We have custody!!!

I went today to meet Miss Moyo at noon as she requested and she handed me my approval letter. I practically kissed her...but not quite. I then took my letter and went to the orphanage to pick up Malinga. I told her I would be back. On my arrival with Malinga she was actually quite kind and asked him a few things in Swahili. He looked so scared! I filled out the custody undertaking and was told that , of course (this is Africa, where women have no rights!) Roman needed to sign it. I told her I would DHL (courier) it to Canada tonight and I would return on Thursday for a letter to allow Malinga to travel to Canada. I will return on Thursday with my letter to request a travel document. In the meantime, I laid the groundwork today to get hima Tanzanian passport (it will cost me).
All for now. Malinga and I are going to the Tanzanian equivalent of McDonald's, a South African company called Steers. We will have a burger to celebrate!
Once I get the travel letter, Brooke will help me apply for a Tanzanian passport for him. Once it is ready we will submit his files for a Canadian Visa. I spoke to them today in Nairobi to get all the details. I will return at the end of th emonth to pick him up. I am actually returning to teach a dialysis course in Nairobi with the Kenya Renal Association that is sponsored by the International Society of Nephrology. We are trying to start a peritoneal dialysis program in Tanzania (the first!). I will travel with a group of people from the conference to Tanzania and we will meet with the people who are partnering with us in this initiative. I will pick him up them.
More soon and pictures of Malinga and Miss Moyo....she actually asked for a copy!!!!

Monday-back to Miss Moyo

I nervously walked to Miss Moyo's office this morning. I guess I was nervous that she would still be away AND that perhaps people in the office had told her that I came last week and cried and went straight to her boss and that she would be angry with me!
I was happy to find her there with her typical serious face (she is really skilled at showing no emotion!). She was having her 'chai' so I said I would wait in the hall until she was finished. After about 15 minutes she walked out and called for me.
I sat down and said,'I came last Wednesday as you requested and you were on safari. I went to Mr. Charwe to see if he had our approval letter, I hope you don't mind.'

She offered, WITH A SMILE..'sorry for your trouble. I heard that you were upset...(yes I am sure she did hear about the sobbing Mzungu Mama in Charwe's office)I apologize for going away at the last minute. I will prepare your letter today for Mr. Charwe to sign and then you should come tomorrow morning to get it. He will be here then as well.'

After just about falling off my seat, I calmly thanked her and re-confirmed what time I should return tomorrow and walked out. That was easy...keep praying though, this is Tanzania!

I will continue to keep you all posted. Thanks to everyone who has sent supportive emails and messages on the Blog..it really has been a ridiculous saga!!