The Orphanage

The Orphanage

There is not much to do here while you wait on the different steps in the adoption process. Our host suggested there is not much crime here. But for the first time in my life I was wanded with a metal detector and frisked before going into a restaurant. And most buildings have upset looking fellows toting AK-47's. That in mind we are not aimlessly wondering the street. Rashid's wife is in charge of the education at the orphanage. We were asked if we wanted to go to the orphanage and help out. Something to do, and help, we were all over it.

We got out of the car and we ask for the quarter tour. While we looked around the children walked into the room where the rest of the children were about to start class. We went through what is the upper class room and another room that was not complete that will one day be the upper class room. Allowing the first room to be additional housing. We walked back down where the children were. Our son was standing there in a puddle of tears. For the second time in his life he thought he had be abandoned there.  Much to the displeasure of the workers, I scooped him up in my arms and began to tell him daddy would never leave him. After 30 minutes in my arms, he rejoined his class, but only because Jennifer was the teacher. With us in sight he began to become the little boy that has blossomed these last few day. As for our daughter, she never cried. She also never allowed Jennifer or I to be more than 5 paces away from her. Even as playtime started, no ball or game of tag would pull her away from us. When we told her we were leaving and she needed to tell her friends bye her little eyes lit up. She too realized she was no longer an orphan but a loved daughter. She was so excited to say bye, take my hand and walk through the gates of the orphanage.

The orphanage has only been in it's current location for two years. I would like to tell you about it. First it is a new building that was built looking old. It was laid out with thought and planning. It is also in a constant state of construction. It can only be built as they have funds to do so. The outside stairs have no guardrail and no banister on the second floor. The food is all prepared over an open fire. They are in the process of building a kitchen. It will still utilize wood burning stoves, but will be much more efficient. Last month the orphanage got electricity for the first time. Yesterday they poured the concrete for the well. They hope to have running water in a couple of weeks.

 The orphanage also serves as a home for pregnant young women with no where else to go. This may sound like a large place, but it is not. The 25+ children sleep in two rooms lined with metal bunk beds.  They have little more than a thin foam mattress to sleep on. The sheets on the beds were as thin and tattered as the cloths the children wore. The whole building consisted of 6 rooms. In the main family room there was no warm carpet to burry your toes into. A 20 x 20 blue tarp doubled over itself was all that was covering the concrete floor. They didn't have much in the way of amenities, but everything was clean. The teachers did an amazing job with the kids. Rashid is an unbelievable man for what he has done. But the need is so great!  Rashid told me he has 12 more orphans coming. He just doesn't have room until some of the adoptions go through.
In all of my blogs, in all of my Facebook post, and in all my talks on adoption I have never asked anyone to donate a penny.  But after today I am going to ask for your help!
When I get home I a going to start a Bethel House fund to raise money for what Rashid is doing here. I am going to start the fund with a thousand dollars. I am going to ask you all to help me!  Just to give you an idea. For them to have running water it will be $6,000 and another $5,000 to do the kitchen.

Here is the last thing I will say about the orphanage. It is missing one big thing.  Love! As I said my daughter did not let me out of her sight. Most of the time she sat in my lap.  Jealous of the attention, many of the other children made the rounds past where I was sitting with her. There were at least four other children that tried to supplant her from my lap. Two little boys even walked up and called me daddy. How do you answer that call?

Court

I'm going to try to update our blog as much as I think I can be of interest to anyone.  Many things I do not feel I can discuss until we are back in the USA.

First, before we left I was thinking a lot about all that Kimberlee and Brody could teach our new children.  After 3 days, I think our new children will be the teacher. The little boy jumps at the chance to throw trash away without being asked. This morning I was sitting on his bed, and he was just a fussing at me. I thought we were playing a game of tug-a-war with the blanket. Then it hit me, he wanted me off his bed so he could make it up. How strange, a child that wants to make up his bed and clean up.

Tuesday our court date was set for the afternoon. That morning around 10:30 the director walked into our room and said, "the judge has had a death. He is leaving town this afternoon. We must go now. We leave in one minute."  Only problem was we all were still in our pj's and no one had had a bath. 30 seconds after our 1 minute warning the director starts laying on the horn. About the only native language I have learned is a blow of the car horn is African motivation to move!  So we hit the car running and half dressed. Before the door was shut Rashid was jamming gears and slinging dirt. The judge had given us 30 minutes to be in court, it was a 25 minute drive, and the deadline was given 20 minutes ago. Rashid was bound to make it up on the drive. You have heard of a near death experience.  Well I had about 3 of them on the drive in. Another driving tip from Africa: if a car is coming head on in your lane and the horn does motivate the person back into their lane, just flash the lights and everything will be fine. I may be a little off in my translation. The flashing of the lights could also be the signal for I just pooped myself your so close. (That's what I was on the verge of!)

So with 5 years off my life and foot print permanently pressed into the passenger side floorboard, we made it to the city. Then the dash uphill, in a suit, carrying a child, in high altitude.  We got to the court house and I'm sure I looked like a dumpster fire. Sweat pouring, greasy hair, with my wife sporting the crazy 80's hair due to the short prep time and the windows down on run into the city that would make a moonshiner proud.  "Great, this judge is going to love us, mozingos. (Mozingos are what white people are called here.  It is funny to have a child come up and rub your arm to see if the white feels different.)

We walk into the court, which is really the judges office. A very distinguished old man. A heavy set man who wore his age and wisdom in the gray of his hair and small beard. Judge Moses!  Very befitting of the name. He called the birth mother up and spoke to her quite some time in Lugandan. There were laughs and some stern looks. At one point I would bet the bank he asked her how she felt about her children being raised by white people.  Then the moment I almost lost it. He called the children to stand in front of their mother. He gave her instruction. She spoke to the children. That is when it hit me. He had instructed her to tell her children bye. As a parent I could not imagine the turmoil in her heart. I did all I could but I could not prevent the one tear I quickly wiped from my cheek.

New train of thought. I had to put my pad down for a day after that last paragraph. I must move on or I will not finish. The judge is notorious for giving adoptive mothers a really hard time. Jennifer was not excited when she was called before the judge.  He asked her why we were adopting, and why Uganda. After that he smiled and started to thank us for coming to Uganda. PS he asked me nothing. I could have been a hillbilly from the back side of no where. I guess he thought if I had this hot of a wife I must be good!  After court we all went to lunch, including the birth mother.  Awkward would come close to describing the moment.  Here is a good way to end this. Because of the situation, what has taken some people as much as 5 hours we were in and out in an hour. God continues to move the process forward.

Last minute update.... Our court ruling was moved up to July 2nd!  That is three extra days! Go God!!

Here in Africa

This is the second morning I have woke up in Africa.  Since this whole trip is because of these two little children, I must start there. They speak a language I do not not understand, but speak it to me as if I must. With earnest and determination they look into my eyes and explain the secretes of there hearts. Or perhaps they are just talking about the fruit tree outside our window. I could not tell you which. I have learned some universal truths. Children love to play and playing in momma's and daddy's bed is infinitely better than other places. Second, all children love to be spun around past the point of my endurance.  And all children, like adults, have issues sharing.

One thing I have learned breaks my heart. Most children when they have a boo boo run to the arms of momma or daddy to make it better. These children when hurt have had no one to run to. Instead they hide their face and cry. How long will it take before they understand momma and daddy can make it better?

Africa is beautiful in its own way. There is no ocean but there are palm trees. Even the cows seem exotic with their long horns pointing to the sky. The size would rival any Texas long horn, but the directionality makes them seem much more fierce.

Kampala... Now there is an experience! Boda Bodas are every where. Boba Bodas are motorcycles equipped with an extra long seat to accommodate more passengers. Because more passengers on a motorcycle is always a good idea. They are Kampa taxis. The Bodas have one traffic law they follow, there are no traffic laws!  They weave in and out of traffic like ants at a Sunday picnic.  Many suffer the same fait of the ant, l
smushed!  If the Bodas have no rules, then cars have one, honk your horn before you pull in front of some one. Not that the horn does any good but they seem to like ll. Cars pull out in front of on coming cars more often than Starbucks pour a cup of coffee. A turn lane becomes a four wide NASCAR event to see who can make it to the inside rail the fastest. You have heard where there is a will there is a way.  In Kampala it is where there is an inch, a car will fit. I prayed to receive Jesus as my savior four times yesterday, and that was just on the way to breakfast.

Jennifer is getting all the attention. Time to play!