Reunifications

It has been awhile since we have had to say good-bye to any of our BG children, but today was the first of about 4 of children who are being reunited with family. The little boy who left today has a special place in my heart. He has the biggest smile, funniest laugh and the smoothest dance moves on campus :) There is a special playgroup song that I used to sing to him and he would do a super fun little dance and then run up and give me a great big hug. Good memories!
Over a year ago, this little guy was left alone in his house for 3 days before someone found him and he was brought to Beautiful Gate. He was such a pudgy little guy when he arrived and so it was hard to believe that he could have been abandoned, yet that was the unfortunate truth in his life. Our care staff took him in and made him feel loved and welcomed to Beautiful Gate.
His mother came to get him today and according to the plan that was laid out by the government, she is to bring him across to South Africa and deliver him to his father as she has been deemed unfit as his mother. I find it quite shocking that the government would allow or even desire an unfit parent to deliver a child to the other parent, but unfortunately, I have no say. Please pray that he gets to his father safely and that his father wants him and will show him love. He is a very special boy with great potential if he is just given the love and care that he desires.
I went to his house to say good-bye today and he was sitting at the table eating lunch. I kissed him good-bye and told him I loved him and he began to cry. He must be so confused right now. Seeing his mother again, hearing that he is going to South Africa and living with his father that he may not even remember, and saying good-bye to all of his friends and caregivers. I always struggle with emotions during these moments...
So I will leave you with the questions that were in my mind during my final moments with this young boy. His face was devoid of emotion, but he clung to the little book I gave him as a gift. I could tell he was trying to be brave and then his mother went through our group and gave each of us a hug. I was the last one she hugged and she was crying and trembling. I told her to go well and asked God to bless her, but I wondered...what brought on those tears? Was it remorse? Was it gratitude? What made those tears flow down her cheeks?

God knows and He can bring her peace and healing and may He hold us all close during these upcoming reunification's and good-byes. I am pleased that God is bringing families back together and praying that each of these children will have a happy, healthy and love filled life!