3/11/12

Last night when we finished up at the orphanage, the four of us went back to the hotel.  After the four hour nap none of us felt like sleeping yet so we decided to play some games that Jenny had packed in the kids’ backpack.  We found Old Maid and Go Fish.  We took our little card table that is kept in the corner of the hotel and we put it in the middle of my room.  I had the AC on full blast so it was a little cold for the kids.  I helped him pull on his bottoms and then as I pulled on his Hoodie, he started to do his little cooing sound he makes when he is either really happy or very comfortable. (Same sound he made the first time he laid his head on a real pillow.)  He absolutely loved the feeling of a sweatshirt and especially the way it felt to have the hoodie pulled up.  We stayed up fairly late and played the card games.  They picked them up very quickly and enjoyed themselves very much.  It was a wonderful night. 

This morning we got up and went to the orphanage, and John Black started church promptly at 9:00.  He and a visiting pastor both gave a really great sermon.  It was neat to experience Ghanaian church here with Dad.  Lots of music, lots of dancing, and a wonderful spirit.  I loved every minute of it.  After church we went to the “circle beach” with the kids. (The Ramada Hotel, Pool, and resort)  We only swam for about 30-40 minutes, and then had lunch under one of those little huts/tables.  Dad and I had Red Snapper and fried rice, while the kids had fried Chicken and Chips.  We had a very fun and relaxing time and then returned around 3:00.  I came down to the orphanage to use the computer and to send off this message because our plan for this evening is to just hang out at the hotel and play games, maybe watch a movie on my computer and then leave at 9:00 in the morning to visit the village.  I am getting so excited to go see that. 

The kids are doing very well, and haven’t had a single problem since we have been here.  The closest thing to any emotional problems was that Delight was a little quiet after church and I noticed it carried on a little bit while we went to the pool.  I got her alone on one side of the pool where we could talk, and I asked her why she was being quiet.   She told me that when we were at church and John announced that it was the last Sunday that Delight and Courage would be worshiping with them, it finally started to set in the she would have to say goodbye for real here in about three days.  As much as she is excited and happy to be coming to America, and as much as she wants a family and a better life, she loves the people here at the house and she loved Pastor John and his wife Irene.  It will be very difficult for them to leave.  I am grateful that the Oswalds have Mighty and Agbesi to help ease the pain of leaving Ghana.  I told her that it is ok to feel sad, and it is ok to be nervous, and it is even ok to be a little angry with having to adjust to a new “everything”.  I let her know that whenever she is sad, and feels alone that she always has me or mommy to come and talk to.  And more importantly she always has Heavenly Father that she can go to and pray to and ask for comfort.  Last night when we went to bed she said that she would say the prayer, and I was very impressed at how humble and sincere her prayer was.  She already has a relationship with God.  I thought this would be her best way to adjust to the changes was to turn to him.   As I type this, I am realizing that in my own life, and all of us who read this, “How simple this little truth is!”  We can all do that.  If we are sad, alone, depressed, or even happy, He is the one we should turn to. He is the one who will give us comfort and peace.  I explained that to her and I asked her if she believed that and she said “YES Daddy!”  I love her so much.  I love her faith, I love her courage, and I love her willingness to do the right thing.  We still haven’t gone anywhere to eat where she hasn’t packed up half of her food to bring back to someone here at the orphanage.  She feels guilty to eat so well while there are others here that are truly hungry.  I don’t want her to ever feel guilty about having nice things or being able to eat well, but I do not want her to ever forget the love and true charity she feels in her heart right now.  That is the same feeling of love that our father in heaven has for each and every one of us.  I know I need to have more charity in my life.  I hope that, that is what I can bring back with me and learn to apply it to my everyday life.  I hope that when we get home, that will rub off and we as a family will be able to give a little more, and do a little better. 

Ok, I went off on a tangent there a little, but I feel very blessed today to be a father to these two great kids, and I can’t wait to bring them home and make them, an addition to the wonderful family that I have already been blessed with.  It has been a great day, I am going to head back to the hotel now and play with the kids and Grandpa John.  I am sure I will have plenty to write about tomorrow when we get back from the village.