We are here!

We have arrived!  Safe and sound that is ;)  Our flights went smoothly and we arrived at 4 am on the 20th.  We got to the room at the guest house and had every intention of sleeping some and getting ready for the day.  Our coordinator told us all that she would pick us up at 1:30 for our 2 pm meeting with the Ministry of Social Protection and from there we would go to the orphanages to see our kids.  We were so excited that sleeping was just not possible so we showered and went grocery, phone and money shopping with everyone else.

While grocery shopping our coordinator called and told us that the Ministry could not meet with us until 4 pm and that we would not have time to go see the kids.  Very disappointing, but we understood.  The ministry was actually in court all day with another American family today!  We were so excited to see that and it gives us all so much hope! 

We arrived at the ministry at 4 and then were told, "Not now, come back at 5."  Yeah, 5 pm on a Friday?  Were they putting us off again?  But we complied and all went and had sodas and water at a pub around the corner.  At 5 pm we came back and were all invited into the Ministry office.  She gave us a very heartfelt and sincere talk about how much she appreciates us waiting and how she knows we love our kids.  And she gave us our official letter matching us to Asa!  There were tears and joy all around the room as they handed us the official documents recognizing our relationships with our children.

Our coordinator also surprised us and said that all of us would be going to see our children after we left the MoSP!  We were all thrilled and nervous and still in disbelief that this day was actually here.  We arrived at the orphanage and the director spoke to us about the kids and gave us a few instructions and then the kids were brought out.  There were four families in all, one family had not met their child in person before today and the other three had not held their kids for 3+ years.  It was an incredible moment to say the least.

Asa smiled as the director led him to us and he accepted our hugs.  He even let me pick him up and carry him to the play room we were led to.  He played a little with some stuffed animals and then climbed down to join the other children playing with some blocks.  Overall he seemed very overstimulated and shut down.  He even told the coordinator that he did not like us taking pictures.  He has always been a very reserved little boy who takes a while to warm up to new people and we saw that today in full force.  We did see him interact with a little buddy and it was a joy to see his sense of humor and his caring sweet personality.  Towards the end of our time I got him to play with a little truck with me, rolling it back and forth and getting a few giggles.  We will have more and more time alone with him in the next 9 days and we hope that he will begin to feel more and more comfortable with us.  I told Mike that we might not see him fully come out until we have him home.  This will be a process for all of us and we ask that you pray for us and for Asa.  And that the Lord would give his heart peace and comfort and allow him to trust us.

We left the orphanage at 9:30 pm.  I am sure there will be four tired little four year olds being woken for breakfast tomorrow as we kept them up way past their bedtime.  And as I type this Mike is snoring next to me.  I have honestly no idea how many hours it has been since either of us slept in a bed.  Airplane seat sleeping does not count as sleeping.

We are thrilled that we have free unlimited WiFi in our room and have been able to skype with the kids and Mike's sister and mom.  The kids are doing well and all seems right in the world tonight.

blessings to all of you! 

mike&karla&Asa-Vladik