Reluctantly Down the Home Stretch We Come

God is in the slums, in the cardboard boxes where the poor play house. God is in the silence of a mother who has infected her child with a virus that will end both their lives. God is in the cries heard under the rubble of war. God is in the debris of wasted opportunity and lives, and God is with us if we are with them.
- Bono

It’s really hard to put into words how much the boys have learned in the week we’ve been together, as well as how incredible it is to watch them interact with each other and to observe the things that they do individually.

Koby has picked up so many words and small phrases and he’ll even complete patterns such as when Michele would point to parts of his face and name them in English. He now knows exactly what “eyes”, “nose”, and “mouth” means and identifies them right away when we point to these features on his face, or another person’s face.

The way that the boys get along together is so tremendous. There is no question that the orphanage has taught them a great deal, but that they obviously realize intuitively that they are family. They will wrestle, or “fight” as Koby likes to call it (he also calls it “boxing” which amazed us since they really assume boxing stances), but when the action starts, Koby will lay Kwame down ever so gently to ensure he doesn’t bang his head, etc. This is not to say that he doesn’t land a couple of good shots from time to time, but if he hurts Kwame in any manner, he will quickly make sure he’s okay.

They also have truly exemplary manners at the dinner table. Again, we have to believe that much of this credit goes to Kofi and his staff at the orphanage based on what we know about their lives beforehand. This is in no way meant to disparage the boys’ mother, but instead simply acknowledges how extremely difficult the family had it in terms of their struggle to find food.

They sit quietly at the table, use their napkins, use utensils quite well (especially Kwame given his diminutive stature and only being three-years-old). Koby still has a tendency to beg for the food of others after he gets done, and is very picky about what he begs for, but this has to be something that is still engrained in him after years of begging for any food.

It’s fun to watch their mannerisms as well. For example, today Kwame wore a light blue polo shirt (which he looked adorable in, but he’s adorable regardless). He was so concerned from the time he started wearing it that it be tucked in. If we put him in different shirts for pictures, and then changed back, he made sure it was tucked in. When we took him to the bathroom, he made sure it was tucked in afterwards. They both did it when we put them in their soccer (football……we need to get used to that, at least until we teach them Buckeye football!) jerseys. It is so interesting to watch as it has to be something they’ve learned via going to school, etc.

There is no way of knowing what they’ll actually retain between now and when we finally get to come back and take them home relative to what they’ve learned from us (and believe me, there’s things Jordan taught them we hope they forget…….lol), but just witnessing how quickly they learn leaves us little doubt that they will do great, albeit taking some length of time, when they get to the States.

Today we took a trip to Koala Market to purchase some items and then look for some souvenirs to bring back from our trip. We’re not sure if we mentioned this or not yet, but nothing here is purchased for what it is asked outside of actual stores. Everything from taxi rides to street vendors is an ongoing bargaining process, and unlike some of the mistakes we made early with the taxis, we had a good day today for the kids and ourselves relative to the items we purchased. We did buy all three boys football jerseys that they loved. We wish we could bottle the expression on Koby’s face when we purchased his jersey for him. We would share it with everyone we possibly could to lift their spirits anytime something brought them down. We wondered if anyone had ever purchased them each their own new jerseys. Regardless, they were very excited and appreciative.

Tomorrow is our last day here and I’m not sure that either of us could describe what we’re feeling adequately. For me, there is obviously a part that wants to return home to resume a life full of conveniences. The bigger part of me, however, would like to stay here indefinitely, helping as many people as I possibly could in addition to giving Koby and Kwame a home.

Despite spending an incredible week with two extraordinary little guys, as well as the joy of being together with Alexis and Jordan, it’s impossible to ever fully not take into account the unbelievable poverty here. The adage regarding the “elephant in the room” could not be more appropriate, at least for me. It’s just very hard psychologically and as a Christian to fully come to terms with the abject poverty, and not feel ashamed for not doing more to help. I have always wondered what drives a person to participate in missionary work. I no longer have that question.

In fact, it’s now quite the opposite. I find myself wondering if there would truly be a more fulfilling occupation than knowing that every day of your life you’re having a significant impact on improving the lives of others. There is no question that individuals who do this type of work make a sacrifice that receives nowhere near the credit and honor that it deserves, but perhaps that’s the whole point. Perhaps it’s the selfless nature that makes it even more admirable and meaningful.

There is so much else to write regarding our events the last couple of days and we haven’t been able to post due to the Wi-Fi being out in the hotel for quite awhile, but this one is getting long so we’ll have to write more later. God Bless