The Meeting----La Encuentro

How am I to pick the words to describe meeting Kimberlyn and Rosita. We were picked up by our interpreter and went for a very interesting ride in 2 taxis to arrive at the office of ICBF. It was very well guarded. I don’t know why that is the case, but our interpreter needed to leave an ID with the guard and it was all gated in. We were met by our attorney there and we all went upstairs to wait our turn to talk with a committee about any final questions and receive information about the girls, like Rosa goes by Rosita. We received copies of their identification card and a letter saying that we accepted total responsibility for their health, safety and emotional well being while in our care. The facility was really warm and the furnishings were very well used. There wasn’t a board room to meet in, just a table that barely fit all of us. That is how it is here. They do not live in a society that is so disposal. Nothing seems to be replaced until it can no longer be fixed. Remodeling because you want a change doesn’t appear to happen. I appreciate that. Then the moment we were waiting for.
Syd, Jack and Evan saw them first. There were 2 doors in a corner, each facing a different way. They snuck the girls in one door while we were in the room behind the other door. When the attorney opened the door to let us know they had arrived, the kids saw the girls through the crack of the door. We left the table and went through a tiny passage and around the corner and we were greeted by Rosa and Kimberly. I cried! Rosa jumped up immediately and ran to me with a hug, and then she ran to Papa while Kimberly ran to me. All the kids joined in on the hugging. Later Doug over heard Jack telling Evan that he nearly cried and Evan said “I almost cried twice!” After hugs all around and then a second go around of hugs and kisses we sat down and we gave them some backpacks filled with things. One of them was bracelets that we helped them put together with their new names. Rosa put Rosita Houston on hers, but Kimberly could only put Kimberlyn because that is a long name and her wrist is very tiny. The time there was short and back to the taxis to ride to our hotel.
Back here we were greeted by staff and other families and took a few pictures as a family. The girls are so excited by electronics that we have decided to limit the opportunity and for this reason I haven’t blogged as much as I desired. It has been fun watching them use the computer and sing along in Spanish to the Ipods, but we must limit screen time so that we can bond. Much to the dismay of Evan they love Justin Beiber y Demi Lovato y Selena Gomez y Miley Cirus y jonas brothers y katy perry y etc. (Rosita typed that for me.)
It is very loud in our life right now. The girls love to tickle, they say “chica chica” when the tickle. They also adore their older sister and both desire to the one who gets to share the double bed with her. They are good eaters and can eat more than my boys combined. It is going to be interesting in our house because Kimberlyn is quite an actress. She loves to be the center of attention. Do remember that has been Evan too. WOW is it crazy. It seems that there is a game afoot of “one-ups-manship” for the youngest four that really seems to play out at meals.
We have been busy, mostly in the hotel. We went on an excursion yesterday with the hotel owner and other families to the zoo. Our newest girls love to take pictures, therefore I have lots of evidence we were there. After lunch we swam and played games, both electronic and otherwise. I brought many games and crafts. We have played Uno, Checkers, Kazink, Sequence, and tried Cribbage. We have made bracelets and colored. Painted nails and braided hair. I have learned lots of new vocabulary I never needed before in Spanish. Right now I can barely type only in English and had to ask Doug how to spell words in English because I could only think of the Spanish word.
It’s a small world after all. Walt Disney got that right. You won’t believe this, but another family staying here is adopting a girl and a boy from the same foster family as Kimberly and Rosa. So that was delightful to meet them and we can exchange information for the future. The down side is if they could, Rosa and Kimberly would spend all their time with Vanessa and Sebastian. I can only imagine what a hard week the Senora has had, saying goodbye to four kids. Other than her daughter, there is one girl from ICBF left in her care. Leidy is her name and she is 11 years old. I ask you to pray for her to have a family soon. It would be an awesome miracle if she were a part of the Kidsave Summer Miracle program hosting Colombian Orphans in Des Moines Iowa and while there met her forever family!
Tomorrow we are going on an excursion with the owner, Enrique, to the fruit and vegetable market. We don’t plan on leaving the hotel much on our own for safety reasons. There is a small shopping center 4 block from here that is called LA Catorce (14) that I have been to twice for little items.
There have been many times of bonding already with games, tickling, crafts and laughter. Sometimes I think you can hear us from there. I just asked Kimberlyn how is the Houston family and she said “la familia Houston is muy divertida.” Eso es! She said the Houston families is very fun and I added THAT’S IT!
We give praise and thanks to God for placing all of our children in our care and pray that He will help us raise them for His Glory.