Sunday morning we all went over to listen to Pastor John and attend church with all of the children for the last time. I was really excited to be in their presence again as they worshiped. There is something special about hearing the voices of children sing praises to the Savior - add in some African drums and it's really a mesmerizing experience. I've been excited about going to church with them since the last time we'd left. The singing of the kids made up for any "bald man" sermons that John slyly put on me!
We were disappointed when we arrived at the home and found out that John had to leave very early to go to Togo for the day. This meant he wouldn't be preaching today. Instead, one of the John's friends - Pastor Evan took up the pulpit and delivered a wonderful sermon from Ecclesiastes 9. He talked about the importance of being prepared because the Lord has promised each of us a 'time and chance' with an opportunity He will give. It was great timing for some of the things that we'd be facing over the next few weeks.
After church we decided today would be our only day to head to the market for souvenirs. One of the other reasons I wanted to go today was because on Sunday's everyone is dressed in their wildly colorful traditional dresses. Thousands of people compact into the streets creating a kaleidoscope of colors. It's one of the most wonderful sites I've ever seen. We had several ideas of things we wanted and needed to take home: drums, traditional shirts, Shea butter for the new kids skin, etc. In the end, we made some new friends and managed to buy almost everything we needed.
That's not the cool part of the day. This morning Brody and I decided it would be cool to do something different since it was the Sabbath Day. The night before while we were all knelt around the bed for family prayer we told them of our idea. I would give each person 10 cedi for the day. The catch - they could not use it for themselves and they could not give it to another person...They had to find a need of another person and use the money to fill that need. The idea was that we would all be looking for opportunities to serve others. I was anxious to see what would happen.
As we handed the money out it was fun to see the reaction of each of the children. Brody, Brinley, Shandi, and Tyson all jumped at the challenge and excitedly started with the "what if" game. What if they have shoes, but you want to buy them NEW shoes? What if they don't like the food we buy for them? What if we offend someone? Mighty and Agbesi didn't really understand the purpose. At first they wanted to keep the money for themselves, but after we explained the purpose neither of them wanted to play. Actually, they both 'said' the wanted to play, but asked me to hold the money.
By day's end I didn't have a chance to notice anything because I was busy holding a sleeping Agbesi in 221 degree sweltering heat while trying to not melt into a puddle while keep Mighty from running into the road or flopping on the ground in a meltdown. Richard, Brody, and Tyson had split off from the rest of us and went down the market road a ways. About an hour later we all met at KFC for lunch. Yeah...KFC - it was a little slice of heaven - partly because the chicken was great but mostly because of the air conditioning. I sat there drinking water, re-solidifying, and dreading heading back out into the sweltering heat.
As we sat there Richard, Brody, and Tyson came excitedly to our table all three talking at the same time about two girls, shoes, and ice cream. Once they all settled down they told us their 10 cedi story. They were walking down the street when they noticed two little girls - apparently sisters. Neither of the girls had shoes on and both appeared hungry and worn down. I can only imagine their thoughts as three boys rushed to them wildly excited for no apparent reason! They asked the girls where their shoes were - "we have none" was the reply. The boys knew how to fix that. The took the girls to a nearby shoe vendor and fixed them up with some new flip-flops. This, in and of itself would have probably been enough, but these three thoughtful boys wanted to make a lasting impression. They took the little girls over to a food stand to buy them a belly-full of food. Once the girls were finished with their food the boys took them over to buy them ice cream - a treat they surely had never had. I was so impressed with these three and their willingness to take time to notice the needs of another - but more importantly ACT on the needs of another. This is exactly what the Savior taught us to do while He was here on the earth. How many of us have walked along that road to Damascus and notices the man along the way in need. Too many times I've justified in my head, "Boy, if I wasn't late for this meeting," or "the guy behind me looks like he's taking care of it." It's not enough to think of doing good deeds - we must react to those feelings. Listening to Richard, Brody, and Tyson recount the story I silently whispered a prayer of gratitude to Father for granting the opportunity to them - and then sending the Holy Spirit to confirm His pleasure in their serving of another. Another lesson no teacher, school, or parent could ever teach - and my chest burst with pleasure in listening/watching them.
We didn't end up getting all of the items we wanted to get, but the heat was just too unbearable so we decided to buy everyone Fan Ice (a little ice cream treat packaged in a small satchel bag) and then head back home. Brody, Brinley and Tyson wanted to spend more time at the home and we figured it would be good for Mighty and Agbesi to spend some time there before we left as well.
Monday - 3/5/2012 - Last Day in Ghana
Brandie and I decided it would be quickest if only she and I headed back into Accra to pick up the last remaining items we needed before we went home. We asked Richard and John if it was OK to leave all the children at the home for a couple hours while we ran to market. They both chuckled as they said "of course." I'm still not completely straight on who enjoyed whom more - the Oswald kids or the orphans.
We returned from the market to the hotel. There was a somber feeling by everyone as we packed up all of our stuff so we could check out of the room. No one really wanted to talk about it although we were all feeling the exact same vacancy starting to well up inside. I will forever have the last time I left the home and Ghana etched into my brain and heart - I was not looking forward to an encore this day. I could already see the tear washed little faces, but this time I didn't have any reassuring words of "I'll be back" for them as they clung to my legs and waist.
We checked out of the hotel and took all of our bags over to the home since we didn't have to be to the airport until that night. All of the children played like they've known each other for years. Richard and I went to the food market to buy food for our going away party. We bought 100 kilos of rice, a flat of tomato sauce, some spices, chicken, and some other little snacks. All said we spent just over 200 cedi (about about $130 US). We took all of the food back to the home so the Aunties could start cooking it. We learned last week that a meal of this size takes quite a bit of time to prepare.
We were thrilled to see that Mighty's Auntie Dogbeda had come to the home for the party. I asked Richard how much it cost for her to come. He figured it would take her about 20 cedi and most of the day to make the trip from the Volta. That amount doesn't sound like much, but when the whole household income is about $500 a month. I remember Anita telling us we couldn't/shouldn't give any money to the birth family because it would look like we were offering money for their children. I really wanted to get her some money - not for the kids - but so she didn't spend money needed for food in order to get to the party. I asked Richard if we gave him 50 cedi would he please give it to Dogbeda for her travels - and to please not tell her it was from us. He joyfully agreed.
The dinner was simple - a piece of a chicken and jollof rice - but the company was wonderful. It was fun to see all of the children and Aunties surrounding the tables honoring our children. Everyone had their meal in front of them and patiently waited. John stood to stay a few words. Of course, always the comic he started off with a few funny words, but then this man with the giant heart spoke from that heart and said some wonderful things about the kids, the three we'd brought with us, and the neat relationship the last 18 months had afforded us. We truly feel like these people are part of our family - more than friends.
Once John was finished I asked his permission to speak a few words of my own. I expressed my gratitude to him and Irene and the rest of the people in the home for their unmatched generosity to me and my family. I told them how much we loved each of them and would look forward to our next meeting. I wanted them to all know that this was not "good bye" but that it was a "we'll see you later" because I honestly know we'll be back again someday.
After we were all finished with the meal the taxi arrived to take us to the airport. We'd taken a little longer eating that I was anticipating and the time to leave had quickly crept up on us. Now my stomach was doing flip-flops. I don't do good at good byes and I had very vivid memories of leaving this place which had captured my heart only six short months ago. This time however, I knew it was way different. I was worrying not only about Mighty and Agbesi but also for the three we'd brought. They'd made some lifelong friendships through their service to the children but also because of spending so much time with everyone.
As we started loading the bags into the cars everyone started making the rounds saying their good byes. Once again I looked around and saw tears in the eyes of several of the children - including Tyson, Brinley and Brody. From a parent's perspective I was so thankful that the lord had provided these kids with the tender feelings of love for others. Mighty had gotten into the car with Brandie and I could hear her (Mighty) wailing. There was no question that the reality of what was happening had abruptly arrived for her. I sat in the front of the other taxi and had Agbesi with me. He sat smiling actually giddy to be leaving. I remember thinking "boy, he's really taking this well'. Just before I shut the door one of the other boys walked up with a little truck in his hand. He spoke in Ewe through the darkness to Agbesi. Agbesi nodded his little head once and gave a slight grunt of approval while simultaneously bursting into tears and crying loudly. I'd never heard this from him before. I was concerned that Abu had said something mean to really hurt his feelings. I asked him a couple of times what he had said. When he finally regained a little of his composure he mumbled through his tears, "he asked if he could have the truck." At first I couldn't understand what was the big deal...then it hit me - it had nothing to do with the truck - the reality of him leaving his home had finally slapped him in the face and he was now scared and nervous. My heart cried out for these children. It hurt so bad thinking of what was going through their little minds and hearts. Luckily, once we were on our way to the airport the somberness and sadness only lasted as long as the drive to where they could see the airplanes...
In all, the business of the last hour at the home actually ended up helping my emotions cope with what was really happening. I was so worried about making sure everyone was loaded along with all of the gear that it took the edge off of the thoughts of leaving all these people we'd grown to love. Once I had a chance to think through the day I realized this was nothing more than a tender mercy from a loving Father in Heaven. And now we're officially a family of 8 and headed to the next chapter of our lives.
Until tomorrow....
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