Home Sweet Home-Beresford SD

Sam, Teresa, and Genti arrived home late Tuesday, August 23, to a sobbing family.  As we walked down to corridor and saw our family waiting, Etta, Nicholas and Gillian started sobbing because they were so glad to have Mom and Sam home but especially to finally meet Genti.  Genti did surprisingly well with all the commotion.  He even smiled a little in spite of being exhausted from the journey. We have been a family under one roof for one week and all is well.  Genti seems to be himself and quite enjoying his new home and family.  Today, the living room was filled with baby dolls and "house" stuff while all played "house"  Genti was right in the middle of it all, caring for his baby and taking it for a walk in his stroller.  We are beginning!

Still in Albania

Due to the passport taking an extraordinary (even for Albania) time to be completed, Teresa, Sam and Genti are still in Albania.  The passport did get completed and picked up Thursday morning but not in time to complete the visa for an early morning Friday flight. We did get to the US Embassy Friday afternoon to complete the visa so it can be picked up on Monday, so we are told.  We are rescheduled to fly home Tuesday, God willing.  It has been an extremely long week in Albania for the three of us.

We are trying to get out and see more of this beautiful country before we leave to help us pass the time. We went to Petrela Castle just outside of Tirana.  We can see the castle from the BATI where we are staying so it was fun and interesting to actually visit it.  The drive was scenic with extremely winding roads.  One can drive into the little village right up to the base of the stairs leading up to the castle. There are many, many, many old rock stairs; Gent walked up himself, with a little coaxing now and then.  There is a restaurant in the ruins of the castle so we all had a soda at the tip-top looking out over the mountains and valleys. Can't describe easily how interesting it was to be in that place where someone had actually lived and tried to be protected from their enemies.  (We have no pictures as we don't have the cord to get them from the camera to the computer.  I am sure they sell one in Albania but I'd have no idea how to find out where.)  We will have Genti's going away party for the children at the orphanage tomorrow morning.  Tomorrow night we will be able to attend church again and bring Genti with us (very likely his first time to attend a worship service for our Lord). Sunday we hope to go to a pool in Tirana that has really high platforms to jump off.  That will be Sam's mission; Genti and Teresa will just watch and take pictures. 

We hope the time passes quickly as we are missing home and all our loved ones in America.  Genti seems to be ready, too, as he asks very often in his own unique speaking/gestures if he is going to have to say goodbye and go back to Rozafa House.  We reassure him that he is going home to America to live with Bobby (Dad), Mommy, Sam and his family.  He is then all smiles.

First and Last

We spent our first and last weekend in Albania having lots of fun with Genti.  Saturday morning we all rode the bus into Tirana and shopped.  We amazingly found the large open-air market that Garet and Teresa visited on their first trip. All of these experiences are new to Genti even though he has lived in Albania all his life.  He is curious about the different shops, doors, vendors, cars, ...and wants to touch it all.  Since he likes to be carried, we carried him a lot just to keep him from grabbing at everything in reach. Tiring but still it was a fun morning.  We ate lunch at "Big Bite", big brother Sam enjoyed his, little brother Genti ate very little.

Saturday night we (just Teresa and Sam) went to the Disciples of Jesus Church again.  The message was great as it was God's Word preached and His Spirit that taught us.  The message is interpreted into English although the rest of the worship is in Albanian.  Afterwards we ate atop the Sky Tower with a beautiful view of Tirana.

Sundays here always feel odd as we have already been to church the previous night and life doesn't change.  It is just another day in Albania so it feels more difficult to celebrate it.  We spent time on the Bethany Albania grounds playing.  Genti spent his first full day with us, including meals and sleeping.  We thank God that  he ate well and went to sleep easily and seemingly without anxiety.

We would appreciate prayers that the passport would indeed be completed tomorrow so the visa appointments can be kept.  We are scheduled to leave Friday morning and we are looking forward to a full week with appointments and Genti's going-away party for the kids at the orphanage.

Back in Albania

Sam and Teresa arrived safely in Albania late Wednesday night after touring both Chicago and Munich on the way.  With lengthy layovers, it was very fun and interesting to get out of the airport for a few hours.  We were a little leery of venturing into Germany via train and assuming we would find our way back on time but God was faithful to guide us!  We can always ask Him directions with no language barriers.

We slept in on Thursday but spent the afternoon with Genti.  He literally jumped into Teresa’s arms when he saw us.  He was thrilled we were back, however, all the children were asking about their beloved Bobby Genti (Garet).  We spent the afternoon getting reacquainted and taking a walk to our favorite pasticeria (bakery).  Sam agreed that this could be a daily outing, as he loved the special treats! Sam and Teresa also walked into old Sauk Village to get groceries. 

Sam has seen much in a few days!  He’s taken lots of pictures and it is his sincere hope to capture one of the many little lizards that sun themselves during the day.  He wondered about how one might get one safely home on a plane, speaking hypothetically, of course.  What’s the problem with one more pet at the Wyatt house!! 

We have not started to keep Genti with us full-time (overnights, all meals, etc.) but plan to do so starting Sunday.  He is such a fun little guy that we are looking so forward to getting him home and beginning as a family together!

Back to Albania

Just a quick note to let everyone know that Teresa and Sam (our 16 year old son) are in Tirana, Albania at the Bethany orphanage to pick up Genti.  They made it safetly on Wednesday and slept in on Thursday.  Teresa said she had a wonderful reunion with Genti and he took very quickly to Sam.  I (Garet) was sad when I heard that the other orphans in Albania were asking about "Bobbi Genti" (that was their nickname for me). 
Today the plan was to transfer custody of Genti from the orphanage to Teresa.  That would allow Teresa and Sam to take Genti anywhere.  It would also mean he would stay with Teresa at night, too. 
I haven't had much other contact except to read that Sam is enjoying is time "hanging out" in another culture.  He was writing about a late-night party he could hear off in the distance.  He was enjoying listening to the music.  He's also having fun catching the little lizards!

Garet

Decree Signed!

The adoption court decree was in fact signed today so Teresa and Sam will be heading to Albania on Tuesday for what is hoped to be only a ten day visit, with Genti finally coming home! Yippee~we are grateful to our heavenly Father who is taking care of all of us.

Unexpected Delays

Our decree from the court is still being processed but, good news, the judge should sign it this tomorrow!  We did change our return flights so Samuel and Teresa will be returning to Albania August 9.  In the meantime, we do get to be home to celebrate one of our daughter's birthday and continue to prepare for Genti's homecoming as well as school in the fall. This is a good time for us to trust God whose ways are higher than ours and is sovereign over all!