MONTH 1 RECAP: REUNITED WITH VICTORY
Day 320-350: The first month in Africa!
So we haven't done a very good job keeping this thing up to date and certainly will do better for those of you that are not connected with WhatsApp. I am not going to go into great detail of the daily activities but more fill you in on how things are going overall and where we are at. Kind of a look back over the last month- big picture kinda thing. We first have to say thank you to everyone who is supporting us in prayer and encouragement. We cannot begin to tell you how important this has been for us, as this can be and is a very lonely road that we are on. A road that is very narrow and not well travelled at all. One that has so many sharp curves in it, covered in fog- you really don't know what's coming next. We have learned to live with a lot of uncertainty, trusting fully in God's provision and plan, resting in the confidence that He has called us to this sacrificial journey where incredible blessings abound each and every day.
It has officially been a month since we have been in Africa. In this short but long month, we have settled in an area not far from Victory's orphanage in a house that feels like a house you would flee to in the off chance that there is a zombie apocalypse. There are 6 pad locks to work through get into our house and a 10 foot wall with barbed wire, solid steel shutters and doors and don't forget the security cameras. Kinda overkill if you ask me, but we certainly feel safe, although a bit claustrophobic at the same time. The bothersome thing is no one but our driver knows how to find us. It is one of those places where you have to give African directions- drive over the swamp, right at the white chicken and straight past the old man with the cane.
We have been able to meet with our lawyer, social worker, and adoption agency coordinator and have completed all paperwork needed for the adoption. We filed recently for a court date and hope to hear very soon. Everything is looking very favorably for the whole process, we just have to continue to do that hard word--WAIT.
Most importantly we have been able to foster Victory since 5/10/17- meaning she has been with us all the time for 3 weeks! This was a very monumental day for us all as we see it as the last day that she is without a family for the rest of her life! We have been able to spend this time bonding as a new family unit in many interesting ways from the day to day life at home doing laundry by hand & husking fresh beans to visiting the animals in the national park and swimming together. It has been a special, difficult, awesome, challenging, amazing, exhausting, awe inspiring, emotional time!
She is an amazing little girl who knows a lot more English than we expected and is picking up on more very quickly. Communication is not a problem at all- she is super smart. We were surprised to discover that she is a very picky eater and refuses all veggies and anything that she has not seen before including most candies. We are slowly transitioning her to other foods but trying to take it slow for sure as there is so much for her to adjust to. Her world just got A LOT bigger, full of daily firsts. It is an honor to be a part of those firsts and it is so important to be patient in the process.
We have spent a lot of time getting Victory's health back on track which required a trip to the big city, a blood transfusion, starting new medications, and several blood draws. It has been very difficult for her to do these things as it would for any 6 year-old, but she is so much better now. We pray that God will continue to heal her body and improve her health-- protecting her from a Sickle Cell Crisis. We have had a couple of close calls recently with her having higher fevers and cough with some pain- but it resolved. The major concern is that there is not really any higher level care facilities here locally. The "hospital" doesn't have oxygen or blood or medications or ??-- she is better off out of that place. I am trying to manage her care as best as I can here and really look forward to getting her into specialty care in the US when we get back.
So we haven't done a very good job keeping this thing up to date and certainly will do better for those of you that are not connected with WhatsApp. I am not going to go into great detail of the daily activities but more fill you in on how things are going overall and where we are at. Kind of a look back over the last month- big picture kinda thing. We first have to say thank you to everyone who is supporting us in prayer and encouragement. We cannot begin to tell you how important this has been for us, as this can be and is a very lonely road that we are on. A road that is very narrow and not well travelled at all. One that has so many sharp curves in it, covered in fog- you really don't know what's coming next. We have learned to live with a lot of uncertainty, trusting fully in God's provision and plan, resting in the confidence that He has called us to this sacrificial journey where incredible blessings abound each and every day.
It has officially been a month since we have been in Africa. In this short but long month, we have settled in an area not far from Victory's orphanage in a house that feels like a house you would flee to in the off chance that there is a zombie apocalypse. There are 6 pad locks to work through get into our house and a 10 foot wall with barbed wire, solid steel shutters and doors and don't forget the security cameras. Kinda overkill if you ask me, but we certainly feel safe, although a bit claustrophobic at the same time. The bothersome thing is no one but our driver knows how to find us. It is one of those places where you have to give African directions- drive over the swamp, right at the white chicken and straight past the old man with the cane.
We have been able to meet with our lawyer, social worker, and adoption agency coordinator and have completed all paperwork needed for the adoption. We filed recently for a court date and hope to hear very soon. Everything is looking very favorably for the whole process, we just have to continue to do that hard word--WAIT.
Most importantly we have been able to foster Victory since 5/10/17- meaning she has been with us all the time for 3 weeks! This was a very monumental day for us all as we see it as the last day that she is without a family for the rest of her life! We have been able to spend this time bonding as a new family unit in many interesting ways from the day to day life at home doing laundry by hand & husking fresh beans to visiting the animals in the national park and swimming together. It has been a special, difficult, awesome, challenging, amazing, exhausting, awe inspiring, emotional time!
She is an amazing little girl who knows a lot more English than we expected and is picking up on more very quickly. Communication is not a problem at all- she is super smart. We were surprised to discover that she is a very picky eater and refuses all veggies and anything that she has not seen before including most candies. We are slowly transitioning her to other foods but trying to take it slow for sure as there is so much for her to adjust to. Her world just got A LOT bigger, full of daily firsts. It is an honor to be a part of those firsts and it is so important to be patient in the process.
We have spent a lot of time getting Victory's health back on track which required a trip to the big city, a blood transfusion, starting new medications, and several blood draws. It has been very difficult for her to do these things as it would for any 6 year-old, but she is so much better now. We pray that God will continue to heal her body and improve her health-- protecting her from a Sickle Cell Crisis. We have had a couple of close calls recently with her having higher fevers and cough with some pain- but it resolved. The major concern is that there is not really any higher level care facilities here locally. The "hospital" doesn't have oxygen or blood or medications or ??-- she is better off out of that place. I am trying to manage her care as best as I can here and really look forward to getting her into specialty care in the US when we get back.
We have been so grateful to have "Glama" (as Victory calls her) here with us- really giving of her time sacrificially. It has been invaluable to have her help, love, and support. To be honest, this time has been difficult for our kids (and us) being away from everything that they know, getting eaten alive by mosquitos, sharing Mom and Dad's attention with one more person, and getting very sick. Evie got both Typhoid and Malaria, Oliver- Pneumonia, and bad colds and of course a touch of Traveller's Diarrhea for the rest of us. We know that through this aspect of suffering, that there are great blessings through it and we have already become a stronger family because of it. Of course it is hard for our kids to see big picture stuff, but we are confident that they will someday. We pray for them each day to see the blessings through the trials as God always provides.
At the same time, they love their new little sister and have had a really great time getting to know her and love on her. It is really amazing to see two cultures collide in this very unique and personal way. She is learning from us and we are learning from her. It is fun to picture her in Hawaii at home playing on the beaches and in the pool, making her room her own and settling into her new life. I don't think she fully realizes what is ahead but says frequently, "I want to go to Hawaii!!". At the same time she is just now fully understanding that we are her really forever family and that she in not going back to the baby orphanage.
We are now eagerly waiting to hear on our court date and then we will make plans to move to the city for the rest of our time here. A team from Livings Stones Church in Hawaii will be coming in a week and look forward to familiar faces and in-country support.
We have been giving short, almost daily updates through WhatsApp. If you would like to join in to get more details and pictures please let me know by email- youngrussells@yahoo.com. I will need your contact information and you will need WhatsApp on your smartphone or desktop. Please comment on this blog as well! We will do a better job keeping this updated weekly!
At the same time, they love their new little sister and have had a really great time getting to know her and love on her. It is really amazing to see two cultures collide in this very unique and personal way. She is learning from us and we are learning from her. It is fun to picture her in Hawaii at home playing on the beaches and in the pool, making her room her own and settling into her new life. I don't think she fully realizes what is ahead but says frequently, "I want to go to Hawaii!!". At the same time she is just now fully understanding that we are her really forever family and that she in not going back to the baby orphanage.
We are now eagerly waiting to hear on our court date and then we will make plans to move to the city for the rest of our time here. A team from Livings Stones Church in Hawaii will be coming in a week and look forward to familiar faces and in-country support.
We have been giving short, almost daily updates through WhatsApp. If you would like to join in to get more details and pictures please let me know by email- youngrussells@yahoo.com. I will need your contact information and you will need WhatsApp on your smartphone or desktop. Please comment on this blog as well! We will do a better job keeping this updated weekly!
Love to all- we are so grateful for everyone who is on this journey with us. God is going to do and already has done great things for this little girl and it is an honor to share it with you all.
Love,
All Seven Russell's
Will post more pics very soon!
As you know, I follow you on WhatsApp but this is a very. Ice summary of the month. Honestly it seems longer than that to me so I can't imagine what it feels like for all of you. I prayer for each member of your family. God is so good and will provide all you need as He lays out the path before you. Lots of love and I can't wait to to see you and hug each of you. Love, Aunt Cindi
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