Court Day

Abigail’s first night with us was super sweet.  She went to sleep easily but throughout the night was a bit restless.  She was peaceful as long as she was held which was fine by this momma because I’ve waited 9 months for this!  We woke up early to get ready for court.  We managed to feed and dress the baby and ourselves on time (man it’s been a long time since we have had to do this stuff).  Baby Girl was looking very “smart” (the way Ugandans say fancy, cute or pretty).

We walked to the clinic to catch a ride to court.  THANKS RENEE for driving us and spending your entire day at court with us.  Peter (my hands and feet in Uganda arrived at the clinic with Abigail’s grandfather,  the LC (or Chief) of her village and two other men from her clan that were going to testify in court today.  We had provided them a hotel room so they would be close to court since their village is so far from town. 

These 4 men come from a tribal culture with beliefs and practices that I do not understand and cannot relate to, but they were kind to Abigail and our family.  They seemed excited to meet us.  Each one took turns holding Abigail for us to take pictures.  Stephen (holding Abigail in this picture) is Abigail’s grandfather. 

He asked many questions about our family.  He asked for a photograph of us and invited us to his village to see his home.  Many of you know, this has been a prayer of mine for several months.  I have prayed that we would have the opportunity to visit Abigail’s birthplace to take photos and meet her relatives.  I want to have information to give her when she is older about where she was born and her birth family.  I am so grateful to Stephen for inviting us to his home and we will take this trip before Mike and Kenzie leave.  I am also so very thankful to Stephen and the other men for testifying in court today.  It was a VERY long day!

We were instructed to arrive no later than 8:30am and court would begin at 9am.  We were there at 8:30 and at 9 we were told the justice would hear our case at 10am.  We were on a concrete porch that was covered so it wasn’t too hot and as I’ve told you before Abigail is perfectly happy with her sister and an occasional bottle of milk or empty water bottle to play with so we had fun just hanging out.  We got to meet 2 of Katie’s girls and I got to snap a few photos of Abigail with Peter (my hands and feet). 

At 1:00 we were still on the porch and were told that the Judge was taking a break and would return at 2:00.  Renee drove me and Kenzie to get take out lunches for everyone in our group. We were back at 2:00 but the judge did not get to our case until 3:30.  Yep that was 8 full hours sitting on the concrete porch! It was also 8 hours of time with Abigail that was pure sweetness!  

The BEST news is that our case was heard!  We met several people that had been to the court several times and there case wasn’t heard and even met one family that has been here 3 weeks waiting to see the judge (their original court date was Sept. 1^st but the Justice was out of town until yesterday).  I was so happy for that family when their case was called right before ours.   

We were the last case of the day.  Once we were in the Justice’s chambers Abigail kept talking to (and laughing at) Kenzie so she got kicked out of court (heehee).  But Peter came to the rescue and entertained her so I could return. 

Everything went well today and we will hear our ruling next Thursday September 22^nd.  This is the day Kenzie and Mike will leave to fly home.  They will be spending their last day in Uganda back on the concrete porch of Jinja’s High Court, but we feel hopeful there will be a positive ruling before they leave for the airport. 

We appreciate all of your prayers to this point and want you to know how much it means that you would petition the Lord on our behalf.  We ask that you continue to lift us up.  Now that this 1st major event of our trip is behind us we hope to see some new parts of Uganda tomorrow while feeling a little less stressed and much more hopeful. 

Here are some more photos. ENJOY

LOVE FROM UGANDA!!! 

Tosha

                                               Kenzie and ADORABLE Patricia

                                                          Walking with DaDa

                                                      Hanging out on the porch with Mama

                                                 Abigail and BEAUTIFUL Sarah

                                                         Family Shot (minus our boys)

                                                                 It was a LONG day!

* The pearl bracelet was a gift from us to Abigail for this special day.  Uganda is the "Pearl of Africa"