I can't tell you how long we've waited to say those words!! ("It's a girl!")
It's such a long story but I'll summarize first and then cut and paste some of my journal entries.
After Dubai, I went to India to visit with Yogesh's family. In a nutshell, all of the experiences I had in Dubai and Gujarat were amazing preparation for the days to come. Things like getting used to the food/water, getting a lot of rest, brushing up on my language skills, getting used to living in a joint family system where it's family before privacy, etc. got me ready for Pakistan.
This journey started well before Pakistan, as I've said before. My new year's resolution for 2008 was to let go and to let God lead me. I wanted to stop being so controling of environment and instead to be more of a recepient. I wanted to look for doors opening instead of opening random ones myself. I am sure that God heard my resolution and he began to provide in very obvious ways. I am astounded by how easy and fulfilling this journey has been. When I've needed something, I've asked for it in my prayers and it has been fulfilled. My faith, though strong to begin with, has dramatically increased during this journey. God has designed a beautiful path for me and all I've been doing is walking down the path picking the flowers. He's crafted this journey better than I ever could have.
That's how I got my little one on my 5th day in Pakistan!! Amazing how fast it all happened!
Her name is Amani Yasmeen Bhakta. She was left in a "jula" (swing) that Mrs. Edhi provides at her centers. Above the swing is this sign:
It translates to something like this: You've made a mistake once by bring a child into this world. Don't make another mistake by getting rid of it. Leave it in this cradle and we'll make sure it is safe.
This is the saint Mrs. Edhi. She and her husband have done amazing social work in Pakistan. Definitely worth googling when you get a chance:
Her biological mother had left her at an Edhi Center at 1pm on September 15. We got a call from the center saying, "Your doll is here. Come pick her up." We were at the center by 4:30 and she was put in my arms. I wept and wept tears of sheer happiness!!! I can't wait for all of you to meet her. It's been estimated that this process usually takes 3-8 months, but pray that I come home before the end of 2008.
Amani's daddy, grandparents (on my side) and loved ones are waiting to meet her. Her paternal grandparents have sent her their love and anxiously are waiting to meet her possibly in the U.S.
Stay tuned for more details from my journey. The next time I have a chance I'll post exerpts from my computerized journal....
Thank you for your kind and loving emails! In lieu of writing to each of you, please accept my posts as a response to your emails. I'll email you individually as time permits.
I should be able to post more regularly now that our internet is working (but who knows for how long...that's how it is over here). No complaints though! We actually have wireless internet in my cousin Kiran's home. I'll post her pic soon. She's the angel who's helped me tremendously!!!! I'm so blessed to have such an awesome family here and back home.
