Lucas

Lucas contacted me the minute I left Whistling Thorns this morning (right after I blogged).  He was on his way to Ngong to meet Vivian, and I was on my way to Rongai to meet Denis.  Vivian kept him waiting an hour or more, which is entirely typical.  He managed to have a productive conversation with her, the end result being that we will all be meeting tomorrow or, more likely Friday.  I asked Lucas:  "Be honest.  Please tell me if we have a chance.  Will we get the children?"  Lucas said we have more than a good chance.  Vivian is taking this case much more seriously, now that she knows Lucas is on board.  He told me I needed to relax, that things will go our way.  Easier said than done, of course.  But it made me take pause for a moment.  Africans never see the urgency in ANYTHING.  I really mean this.  They work to a different time clock, it's in their DNA. The problem is, I understand this clock, and know full well that it can botch my plans on a moment's notice.  I think back on each trip whereby everything fell into place at the exact last second...the 11th hour.  This time?  I would like to avoid this nerve wracking crunch, because it is so unnecessary.

Ultimately, it is probably out of my hands, but it doesn't mean I'm not going to do my best to work around it.

Tony and I arrived at Denis' clinic around 10:00 am. I have missed Denis, and always love his input on all things Nagolie. I filled him in on everything, from the status of the home under Helen's management, to the new home which sits empty, waiting to be filled with the children it was built for.  We discussed all avenues, all options and plans A, B and C.  At one point in the conversation, Denis implored me to give up.  Tony concurred.  Fill the home with new children, they both said. True to form, both of these men are gentle souls, and both imparted their opinions in the most compassionate and sensitive manner possible.  I listened, and responded in the only way I know how:  with the passion and conviction that rests in my heart.  I must carry this through to the best of my abilities.  I am not there, yet.  We have not exhausted every option, and I will not let the children down.  If, by the time I leave on Monday night, we do not have resolution and if Lucas tells me that transitioning is not possible, or worse, it will end up in a 3 year court battle, then I will concur.  Right now, we are too close to 'give up'.  Giving up is the easy way out, I said.  If I don't take this as far as I can possibly go, then I will live with the regret that I did not do everything in my power to do the best we could.  Kenyans give up easily, I said to them, grinning.  Human life is at stake.  Further, I am convinced that Helen has taken the job as an unpaid manager for one specific reason:  to turn Nagolie into a for-profit business.  I'll be dammed if our kids fall victim to this type of scheme.  Because the reality is?  The moment I wave the white flag, the older kids will be out on the street, this time with no hope of returning.  So, hapana.  We do not give up.  Tony and Denis agreed wholeheartedly.  

For the past two days, I have felt down. Not completely broken, but close.  Today, after communicating with Lucas, I felt rejuvenated.  Tony and I got back to Ereteti in time to pick up the 10 youngest children.  I look at their faces, their excitement and the very strength they possess, but virtue of their plight in life, and thought:  Yes.  These children are what it is all about.  They have stuck by me, and I will continue to stick by them.  It really is that easy.  

Back at the home, the girls (and Jer) pretending they are making chapati.

Josephine using a little twig to roll her 'chapati'.

So cute!

Linet, always full of irresistible demands, 'needed to speak with Cary' immediately.  She got her way.

Naserian and Linet

                                                                             Eva

Moreen, Grace and Lucy

I am on pins and needles.  I have not heard back from Lucas tonight, so the assumption is, our meeting will be held on Friday.  This means I will go to Rongai in the morning to fill up on last minute necessities.  I have shoes, trousers and various items for WWC to load up on.  

I have asked Helen if we are still on for Amboseli on Saturday, because the children are completely excited about this adventure.  I had to tell them it is unlikely that we will be able to go, but they pressed on.  Helen is avoiding this conversation, even though she was the greatest champion of the idea when it first arose.  

I think about what it will be like when I can take the children to cultural activities when they are safely ensconced at WWC.   What a delight this will be. No more dashed hopes.  No more disappointments.  If we plan for a trip, it will materialize.  

Lots of love from Kenya.  I look forward to reporting back tomorrow, or Friday at the latest.  Time is evaporating, as it tends to do :-)

Nawapenda wote,

Simmie, Naserian and Mturi