This morning, we pulled up to a hut made of mud and sticks, filthy children crowded around, women cooking, and a 90 year old woman desperately wanting to give her grandchildren a good life when she leaves this world.
This is the experience i had just a few hours ago. I have a new friend named Meredith from Ohio. She has been in the adopting process for over a year now and her dreams of getting a Tanzanian baby are coming true. She will go to the delivery room Monday morning to get her baby from a woman who wants to give her baby a wonderful life. Meredith is thrilled beyond words! The mother, Stella, and her husband want the best for their child and they know they cant give their baby that since they both have AIDS, no job, and no money.
Well, today Meredith had to take another little girl Helena, who is from Cradle of Love, who she wants to adopt as well to get tested for the HIV virus again because we think the results were not very accurate. Also, Meredith wanted to get these 2 other children tested for AIDS because she told the grandmother she would help out with finding them a home or orphanage before she passes away.
So, we went to see a woman of 90 years old with 2 grandchildren and no parents or relatives we know alive. In the car to the clinic is Heath, Meredith, Helena, Emmanuel, Opportune, Odou, and me.
First, we got Helena dressed here at Cradle of Love and took off to the home of the grandmother. We pulled up and got out to greet the family and friends around with hugs and kisses. We piled everyone in the car and rushed to the clinic. We were testing Emmanuel (6 year old boy), Opportune(3 year old girl), and baby Helena(4 months old).
They are the most beautiful children ive seen!! Ofcourse, i say that alot these days:) but, really, they are gorgeous and there is something SO special about Emmanuel, they call him Ema!
He is gentle and has a quiet spirit. He is a precious little boy who smiles like an angel! He is so kind and respectful, a little man of few words, but so pleasant to be around! I got to have him ride in my lap as we took them to get their blood drawn and he held my hand the whole way. It was so such a special time for me!
Ok, so, i must say, my heart was pounding as i sat there in the clinic room with 3 children waiting to see what their future may hold by one test result. I was freaking out, praying in my head, tears right behind my eyelids and at any moment would come streaming down my face. Emmanuel was sitting on my lap as they pricked his little finger. It was terrible to watch, but i just kept praying, "God, i pray that this little boy does not have the virus!" I just kept praying over and over again in my head. I also found myself doing that for Opportune and Helena as well!! Both of the little girls just cried so hard. Opportune was sitting on Heath's lap while they drew blood. Oh, it broke my heart!!! Sweet baby Helena didnt like it at all either, can you blame her, i still get a bit nervous when i get my finger pricked!!! It was so sad, the pain of watching, but more so, the results that may hold little hope for these 3 precious babies!!
As we waited in the lobby of this clinic for the results, there were people all around and babies getting tested for all sorts of things. We were all pretty quiet just waiting to hear what the test results would be. The doctor called back Meredith to talk with her. We sat there waiting anxiously. I saw her come out of the office and perked up a bit. She came to say that both Emmanuel and Opportune were NEGATIVE!!! Oh, it was such a wonderful, priceless, and joyful moment in time!!! I was so happy my eyes started to water. Ofcourse, both the children had no idea why we were all hugging them and smiling and crying, they just sat their smiling too:)
Meredith said that baby Helena is still testing positive, but that the doctor said she is too young to really know for sure whether she is HIV positive until she gets to be more like 10 months. So, we will keep praying!! The doctor said she seems very healthy and not showing any signs of the virus yet that he has seen. So, there is HOPE!
Lord, thank you for children! Thank you that they are beams of light for us to watch and love on and to enjoy even holding their hands! I thank you so so so much for the lives of Emmanuel, Opportune, and Helena. They are just precious in your sight and ours. I ask for a bright and wonderful future in store for all 3 of them!! I thank you for the negative results for both Ema and Opportune and I continue to ask for baby Helena to also not contract the Virus. I pray for miracles done by your hands, for hope, and to find joy in you alone when this world seems so hopeless and terribly sad at times. Amen.
Many blessings to you all, LOVE Hallie
