In only 36 hours

That night we planned to head to the Christian school’s graduation like we arranged four months previously, the only event set on our calendar besides our upcoming meeting at the orphanage. We felt a bit awkward going to a graduation where we didn’t know a soul, but we went with hopes of meeting several of the teachers and staff. So, after we left the orphanage, we went back to the apartment to let Julian drop off his stuff and accommodate himself.

Our little apartment offered a single bedroom and an office, a tiny kitchen, a living/dining area with a table, couch, futon, and two small bathrooms. David slept on the couch, so we gave Julian the option of sleeping on the futon across from him or taking the mattress off to sleep on the floor in the office. He chose the office.

We enjoyed our first meal with Julian at an Italian restaurant in the mall across the street from the apartment. He seemed more comfortable now that we stole a chance to sit and talk. I already felt like I had known him for a long time. Clarita asked many questions of us all, so the conversation never found a dry point while we all ate together.

Since Clarita worked at the Christian school when she first came to Colombia, she decided to go to the graduation with us in hopes of seeing some old friends (scratch out another fear of traveling somewhere we’d never gone without a guide). We enjoyed the ceremony, but Julian pointed out all the ways it differed from his own recent graduation from a public school.

 Afterwards, Clarita introduced us to the director of the school and to many of the other teachers. We found it almost ironic when we realized Julian stood in the minority rather than us. Almost everyone from the school spoke English, many coming from America! At least Mike and David felt at ease for the evening. A few teachers invited us out for pizza later that evening, but we declined so we could head back to the apartment. This would be our first night with Julian, and quite frankly, we didn’t know what to expect.

Back at the apartment, David and I dug out the games to break the ice. We brought several with us to teach Julian because we love to play games as a family. We picked out the ones that didn’t require a lot of talking since a huge language barrier existed between David, Mike, and Julian.

We played Connect Four first, and it ended up being our favorite game. We played it like crazy. With no TV, internet, or phone in the apartment, all the games came in handy. They forced us to communicate and spend a lot of quality time as a family.

After a few games of Connect Four that first night, Julian expressed his exhaustion and desire to turn in for the night. I wonder if he even slept the night before. I gave him a hug and told him I loved him before saying goodnight. Then he gave Mike a hug and said, “Goodnight, Dad.” What a priceless moment.

David snuggled up beside me on his couch, and I read to him until he fell asleep. Then Mike and I went to bed, too. I would cherish this day in my heart for the rest of my life. We really did spend a day in Colombia, and God covered every last detail over our first thirty-six hours. Each moment seemed miraculous to me.That night we planned to head to the Christian school’s graduation like we arranged four months previously, the only event set on our calendar besides our upcoming meeting at the orphanage. We felt a bit awkward going to a graduation where we didn’t know a soul, but we went with hopes of meeting several of the teachers and staff. So, after we left the orphanage, we went back to the apartment to let Julian drop off his stuff and accommodate himself.

Our little apartment offered a single bedroom and an office, a tiny kitchen, a living/dining area with a table, couch, futon, and two small bathrooms. David slept on the couch, so we gave Julian the option of sleeping on the futon across from him or taking the mattress off to sleep on the floor in the office. He chose the office.

We enjoyed our first meal with Julian at an Italian restaurant in the mall across the street from the apartment. He seemed more comfortable now that we stole a chance to sit and talk. I already felt like I had known him for a long time. Clarita asked many questions of us all, so the conversation never found a dry point while we all ate together.

Since Clarita worked at the Christian school when she first came to Colombia, she decided to go to the graduation with us in hopes of seeing some old friends (scratch out another fear of traveling somewhere we’d never gone without a guide). We enjoyed the ceremony, but Julian pointed out all the ways it differed from his own recent graduation from a public school.

 Afterwards, Clarita introduced us to the director of the school and to many of the other teachers. We found it almost ironic when we realized Julian stood in the minority rather than us. Almost everyone from the school spoke English, many coming from America! At least Mike and David felt at ease for the evening. A few teachers invited us out for pizza later that evening, but we declined so we could head back to the apartment. This would be our first night with Julian, and quite frankly, we didn’t know what to expect.

Back at the apartment, David and I dug out the games to break the ice. We brought several with us to teach Julian because we love to play games as a family. We picked out the ones that didn’t require a lot of talking since a huge language barrier existed between David, Mike, and Julian.

We played Connect Four first, and it ended up being our favorite game. We played it like crazy. With no TV, internet, or phone in the apartment, all the games came in handy. They forced us to communicate and spend a lot of quality time as a family.

After a few games of Connect Four that first night, Julian expressed his exhaustion and desire to turn in for the night. I wonder if he even slept the night before. I gave him a hug and told him I loved him before saying goodnight. Then he gave Mike a hug and said, “Goodnight, Dad.” What a priceless moment.

David snuggled up beside me on his couch, and I read to him until he fell asleep. Then Mike and I went to bed, too. I would cherish this day in my heart for the rest of my life. We really did spend a day in Colombia, and God covered every last detail over our first thirty-six hours. Each moment seemed miraculous to me.