Raw and Reality

It's been nearly 2 weeks since we've been home from ET. Since our return, we have been focusing most of our time on the girls. Swimming, school shopping, games, snuggles, a trip to the family farm, etc. Oh how we missed the girls while we were gone! School is now in full swing and the craziness of life begins once again. However, this Fall season my perspective has shifted. My life is forever changed. As I type the words, tears stream down my cheeks. (FYI....I cried everyday in ET and everyday since I have been home. Ask my hubby, I'm not a crier.) I wasn't crying for my son because I know he is in a good situation, in a care center where people are loving and caring for him. I know IBP will be with us one day real soon; we all can't wait for that day! You see I was crying for the multitude of people that I saw. The ones that appear to have no help or no hope. It's overwhelming, it's so overwhelming! Here is just some of what we encountered.....

make shift houses

sick, hungry children begging

women with their babies living on every street corner

disabled and elderly begging

the smell of exhaust

gentle, friendly people

people sleeping everywhere

public urination

orphanages with no grass, no carpet, no toys

orphanages that smell like vomit and urine

children asking me to be their mommy

a trash city that houses 75,000 people

a trash dump used as a food source for many

lepers

aids victims

women carrying heavy loads of Eucalyptus

hurt

desperation

children longing for affection

adults longing to be accepted

filth

deep loss

devastation

It's still very raw to me. The sights and the smells. What is raw to me, is reality to these people. Where as they may not know the difference, I do! I know the difference! Once again, I am firmly convinced that the Lord has blessed us so that we can be a blessing to others. We are not rich compared to the "Western World's" standards. However, I am feeling quite wealthy compared to the "Rest of the World's" standards. For the Page's, we are praying that our family will be used in ET for HIS glory. We want to be apart of something bigger than ourselves. While in Et, Scott and I were able to meet some amazing individuals who want to make a difference in the lives of their community. I love that they have a passion for the country of ET and their people. These are the people I want to come behind and support! They are changing one life at a time. They are true heros of this age!!!!

A quick update: We have seen God's hand in this adoption process every step of the way. IBP is and will be such a blessing to our family. (In fact, once in ET, we learned that our son's name actually means "Blessed.") We received word this week that our MOWA letter has been issued and is at court. However, we don't know what type of opinion MOWA issued on our behalf and the judge was unable to review our case before courts closed. So we wait......we were told that we may not hear anything until after rainy season. I'm still praying for a miracle. I would love to have our little man home before his first birthday in October. Regardless...it's about perspective. My perspective is forever changed.