Chindikani

It was an ordinary day with ordinary weather and ordinary baby behavior. We had nothing special planned. Mid morning, social welfare and our neighbor walked in and asked for a conference with the director, nurse and matron. Arrangements had just been finalized for Chindikani's adoption!

Chindikani had been dumped into a pit latrine at the tender age of one month (we think) by her phychotic mother. (see  previous blog “Rescued From the Pit”) She had survived unhurt, and came to us from the hospital a few days later. We weren't looking for a place for her yet, as she is only about 10 months old. We once took her to see her mother, who is in jail, but for the hour her mother held her she didn't once glance down at her own daughter. Going back to mom was not a possibility.

But while we din't plan, God did. Months ago our neighbor, who is a judge, and her lawyer husband had started adoption proceedings for this little girl. All was completed without us even knowing about it. This involves at least one year of fostering a child before formal adoption proceedings can begin. Everything was in place when they showed up at the door!! A miracle in Malawi, where complex adoption rules prevent most adoptions from ever taking place. So this was Chindikani's own miracle.

This neighbor lives only 2 doors down from the nursery, in a beautiful home. She is well able to care for this child and very excited. Her own children are grown and she has another adopted daughter who is about 6 years old.

So all we had to decide was – when. We feel the sooner adoption takes place, the better for the child. So on Tuesday, it was decided that Chindikani would leave us for good on Friday to join her new family.

What a blessing! What a surprise! Just when you think nothing special is happening, something that has been happening all along comes to light. And that day it came as a home for one of our abandoned little ones. Chindikani means praise, Chiuta means God. Chindikani Chiuta!