Well today went a lot smoother! The kids had slept for at least twelve hours and Val and I were refreshed as well. The day started off cool (30 degrees instead of 35) and rainy. We had met a whole bunch of people who came to the orphanage yesterday who were singing awesome praise songs and playing with the kids. Some of them friended Val on Facebook and invited us to their church. What an experience! Loud praise music and dancing for well over an hour, communion with very passionate believers and a great message for men to be leaders with a Godly spirit, all lead by a pastor with exceptional charisma! The kids were having fun for the first half hour, but soon started to ask "Is it almost over?" After two and a half hours, yes you read that right, 2.5 hours the kids were getting very eager to leave to say the least. It was great though and the minister had a good message about fear that Ryan could relate to. Half way through the service the pastor asked us to stand, so everyone could pray for us, which was very touching. He then asked if we were related to Bernie Slingerland from Arizona! No matter where you are in the world you can't avoid playing Dutch Bingo! A great young man named Seon walked with us to the orphanage.
Poor Keem was not happy to see me. I walked into the common room where the kids play and sleep to go get him. Val and the rest of our kids stayed out in the hallway, so as to not get all the others riled up. Keem took off running as soon as he saw me and I didn't know what to do, chase after him, pick him up and put up with his screaming till he got over his fear or just leave him till he was ready. All kinds of other kids were reaching up to me, and Kevon, a boy who I have a real soft spot for and who recognized me instantly from our last trip clung to my legs and sobbed. When Val heard all the commotion, she came to the room. Keem ran from her crying, obviously scared and confused but then clung to her neck tightly when she finally caught him. After that he was fine. They left the room to play with our other kids out in the hall. The rest of the kids had gotten themselves worked up into indescribable anarchy! I thought I had better stay in there with the one caregiver and try to help restore some order, despite being the one who had caused all the trouble. I sat down on the bed while five little kids fought each other for a spot on my lap. Some hits were exchanged, there was some biting going on and one little sweetie peed all over my lap. I had to laugh, otherwise you could cry about how starving for attention and love these kids are.
Keem was great today. It didn't take long for him to warm up to Val and he even sat with me for a while this aft. He started to take some real interest in his new brothers and sisters, who also loved playing with him today. They all took turns holding his hand and walking around with him. The real breakthrough for me came when Chris, a lovely woman who volunteers at the home and has given Keem a lot of extra love and attention, came this aft. Keem's eyes lit up when he saw her and ran to her. We talked to Chris for a while and he really let his guard down and relaxed. She passed him off to me and he really seemed truly relaxed with me for the first time. I hugged him real tight and blew bubbles on his neck and he laughed hysterically! It was a great moment.
We were very proud of our other kids. We had warned them that some of the kids at the home can be very rough and they were not allowed to get angry and fight back. Jack got punched and bit on the back, Kaylie got pinched and Ryan's hair was pulled very hard. They all took it very well.
Tomorrow will be a day of very mixed emotions. Hopefully, if all goes as planned we can pick Keem up and he is going to stay with us, which is awesome but also means we won't be going back to the Red Cross home anymore. We, and especially Keem, are going to miss all those other kids.
Poor Keem was not happy to see me. I walked into the common room where the kids play and sleep to go get him. Val and the rest of our kids stayed out in the hallway, so as to not get all the others riled up. Keem took off running as soon as he saw me and I didn't know what to do, chase after him, pick him up and put up with his screaming till he got over his fear or just leave him till he was ready. All kinds of other kids were reaching up to me, and Kevon, a boy who I have a real soft spot for and who recognized me instantly from our last trip clung to my legs and sobbed. When Val heard all the commotion, she came to the room. Keem ran from her crying, obviously scared and confused but then clung to her neck tightly when she finally caught him. After that he was fine. They left the room to play with our other kids out in the hall. The rest of the kids had gotten themselves worked up into indescribable anarchy! I thought I had better stay in there with the one caregiver and try to help restore some order, despite being the one who had caused all the trouble. I sat down on the bed while five little kids fought each other for a spot on my lap. Some hits were exchanged, there was some biting going on and one little sweetie peed all over my lap. I had to laugh, otherwise you could cry about how starving for attention and love these kids are.
Keem was great today. It didn't take long for him to warm up to Val and he even sat with me for a while this aft. He started to take some real interest in his new brothers and sisters, who also loved playing with him today. They all took turns holding his hand and walking around with him. The real breakthrough for me came when Chris, a lovely woman who volunteers at the home and has given Keem a lot of extra love and attention, came this aft. Keem's eyes lit up when he saw her and ran to her. We talked to Chris for a while and he really let his guard down and relaxed. She passed him off to me and he really seemed truly relaxed with me for the first time. I hugged him real tight and blew bubbles on his neck and he laughed hysterically! It was a great moment.
We were very proud of our other kids. We had warned them that some of the kids at the home can be very rough and they were not allowed to get angry and fight back. Jack got punched and bit on the back, Kaylie got pinched and Ryan's hair was pulled very hard. They all took it very well.
Tomorrow will be a day of very mixed emotions. Hopefully, if all goes as planned we can pick Keem up and he is going to stay with us, which is awesome but also means we won't be going back to the Red Cross home anymore. We, and especially Keem, are going to miss all those other kids.
7 comments:
I look forward to hearing you have Keem with you today. It will be so good for him to be with you and just you guys. How old are your other kids? They sound like they are coping quite well. You are so brave. The drinking water is enough for just an adult to be continually aware. You must be watching your kids like hawks so they don't get sick. Can't wait to see pictures or do you have to wait for court. Thank you so much for sharing your journey. My heart aches for not being able to complete my own adoption.
wow! what a rollercoast of emotions for all of you! Hold on tight to your Heavenly Father's hand through this all. He understands everyone's emotions and He can calm the storms of your hearts. Praying for His peace in the midst of this storm, that all your children will feel the security of His love through your arms. He is able and willing!
I didn't know you get to take Keem from the orphanage. Praying all goes well in your own private space... that he can relax and start to trust.
Thanks for the update!
I'm enjoying your updates, Derek and Val! So great to hear about your journey, and it is wonderful too that you were able to worship with other believers there. Also thankful to hear that you can have your son with you!
Thank you for the up-dates! Cari and I are praying for all of you!
After reading the title, it was very tough to figure out who wrote this post! =)
Post a Comment