Releasing

A friend from work asked me the other day what it was like meeting Ayantu's real Birth Mom while in Ethiopia. She commented that she never saw a post about that encounter on my blog. Well...now's as good a time as any to remember that encounter:

We were on our way to the orphanage to meet Ayantu for the first time ever. Our driver, Sami, stopped at the orphanage's main office off campus so that we could first meet Ayantu's Birth Mom, Rahel. When we got to the office, Rahel wasn't there yet so we all sat down. We allowed the two gals travelling with us to sit in on the meeting. Within a few minutes the door to the office opened and in walked this beautiful young woman with a chartreuse, velvet dress on. She would only look down at her shoes and I knew in an instant that it was her. Through the translators we were introduced and given the opportunity to ask her questions. I began to get nervous but sat down right beside her and then clutched Brian's hand. We started by thanking her for the hard privilege she was giving us in raising her beautiful daughter. And then we asked why she chose her name. Rahel commented that the name was actually chosen for her. She went into labor with Ayantu in the village she was cleaning. The people that helped deliver Ayantu picked her name and Rahel stuck with it. It means "a gift from God" in the Oromo dialect of Amharic.

As we continued on with questions, I noticed Rahel gaining courage to lift her eyes up and actually make eye contact. I wanted her to feel safe and loved. Brian shared with Rahel that in America, Ayantu as a female, would have every opportunity to pursue and fulfill her dreams. He then asked if she had any dreams or hopes for her daughter as she grew up. Rahel's response after pausing was "that is now between you and God". It was if she had already in her heart moved on. When Rahel said that I teared up badly but didn't want her to see it.

When our conversation was over, we hugged her, thanked her and let her know that Ayantu would be raised, loved and honored as if she were our own daughter. She smiled and we were able to get a few pictures to share with Ayantu some day.

As I think about Rahel, 9 weeks after meeting her, I can't imagine the pain she must have in her heart knowing because of poverty she had to give up her own daughter. This was definitely not God's intention for families to be broken. But without the option of adoption, Ayantu may have never had a mommy, daddy and sister to love her like she does now.

Dear God, would you please begin the healing process for Rahel. Would you give her the courage to deal with her emotions in a healthy way. May she find friends in whom she can confide in and feel safe with. And most importantly, may Rahel know you as her Heavenly Father whom loves her and still has a beautiful plan for her life.