Happy Gotcha Day, Seth!

Day 11 is the happiest day in the adoption process.  Day 11 is the day after Day 10, the official end to the ten day wait.  The day you can usually go get your child.  A day called "Gotcha Day".  Day 11, for us, started with a ton of running around and paper work.  We had been sweating bullets all week because our judge had said that he would not issue our decree until the following week, on Wednesday, when all decrees are issued for the village.  We showed up with a storm of prayers being said on our behalf, prepared to cry, beg and do whatever it took to get him to sign the decree.  Everything hinged on that decree.  Without it, none of the other paperwork can get started and we couldn't have gotten Seth.  When we showed up, our decree was already signed and waiting on his desk.  Miracle #1. 

We quickly left and ran to the birth certificate office.  In this region, birth certificates are difficult to change.  It usually takes several days to process the paperwork and five days to mail from one office to the other, an office located four blocks away.  Time we just don't have.  Our facilitator had told us she was committing the whole day to just getting the birth certificate, and if she could just get that accomplished, she'd be happy.  We were in and out of the birth certificate offices, with new birth certificate in hand, by 2:45.  Miracle #2.

Next up was the Tax ID office.  The lady was very helpful and said we should have our new number within two days.  Our facilitator asked her to please do it right away because Seth needs to get home.  We walked out with a new tax ID number 15 minutes later.  Miracle #3.

Off to the passport office.  It was a little after 4:00.  We knew the region was out of one day passports so all we really wanted to do was get our application turned in and make an appt for first thing Monday morning.  We got our application turned in and have an appt for Seth's picture tomorrow at 9:00am.  Also, a promise to try to get our passport to us, in Kiev, on Thursday, rather than the normal five day wait.  Miracle #4. 

With ten minutes to spare, we raced to the bank to close out Seth's bank account.  In his country, each orphan has an account that money is deposited into each month.  When the child turns 18, they receive that money to help them get established.  If they are adopted before that, the family cashes out the account and can choose to keep the money or donate it to the orphanage.  Usually, the money is donated.  We agreed the orphanage needs the money far more than we do.  We got there and the lady took his bank books.  She agreed to fill out the paperwork but said we'd need to come back on Monday for the money.  We started on the paperwork.  As we finished up, we looked at her and saw that she was counting out the money.  She smiled, wished us well, and sent us on our way.  Miracle #5.

Five miracles in one day.  Our facilitator never expected to get so far.  She expected to need all day Monday to finish up the paper chase.  Our facilitator was surprised.  We were not.  It's what we had been praying for.  What our friends and family had been praying for.  I believed we'd see miracles on Seth's behalf and God showed His hand.

Because of the lateness of the day, we decided to call it a day and get Seth out in the morning, So the next morning, bright and early, we headed out.  We pulled in, saw the director, signed paperwork, took treats to all the boys, and went to find Seth.  He hadn't seen us the day before, so he was quite happy we were there.  And I'm sure he knew something was up.  He was so excited he could barely sit still.  There were so many adults crammed in the room!  We got him out of the wheelchair one last time and changed his clothes. 

Our friends from the Source of Life Church were there visiting and asked if they could say prayers for us.  They had me, Jeremy and Seth stand in the middle while they encircled us and one after the other, pleaded with Heavenly Father for our quick process, smooth transition, and safe travels.  Powerful.  With tears in our eyes, we thanked our friends, and then, it was time to go.  We hugged boys, cried, shook hands, promised to send pictures.  The director wished us well and expressed his gratitude for the life Seth was being given.  He said he wants to be invited to Seth's wedding. :)  And on that note, we said goodbye, climbed in the car and drove away from the only life Seth has known.  As we looked back, one of the teenage boys, Volvo, was following us on his bike.  A reminder that there are still boys behind those gates.  Boys needing and wanting out. 

So how is Seth doing?  He's doing well.  He is a sweet, sweet boy.  He loves to cuddle.  He is very content to explore on his own.  Opening and closing doors and drawers.  He's a good sleeper.  He goes to sleep by 8:00 and gets up around 6:00.  He is used to going to bed on his own.  For bonding purposes, we choose to lay with him.  He is happy and affectionate, is trusting and is a good eater.  But he's going through loss.  Because as cruddy as his life was, it was his "normal".  It's all he knows.  And we're in the process of once again, for the last time, completely turning his world upside down.  I'm sure he's nervous and scared.  Confused.  And his mommy and daddy don't even speak his language.  We are learning to comfort a little boy coming from institutional care, and all the emotional baggage that it entails.  How do you heal a child like this?  The same way you comfort and love any child.  Unconditionally, without pre-conceived expectations, without judgement, with your whole heart. 

Happy Gotcha Day, Seth!!  Welcome to our family. 

How do you rescue 147 million orphans?  One child at a time. 


**  I'd post pics, but we don't have a good enough internet connection right now.  We are going to Kiev tomorrow and I will be posting pics shortly.  :)