God is SOOO Good!

Silas slept all night!!! Yeah!!! We did/are going to have some issues establishing some discipline with him. He is hitting, biting, and pinching. We tell him aye (no) and he just laughs. We find ourselves saying kuru (gentle) a lot. Nah means to come and he steps backwards when we say it. We have an ornery one on our hands! J But after today’s experience, I’m confident that the Lord has big plans for this little boy!

The trip to Kids Care Orphanage today was such an experience. I can’t even tell you what a blessing it was for Tony and I to visit the place where Silas lived for four or five months. As soon as we walked through the guarded gate, kids surrounded me and just tugged on him and called him by name. They were so excited to see him. The nannies did the same thing. The director told us that Silas was a very popular kid there. We saw it at the transitional home too. People love him!!! It was so exciting to see that he was well taken care of, but it was also very sad to know that he is going to be taken away from all that he knows. These kids and nannies communicate with him and we can’t. However, one thing that was so interesting is that Silas didn’t want to go with him. He wanted to stay with us. What
all can this 2 year old little guy understand? I carried him around
in my sling so that he would be secure in knowing that we were not going to leave him there.

The kids at the orphanage sang and played games in front of us. We couldn’t understand their words, but they looked like Duck, Duck, Goose and Red Rover. It was neat to see them have fun. We then had the opportunity to go inside the orphanage and love on the babies and see where Silas used to sleep. One boy became very attached to Tony.
I hope seeing us brings them hope and not sadness. Most kids seemed very content. There was one boy that had something wrong with his eye and a blind little girl that had some mental issues. You just wonder what will happen to those.

The director of Kids Care told us that they have started a couple programs to assist families. They provide meals to poverty stricken homes and provide assistance to moms that are bed-ridden. The goal is to keep the kids in their families as long as they can. What a neat ministry, and what a way to share God’s love.

We also found out that Silas’ mom had to fill out papers and go to great lengths to get him in the orphanage, which just affirms to us that she loved him. She also gave him the name Ashenafi. Back home, he has become Silas, but here it seems strange to call him that because so many recognize him and call him Ashenafi or Ashu. It is neat to see how he responds. So, I think we are going to torture our child J and make his official name Silas Ray Ashenafi Vernon. During this transitional time, we find ourselves calling him his African name more often than not.

Tony and I feel so covered with prayer. It is so amazing. I personally have reacted to situations in positive ways that my flesh would not have normally. I feel more relaxed…I’m taking more in…seeing God work in every detail. He has shown up every time-in small things and in big things. I have testimony after testimony.This trip is life changing and such a spiritual journey for us. THANK YOU for praying for us!!! And thanks again for the much needed donations. Our group was able to stock pile both the TH and the orphanage.