Our day in court

It is Wednesday morning in India and we start our travel home late this evening. The last few days have been long, emotional, hot, and wonderful. Each step of the way on this trip we were looking for how God would answer our prayers and he has answered us abundantly.

When we got on the plane from Chicago to Hong Kong, God gloriously arranged the flight to not be full and we enjoyed three seats for the two of us - an amazing gift for a 16-hour flight!!

We came to Hyderabad on Saturday because we had heard that sometimes they don't allow visitors on Sundays. When we arrived in the city we messaged our contact at the orphanage that we were in town and ready to meet Kira. We had arrangements to meet her one hour later! We spent three hours with her on Saturday and had a visit arranged without any problem for Sunday as well. Abundant blessings!!

Monday was our day in court and the reason I have felt sick and nervous for the last three weeks. The judge has been unsupportive lately of international adoptions and has made it a hard day for other families. 

After some miscommunication, we finally arrived at court about a half hour later than we were supposed to. The courthouse was full of people waiting for their cases to be heard and we were ushered to a room courtroom to wait for our turn before the judge. The room had benches and chairs along the outside, a raised floor on one end where the judge would preside, and a u-shaped table in the middle around which all the lawyers sat. After watching the lawyers get documents ready for an hour or so, we learned from our lawyer (she was so kind) that our judge had taken a sudden half day off and would not hear any cases for another hour and a half...

If you've ever been with a 2-year-old experiencing sensory overload, imagine that, but add that said 2-year-old finds little comfort in your presence yet and is therefore hesitant to sleep in unfamiliar arms. Sweet Kira was exhausted, and despite the sounds of hundreds of people shuffling through the halls, dozens of running fans, windows open to street level with all the honking and motor sounds that entails, the one sound that is not allowed in the courtroom is the sound of a tired child. Multiple times the court shusher (I'm sure that's his real title) rushed to us demanding we silence Kira. Minutes before the judge arrived a fresh snack and drink of water saved the day and calmed her for the moment the judge entered the room. Our lawyer somehow arranged for us to go first, and so we stepped up to the table at the front of the room. We were ready to be drilled, but God is so good that despite all our waiting for the judge to arrive, the half-day he had to hear all the cases made him in a hurry. His assistant told him where to sign, he asked our names, occupations, income, Kira's age, a couple yes/no questions, we repeated an oath and he tossed our papers to his assistant. In all, we were in front of him for less than five minutes. Our lawyer told us to come quickly, so we grabbed our bags and rushed to the hallway, not knowing what in the world just happened. 

"Congratulations! It is done. She is yours," our lawyer said. We were a little shocked as we didn't know if we were done or if the judge had said, "No, get out of my sight." After finding Kira some sufficient food we hopped in our cab. Despite all her fussing all day, she flashed a huge smile when we got in the car. I like to imagine she was saying, "Hey! You're my mom!" but more likely she was saying, "I really got your heart rate going in there, didn't I?" :) 

For our last day, we have arranged to bring her here to the hotel for the day. (!!!!!!!!!) Then we will make our long trek home, by some kind of disillusioning time travel where we leave at midnight and land at 5 pm and somehow 30 hours have passed. This time we come home without her and wait for her documents to be prepared. We will return here in a few weeks to pick her up for real and start the process of coming home with her. 

Thank you, dear friends, who have prayed on our behalf. He has answered in so many ways.