Kinshasa - post number 2

SO - here is the "gotcha" photo of Joceline and I when I went to get her at Madame TeeTee's House. What a day! One of the things about adoption is the constant tension of wondering - wondering if they will want you - it is a choice with older kids, wondering if they are ok while you are waiting, wondering if it will workout, and of course wondering if they will change their mind. Gotcha day is about the end of wonder as much as the beginning of new things together.

Congo is a strange mix of depressing poverty, amazing possibility, incredible inneficiency, and, well...it's Africa - real Africa. On the one hand I love this country very much, on the other I hate it - and I do mean hate. My Daughter will bring the very best of this place to us - and she is already doing just that.

The first three days here have been filled with many work trips to various orphanages to investigate their work - with Joceline in tow. Long days in a car (without airconditioning) in the 98 degree heat (99%humidity also) make for happy travelers... All kidding aside - the orphanages are an uplifiting experience that elevates everyone who encounters them. I think Joceline was worried we might be trying to leave her at Sister's of Charity...but all was made right and even she was feeling good.

I keep coming back to this, but Adoption, and more to the point international adoption (to say nothing of the unique issues of the DRC) is such a complicated and fulfilling process. Congo adds many elements of complexity to this to say the least. So - next update, to keep things discrete, will be today but only about what we did today.

Final picture:



The above is the courtyard and woman with two of the children who live with her where Joceline has lived for the last year. It isfor cooking, play, laundry, and everything else!