Well, it is Africa and I should be okay with the change in plans - court not happening today. We woke up early this morning, put on our 1 nice outfit that each of us had, got in a taxi and headed to court with the other American family and Sammy and Andreala's foster dad, P.
When we arrived, our social worker arrived with Sammy's birth mom. She is beautiful. Young, long braids, and quiet speaking. She walked over and saw Sammy. Greeted us and Sammy reached for her. She held him for about 15 seconds and then told him as she pointed to me, "Sammy - go to your mama," and she handed him back. She immediately had to walk away (and I can only imagine because her heart was breaking). My heart was breaking for her... I lost it. But it's unacceptable to cry in public here. We will have much more time with her tomorrow when we visit her village. We were warned to keep minimum contact with the birth moms because they can always change their mind until after court. (this we didn't know - but from now on, it won't be like that anymore.) Our social worker did say that both moms (Sammy's and Andreala's - the other little girl of our new American friends) are very dedicated to having their children adopted. But there is always a fear, I think natural on our part.
We all then walked into the courtroom. There were many many Ghanaians waiting for their time in court - we were all in one HOT room (and they don't wear deodorant). Of course my little Sammy threw a fit and so I excused myself to comfort him in the hall. A judge approached me and said, "Are you hear for your case today? An adoption case? Is this Samuel?... I will see you tomorrow morning at 8a. I'm sorry for the delay."
I then went into the court room and found our lawyer and social worker and they confirmed the change in court date. The judge had brought home our file to read last night but left it at his home this morning without having the chance to read it...haha!
So, tomorrow we will go to court at 8a in the same clothes we went in today and God-willing have the decree by tomorrow. The judge did tell us that we will have the adoption decree by the end of the day tomorrow. But worse case scenario, if the adoption decree doesn't come until Monday - then J (our social worker) will stay here in Bolga and then gather the decrees so that us families may go back to Accra (big city where there is actually something to do) and so Jesse CAN catch his flight on Monday.
Today has been good b/t Jesse and Sammy. Sammy called him Daddy many times and kept saying, "Daddy, I love you!" He followed Jesse everywhere. We did a late birthday celebration again today where we sang happy birthday to him and it embarrassed him so bad that he "lost" it for about an hour. He's actually with his foster dad right now, recovering. =)
Thanks again guys so much for all your prayers and encouraging notes. We love you very much! Hopefully when I write to you next, Sammy will be Samuel GIBBS! Our forever son.
xoxo,
b
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