Surprises and Sunday Dresses

Janet

Janet is now officially ours and I can't believe the resiliency of that little soul.  We went to pick her up last week.  She was ready to go and dressed in her best Sunday dress.  We spent some time sitting in the dimly lit living room with her family and neighbors.  They all wanted to express their gratitude for Janet's chance a brighter future.  Her grandmother seemed the most relieved by Janet's good fortune, and I have a feeling she loves Janet the most.  Her grandfather and uncle will be coming to Jemo House this week to see where she lives and where they can visit her. As I sat in this dingy room, filled with this small community, and what felt like support, I wondered why Janet was pulling at our hands and so ready to leave with us.  I know not everyone there was delighted that she was leaving though, especially since she was doing a lot of work for them.  More work than any child should have to do.

Janet (purple dress) and her cousins and neighbor kids

Janet's grandmother, Jacky, Janet, Me and Praxcedes (our social worker)

After we had shaken each hand several times, taken photos for their family, and been given countless blessings, we finally set off down the road to Janet's new home.  She was running and jumping and skipping in from of us, and chattering non-stop.  I cannot wait to see how she fits in with our family.  Naomi has been the only little girl in the house for quite some time.  Janet, I have a feeling, is going to shake thing up a bit.  The house-moms and I have already talked about this, and plan to do our best to make it a smooth-as-possible transition.  

Getting a new child is like opening a package that you have no idea what's inside.  I love the surprises.  I have never seen a child so fiercely delighted with life.   She loves her new uniform.  She can hardly stand the fact that she can't go to school for another week because the term exams are still finishing.  She's always smiling.  She doesn't just get up to play, she skips and hops all the way to the door to go outside and play.  She makes Jacky laugh all the time, those your-laugh-makes-me-want-to-laugh-too kind of laughs.

We are very blessed to have this sweet girl.

Jessie