In FAITH We Go: Joyful reunion.

11/6/12
Today is election day at hoome and it´s kind of crazy to feel like an outsider, watching from another country´s perspective. The coverage is pretty vast here, information updating Ecuador on the election is on every TV channel. We certainly don´t have that kind of coverage of other country´s elections in the USA, kind of a testament to our media but also the impact that the US has on the rest of the world. Interesante!

Anyway, so as I posted earlier, Carrie was informed that the little love of her life, Jonathan, and his unofficial sister, Stephania, had been moved. Carrie´s fears were that Jonathan (6 or 7 years old, his exact birthday is unknown) and Stephania (8) would be terrified. They reached the age threshold at which they are to be moved to an establishment for older children, meaning they´d be among the youngest. Unfortunately, the older kids tend to be more rough and there can be a lot of abuse in those situations. But first thing in the morning today, Carrie made phone calls and it was incredible how quickly she was able to locate him!! That was not what she expected! We were prepared to go on a mission all over the city. No need! Off we went to see them. We arrive at the orphanage and despite it being in a more sketchy part of town in the south of Quito, the orphanage itself looked great. It was really clean and well kept and the staff was so sweet! The kids were at lunch when we arrived, so we had to wait to see them, they were going to bring the 2 kids to us. We sat, nervously, anxiously, excited.....and about 20 minutes later, in they walked.....Jonathan and Stephania......who immediately ran up to Carrie when they saw her and wrapped their beautiful little arms around her. Such a wonderful moment. You can see the joy on their face when they see a person who loves them, and who has been there for almost all of their lives. How terrible that any child should go without this feeling. After embracing Carrie, to our surprise, they ran and gave Matt, Mick and I all hugs as well, yay!! Their fascination with us was quickly trumped by their fascination with our cameras. Haha. They started to snap away, like professional photographers! We gave them new shoes and socks, and yummy bananas that we brought back from the coast. Next, to see their onsite homes.

Each home has a Mama and a Tia, incredible women who dedicate their lives to these children. It´s almost like fostering, because they actually move to the homes to take care of the children. We were so happy to see that not only were the kids in a great home, but that there were only SIX other kids that lived there with them! More one on one time, less opportunity for abuse....just the best thing that could happen given the situation. The kids had their own beds, and as opposed to sharing their clothes and shoes which they did at their old orphanage, they each had their own little drawers of their own stuff. They even had a house dog! Poor little guy was smothered by the kids, but he didn´t go anywhere, so I like to think he knew he made the kids happy! These are such sweet, beautiful children. It kills me that they are not receiving the constant love and attention that they deserve. How could nobody want them?? They had been in the system since less than one year old. Carrie has wanted to adopt Jonathan since she met him at 2 years old. All of those years, and he could have been in a safe and loving home. But international adoption is incredibly expensive, and Ecuador´s government makes it even more difficult in the sense that you can´t even choose who you adopt. On the flip side, the children cost money to stay at the orphanages, so they´ll give them to practically anybody in their family, even if the situation is totally dangerous or abusive. Kills me. BUT, at the end of the day, we all feel such relief and joy to know that Jonathan and Stephania are in a safe place. Walking away I couldn´t help but get teary-eyed, filled with mixed emotions. Happiness and sadness all at once, my mind racing with ideas about what we can do. We are going back to see them and bring the orphanage a water filter for their use in the kitchen and bathroom in a few days, and we can´t wait!!