I am proud to report that this time I only wept VERY briefly at the airport. Leticia, usually so spunky and full of character and life, just stood there holding my carry-on bag and looking at me with those beautiful dark eyes. So solemn. I wonder if she still trusts me. I know she doesn't understand why she can't come this time. I have tried to explain it, Joel and his wife have tried to explain it, teacher Madrine has tried to help me explain it, but I am afraid to her, the process just makes no sense.
There are really no signs to adequately convey the steps to her. So in the end, I just told her that I love her, I will be back soon, and that we are praying that the judge and police (not really the best translation, but she doesn't really have signs for court officials, so we just went with that) will allow her to join our family in America forever.
She just blinked and stared at me with those eyes. She seems doubtful. I hug her tightly, but she doesn't return my hug this time. And then they slowly walked away. The teachers disappeared down a stairway, but Leticia stood there at the top, staring at us with her sad eyes until Madrine gently took her hand and coaxed her down. Her eyes were still locked on us until her head bobbed out of sight.
During the long MISERABLE flight home, I could not get her sad little face out of my head. What was she doing at that moment? What was she thinking? I know her little heart has endured much pain and rejection in her short life. I prayed that she does not perceive my leaving as yet another rejection.
As I trudged down the plane's narrow isle, I turned on my phone to let John know that we'd finally landed. I was shocked to see an email from our lawyer. We have a court date. With the judge that we have been praying for. On March 7th. As in, LESS THAN ONE MONTH.
We had been praying for soon, but HOLY COW! This is SOON! So many things to do. The boys need passports. Of course, we should have applied for these sooner. Now they will need to be expedited. We all need plane tickets. The boys need Yellow fever and meningitis vaccinations as well as anti-malaria meds. We need to file an eight-hundred-dollar form with immigration that would make Leticia a citizen and allow us to obtain her passport. We need to figure out where we are going to stay while in Uganda. And on and on and on. The details and arrangements seem endless.
We have made the decision that we will fly over as a family and attend court together on the 7th. Then the lawyer will give me power of attorney so that John can fly home and work and the boys and I will stay in Kampala to wait. And wait. In a perfect world, they would be able to stay home with family members, but we aren't blessed with any of those who watch the boys, so this seems like the only option.
If you know our family, you know how much this will STRETCH us! I don't think that I have ever come across a kid that is a greater homebody than my guys are. We don't take vacations. They have never been beyond Ocean City. On those rare occasions that we venture past Frederick, we must always keep a bucket handy, because without fail, one of them will throw up. They don't travel well, and for them, there is no place like home. So, staying in Uganda for weeks on end ought to be... interesting.
I apologize for being all over the place. My brain is scrambled these days. Happily scrambled. Friends from church have thrown together a shower for Leticia's homecoming, which is such a sweet blessing for us. Many people have been asking what we need. I know that people love to give gifts, and we will need a few things like clothes and shoes.
Most of all, we need prayer. Prayer that God will provide for every need. He has been so faithful to provide through every step of this very costly process. Prayer especially for my boys. This is going to be tough for them. Shots, insanely long plane rides, their first time in a "third world country." Being away from home, and Daddy and their friends for so long. Please pray that our time there is sweet and that we'll grow closer. That we find a safe and reasonable place to stay. That the boys are able to see this time as an adventure. Also, please pray for their health, both physical and emotional.
Thank you friends for coming along with us on this journey. We couldn't have made it this far without your generous support. When we first started praying about adopting Leticia, we crunched the numbers and knew that it was impossible. I remember hearing from families that have been through the adoption process already that we should not let the prohibitive cost stop us from pursuing adoption if we felt that we were called to it. At the time, that sounded a bit silly, but looking back, we see the truth of their statement.
Please continue to pray for us. For Stephen and Daniel. For Leticia. Transitions are tough. Several people have asked if they can still give. Ummm... YES! You can use paypal on our website at http://ironclads.wix.com/signsofhopeuganda. Just comment that the money is to be designated for adoption or send me an email so I know.
We will do our best to keep you posted. Thanks again!
The Detrows. John, Kris, Stephen, Daniel, and Leticia.
