Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Referrals #3 and 4

Soooo, we have another referral!  It came out of the blue, we were totally not expecting it.  And get this!  It is for 2 GIRLS!!!!!!  We are so excited and nervous.  The boys are going to have to get their princess on!

There are so many really neat blessings about this referral.  Their names are Annet (2 1/2) and Joy (1 1/2).  They are biological sisters.  Their mother is ill and can no longer care for them.  They have been at the orphanage since June.  They seem to be healthy and developmentally appropriate.  They were malnourished and sick when they arrived but have really grown and fattened up.  I will not go into specifics about their story on this blog, when they are old enough and ready it will be their story to share.

One of the neat things about this referral is that I was put into contact with a missionary family.  They "happen"  to work in the exact same community where the girls are from.  I am so excited to talk with them and get a better understanding of where the girls are coming from.  What a window into their culture, their community, all of it.  I am excited that we will get to partner and stay involved in their home community in such a tangible way.  Thanks Kelsey!

I am also so excited that they are biological sisters.  I think this is such a special blessing.  I get teary thinking about how they have always had each other and will continue to have each other.  In so many instances families don't get to stay together.  I LOVE that they will come to America together.  I can just picture tucking them in their twin beds, or in the same bed, whatever they want.

In the interest of keeping it real, which I can't seem to help but do, we are really nervous too.  I am surprised at how hard it is to fully give my heart to these girls.  It was so hard to lose the last two referrals and I know that selfishly I am protecting my heart.  It is slowly changing though.  I look into their faces and imagine them here.  I get more excited everyday, more hopeful.  I just want it to work out.  I want to bring kids home this time.

I had a long talk with the coordinator that traveled over to Uganda.  She met with the orphanage and met the girls in person.  They feel that this is a strong referral.  The path that brought the girls to the orphanage is completely different than the previous referrals.  The orphanage itself is experienced and was trained by another orphanage with a very strong reputation.  I am choosing to trust once again.

It is a weird, weird place.  So many contradicting emotions and feelings.  I am trusting God though.  No matter what He is big enough.  He is big enough for the good and big enough for the bad.  He has been faithful through everything else, He will be faithful still.

So pray with me.  Pray that God's will be done.  That these girls, Annet and Joy will become OUR girls.  They have been through so much already.  We are hoping that they will come home before January, when the courts close.  We are still in the investigation phase right now.  Once that is complete we will get a court date for 1-2months after that.  We will travel over 2 weeks before our court date.  Another blessing is that it will be one court case, not two because they are siblings.

I can already see God's hand all over this. Taking deep breaths and walking forward, one step at a time.