Day 2 April 23, 2010 (Day 2)
We arrive at 7:20am in ACCRA.
We made it thru immigration without a hitch and found our ride holding the sign Mr Dave Blaske. They helped us to their hotel shuttle, along with numerous Ghanian “helpers” that they did not chase away.
These “helpers” are very friendly and make small talk with you as we walk to the shuttle van.
As we walk I see that there is not one and then two but 5 of them at least by the time we got to the shuttle and I only had 4 bags!!! I wasn’t sure who was with the hotel and who wasn’t.
I knew they were helping and going to want a tip.
This is my least favorite part of Ghana, I feel bad inside but also know they are swindling some also, they are just very friendly. I stepped aside to find some small bills.
I handed one man a $5 and without blinking he says oh give me 20 and then each of us have 5.
I said no that is what I have to give you.
They left without incident, though he did ask again but off he/they went.
I still didn’t like the feeling I had inside, knowing that I have much but I also knew it was fair even though had they asked I would have declined there help as I already had 2 gentlemen from the hotel and myself and Tanner to handle our bags.
Its always an Adventure getting out of the airport unescorted as a foreigner.
As we await the volunteer from the orphanage to arrive we/I unpacked and read thru the information my lovely (but missing travel agent) Carrie had prepared.
I began to get a bit anxious because I did not have any Ghanian funds yet, nor did I have a way to get food or water…yes I was fretting a bit, had the jitters and was quite irritable (ask Tanner)
The volunteer arrives promptly and we began our short walk to Beacon House.
Ahh now the thoughts that race thru your mind, I thought; will he run into my arms, will he smile, will he be sad, excited nervous etc.
One of the volunteers tells me they told him we were coming the day before.
They don’t want to tell them too early as it can be very difficult.
He has known we were going to adopt him for several months but as the adoption process goes you don’t want to get the childs hopes up and then have them dashed.
We anxiously await in the office…and then I hear them coming. The door opens and he slowly walks up to me and VERY quietly says "hi dad" I think it was very soft and meek).
I have to admit I was a bit caught off guard by his meekness, as I was prepared for an excited, exuberant boy.
Of course that’s what I wanted too but I believe God used this moment to help remind me of HOW BIG OF A CHANGE THIS IS IN HIS LIFE. He is leaving EVERYTHING HE KNOWS TO BE GOOD and SAFE!
Yes he wants a family and YES he is excited to go to America and YES he smiled. I smiled at him and gave him a hug, wasn’t sure if I was getting a hug back but that was OKAY I was here and knew that God was breaking in.We talked for a couple minutes (actually probably 30 seconds) I don’t do well in uncomfortable silences . I introduced him to Tanner, he was still very meek.
As I have watched the video of this here at the hotel I am recalling the depth that is in his eyes! God has a plan for this boy!
Its as though he has been waiting a long time for something (us to arrive) but at the same time you can see he perhaps is ALSO processing that he will be leaving soon as well!
He bites his lip as if to hold back his emotions but presses on and into the situation of us being there in front of him. I asked him if he would like to see some videos of John and Victoria back home. He said yes!
So we watched these and let the “ice break” for awhile. After watching the videos, Gabriel asked if he could go and get his family picture book. I said sure. Off he went and back he came with EVERY picture we had sent him.
We looked thru them all and then he put it in my backpack to be sure it went with us.
Not sure but I think he wanted to double check that I was indeed the man in his picture book!!! LOL.
He was now talking in more understandable volume, questions were flowing, when will we go to America, he was naming his brothers and sisters etc. He went in and out for a bit, NOTE I AM EXHAUSTED, every time he went out I had to catch myself from nodding off.
He came back and thanks to one of the volunteers we had some card games (UNO) and a memory matching game to play and just hang out a bit with. I will post a video of this because the laughing and giggling that occurred warmed my heart and also confirmed to me he was getting more comfortable.
I know many peoples adoption “first meets” are not always easy and even awkward, the family wants so much for it to be as they have dreamt of and played out in their minds eye over and over and yet often times they don’t play out exactly as we have played them out in our minds.
This I know whether as you thought they would be or quite a bit different, they are perfect none the less!
Ours was no different..JUST PERFECT!
It was time for lunch and for me that meant trying to deal with my anxiety about the money, food and my lack of rest!!! What a wimp but being honest!
We went and exchanged some money and I went back to the hotel to try and catch a nap before returning to the Orphanage.
Tanner stayed with the volunteers. I went back to the hotel and battled, yes battled. I was so cooked, if I could find a way to skip the next few days and get on a plane with Gabriel and Tanner in a few hours and just get back to my comfort in America that would be just fine.
I had anxiety, the jitters, I was SEVERELY MISSING my wife and tour guide who on our last journey was here ahead of me so she had it all figured out when I arrived.
I tried to sleep but really couldn’t as the jitters were increasing.
I prayed and tried to focus but I was really feeling like I was losing it. I wish I could say that it left right away but it didn’t.
I continued to pray and speak that He is my refuge and my strength, I knew that I couldn’t get thru all that this trip had to offer without Him carrying me.
Oh and I hadn’t mentioned,…. no phone, no internet so I couldn’t express any of this with Carrie. UGH!
I got up as it was time to head back still feeling anxious and jittery. I drank some water and began the walk back to Beacon House on the red dirt roads, speaking God you are my REFUGE and MY STRENGTH, over and over.
As I walked I began to feel a bit better, no jitters, anxiety leaving…okay thanks God not completely gone but much much better.
I got to the orphanage and met with the Director who gave me all the information and paperwork I would need for my return trip in a few days. She invited us out for dinner (whew, one less thing to navigate while I was exhausted.)
Tanner played and played with the kids and crashed when we got back to the hotel. We went out for pizza (real Ghanian huh but when you can feel the blood flowing and it feels like THICK MUD my body and mind says to me no more adventure! I know, what a wimp!
We retired for the evening and some MUCH needed rest. Tanner slept for 13hrs straight, me I slept for an hour and then was awake for 4, wide awake, then thankfully my body slept very soundly for 7 hours.
Whew a VERY BIG DAY and a VERY LONG JOURNAL, but it was GOOD. NOTE I am writing this at the end of the next day so my hindsight is of course helping my perspective/reflection too…
Thank you Lord for being my REFUGE and MY STRENGTH!
No comments:
Post a Comment