Our day started out early. Sean and I woke up at 4am. Not planned. Just wide awake with excitement. We started talking about how we were so anxious to get to him. We couldn’t believe this day had FINALLY arrived. We talked just the same as we did every time we were close to delivering one of our children. We were just giddy with anticipation. We finally fell back asleep around 5:30 and slept until 7:30. A much saner hour. We made our way over to the Transitional Home where we dropped off all the supplies so many of you so generously donated. Almost immediately, they were there. Levi’s birth father and uncle. We sat up on the porch together with our translator. Instantly, I was taken back by how much Levi looks like his birth father and how young he was. He looked like he could be my son’s age! Come to find out he isn’t that much older. We had seen his uncle on video before and recognized him. We had gathered some questions together, so after thanking them for coming, we began to talk. We asked things about Levi’s birth mother who passed away when he was 2 yrs old. They told us how beautiful she was and what a kind woman she was. They shared details about their village, Levi as a baby/young child, and a few other things. As we went along, it just felt right to sit there and talk. We asked what were things they would want passed down to Levi. Both instantly said that they were Christians and wanted him more than anything to know about Jesus Christ. We had NO idea they were believers. In the video we had of his uncle he hadn’t mentioned this, although we could tell he had a sweet sweet spirit about him. We told them that Sean was a pastor, and INSTANTLY they threw their hands up and praised the Lord. The uncle said that they had hoped and prayed that Levi be raised in a Christian home, and we had given them so much relief. I cannot explain, but physically their entire appearance changed. It was like they came so sad and broken and left with a burden instantly lifted and freed. I wish I could explain the visible difference in just a matter of minutes. We all had tears by now. We showed them pictures of our other children, and they held them to their chests as we explained about each one. They questioned about their education, and I think it gave them hope to see our children educated and knowing that Levi would have this same opportunity. It was almost time to go, and so we asked for a few pictures with them, which they wanted as well. They asked for copies to take back with them, and our agency made some right on the spot. We had to wait around for awhile after that due to some major issues of communication-or lack of- among our agency staff. Finally, two hours later, we heard that Levi was coming, and we could hardly contain ourselves as he walked through that gate. To hold him in our arms again and never have to let him go. There are no words to describe the feelings. Pure joy. Pure love. A highlight that is right up there with the birth of our other 3 children. The staff came over and said his birth father was asking to say “goodbye” to Levi before we left. He had been waiting across the street for his ride back to his hotel. We probably would not have agreed to this beforehand, but after meeting them, Sean and I both felt the Lord telling us this was okay. We are so glad we did. It gave them both some closure, and Levi is old enough to have this memory of his father holding him and telling him he loved him. There were no tears at all (except for Sean and me). It was a very very peaceful goodbye. Then, we went over to the older transitional home where Levi has stayed since last summer and he said, “goodbye” to his friends and nannies there. As IF I hadn’t cried enough! All this time, Levi had no tears, but he had sadness in his eyes. We will certainly deal with all of these issues he holds in within the days, months, and years to come. I’m just thankful that he had the chance to do this today. I think he will be able to look back and remember this anytime he is feeling doubts. I prayed that every part of this day would be pressed into his heart forever because it was an expression of pure love and grace from the Father.
For our first venture out, we stopped at Kaldi’s which is comparable to our American Starbucks. Well, with the exception that you can get a caramel macchiato (and an amazing one at that) for a dollar. We have hung out here in the hotel most of the rest of the afternoon, taking a walk to visit friends down the road and to go to the market for some juice, cookies, and bananas. Every time an airplane goes overhead, he runs out on our veranda and yells, “Daddy, come! Airplane!” He backed up to me on the sofa and started reading books against my chest. It was definitely a very maternal moment. Aaah! Once we got back to our guest house, we opened our email to find out that we have cleared Embassy and have an appt for our visa interview TOMORROW at 1pm. This means we will be able to leave here on Friday and be home Saturday! Is God just in the “wow business” or what?!
We’ve all had a long day, and Levi is used to a nap, which he missed today. So into his new awesome Spiderman pj’s he went. He even brushed his teeth with his Spiderman toothbrush (the boy loves him some Spiderman!). Then, it was time for bedtime prayers. Sean and I each sat beside him on the bed, and I was reading to him a children’s book about prayer. In the middle of the book, he takes each of his arms and wraps them around us both. I lost it. I couldn’t continue reading. Sean picked it up, and when his voice started breaking, I picked it back up. Then, I began singing some songs as Levi’s eyes grew heavier. When I got to “Amazing Grace” I was moved once again when he joined in to sing every word with me. Wow! God always draws us together when we draw near to Him. We have seen this sweetness all day long. As this day comes to an end, I just want to thank my Father who has given me more and more glimpses of His love for His children. He has rescued each one of us despite our helpless condition and brought us hope. Forever. We will all be rescued one day to a glorious place where we will forever be with our Abba Father, our Daddy. Because of that, we can all close our eyes in peace and security tonight.
“I will not leave you as orphans; no, I will come for you.”
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