Yesterday, Travis warned me that he had seen Hannah’s Father over at the church. So, when he showed up at our house very early this morning, I was not all that surprised. He comes to see Hannah sometimes. Each time he comes, he tells us that he will sign the papers, giving Hannah to us legally, the next time he comes. This morning was no different. He explained to us that we had nothing to worry about, that he will not take her, but he will also not sign the papers. After he left, Hannah started acting up again, like she always does when he comes. My mind is still in a weak condition after being so sick, and somehow I just could not take it any longer. Pastor Phamor had told me that he had taken several babies into his home, and as soon as they were old enough to work, the parents came and took them away, so he told me not to keep Hannah unless I could get papers signed for her. It was clear to me that her Father was just playing games with us, always saying that he will sign “next time”. So, I told Roy to take Hannah and tell him that either he signs those papers, or he takes her away today. Roy didn’t catch up with him until they got to church. I chose to stay home to cry in private. But, as it turned out, I did more studying and praying than crying due to a song that Andrew taught me a while back. God often uses music to speak to my heart.  These are the words:  “God will make a way, when there seems to be no way, he works in ways we cannot see, he will make a way for me. He will be my guide, hold me closely to his side. With love and strength, for each new day, he will make a way, he will make a way.” (#704 in the Celebration Hymnal)

I believe that God sent Pastor Robin, who speaks excellent English, to help us today. He interpreted for Roy and helped him a great deal.  Roy and Pastor Robin talked to this man at church for a long time but Hannah’s father was adamant that he would not sign any papers. Finally, they decided that Pastor Robin and Hannah’s father would come here and settle the discussion. So, this afternoon they both came over. We found out that Pastor Phamor was correct, her father has the idea that we will raise Hannah until she is old enough to work for money, and then she can support him when he is old since she will speak such good English that she will have a well paying job! Oh course we could not agree to that at all. Pastor Robin did everything he could, and then he turned to us and told us that we were left with only one option…to give Hannah back.  I was stunned, but I also knew that I could not continue the way things were,  never knowing when he would come and take her away, so I sat there on the floor, trying to work up the courage to go and get Hannah and give her to this evil man, when her father started talking to Pastor Robin again. He said that he would go ahead and sign the papers since he could see that we would not back down. So, I got the papers, and started writing it all out. Then, when we handed the father those papers, he told us that he could not sign in English, so Pastor Robin would have to sign them for him. We had to argue that one down, then when I said that there had to be three witnesses, he said that two would do. That time, Pearl came to my rescue, and told him in no uncertain terms that if her teacher wanted three witnesses, then she was going to get three!  The only stipulation that he put in there that we had to agree to, was that Hannah would be his when she turns 20. (He tried to get her when she turns 15, but we could not agree to that.)  Poo told me not to worry, we will be in heaven by then, and Roy told me that by that time if she wants to go and support her Father, then that should be ok with us. At least she will be old enough to decide for herself! So, I ended up with a real daughter, and a massive headache. After they left, Hannah started acting up again. When she sees her father, she reverts right back to how she was when I got her. She will throw herself on the floor, crying and crying. Then, when someone tries to comfort her, she will hit them and kick them and scream as if she were being killed. She did this for a long time, with Roy and I trying to calm her down. We were both trying to be as gentle and kind as we could be since we feel so sorry for her. But, after praying about it, I decided to take a firmer hand with her. When she would not quit, I gathered her up, and took her out and held her in the middle of the creek. She still remembers her dunking quite distinctly, so she immediately stopped crying and hung on for dear life. That little reminder seemed to help her a lot, and she just wanted to be held from then on.

Then, this morning while we were having worship, her father came over again to tell her goodbye since he was going back to work. He was talking on the phone, and he kept trying to get Hannah to come to him during worship. She was sitting on my lap, and she kept shaking her head NO, very emphatically. He had some cookies that he was trying to bribe her with, but it did not work, until we had said our closing prayer. Then she hopped up and ran to get those cookies. I was so proud of her for doing the right thing!

Unfortunately, today was the day that Travis and I had to leave for our visa run, so I had to leave my poor little girl in the midst of her trials. But, she is very fond of her new Daddy, and I know that he will take very good care of her while I am gone.

I also wanted to comment on what happened with Seh Doe this week. They had a bible seminar at the church, and Pearl was really excited about going, but Seh Doe was not. He really did not want to go, and I had to insist that this was a part of his education and that I expected him to go! So, he went… a little bit reluctantly… but he did go! The second day of the seminar, he was up early, and got all his chores done quickly, and was ready to go on time! Friday night, after getting Hannah to sleep, I came out of my bedroom and saw Pearl and Seh Doe sitting at the table with their bibles out, studying together! That is the first time I have even seen Seh Doe’s bible, let alone him showing any interest in spiritual things! So, needless to say, I was pretty excited. Pray for Seh Doe that he would continue to grow in his walk with God.

All of this has been happening, and more that I will write about some other time, while I have been really doing battle with depression, which is caused by the dengue fever. My books say that I could have to deal with it for up to a year. So, if I ever needed prayers before, I need them now! And I also want to thank those who call me, and send me emails of encouragement. It means so much to me. And, I am also finding that when we have the most trouble is when Jesus comes the closest to us, and he is the best friend that we could ever ask for!