Lead us to Levi: Reunited again!

4:00 am, that was the time I awoke this morning with one thing on my mind - today was the day that Doug was to visit with MiMi (Z's birth mother) again! My heart beat fast and I could not go back to sleep. So, I gathered myself, my coffee and my bible and began to pray.

10:00 am arrived and sitting in the Dr's office I received a text from Doug "Amazing Visit. Will share more later, can't put it into words". My eyes filled with tears. I knew my prayers for an amazing visit had been answered - I mean, Doug is never speechless! I could hardly wait to hear about the day!

This afternoon's skype session was therefore, an emotional one. I got off the phone feeling wiped out. I can only imagine how exhausted my hubby must be. Needless to say, the day was more than we could expect and had prayed for. While many of the details of Doug's visit, I will not share (including photos as I would like to respect MiMi's privacy) - I will definitely share enough to give you a little glimpse.

But first ...

The team is doing awesome and their day at Warancha went wonderfully! They went in prepared and more mentally ready for the many kids that overwhelmed them the day before. Doug said the "Minute to Win It" games we had planned have gone over huge and today the kids loved stacking the dice on the popsicle sticks in their mouth! The kids love playing each of the activities, some soccer and parachute and the feel of the day was so different than yesterday. They also acted out different bible stories. Doug and team shared and acted out the story of Jesus's birth and then some of the kids came up and acted it out again back to them. All in all, the morning was a huge hit! Doug was super pleased.

The afternoon was the sweet treat of the day. The team headed over to Shalom Children's Hope. This is the orphanage that our sweet Z is from. By the blessing of our America World staff (our agency that partner's with that orphanage), they were able to arrange for our team to spend the afternoon visiting Shalom. It was also here that we knew MiMi would arrive.

Doug said that when they arrived she was already there. The staff of Shalom had arranged chairs in a circle and they all gathered in together. Doug said she was shy at first and held her head low as to not look directly at him. He asked Alex if she was ashamed. He said she was not but that in her culture, the woman didn't speak to crowds of people. Funny, as I had texted Doug today because I was worried that if the whole team were at their visit she would be overwhelmed. But, MiMi is a courageous woman and Alex said it was fine that they stayed. So, they greeted with a hug that Doug said felt like 5 minutes. Doug then began to show MiMi the photo album I made for her of Z's last 8 months with us. He said she immediately began to weep. He said he went through each picture and described to her his personality and his gifts and how well he is doing. She loved it. He said though, that as he got to the last picture (one in which I had taken a picture of the picture of her on our shelves), she became overwhelmed in emotion. Doug said that he knew today that MiMi got it ... she is loved and is definitely not forgotten! The staff of Shalom were overwhelmed as well and made a very big deal to her and to Doug that they had never seen a family return and reunite with their birth family after their original meeting. They kept reiterating to MiMi and Doug over and over at how rare this occurrence was. For MiMi, I think it was such a confirmation in what we had said we would do 8 months ago ... return! For Doug, it was a realization that the Lord has indeed blessed us with a sweet and special connection to Z's birth family. It was also a confirmation in what we had told her "We love her and consider her like family". During the meeting, the team left the room a little at a time and began going into a room where some of the babies and young ones were. After a while, the only ones left were Alex and Doug and Jaime and the social worker helping do translation for MiMi. Doug said it was then that MiMi really began to open up and she also began to kiss each and every picture of in the album of Z. Doug said it was a sweet sweet time. He sent me a picture of that moment and it left me in tears! My Momma heart just aches that she could see her boy!

Doug was able to learn during that time a bunch more about MiMi's life and where she lives. We learned of her desire to start her own business. Alex, the guide, after visiting with her told Doug that she had a "strong spirit" and was a strong woman. Doug said that as the day went on, she never left his side. He said that if he were to walk away, he would see MiMi looking for him and she'd quickly return to his side. She stayed right near him, wrapped her arms around him and made sure that she was close by. Doug said that it felt so good to be able to really show her how loved she was and that he KNEW when they walked away that MiMi also knew these things. Her smile in the pictures says it all! I wished I could show you. She is just beautiful!

What an answer to prayer!

After their very emotional visit, the team then had the awesome chance to go do 4 home visits of 4 of the children of our CarePoint. One of those visits was to our sponsor son, Wendgegm. What an awesome privilege to see where our children are living and to hear the stories behind their families.
Doug said that they have learned quite a bit about Warancha and that the Pastor has really been sharing the depth of the need they have. As I have been sharing for months, without more sponsors - Warancha's hands are tied to do little. With only 68 of 278 children sponsored, the Pastor has little resources to do the things he really needs to do for our kids. At this time, only the basic of education and care can be given. We realize that we only launched this CarePoint 14 months ago - and it is a HUGE one - but today the team saw for themselves just how important you each are to their longevity and vitality of this community. The Pastor also opened his heart and humbly shared these needs and the burden he feels.

Doug said that by far, this was the best day yet. I could tell that he was emotionally and physically exhausted but so well pleased! Tomorrow they will spend the morning with the kids and provide them with a large feast. After lunch they will have the opportunity to sit down with the Pastor and hear more of the needs, his long term vision and how we can be involved. Please be praying for that time ... and most importantly, for the community here that the Lord will raise up to serve our community there.

If you are reading this post and feel prompted to sponsor one of our kids, please contact me. I'd love to get you connected into our community! We will return to our kids - and next time, YOU could be joining us. (October 2013!).

Here are a few pictures of the day. As I mentioned, I'd love to share with you the beautiful photos Doug sent of MiMi - but I am going to refrain so that I can respect her privacy. I assure you, her smile in the pictures confirms what we now know ... she KNOWS she is loved!