About a week ago, we found out the names of the children on the ISNA list that would have to leave 3 days later on Thursday Dec 13th. 5 names were on the list...mostly teenagers. A week earlier, completely by surprise, a mom came by with the appropriate legal papers to obtain her 3 children. This happened on our day off, so we didn't even get a chance to say good-bye. It seems to be a good mom, so we're happy for the children and hope the mom can care for the children appropriately this time. Then a couple days later, Diana left. This was expected since she was our oldest kid, 19, and just graduated from high school. She said a tearful good-bye at our church service and then left with her family. So, in the week before the big exodus, we'd already lost 4 kids.
On the 13th, we missionaries gathered early in the AM to talk and pray with the 5 kids slotted to leave . It was really tough. We cried our eyes out. Unfortunately, nobody knew what time their family was going to come, so we spend most of the day trying to be productive yet waiting for the final good-bye. The kids congregated on a park bench and just sat and huddled together the entire day. Some of them were going to have to say good-bye to siblings, and all of them felt like they were loosing siblings and/or best friends. At one point, I sat on the bench with the kids. One kid on my left knee and leaning her wet face against my chest. Another kid was under my right arm. Another kids was sitting on my left and holding my hand. By mid afternoon, 4 of the 5 kids and their family member were on campus. So B&B put them in the big van and took them all home....a really emotionally hard task. The 5th kid, Tito, was angry that his grandmother hadn't shown up.
In addition to the 5 above, there were other surprises. One little boy, Wilfredo, had been on the ISNA list, but the mom hadn't returned the phone call. We were told that if the mom went to the ISNA govt. office and obtained the paperwork, then she'd be allowed to take her son. In response to the situation, Wilfredo said "if my mom wants me, she'll show up". At the end of the day, Wilfredo's mom hadn't come. We missionaries were leery of the mom to say the least, so we were kind of glad, but heartbroken for Wilfredo. However, the next day, the mom showed up. Plus, 2 middle school boys had anticipated leaving on the 13th to go home on a 3 day pass for Christmas. However this mom also showed up with the needed papers, and they also suddenly left on the 13th. Their 5 year old brother was left here and if all goes well, he may be picked up in about a week. There were 4 other siblings that were also allowed the 3 day Christmas break at their mom's house. The mom decided she could care for one, so 3 of the 4 were returned to the orphanage.
When all was said and done, 12 are now gone (8 on the 13th), and we expect one (Tito) to be picked up tomorrow by his grandma. And one more may leave in the next week or so. We're all trying to recover. The house moms/dads, the siblings, the kids that feel like they are siblings, the Benners, and we missionaries are trying to catch our breath and still being caught off guard by things that suddenly remind us of one of the kids. We continue to pray that God would protect and guide those that are no longer with us, and he would comfort those left here (particularly the siblings). I know many of you prayed for this situation. We missionaries send our sincere gratitude.
On the 13th, we missionaries gathered early in the AM to talk and pray with the 5 kids slotted to leave . It was really tough. We cried our eyes out. Unfortunately, nobody knew what time their family was going to come, so we spend most of the day trying to be productive yet waiting for the final good-bye. The kids congregated on a park bench and just sat and huddled together the entire day. Some of them were going to have to say good-bye to siblings, and all of them felt like they were loosing siblings and/or best friends. At one point, I sat on the bench with the kids. One kid on my left knee and leaning her wet face against my chest. Another kid was under my right arm. Another kids was sitting on my left and holding my hand. By mid afternoon, 4 of the 5 kids and their family member were on campus. So B&B put them in the big van and took them all home....a really emotionally hard task. The 5th kid, Tito, was angry that his grandmother hadn't shown up.
In addition to the 5 above, there were other surprises. One little boy, Wilfredo, had been on the ISNA list, but the mom hadn't returned the phone call. We were told that if the mom went to the ISNA govt. office and obtained the paperwork, then she'd be allowed to take her son. In response to the situation, Wilfredo said "if my mom wants me, she'll show up". At the end of the day, Wilfredo's mom hadn't come. We missionaries were leery of the mom to say the least, so we were kind of glad, but heartbroken for Wilfredo. However, the next day, the mom showed up. Plus, 2 middle school boys had anticipated leaving on the 13th to go home on a 3 day pass for Christmas. However this mom also showed up with the needed papers, and they also suddenly left on the 13th. Their 5 year old brother was left here and if all goes well, he may be picked up in about a week. There were 4 other siblings that were also allowed the 3 day Christmas break at their mom's house. The mom decided she could care for one, so 3 of the 4 were returned to the orphanage.
When all was said and done, 12 are now gone (8 on the 13th), and we expect one (Tito) to be picked up tomorrow by his grandma. And one more may leave in the next week or so. We're all trying to recover. The house moms/dads, the siblings, the kids that feel like they are siblings, the Benners, and we missionaries are trying to catch our breath and still being caught off guard by things that suddenly remind us of one of the kids. We continue to pray that God would protect and guide those that are no longer with us, and he would comfort those left here (particularly the siblings). I know many of you prayed for this situation. We missionaries send our sincere gratitude.
Pictured below are the missionaries and the 5 kids scheduled to leave on 12-13-07. Left to right: Bobby, Samuel, Tito, Britney, Jonathan, Wendy, Tania, Griselda, and me. 
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