Thursday, April 29, 2010

147 Million Minus One

We've been home from Ethiopia for one week now.  I've been wanting to write a post about the day we met Tariku, but kept waiting for a time when I thought I'd have words for it.  I finally realized today that time will never come and so I'd better just have a go at it. 

I guess it should first be said that adoption has changed my life.  I had no idea when we started this process how absolutely shattered my heart would become not just for my own child, but for the 147 million orphans in the world.  And I had no idea how much of a spiritual thing adoption is - as in DEEPLY spiritual (at least that's what my experience has been).  But more on that later...  

You can only imagine our excitement, anxiety, fear and complete elation over the thought of meeting Tariku.  Would he be ready for us?  Would he be scared to death?  Would he want to have anything to do with us?   Two years in the process and the moment was finally here.  We boarded the bus with the other ten adoptive families to make the 1/2 mile drive to the Care Center.  We may look somewhat together in the picture below, but oh my...we were SO nervous!!



The anticipation of meeting Tariku for the first time was killing us by the time the bus pulled up to the care center.  As we stepped off the bus at the care center compound we could see a line of toddlers hanging onto the iron fence looking at us. Since Ben and I had thought we'd meet Tariku inside the care center we didn't give much thought to the fact that Tariku might be outside.  But we looked down the line of children anyway, and there he was...the one child bouncing up and down while hanging onto the fence.  We looked at him and then the air was filled with "Daddy! Mommy!".  More bouncing.  More shouting.  We couldn't believe it was him.  Ben ran to the fence and Tariku threw his arms around him and smothered him with kisses. 



He KNEW us!  I could not believe it.  He was so overjoyed to see us.  It was precious.  I bent down and hugged him through the fence.  We covered each other with kisses and then he was whisked away in a matter of seconds.  Ben and I stood there in disbelief that we had seen him! We had met our son!  The beauty of that moment is something I will never forget.  Oh you guys...he was standing there so expectantly!  He knew we were coming...he knew who we were...he was READY!!  Honestly, I thought my heart would burst at that moment.  I was so shocked, so relieved, so awestruck that our little guy knew us.  I had been so prepared that he might not want anything to do with us and what we experienced was so far from that.

A while later, we were formally introduced in his classroom where he proceeded to tackle us with huge hugs.  He got up from his desk in the front row and ran across the room to us instantly.  I was so enjoying those moments with him that it wasn't til later that I looked up and realized that the classroom was full of children just sitting at their desks watching us be united.  I had to fight the tears back as I realized each one of those children was an orphan and Tariku was living their dream moment.  He was getting his family while they watched it all from their desk.  Thank God I knew each one of those children was spoken for by an adoptive family or I think I would have fallen apart even more.  I wondered how many reunions they had witnessed from those chairs.  I wondered what their thoughts were each time they saw one of their friends meet their family.  I wondered how many friends Tariku had said goodbye to before we came.  And then I allowed myself to come back to the sweet realization that Tariku would never have to wonder anymore about us.  He'd never have to wait again.  Because mommy and daddy were there.  We came for him.

Tonight, I snuggled Tariku in his bed, covered him up, kissed him 20 times and told him I loved him.  We laughed as I tickled him and he threw his arms around my neck and said "I love you, Mama".  He feels safe.  He feels loved.  He can sleep peacefully now. He is home.

And then I think about the 147 million orphans in the world who will go to sleep tonight without anyone to cover them up or tell them they are loved.  Many of them will be hungry and sick and alone.  Many will not be safe.  Some will be sex-trafficked tonight and reminded of the fact they have no one who cares about them - at least no one they are aware of.  But I care about them - I don't have any other choice.  I've heard some of their cries with my own ears in both Ethiopia and Uganda.  Those are not cries that I will ever get out of my head or my heart.  I will not ever forget the pulls on my arms to touch them and pick them up.  I will not forget the word so many children whispered in my ear - "Mama" they would say....as if they could speak it into existence.  I will not forget the arms wrapped around my neck or the hands caressing my hair.  I will not forget the sweet little fingers interlocked with mine. 

While my son is home, so many are not.  It makes hugging and squeezing him tight that much more meaningful.  So, tonight, I am thankful for Tariku being in my arms and that 147 million orphans is now 147 million minus one. 






   

22 comments:

  1. AWESOME POST! When you write about adoption being spiritual....I KNOW EXACTLY what you are saying. I am still searching for the words to describe my time in Guatemala and Ethiopia. God has used adoption to shake our family to its core. God is so good and faithful! Congratulations again!

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  2. Amy, the theme of our last adoption was similarly "One less orphan." I think the tears for the many and the joy over making a difference one life at a time reflect the heart of our Savior. This is a beautiful post! We have been praying for your family along the way and are rejoicing with you that Tariku is HOME.

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  3. ...tears rolling...this is so beautiful, Amy!!! How incredible that you guys met him through the gate!!!

    He seems like he's so happy, we are all in love with him! I have LOVED watching all of this unfold - it's even spiritual for those of us who are watching from around the country! All those prayers have come to fruition - our God listens and He acts!

    I am overjoyed by this whole thing! God is so awesome!!

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  4. Just beautiful! I am crying with joy. Thank you so much for sharing.

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  5. Crying! Overjoyed! Praising God!

    I am so thankful!

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  6. Wow! I can testify to how spiritual adoption is, and we haven't even brought our children home yet!! :) It's so true! Beautiful post to read as we await our court date. Thanks! Blessing to your family!

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  7. Incredible Amy! You've got me weeping again. JoAnn Haun

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  8. Love this post! You have described in words how beautiful that unification will be. We are anxiously waiting for our referral - 4 months into waiting! I am scared and in awe of God to see what He will use our journey for next. I know we are not done and it scares me as to what He is going to ask us to do next. Anxiously waiting for the call.

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  9. wow, thank you for sharing this beautiful moment. we are just weeks away from getting to hold our own little miracle at this same home where Tariku was living. Thank you for the encouragement and the hope.

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  10. I absolutely LOVE this post and I am so thankful to call you my friend, my sister, my fellow warrior. Thank you Jesus for the sweet blessings of family. May Tariku's story change the world for children who are patiently waiting at their desks for their turn.

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  11. Tears. Your story is so similar to how we met Silas and the overwhelming feeling of how many are left ravaged my heart. The Lord has called us again and while I know we can't change the lives of all those precious children we can change the life of one and we can advocate for so many others. Love this post. Congratulations on precious Tariku he is beautiful.

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  12. Beautiful and inspirational post! We are waiting adoptive parents, and this is inspirational! I love your heart for the "least of these".

    Congrats!

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  13. Great post, Amy! Thanks so much for sharing more about the experience you and Ben had meeting your son and bringing him home. Absolutely beautiful... and inspiring! Cherie and I are so happy for your family!!!

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  14. I just cant wait! Thank you for sharing. I have had those same fears and concerns. What if she doesnt like me.... you know.... all those thoughts. I also have seen videos of her room mates having their going away parties and wept to see her not knowing that She had a family! I wanted her to know so badly, we are trying. You are loved. Our little one has Down syndrome and doesnt speak. So I hope she is understanding the little picture book now that the papers are filed and moving through the last channels. We are coming little one! Its taken us 18 months but we are coming!

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  15. I loved this!!! I found this post through Jen and sat here and cried tears of JOY for you!!

    OK, Lord.....I'd like one, or two....or three of those 147 million.....please?

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  16. Beautiful. Since our adoption, we have been working hard to help orphans. Adoption really does change a person.

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  17. How is it that I haven't read this yet? SO precious. Love you sweet friend and thankful for you guys.

    B

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  18. congrats on bringing your little man home...

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  19. Amy, everything you write is so incredible. I think you should write every day and forget about all the other work you have to do! :)

    I'm so glad the Lord led you to adopt Tariku. What you are able to share with the us as a result of this adoption is an amazing testimony and an encouragement to join you in this biblical way of caring for orphans. Who wouldn't want what you just described?!!!

    I can't wait to hear more Tariku stories. I'm sure this won't be the last! With much love, sister!! Cindy

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  20. That is awesome that you are home and doing well with your new son. Also, thank you so much for throwing that pizza party for the Kolfe boys. My son is Ephrem who said it was his fantastic day! I am thankful for all the love that each family can pour on these boys. Much blessings and congratulations!

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  21. He is ABSOLUTELY PRECIOUS!!!!!

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