Picture Joy Christmas
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Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Mbalama and Mbatilo
We have two precious new additions here at JCCM. Mbalama and Mbatilo were born on the 10th of February 2012. Sadly their mother died just after giving birth. They were born in a village east of Kenema to a polygamist family. Their father has 3-4 wives and 5 other small children. Here it is very difficult for one of the other wives to take in the children born to a different mother. Also the father is old with many other young children and he would not have been able to support these two little ones. God watched over them from the moment they were born. In their first week of life they had milk only one time and somehow survived on sugar water. One of the wives brought the babies to a lady in New London, Bo. Her name is Lovetta and she is known for her love of children. When they reached her she brought them straight to Gondama hospital. Here they were put on a feeding program and Social Welfare was involved. When the twins were 3 weeks old Social Welfare placed them into our care. However at this time they were not ready to leave the hospital. This was actually good for us as it gave us a little time to prepare. Preparing the mothers was the hardest part. It seems to happen often here at JCCM. When we first tell one of the moms she is getting a baby she hestitates and really is not too excited. I mean it is a LOT of work. So we talked to Mommie Amie in house 3 and Mommy Erica in house 4. Their aunties were excited and ready but it took the moms and I visiting the babies at the hospital for them to really get into it. The twins stayed at the hospital for another 3 weeks to complete stage 1 and 2 of the program and move onto stage three. This also allowed them to get on the list to receive formula each week. Now the mom's take the twins each Tuesday to be weighed and receive the next weeks formula- a big help to us.
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| Mbalama (girl) and Mbatilo (boy) |
These two are dearly loved here already- carried around by everyone, big and little. They are doing well and growing though Mbalama is growing MUCH faster than Mbatilo- she helps him finish his formula each week. Mbalama Soa was born first- her name means "don't forget" and Soa means "first born twin". She eats and eats and is the one to cry when she wants to eat. I think this caused her to get the most food in the hospital and the most attention. Mbatilo Jinnah means "people's child" and "second born twin". He is tiny still but is very strong. He will focus on you and follow you with his eyes more than Mbalama. He also holds himself up quite well. He at first would rather sleep than eat. We also think he had a lot of stomach issues but we have worked hard to fix that. These two are now dearly loved by their mothers- who are also very posessive of them. They have brought a new light to the compound and we are blessed to be able to care for them. I think their names together are very fitting. We will not forget them and we will all love and raise them together. May we show them the love of the Father who brought them to us and has each day of their lives in his hands.
Friday, June 1, 2012
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Christie/Christie
Christie Massaquoi is my first namesake- this little Sharon Christie is the second (she often goes by Christie or Sha Sha) and just last weekend the third little Christie was born. Patrick and Mary Blackie live at our Girl's Ministry House. Their daughter was born last Saturday and they named her Patricia Christie. I couldn't be more honored. Each time I am so surprised and feel such joy. These girls make me proud to have the name Christie and feel special to share it with them.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
A happy scar
Not exactly the post you would expect after such a long silence but it is one that I have been thinking about sharing each time I look down at my own hand. Time for a little honesty now- I have been homesick a lot lately. Yes over the years it has come and I know it will continue to come- however this time it has lasted a whole lot longer than usual and I have felt it in a different way than in the past. So maybe that is why this scar is so often on my mind- well it is always on my hand so not far from any quick glance down.. 
This one was a simple one. A wound I never would have expected to turn into a scar. While I was home last October/November I spent time working in the shop with my dad as I always do- especially during the month of November. On one of my last days in the shop I had just finished filling a box with hamburger I had stuffed off the stuffer and went to carry it out to the new freezer in that back as I had done dozens of times that day. This trip as I was closing the freezer door my hand happen to run along a piece of metal that was hanging loose. It just scraped of the top layer of skin. I think because the freezer is so cold it took some time for it to actually bleed. I walked in the back door to find my dad working away at his table as he so often is and showed him this extremely white line on my hand. Eventually it bled a little and scabbed over and I thought within a few weeks it would be gone. Now 7 months later it is still there on my hand. 
Well everytime I look down at my hand I see myself walking into the back door of the shop and finding my dad at his table- knife in hand, working hard, taking a small break to turn away and look at my hand and laugh with me and then get back to work while still talking through it all.
I cannot tell you how many mornings I have gotten up early to stand at the table next to my dad by 5am and work together. Now at 5am you will find him ready to talk and me ready to work and just listen. by 6-7am I will join in the talking. Thankfully over the past few years my hours have changed slightly so that I don't start before 7 or 8 but you will still find us working at tables not too far from each other. In this building, THE SHOP as we will always call it, is where my dad and I have the majority of our conversations. Many of you who stop in there have the same. "Come on back and talk to me- I gotta keep working or Greg will hell at me" you will often hear him say. So we come back and stand and talk. Now that our house is no longer right next to the shop but up behind the shop we come down and enter through the back door- the door at my dad's table and as we enter he will have some crazy greeting or quick advice to give or an errand he needs us to run.
As I am far away and missing home- missing my dad- I look down often at my hand. Whether trying to see the scar or not- it is there in plain view and as I see it I see dad through the back door working at his table. A very clear picture in my mind and the sound of his voice in my ears.
I like this scar- and need the feeling it brings.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Take two or is it three
Now my third week in a row in Freetown. I have only been able to head back to Bo on the weekends and even last weekend I spent in the Gola Rain forest and Kenema so to say the least I am missing the kids something fierce and have a lot of work piling up at home. However as I have said this is also part of the job and in someways I am amazed each morning at the people I am meeting with for this job.
Yes JERRY'S ADOPTION IS FINAL. I do have the court order and I heard with my own ears the judge granting the adoption. However in this country and even our own that does not end all our problems and make the way forward smooth. One of Brenda's dear friends told her shortly after hearing the news of the adoption that we still need to be in prayer and watchful. Satan does not like to lose and in this situation we not only got the adoption we so wanted approved but our staff and children's faith has grown individually and even more so as a group together. The day after I received the court order- the attacks started coming.
I had been calling the Embassy and finally on the 6th call I was told to come to a meeting at 1pm Thurs. I arrived there early- waited, went through all the security and sign ins and finally made it into the main building- waited again. Finally when I was able to speak with someone they told me that the moratorium on adoptions still stands and though I have the court order it should all be worked with on the US side first. I did know this but in all the other 6 phone calls I was told to come to the Embassy to start what they can here. At least the drive along the hillside is pretty.
From there I headed to Social Welfare as the Visa investigation will start there and they needed to be aware of where we were at with this case. WOW- they were NOT happy at all. The Permanent Secretary raised his voice several times and essentially said that they would not tolerate the courts going ahead without them and that they would not recognize Jerry's adoption. This of course made our lawyer CF very hot and he said that the courts are the highest authority in the land so who are they to stop this case. Anyway after meeting with them both on Thursday I met with them both again at separate times on Friday. Mrs. Bangura is the Director or Children's Affairs at Social Welfare and knows me and remembers Jerry. She has been willing to work with me on this and I have had to be very diplomatic in what I say and how i react to keep our relationship and standing with SW intact but to also move Jerry's situation and the other adoptions we want forward. She asked me to come back and meet with her again on Tuesday of this week so after another long morning I was able to finally head back to the provinces.
Earlier in the week when I thought I would be back in Bo on Wednesday we had made plans with Talitha, Kate, Bret and JK to go to the Gola Rainforest for the weekend. Come Friday it wasn't really something I wanted to do anymore but knowing how much they all wanted it and said they would not go without me I tried to muster the energy to go. I had to just quickly stop in Bo to empty and refill my suitcase and get Kate and Talitha- I think it was torture on the kids and on me to just say hello and good bye. We arrived in Kenema around 8 or so and had to go searching for dinner and lunch for the following day. I barely dragged myself back to my bed on the floor in the office to crash.
We woke early in the morning to head out to the forest. I HAD NO IDEA what this trip would entail. I was told 30 miles from Kenema was the drive and we would see monkeys, birds, rain forest, butterflies... so in my mind i did think of Salone roads and thought maybe an hour and a half in the car- walk around for the day and even if we left there around 6 we would be home before 8pm. Well I was wrong- it was closer to 60 miles and 3 and 1/2 hours to get there and because of the dark over 4 hours to get home. We did not see any animals besides butterflies and maybe two birds. It was great to be in the forest- but the original hike they wanted to take us on was 14 miles- I was exhausted and not prepared. We did not do that full hike and we did end up at a river and Kate and I swam and it was beautiful and peaceful but... I almost had a breakdown in the car on the way back. My body and mind had had enough and I was especially done with bouncing all over the car on the terrible roads and my legs after two FULL days in the car were going crazy in that same position. Needless to say by the time we got back to Kenema around 10pm I was done. The next morning and day at church and hanging out was fine but I knew that I would be heading back to Freetown on Monday and was missing time at home. It was a good weekend looking back on it now and I did enjoy myself but I learned that I need to set better boundaries and I cannot do it all.
Monday found me traveling back to Freetown this time in Public transport as I could not imagine driving yet again and it is much cheaper. My meetings with both SW and Margai were scheduled for Tuesday so hopefully I would get back to Bo Tues. evening or Wed. morning at the latest- wait this is Salone remember. My meetings dragged out and had more than one and was finally able to come back Thurs. afternoon and that was because I said enough is enough and told Margai I could not meet again on Friday.
However the meetings did go well and you have to play the game here- be patient- keep going back- be firm and yet speak nicely- let them think they have the upper hand- ask questions I might already know the answer to- give enough information but hold some.... After it all- we have pretty much been given permission to go ahead with filing Jerry's I600 and starting the visa investigation. I have a good relationship still with SW and I have gotten emails from the President of the Bar association confirming that adoption cases are now able to be heard in court and there was even a request for the Chief Justice to inform all Embassies and High Commissions of the developments and that the courts are open so that foreign governments can know and move forward on those grounds. Yesterday our lawyer had a meeting with the Ambassador and was told that a long as we have a court order that is what they will go by in moving forward and will start the investigation as soon as they have the paper work.
So after three long weeks- I think we are in a good place. The adoption is final, we can file the paper work, the Embassy knows about our case and is willing to move forward, Social Welfare knows about our case and is willing to let us move forward- and there is a very good chance that all adoptions will be fully open and flowing in the near future.
Now I am ready for a rest. :) After this very full weekend ahead I might get it next weekend.
thanks for all the prayers and encouragement. It has kept me going. I have made some new good friends along the way as well.
Jerry is still excited and doing well. He is also thankful and blessed by all of your prayers and support.
Now back to the little things in life- I am off to buy a truck load of firewood and go to the kids sport day at school.
Yes JERRY'S ADOPTION IS FINAL. I do have the court order and I heard with my own ears the judge granting the adoption. However in this country and even our own that does not end all our problems and make the way forward smooth. One of Brenda's dear friends told her shortly after hearing the news of the adoption that we still need to be in prayer and watchful. Satan does not like to lose and in this situation we not only got the adoption we so wanted approved but our staff and children's faith has grown individually and even more so as a group together. The day after I received the court order- the attacks started coming.
I had been calling the Embassy and finally on the 6th call I was told to come to a meeting at 1pm Thurs. I arrived there early- waited, went through all the security and sign ins and finally made it into the main building- waited again. Finally when I was able to speak with someone they told me that the moratorium on adoptions still stands and though I have the court order it should all be worked with on the US side first. I did know this but in all the other 6 phone calls I was told to come to the Embassy to start what they can here. At least the drive along the hillside is pretty.
From there I headed to Social Welfare as the Visa investigation will start there and they needed to be aware of where we were at with this case. WOW- they were NOT happy at all. The Permanent Secretary raised his voice several times and essentially said that they would not tolerate the courts going ahead without them and that they would not recognize Jerry's adoption. This of course made our lawyer CF very hot and he said that the courts are the highest authority in the land so who are they to stop this case. Anyway after meeting with them both on Thursday I met with them both again at separate times on Friday. Mrs. Bangura is the Director or Children's Affairs at Social Welfare and knows me and remembers Jerry. She has been willing to work with me on this and I have had to be very diplomatic in what I say and how i react to keep our relationship and standing with SW intact but to also move Jerry's situation and the other adoptions we want forward. She asked me to come back and meet with her again on Tuesday of this week so after another long morning I was able to finally head back to the provinces.
Earlier in the week when I thought I would be back in Bo on Wednesday we had made plans with Talitha, Kate, Bret and JK to go to the Gola Rainforest for the weekend. Come Friday it wasn't really something I wanted to do anymore but knowing how much they all wanted it and said they would not go without me I tried to muster the energy to go. I had to just quickly stop in Bo to empty and refill my suitcase and get Kate and Talitha- I think it was torture on the kids and on me to just say hello and good bye. We arrived in Kenema around 8 or so and had to go searching for dinner and lunch for the following day. I barely dragged myself back to my bed on the floor in the office to crash.
We woke early in the morning to head out to the forest. I HAD NO IDEA what this trip would entail. I was told 30 miles from Kenema was the drive and we would see monkeys, birds, rain forest, butterflies... so in my mind i did think of Salone roads and thought maybe an hour and a half in the car- walk around for the day and even if we left there around 6 we would be home before 8pm. Well I was wrong- it was closer to 60 miles and 3 and 1/2 hours to get there and because of the dark over 4 hours to get home. We did not see any animals besides butterflies and maybe two birds. It was great to be in the forest- but the original hike they wanted to take us on was 14 miles- I was exhausted and not prepared. We did not do that full hike and we did end up at a river and Kate and I swam and it was beautiful and peaceful but... I almost had a breakdown in the car on the way back. My body and mind had had enough and I was especially done with bouncing all over the car on the terrible roads and my legs after two FULL days in the car were going crazy in that same position. Needless to say by the time we got back to Kenema around 10pm I was done. The next morning and day at church and hanging out was fine but I knew that I would be heading back to Freetown on Monday and was missing time at home. It was a good weekend looking back on it now and I did enjoy myself but I learned that I need to set better boundaries and I cannot do it all.
Monday found me traveling back to Freetown this time in Public transport as I could not imagine driving yet again and it is much cheaper. My meetings with both SW and Margai were scheduled for Tuesday so hopefully I would get back to Bo Tues. evening or Wed. morning at the latest- wait this is Salone remember. My meetings dragged out and had more than one and was finally able to come back Thurs. afternoon and that was because I said enough is enough and told Margai I could not meet again on Friday.
However the meetings did go well and you have to play the game here- be patient- keep going back- be firm and yet speak nicely- let them think they have the upper hand- ask questions I might already know the answer to- give enough information but hold some.... After it all- we have pretty much been given permission to go ahead with filing Jerry's I600 and starting the visa investigation. I have a good relationship still with SW and I have gotten emails from the President of the Bar association confirming that adoption cases are now able to be heard in court and there was even a request for the Chief Justice to inform all Embassies and High Commissions of the developments and that the courts are open so that foreign governments can know and move forward on those grounds. Yesterday our lawyer had a meeting with the Ambassador and was told that a long as we have a court order that is what they will go by in moving forward and will start the investigation as soon as they have the paper work.
So after three long weeks- I think we are in a good place. The adoption is final, we can file the paper work, the Embassy knows about our case and is willing to move forward, Social Welfare knows about our case and is willing to let us move forward- and there is a very good chance that all adoptions will be fully open and flowing in the near future.
Now I am ready for a rest. :) After this very full weekend ahead I might get it next weekend.
thanks for all the prayers and encouragement. It has kept me going. I have made some new good friends along the way as well.
Jerry is still excited and doing well. He is also thankful and blessed by all of your prayers and support.
Now back to the little things in life- I am off to buy a truck load of firewood and go to the kids sport day at school.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
One more busy week in Freetown
(this post was started well over a week ago- so I will just finish it and post as is and get to the next one)
Sure a trip to the city is nice every now and then- but only every now and then. I remember a time when it would be 3 months without me traveling to Freetown- Now I have been here a good majority of the last month. I spent only Friday-Sunday in Bo over the past two weeks and will still be here in Freetown until at least tomorrow. It is more than just part of the job this time however and it is very worth the noise, constant people, sitting in traffic and the unique smells.
As of my last post you know that our adoption case with Jerry was post poned until this past Wednesday. However what I did not share was that after our last court date our lawyer wrote a letter to the Chief Justice (head judge), the President of Sierra Leone, The president of the Bar Association, Minister of Social Welfare, Coordinator of Jonathan's Child Care Ministries (me- on such a list) and one or two other people stating that the almost 4 year ban on adoptions is not actually legal. (with my busy schedule I honestly do not remember what I have posted in the past nor do I have the time now to read through it so if this is old news just scroll ahead a bit). Here in Salone the adoption process includes going through Social Welfare who does an investigation into the child's situation and then either gives their approval or does n0t- without their approval you cannot go forward with the adoption. Makes sense. So a few years back the then Minister of Social Welfare Gender and Children's Affairs initiated the ban on adoption after a good number of fraudulent adoptions. At this point this should have gone through parilament and to the President and then be ratified in order to be a true ban on adoptions- however this was never done. Still the Chief Justice sent a circular to all judges stating that they should NOT hear adoption cases. At this time because of the adoption cases that were not proper the Bar Association remained quiet on the subject and waited to see what Social Welfare would do- however after this much time they are no longer willing to stay silent.
In order to shorten this a little that is what Mr. Margai was fighting after last Wednesday in his letter. I came to Freetown on Monday morning to go to the airport to meet our visitor, Talitha who will be staying with us for three weeks and Jerry came to Freetown Tuesday afternoon after a test at school. Just after he arrived I was called to Mr. Margai's office. His secretary and junior lawyer told me that after meetings all week the Chief Justice had sent out another circular to all judges stating that they shoulc BEGIN HEARING ADOPTION cases. We were all very excited and celebrated together. We all had a hand in this and even when I told Jerry he got a big smile on his face and did his short high pitched laugh. He was a part of opening the door for all other children. You know how many times God asks for our patience and how many times he rewards us with things much greater than we could have hoped for. This is a big deal. It has been a very long time and a long battle to have an adoption case heard and the next day we were getting out chance free and clear- not having to go around any previous order from the Cheif Justice.
Wednesday morning we met at Mr. Margai's office and he again congratulated us on that victory and we all thanked each other for the part played. It was great to see Jerry speaking to a man in such a position here in Sierra Leone and feeling like they had worked together to accomplish an act that would help many other children. Jerry is proud and was well spoken. These two men so far apart in age but from the same part of the country have something even more to connect them together. Each time we go to Bo Jerry proudly talks to his friends about Mr. Margai- puffs out his chest a little and tips his head back and tells all who will listen (and debate with him) how great this man is. So for Mr. Margai to congratulate and thank Jerry on Tuesday... it meant a great deal to him and I know he will carry that with him for a long time to come.
Shortly after we headed to the court house and met Mommy Benya (Jerry's grandmother), Boi Benya- (Jerry's biological mother) and Joe Benya (Jerry's uncle) already there. Joe told us how they prayed at church on Sunday- they prayed when Mommy and Boi arrived from the village Tuesday, and they prayed before leaving that morning. What an encouragement. They all felt strongly that this would be the day.
We waited in the corridor together until we were called into the Judge's Chambers. It was not a large court room but her office. We were in there with our lawyers- 3 of them, and 2 other lawyers along with Boi, Jerry and I. Mr. Margai presented our case and spoke for about 10-15 minutes or so and then the judge's legal assistant who spoke Mende asked Boi if she understood what was happening and if she agreed with it. She spoke very clearly and said that she has not been caring for jerry since he was 2 1/2 years old and is not able to care for him now. She wants him to have the chance to have a family with Mommy Brenda and Hindalo (Jerry's father's Mende name) and she wants it to be forever. She understands what this adoption means and she wants it to happen. Wow- what a special thing to say. After this the judge just continued to write on her piece of paper. The same exact type of paper that the denial for Jerry's adoption was written on last time. I remained calm and just prayed- this would be different.
We were told it could be a week or two before we received a decision. However the longer she sat there just writing I had a feeling we would be hearing her answer today. With all the doors that God had opened for us to get to this point, with all the hurdles we had jumped and with all the prayers that had gone up and the confident, peaceful feeling he had given so many of us I just had to believe that her decision would be favorable. But still I held my breath and prayed. After at least 15 minutes of just writing and silence (yes 15 sounds short but try waiting for something, watching someone, sitting in silence for a full 15 minutes- it is not short), Justice Showers spoke. She spoke directly to CF Margai and said that "In light of this application and the special circumstances of the juvenile, in light of the mother's condition, in light of... " so many things- now as soon as she started saying 'in light of' and laid out the conditions she did- I knew it had to be a yes but as always I had a slight smile and still held my breath- I mean after 4 years of not getting the answer we desired there was always a chance...
Finally she said the words we so wanted to hear "The application is granted" She then went on to read a few conditions and we could all smile and say thank you. Jerry stood up in front of her to say thanks and even Boi who doesn't understand English must have understood the side squeeze I gave her as the judge was talking as she said thank you as well. It was a quick rush out of the room so after my thanks on the way out that was the end of it all. We met back at Mr. Margai's office and he started preparing the official court order. He asked me to wait in Freetown until the next day to collect it so I quickly got Talitha, Jerry, and Kate ready to head back to Bo so Jerry could finish his school exams and Talitha could start work at the hospital and then I stayed in Freetown yet again.
How excited was I the next morning when I held the signed court order in my hands. It is finished- Jerry Benya Lowe's adoption is FINAL. While he and I were walking on the street I said that to him- "Jerry you are finally a Lowe"- he responded to me, "I have been a Lowe for a long time." He is so right. In their hearts- all of them- Jerry has been a part of the Lowe family for years- it is just that we have a piece of paper that can now start the process of bringing him home to his family.
Sure a trip to the city is nice every now and then- but only every now and then. I remember a time when it would be 3 months without me traveling to Freetown- Now I have been here a good majority of the last month. I spent only Friday-Sunday in Bo over the past two weeks and will still be here in Freetown until at least tomorrow. It is more than just part of the job this time however and it is very worth the noise, constant people, sitting in traffic and the unique smells.
As of my last post you know that our adoption case with Jerry was post poned until this past Wednesday. However what I did not share was that after our last court date our lawyer wrote a letter to the Chief Justice (head judge), the President of Sierra Leone, The president of the Bar Association, Minister of Social Welfare, Coordinator of Jonathan's Child Care Ministries (me- on such a list) and one or two other people stating that the almost 4 year ban on adoptions is not actually legal. (with my busy schedule I honestly do not remember what I have posted in the past nor do I have the time now to read through it so if this is old news just scroll ahead a bit). Here in Salone the adoption process includes going through Social Welfare who does an investigation into the child's situation and then either gives their approval or does n0t- without their approval you cannot go forward with the adoption. Makes sense. So a few years back the then Minister of Social Welfare Gender and Children's Affairs initiated the ban on adoption after a good number of fraudulent adoptions. At this point this should have gone through parilament and to the President and then be ratified in order to be a true ban on adoptions- however this was never done. Still the Chief Justice sent a circular to all judges stating that they should NOT hear adoption cases. At this time because of the adoption cases that were not proper the Bar Association remained quiet on the subject and waited to see what Social Welfare would do- however after this much time they are no longer willing to stay silent.
In order to shorten this a little that is what Mr. Margai was fighting after last Wednesday in his letter. I came to Freetown on Monday morning to go to the airport to meet our visitor, Talitha who will be staying with us for three weeks and Jerry came to Freetown Tuesday afternoon after a test at school. Just after he arrived I was called to Mr. Margai's office. His secretary and junior lawyer told me that after meetings all week the Chief Justice had sent out another circular to all judges stating that they shoulc BEGIN HEARING ADOPTION cases. We were all very excited and celebrated together. We all had a hand in this and even when I told Jerry he got a big smile on his face and did his short high pitched laugh. He was a part of opening the door for all other children. You know how many times God asks for our patience and how many times he rewards us with things much greater than we could have hoped for. This is a big deal. It has been a very long time and a long battle to have an adoption case heard and the next day we were getting out chance free and clear- not having to go around any previous order from the Cheif Justice.
Wednesday morning we met at Mr. Margai's office and he again congratulated us on that victory and we all thanked each other for the part played. It was great to see Jerry speaking to a man in such a position here in Sierra Leone and feeling like they had worked together to accomplish an act that would help many other children. Jerry is proud and was well spoken. These two men so far apart in age but from the same part of the country have something even more to connect them together. Each time we go to Bo Jerry proudly talks to his friends about Mr. Margai- puffs out his chest a little and tips his head back and tells all who will listen (and debate with him) how great this man is. So for Mr. Margai to congratulate and thank Jerry on Tuesday... it meant a great deal to him and I know he will carry that with him for a long time to come.
Shortly after we headed to the court house and met Mommy Benya (Jerry's grandmother), Boi Benya- (Jerry's biological mother) and Joe Benya (Jerry's uncle) already there. Joe told us how they prayed at church on Sunday- they prayed when Mommy and Boi arrived from the village Tuesday, and they prayed before leaving that morning. What an encouragement. They all felt strongly that this would be the day.
We waited in the corridor together until we were called into the Judge's Chambers. It was not a large court room but her office. We were in there with our lawyers- 3 of them, and 2 other lawyers along with Boi, Jerry and I. Mr. Margai presented our case and spoke for about 10-15 minutes or so and then the judge's legal assistant who spoke Mende asked Boi if she understood what was happening and if she agreed with it. She spoke very clearly and said that she has not been caring for jerry since he was 2 1/2 years old and is not able to care for him now. She wants him to have the chance to have a family with Mommy Brenda and Hindalo (Jerry's father's Mende name) and she wants it to be forever. She understands what this adoption means and she wants it to happen. Wow- what a special thing to say. After this the judge just continued to write on her piece of paper. The same exact type of paper that the denial for Jerry's adoption was written on last time. I remained calm and just prayed- this would be different.
We were told it could be a week or two before we received a decision. However the longer she sat there just writing I had a feeling we would be hearing her answer today. With all the doors that God had opened for us to get to this point, with all the hurdles we had jumped and with all the prayers that had gone up and the confident, peaceful feeling he had given so many of us I just had to believe that her decision would be favorable. But still I held my breath and prayed. After at least 15 minutes of just writing and silence (yes 15 sounds short but try waiting for something, watching someone, sitting in silence for a full 15 minutes- it is not short), Justice Showers spoke. She spoke directly to CF Margai and said that "In light of this application and the special circumstances of the juvenile, in light of the mother's condition, in light of... " so many things- now as soon as she started saying 'in light of' and laid out the conditions she did- I knew it had to be a yes but as always I had a slight smile and still held my breath- I mean after 4 years of not getting the answer we desired there was always a chance...
Finally she said the words we so wanted to hear "The application is granted" She then went on to read a few conditions and we could all smile and say thank you. Jerry stood up in front of her to say thanks and even Boi who doesn't understand English must have understood the side squeeze I gave her as the judge was talking as she said thank you as well. It was a quick rush out of the room so after my thanks on the way out that was the end of it all. We met back at Mr. Margai's office and he started preparing the official court order. He asked me to wait in Freetown until the next day to collect it so I quickly got Talitha, Jerry, and Kate ready to head back to Bo so Jerry could finish his school exams and Talitha could start work at the hospital and then I stayed in Freetown yet again.
How excited was I the next morning when I held the signed court order in my hands. It is finished- Jerry Benya Lowe's adoption is FINAL. While he and I were walking on the street I said that to him- "Jerry you are finally a Lowe"- he responded to me, "I have been a Lowe for a long time." He is so right. In their hearts- all of them- Jerry has been a part of the Lowe family for years- it is just that we have a piece of paper that can now start the process of bringing him home to his family.
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