It took about 10 days for him to “get” that we pray. He started by imitating us, sitting down at the table spontaneously, folding his hands, and practicing a “Dear Jesus.” At dinner, he sits right down and folds his hands, looking around to see who is going to pray this time. He always gives a little giggle during when he hears the mention of his name. He has decided in the last few days that the word “Amen” must mean something along the lines of “this looks really good.” He has started using the word random times; picture him filling a cup with water and then he looks over at me and says “Amen” emphatically. Or, he is enjoying a bowl of ice cream and he looks around the room to all of us and says in a long drawn out way, “Ameeeeeeen.” Or, maybe he actually gets what it means and he’s giving thanks for good things. Could be.
At bedtime tonight, I sat on his bottom bunk with him while Mark leaned stood so we could pray with Drew and him. As Mark prayed, he repeated each phrase after him on his own accord. After Mark was finished, he motioned to me that it was my turn. And, so I prayed slowly hoping he’d be able to somehow understand a few words. I prayed specifically for him and for his two best friends by name, that they’d find families soon. After my “Amen,” he said something, then said it again. When I clearly didn’t understand, he took my phone, opened Google translate, and said into it “there’s two more.” What? What do you mean? Two more what? He acted out writing in the air, so I grabbed a scrap paper and pencil closeby and handed it to him. He proceeded to write each of the other hosted children’s names. Then, one by one, he said their names a few times while I repeated after him. There were two more I hadn’t mentioned. There are 5 host kids in all, not just the three boys who are best friends. And, he wanted to make sure I prayed for each one of them and didn’t leave anyone out.
From left to right: “Brett” (our friend), “Joel,” “Shane,” “Jennifer,” and “Jasper”
pixelated intentionally so not to share each child’s actual name online
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These 5 children are all currently being hosted until mid-July. You can click HERE to follow along with “Shane’s” hosting experience and HERE to follow along with “Jennifer’s” hosting experience via Facebook. If you feel the nudge that to learn more about any of them, email me and/or the social worker at Madison who is working hard to find families for all 5. Note that there are grants available towards each one of their adoptions.