First contact - May 17th, 2013

Day three--
We got some needed rest and at 3:30 we were picked up to go to the DAP to sign our referral papers.  HUGE THING, everything was in order and now were have our referral which gives us permission to go the the facility where "H" is in and meet with him.  Also tell the Director and the Social Worker our intent and giving us permisison to meet with him each day so we can get to know each other.

Day four --
Yesterday we were up at 3:00 AM and left the apartment at 4:00 AM to begin a 5 hour trip to the region and villiage we will be in for the next few weeks.  The village where "H" is located in does not have any facilities where we could lodge so we are having to stay in a village about 18 Kilometers away.  The first few hours of the trip was not bad but when we got off the interstate the roads were very bad, and I am not exaggerating that fact.  When we finally step out of our comfort zone sometimes we have to deal with rough waters. 

After riding for several hours we finally made it to the region "H" is in and we went to the orphanage and finally got to meet the young man we are praying to make a part of our family in a couple of weeks.  The facility he is in specializes in deaf and hard of hearing children and he does have good communication skills already so that is  a HUGE plus.  After a few minutes of getting to know him, I showed him my Android pad and a game I have on it.  BIG HIT!!!! Scored some major points with him and the other children at the facility.  We had decided about a month ago to get him a NABI to bring for him again BIG HIT!!!  He loves it and is really getting into it. 

We were able to see him again today and spent more time with him and many of his friends. I remember the first day I saw him from a distanct, I was not sure it was him but Kathy, you know the momma bear instincts, knew it was him and told me which one it was.  (She was right). :)   I will tell you  he did not have to win our hearts, that happened the night we prayed and made a commitment to do this.  We are learning to communicate with him because the sign language they use is different from ASL (American Sign Language), but we are learning each day.  And we as we spend more time with him we will learn more and more.

One thing we saw that was very interesting yesterday that I will share with you is, on our way back out to the facility there was a funeral going on.  They were walking up the middle of the street holding a cross and flowers.  The women were carrying the lid of the coffin, covered in very colorful clothe and made of wood.  The deceased was the back of a flat bed truck opened with a very thin cloth laid over him.  This was a very touching moment to see the love and respect they have for the deceased. 

Also yesterday there was a wedding in the villiage and last night they really had a huge party in the cafeteria here at the hotel we are in and I do mean a party with LOUD music and everything.  Today they met again to continue the celebration of the marriage.  Our facilitator who is with us told us this was the custom that the wedding celebration was not one day but two days.