From Ethiopia to Texas- Friends Forever!

Last week we were blessed to have a fellow Hope family, the Wilkinson's visit from Dallas. Their son, Benjamin, formally Minte, is one of Sof's closest buddies from ET. Sof was so excited the whole week knowing that he was going to see his friend. Then within 2 hours from their arrival, he shut down. Sof went from being excited to not talking and eventually went to his room saying he did not want to see his good friend. I was blown away. So I called Ben's mom Jaclyn to tell her of our situation so she could prepare him. When they arrived, I told Ben that Sof was in his room and he was sad. I told him I thought he was mad at me, and asked him if he wanted to go with me to see him. So Ben and I went up to Sof's room where Sof was laying stolic on his bed. As Ben reached down touching Sof's cheek with his hand, tears started rolling down Sof's face. At that moment I realized just how much Sof has had to go through emotionally through his life and how strong he has had to be. It broke my heart to think of how many times he has had to say good bye to people he loved and that his was a little too much for his heart to take. They try so hard to put Ethiopia in their past when they come, only focusing on transforming themselves into American's as fast as they can. And for him to see a part of Ethiopia in America was more than he could handle. Within seconds Sof and Ben were embrassing and laughing the sadness was gone.

I am so grateful for God placing Sof and Ben so close to eachother. Knowing that they will have the opportunity to see eachother often is a very good thing. We had a wonderful visit! They are such a great family. Reagan and their son Aiden even hit it off. I can't wait to see them again.

Thank you Jesus for that sweet moment and for allowing me to through the tough exterior of our precious son Sof to his tender wounded heart. Father God I pray that you continue to free him from his pain and use me a vessel of your love and healing as his mother.