(Click the picture for photos)
4/11
Hope I don't get too deep on this one...
(The last day at Samaritans Place)
It was morning after another good night of sleep. Seems like waking up
around 6AM is becoming normal here. After a good round of bacon and
pancakes, we signed some legal documents for the adoption and headed
into town to see the lawyer. It must have been around 9AM in the morning
and this town was hopping man. I have never seen people drive in all
the lanes at the same time but somehow they make it work with less
accidents than we have. Kuya Joe drove Ate Ahyee and us to the lawyer to
get our paperwork notarized. It was a small crowded office with signs
and paperwork everywhere. Looked like something out of the movies. We
signed the documents, got the notarized stamp, and met with the attorney
briefly. Boom, done with that bit. We headed off to the SM Mall in
Dasmarinas again to find Joshua a few more clothes, and also a couple cool
shirts for dad and mom.
The malls are crowded and similar to ours,
except very Asian in vibe. A lot of electronics, a huge emphasis on fashion, and probably more
food stops than actual stores is what popped out at us foreigners. Got
the shopping done and grabbed a quick slice of pizza and halo halo
before returning to SP. We took a little downtime and then met with Ate
Dulce, Ate Ahyee, Papa Joe, Mama Gena, and Solveig (a volunteer from the states). During this session we
talked about concerns, personal behaviors of Joshua, and things he might
need help with or that we should know about. Shortly after, Josh's birthday party
was held in the play yard of SP with pancit, pancit, pancit! We also dug into the cake
that we bought for the kids and staff. There was a lot of laughing and
silliness, but then there seems to be that element always. This is quite
possibly the happiest place I've ever experienced. I'll talk about that
more later.
There was more volleyball, jumping on the trampoline, and
me playing "pig" at the basketball hoop with Joshua's neighborhood
friend Alisa. Some time passed in between and we freshened up for dinner
with Ate Dulce and Ate Ahyee. My stomach was still full from the "snack"
we had before. I fear that I may have gained a few pounds on this trip.
The food is so good and we have been eating a lot of it. Ate Daisy, who
cooks the food here, is an excellent cook by the way. We sat down for tilapia
(fried crispy with the head intact), lumpia, and rice. Again, everything
was so good. I feel like I'm still stuffed at 4:11AM as I write this.
After dinner the staff put together a presentation show for us at
Joshua's going away party. All the kids piled over and the fun began. I
had kids in every arm and on my lap asking me questions and checking out my
rings and tattoo. This was much like other times we had been
around the kids except even more interaction. I can't tell you how cute these guys
are. I can only show pictures, which don't capture their different little
personalities nearly as much as in person. We watched a presentation with pictures of Joshua
through the years; some singing and dancing from the kids; and thoughts
from staff and the house parents of Joshua (Papa Joe and Mama Gena). It was a very happy and
silly time with a lot of laughter and fellowship. It was also a time
filled with many tears. Staff and kids were wishing Joshua well on the next part of his
life. Liza and I were asked to sing as well. I played Joshua's favorite
song "God Gave Me You" and my song "The World" to the best, loudest, and
sweetest crowd I've every played to. The night ended with a lot of hugs
and a big prayer with a circle formed around Liza, Joshua, and me by
the staff and all the kids. It was a very powerful and emotional prayer
by Ate Dulce. I love the prayers in Tagalog... especially when Francis, the oldest boy prayed. They are very sincere and
thankful to our Father. It's a wonderful language to listen to and
amazing to be a part of their prayers. If God is to hear any prayers, it
would be these. I don't know how anyone could hurt these kids or
disregard and abandon them, seriously. That is certainly one of the greatest
examples of sin in the world. Being here in this place filled with love,
strength, laughs, support, and the feeling of family shows the greatest
example of God's power and love in this world. I feel that this is a
preview into the next world when children of every color come together
as a family again.
Go here for the MUSIC:
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