire time.
But that was a good thing too. And even though the beach was dirty, there is
always something about the ocean in and of itself. I found myself looking into
its vastness and remembering something I read recently. A blogger who was dying
from a terminal cancer. She wanted to see the ocean again as she loved to be
able to look out into its "big"ness and remember how big her creator
is and how small we are. So true…
We went to CHOH
& played with the kids for a while. They were so fun and I think enjoyed
the extra attention they received as it doesn't happen often. After a while of
playing soccer in the boy's bedroom with a half deflated ball, we decided to go
back to the hotel and this time Jojo was coming with us. We got some shoes and
were told he didn't need diapers, he was potty trained. That was a win! He fell
asleep in the car ride back. This boy is a GOOD sleeper! ;)
Sunday,
March 15, 2015
Breakfast & then
an adventure. The first adventure might have been that we gave Milo to Jojo for
breakfast. It's a chocolate drink. Francis and Moses loved it, so we thought
Jojo would too. Well, I think he did, but his belly, not so much. He threw it
up on the car ride.
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Not sure I get much
sleep any night. And this night, for sure not. It was the last night with Jojo
and I couldn't stop thinking about it. My heart was hurting. I would wake up
every couple hours & found myself laying my hands over the boys & praying
for them...similar to days prior.
This time my prayer
slightly different...asking God to prepare my heart to say goodbye. A lot of
tears shed throughout that night. On my pillow. Every time I woke up, I
repeated that prayer. And more tears fell.
At some point in the
night I felt Jojo was very warm & I was concerned. I woke Scott up and in
typical Dad fashion, he asked what we should do. Scott put the fan directly on
him & I said to pray that it was good for Jojo to sleep and honestly, the
only thing we could do at that point. I prayed over his entire body. A few
minutes later Scott felt him & said he wasn't as warm. Our prayers were
being answered!
We continued to pray
throughout the night.
Monday,
March 16, 2015
Two boys waking up,
stripping naked & running around being silly again. I kept thinking of Jojo
leaving although trying to put on a happy face to enjoy, to soak up these last
moments. I knew he had no idea what was happening. At breakfast we shared the
photo book with him again as a reminder of us. A few more pics and it was time
to say goodbye.
We called Elvis to
let him know we would take Jojo to the home & not school since he wasn't
feeling well. I carried Jojo to the taxi...many kisses & prayers said
silently as I walked. Then Scott & Moses drove Jojo back with a driver. I
took Francis who began to kick & scream & cry. I think partially
because he wanted to go in the car & partially because Moses was gone (this
has been his "constant"). After 5 or 10 minutes he stopped & we
were OK once again.
Scott & Moses
ended up taking Jojo along with 2 other boys from the orphanage (Jeff &
Francis) along with Ma Hanna (who takes care of the kids) to the clinic as they
were ill too. It was comforting to know they were being checked on. Scott said
Jojo went and sat beside his buddy, Jeff on the bench as he waited to be seen.
While sad to say goodbye, it was almost as if Jojo being beside Jeff was
"just another normal day" for Jojo. And for that, I am thankful.
I wonder what went
thru his mind. Did he wonder, "Who were these people that just spent the
last several days with him? Why they did that? Will they be back?" Was he
sad, confused? Only God knows. And it hurts not knowing. It hurts to say goodbye
when you just want to take him straight to the airport with you NOW.
They returned and
Joe (our driver from Accra) came to take us back to Teshie. We spent a little
time at GMI, said goodbye to Moses & that eve (our last eve), we got to
spend alone with Francis.
Tuesday,
March 17, 2015
Probably had our
best night sleep in Africa. Air conditioning is helpful for that in African
heat! Francis woke up being his normal, curious self getting into anything he
could see. We met our Power of Attorney (POA)
@ 10am at our hotel. It was such a breath of fresh air to see Bernard in
person. Francis was so good the entire time just hanging on daddy (the
connection was becoming more & more evident each day). Bernard explained to
us the cases a little more in detail which was helpful. He also told us about
some of the wonderful things he does for the street children...he has a very
good heart and I am so thankful the Lord lead us to him.
Around noon we went
back to the Busy Mouth for lunch & more fried rice. We ate rice Every.
Single. Day. It was the 3rd time we ate there (because no one had any other
recommendations & let's just be honest, we were a little worried to try
just any place). Did I mention we ate a LOT of rice while there? Sometimes
twice daily!
The walk to Busy
Mouth was hot and my mind kept thinking of the inevitable that would be
happening soon. Saying goodbye to Francis. But we still enjoyed our lunch. And
Francis enjoyed chicken & Fanta. That boy sure does love chicken.
Afterwards, we walked back to GMI.
We walked away with
that sound in the background.
The long walk back
to Starlite Lodge was just that...long. Hard. Countless tears.
I've had to do some
hard things in my 40ish years of life, but that one broke my heart that most...
Joe, our wonderfully
amazing & extremely trustworthy driver picked us up about an hour later
& we drove to the airport. Traffic, goats, many people along the way. I had
my "moments" inside the terminal, but tried to keep it together. Taking
off in the airplane hurt ...we were leaving to travel half way across the world
to come "home" leaving 2 big parts of our family there.
I cannot describe
this ache inside of me. Pleading that the Lord of the Universe would calm my
heart as we wait...again…
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A piece of my heart
broke while I was in Ghana, Africa. I left it with my sweet boys.
Jesus, I beg you to please
open the floodgates and bring them home to us soon.
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