Amazing Race...

A documented account of our family's journey back to Ghana, thru the lens of Georgia (aka: Mama) via mostly text messages from Jason (aka: our adventurous friend) while Scott (aka: Da Da), along with Jason, took the actual trek.

Amazing Race…

That just might be how Scott & Jason would describe their recent trip to Africa.

It was a planned trip.

The main goal: FILE FORM I600!

Now that we had passed regional court with both boys and were legally declared their parents, it was time.

Of course, this meant taking time to bond with our boys again too.

We decided not to go back to Africa together.

It was hard on our kiddos back home.

We would divide and conquer going forward.

And that is exactly what happened for this trip.

Me at home.

Scott in Africa.

Thankfully, Jason (a dear, dear friend) wanted to come to Africa too.

Probably for various reasons.

But we were thankful for the companionship and help, nonetheless.

As I write this, I doubt either of them knew what lay before them…

Saturday.

They landed in Accra on Saturday evening.

And our wonderful driver, Joe, was there waiting.

I had contacted Moses (a friend we met on our last trip) via FB and he was able to coordinate with Joe.

They bought some water upon arrival, checked into Starlite and called it a night.

Sunday.

Oh, Sunday…

Check out of Starlite.

Meet up with Joe and Moses.

Go to GMI (Great Mission International). AKA: Francis' orphanage.

Gave bin of donations to Irene (Director's wife).

And monthly fees for Francis' stay there.

Time to take Francis.

Who was shy and pulled away at first when seeing Scott again.

John, Director at GMI said, "Francis, you are going to go for a drive with your Father".

And he got in the car with all the above.

And he got to eat skittles (courtesy of Uncle Jason).

Jason picked up quickly how strong-willed Francis is.

The volunteer at GMI said he loves school, but Moses said he's crazy in school.

A little interesting tid-bit of info on our little one.

Long drive to Cape Coast…4 hour +.

Stuck in traffic.

Windows down because the air in the car is broke.

Lots of exhaust.

Francis started to light up seeing pics of himself and Jojo.

And finally, able to check in at Mighty Victory Hotel!

Oh, and Francis got to drink a Fanta. ;0

They picked up Jojo!!!

Jason commented about how hard it was seeing CHOH (Children's Home of Hope). AKA: Jojo's orphanage.

Kids starving for attention.

They notice boils on Jojo, but said no one knew what was going on.

The mamas were at church.

All the kids there. Alone.

They gave the bin of donations to the person "in charge" (who was only 18).

Kept a few things back to give directly to the mamas on Tuesday (when they needed to travel back to the Accra area).

They take pics and send to me and Nancy of Jojo's boils.

Trying to figure out what might be going on.

Bantering back and forth via text messaging…

Will Vaseline help? Hydrocortisone? The guys had some meds, but unsure of what to use.

Jojo snuggled up to Scott that evening at bed time.

Not nervous at all.

Our only choice was to go to clinic the next day.

Oh and they went to dinner.

After 2 whole plates of food, Jojo says he wanted more food.

This hurt my heart hearing that.

The trauma he went thru as an infant, the malnutrition, will always play a big part in his life.

It's a good day.

It was one heck of a day.

And ALL that was JUST ONE DAY!

Scott texted me this evening…(I got a nightly text from Scott with an update of each day. He was WAY too busy being Daddy to be giving me updates throughout the days. So, that is why I was so very thankful for Jason on this trip. The pics and info he shared were priceless to me throughout the week as I endured the trip from afar).

"I love you. The boys are laying between Jason and I right now. Very sweet. It's hard to believe that the Lord has called them to be ours. Adoption is a scary thing…and it has me way out of my comfort zone. However, I know that the Lord has called us to it."

Yes, The Lord most certainly has...

Monday.

Off to the health clinic.

They said they need 3 days for test.

We don't have 3 days.

Off to the pharmacy.

Antibiotics, cortisone, anti-fungal, de-worming and dial soap.

Ok???

They go out to eat.

Jason comments that Jojo likes sausage and meat and eggs and rice.

Neither of the boys like the pancakes.

A lot of text messaging back & forth to keep us in the loop.

Evidently, the other kids at CHOH didn't have these boils.

The mamas would have a lot of specific instructions to do to get our boy well, could they really follow thru?

They had the day to just enjoy after the pharmacy.

Fort Victoria and Elmina Castle. Chilling.

The boys were doing well.

Francis doesn't like to listen, they confirmed.

But Scott was doing good at keeping his ground.

Jason also noticed that Francis can speak his tribal language(Twi)  better than English, but learns words quickly.

They go to place to eat and the boys are all over the place.

Luckily, they are basically potty trained,  they ask to go pee (aka: wee wee) or poo poo. LOL!

I sent talking stuffed animals as gifts.

Epic fail!

They were terrified of them!

So Jason pretends that one bites his finger and the boys laugh like crazy!

Boys didn't nap and crash hard that night.

Something tells me, the big boys are worn out too. ;)

My heart was breaking in a million pieces.

I kept thinking of Scott having to leave Jojo tomorrow.

He had so little time with him.

Jojo was ill.

Last time we left Jojo, he was ill.

I told Scott to stay as long as they could before leaving.

I could barely take it.

Tears, and so many more tears.

Talks of possibly moving Jojo to another home transpire in text convo.

42 kids at CHOH, 2 mamas and 1 disgusting mattress is what Scott texts me.

 I tell him to just call Bernard directly and talk it out.

They had a really good time of playing and talking with one another.

Scott was amazing at bonding with our boys (witnessed by Jason first hand).

Said I should be proud of my man.

I am.

Tuesday.

Great news!!!

We got approval to take Jojo to the transition home in Accra!

We have the legal right to move Jojo, but we politely talked to Elvis (Director at CHOH).

They drive to CHOH for Jojo to say goodbye and gather his "few" things.

Mama cried. And the volunteers said goodbye to Jojo too.

Scott hugs Mama Vic to console her, trying to fight back his own tears.

His friends were at school.

Again, my heart ached so bad.

Jeff.

Jojo's best friend.

He was at school.

He didn't have a chance to say goodbye to him.

My heart still aches thinking of this.

Excerpt: Adoption is hard ya'll. There is trauma, upon trauma, upon trauma. Nothing about it is easy. Not one thing. And I feel the ache every step of the way. The ache for me that longs to be with my boys. That ache of the friends that won't see their buddies again (at least not for many, many years at best). The ache of our son's bio mama's carrying the burden of being a single mama in a very difficult environment. The ache of the mamas and aunties saying goodbye to two little boys that are more like family to them. So many aches.

Jojo NOW gets to spend the entire week with his daddy.

I am so filled with joy hearing this news.

And Jason says…

"So we trust her (Romana, who runs the transition home). That's what matters. We are delivering precious cargo to her. She needs to give Jojo his medicine and keep him well until you (me) come back for him. So far prayers have been answered in every way possible. But big steps ahead."

And he is oh, so right.

Then, I ask if Francis could move to the transition home too. Would that be possible?

They drive back to the Accra area, Teshie, actually.

But before they do, they deliver a package for a friend in the states to another Ghanaian.

So many stops…#teamsuperdads #kickingbuttandtakingnames (as Nancy put in her text) ;)

Back to GMI.

Aunties bathe Francis.

Jojo is nervous there.

Jason had a lot of fun helping the kids @ GMI with their homework assignments.

Scott & Jojo take a shower together that evening.

Scott's evening text to me…

"Jojo is feeling much better this evening. He is such a sweet boy and really well mannered. Francis is a fast learner and he too will learn to be ok. Praying that all goes well tomorrow. I have fallen in love with these boys and want them home with us."

Wednesday.

THIS IS A BIG DAY!

Filing Form I600.

I am up very early and texting back and forth with Jason.

Jason is pleading for wisdom as we goes over the paperwork with me.

James 1:5-6

Trying to figure out logistics on where to take the boys when they file the paperwork with the Embassy.

GMI it is.

Jason realizes that Jojo's real name is John. :)

They meet up with Bernard to acquire the other necessary documents to file at the Embassy.

Bernard gives good advice on the filling out of the address for the boys and to request our originals back before leaving.

Scott also filled out the paperwork for the passports when with Bernard.

And Bernard will do the interview in person on our behalf.

Another step closer.

The guys filed the paperwork.

It is done now.

They said they would contact us if there were any problems.

The lady at the window said that the paperwork looks good and she is one of the people who usually checks and approves them.

This is good.

We got more good news…

Francis is set to go with Jojo!!!

They plan to meet Romana in the morning.

Hectic evening…

Picked up the boys at GMI.

Went to Busy Mouth for dinner.

Jojo had fever.

Scott took Francis with him back to hotel to get meds.

Jojo gets upset at the restaurant with Jason.

He has to use the restroom every 5 minutes.

Scott and Francis return.

Francis insists on eating the chicken bones then spitting them into his hand.

Jojo won't walk and has to be carried.

It's a good walk back to GMI.

Then both boys need to be carried back to Starlite.

Bathe the boys.

Jason fixes the TV that won't work.

Boys continue to go pee every few minutes until finally falling alseep.

Oh and Jojo had been puking off and on this week too.

But tonight a little more lethargic than usual.

Boils still bothering him. :(

Jason takes notice in how much Francis has grown in this short time of being together.

"His whines for attention aren't required when there's someone around to love him all the time."

This makes me smile.

Scott's text to me tonight (part of it, that is)…

"Another day of adventure in Accra. (A lot of the above already mentioned). As I lay here and write this, I have both boys next to me.  Jason and I are both loving on them."

Thursday.

Agenda:

Meet Romana

Purchase soccer jerseys for ALL kids (Snodgrass & Strebe Tribes)

Souvenirs

Hang @ GMI for Francis to say goodbye.

Jason loves hanging at the orphanage.

 The kids love his soft hair and his tattoo.

He loves helping them with their homework.

The boys watched Frozen on the phone for a while and Jojo started singing along to the chorus of "Let It Go." #meltmyheart

Jojo puking a lot.

Stuck in traffic with windows down (again)….with no A/C.

More exhaust fumes.

This is Africa.

This is 'normal'.

The area is called "American House".

The home, "Beacon House."

The guys agree it's a great place and Romana is a rock star!

She criticized them immediately for not knowing what type of antibiotic Jojo was taking.

That shows you how much she is on top of things.

She needs $160 USD upfront for school supplies and $200/month/child for fees.

The boys will be sent to Ghana public school.

They have their own land where they grow maize and raise chickens.

She wants to grow more to have organic food.

She is from NY and has a masters in public health from Columbia, but hasn't lived in US for years.

She wants Jojo tested for malaria.

They have a good clinic near by.

Jason adds that the Beacon House is where he would want his kids to be at if it were his call.

It's clean, nice, only 18 kids, food is good and Romana is a go-getter.

A lot of text messages going both ways.

I am thankful for technology and being able to have a glimpse into their days there.

I long to be back there.

To hold and love on my boys.

Scott comments that Jojo is a sickly child, poor nutrition, limited access to clean water, lack for healthcare and an unhealthy living environment are all contributing factors that he endured. But Scott is hopeful that Jojo will begin to get physically healthy at this new home. That he will most likely be a different kid next time we see him. In a good way.

This gives me comfort.

Francis said his goodbyes at GMI.

Walks out with a Dora backpack and a few belongings, including the photo album we gave him months back. Jojo's wasn’t in his bag. :(

The aunties had a hard time saying goodbye.

Peter, who was like Francis' big brother was also sad.

They ended up having to just leave and say goodbye like pulling a band-aid.

More trauma.

I remember that feeling very well.

Saying goodbye to Francis last time.

That hurt more than words can describe.

Constant ache inside of me for my boys, for Scott, for all of this.

We get the test results…it's confirmed that Jojo has malaria.

The antibiotics we were giving him wouldn't help, so we stopped them and started another round.

He has a fungus that is infected too and a script to help with that as well.

I was sad to hear how sick my boy was, but also thankful.

Thankful for bloodwork that can be taken and medicine that CAN work!

Thankful Scott was with Jojo now, to be able to take him to clinic, get diagnosed, in order to get well.

Scott's text to me tonight…

"It was a rough morning with Jojo puking. I'm wearing down both physically and emotionally. Please continue to pray for God to fill my cup so that I can finish strong. I really like Romana and the Beacon House. They boys will be in good hands there. I am so happy they will be together. I never expected that to happen on this trip. This will make life a lot easier for all."

And THE BEST PART thus far…

"Jojo gave me a hug tonight, patted me on the back and told me that he loves me. My heart was full after he said that. I have fallen in love with these boys and I desire for them to be home asap."

Friday.

Time to take the boys to Beacon House and say goodbye.

Flight out is too early in the morning (Sat).

Pitstop at a Playground for some fun.

This is Jojo's first time on a playground.

His daddy pushes him a little too hard on the swing, and Jojo quickly screams.

Note taken. ;)

We run into some trouble with the social worker at GMI.

We didn't have copies on hand of the court paperwork.

It took some time, actually a lot of time and I won't go into all the crazy (yes, crazy) details, but we were able to get in contact with Bernard.

And we were able to have Francis released from GMI permanently.

But leaving GMI didn't come without a couple extra bins to take back for FTO (Feeding The Orphans)…a wonderful organization helping many homes in Ghana, including GMI. It's the least we can do to help with ridiculous shipping costs!

I, at the same time, am on the phone with Sprint to unlock the phones so Joe can use them in Ghana. Who knew they had to be unlocked???

The guys say good bye to the boys.

It was hard on Scott.

It was hard on the boys.

The boys cried.

Hard.

And my heart is once again breaking.

That ache.

Even worse now.

I cannot describe the ache.

It is physical.

And I hurt.

From the inner most part of my being.

It is like I am there saying goodbye again with Scott.

I sob.

Nancy cries with me.

I feel sick from the ache.

Please Lord, bring them home soon.

We beg.