After we returned home from our safari, there wasn't much going on... we did a lot of sitting and waiting. Uganda celebrated their 50th Jubilee, we watched some soccer, did some shopping, slept well, and just enjoyed being where we were.
Fast forward to October 16:
Today was a good day. A funny and off kilter today. We headed to our court appointment around 1pm. We arrived around 1:45 for our 2:30 court time. We took the elevator up to the 3rd floor. Then took a half flight stairs up to the 3 1/2 floor. Yes, 3.5. We went to the waiting room that we had spent so many hours in a couple of weeks ago. We sat down and our driver called our attorney to let him know that we were there. Ken talked for a moment then handed the phone to Ryan. Our attorney told Ryan that we had indeed passed court and received a favorable/positive ruling. Deacon is officially ours. Our attorney was in court this morning with another family and had gotten the news then. Ryan hung up the phone and shared the news. We were definitely caught off guard (why had he not called us?). So we left and decided to go get some items that we need from Deacon's file to start his medicals.
Before travel and even last week, we were told we were not able to start the medicals until after we had a written ruling (which we don't have yet, just the verbal). But I wanted to try anyway. I have followed the rules for over 3 weeks and it hasn't gotten me anywhere yet :). So we got the documents then headed to do the medical center. I prayed the entire way for God to soften the doctor's heart and see us today. I may have pleaded with him a little bit as well. We got to the medical center and at first the receptionist told us no, but we could come back on Friday. After I gave her the paperwork that she needed, she then said that she wanted to go check to see if maybe the doctor could see us today. She came back and said, yes, the doctor could see us today. We waited just a few minutes and then were taken back to an exam room that was actually kinda nice by African standards. She then said to Deacon "we are about to become enemies." She gave us some instructions then gave him his TB test. He screamed of course but he did okay afterward. We go back on Friday to have the test read and to have the rest of his medical work done for our visa. This is a huge step! It is 3 days that we won't have to do next week. Huge!
We are finishing up today and I am a tad (just a tad) more hopeful. We knew the process would be long but the judge thing really set us back. So I am asking you to keep praying for the rest of our time here to be quick and all of the work be done quickly by those Ugandans who are doing it.
eating out at a food court... all of the workers assault you with their menus.
hanging on the porch