In Haiti - Doing Great! (part 1)

Bonjou from Haiti!

We are doing very well here!  W is simply an amazing boy.  He is sweet, funny, generous, kind, energetic, determined.  He welcomed us that first evening with a shy smile and a big hug.  It is precious to see how each day he is opening up more and more emotionally.  His walls are coming down a little bit at a time.  He still hasn't shared very much at all about himself or his life (part of which I expect is a language issue) and we have to ask questions and prompt him to get information, but he is definitely relaxing.  It will come, all in time.

He is enjoying the rides in the SUV back and forth from the crèche to the C4C guest house and so forth.  He wants me to sit close to him on his right side every trip.  I pat his knee from time to time or put my arm around the back of his seat.  He now lets me hold his fingers while we bump along.  He is fascinated with the many sights along the winding mountainous roads.  He is proud of the mountains of Kenscoff, as he should be.  They are breathtaking!!

He is very proud to show us off at the crèche.  He grabs my hand and pulls me around to show me things.  He frequently says, "Mom, look!" and "Dad, look!" all day long.  I cherish that!  Yesterday at the crèche he came home from school and Daddy and I were covered in toddlers, literally!  Then some of his buddies came around wanting attention from us.  It was quite interesting to see his jealousy start to spring up.  You could see it on his face.  He staked his claim on us by not letting kids take his seat next to us on the couch or taking both of our hands (he held on to at least one) or taking our undivided attention away from him.  Then it was time for Teacher Lou-Lou's class.  Yesterday they danced and sang to music on the internet then did an art project...I've got some great video!!  Eric and I kinda floated in and out of the small room.  Eventually we stayed in the "guest area" (with the couch and tables) and read/listened to books.  W came to check on us to make sure we were still there...several times.

When it was time to leave for our afternoon and dinner at the C4C guest house, W happily said goodbye to his friends, helped gather all our things, and lead us out to the truck for our ride.  Each day he asks if he will be going to the guest house with us, he smiles so happily and contentedly when we say yes. 

Yesterday, when we were still at the crèche, the three of us snuggled on the couch with several of his buddies there as well, chatting and playing, he asked us very seriously, "When are you coming?"

We said, "Coming?  Do you mean, when will we be coming back to see you again?"

He replied, "Yes..."

We told him that we did not know, but we would return just as soon as we could, giving him a big squeeze.  He didn't reply.  He just looked, thoughtful?..  Not sure.  But it was our first sign that he was thinking long term with our relationship.  Thank you, Lord; You are at work in his heart.  Oh how heartbreaking it will be to leave our boy behind when we leave the end of next week!

It is also very gratifying to watch W and Eric connect.  Eric is "teaching" him some karate moves -- he LOVES that -- and exercising together.  They play Batman vs. the Bad Guy, they run and race...yesterday they really had fun together.  I praise God how He has gone before us and is helping us build a relationship with our future son.  Adoption is God's idea and we are trusting Him to provide all that is needed for W and us to connect.  We also are praying for wisdom with how to "be" with W, as well as for God to open W's heart to us and to feel safe and trust us.

To be continued...