Adolf's Story: A Very Merry Christmas

My five year old daughter, Kelly, was due on Christmas Day. She ended up arriving three days early and I had the privilege of bringing her home on Christmas Eve. That night my husband (who was set to depart within weeks for the Middle East in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom) took Hunter (then age 1) out to celebrate Christmas Eve with our extended family. I remained at home and remember sitting in my rocking chair snuggling this precious baby on Christmas Eve and thought, “This is the best Christmas gift ever. Nothing can ever surpass this moment.” I felt like I was living the lyrics of the song “Silent Night.” Everything was peaceful and serene. Ever since, Kelly is affectionately known in our family as the best Christmas present ever. I had no idea God would give me another “Christmas” child almost five years later.

Kelly celebrating her fifth birthday!

My favorite Christmas present ever!

We (my husband, Uncle Laine, Eva, Adolf, and I) were asked to share our story as part of the sermon this past Sunday at Emmanuel Presbyterian Church. Pastor Bond (a wonderful friend and pastor) asked each of us a few questions and had me read one of my blog posts. Then he asked Eva to speak a bit about Adolf and her orphanage. She told the story of how Adolf was discovered by the orphanage, which I had only previously heard in segments. Here is her story.

“Each Christmas we take turns taking the children shopping in the village. It is the only time all year they are able to shop and choose something for themselves. Most choose new clothes or shoes and the children look forward to it. Two years ago, Auntie Faith [the director of the orphanage] was out shopping with a group of children. She saw a very dirty boy wearing tattered clothes crawl out of a bush. He was very skinny and did not appear to have anyone caring for him. Auntie Faith asked a few of the shop keepers about the boy and they replied, ‘He is a bad boy. He cannot even walk. You do not want him.’ Two days later on Christmas Day, Auntie Faith returned to the bush where the boy was last seen. He was still there wearing rags for clothes and looked as if he had not bathed in years or eaten in days. Auntie Faith gave him a bath, new clothes, food, and took him back to the orphanage. At the time the home was full. There was no bed available. [Sounds like a familiar Christmas story to me…No room at the inn.] She told the children, ‘This is your Christmas gift’ and the children made room in their beds for him to sleep.”

I am so thankful for Auntie Faith’s faith in God and herself. She rescued this little boy from the bush on Christmas Day. She knew God would provide a way for her to care for this child even though the home was full and there was no bed for him to sleep. Two years ago Adolf was sleeping in a bush struggling for survival. Today he woke up to Christmas in America and Santa Claus. Although, I had plans to “tone down” our Christmas celebration this year to not overwhelm Adolf and Eva, the community surrounding us had other ideas! Friends and community members began dropping off gifts for him and I quickly caved to their pressures and had a big Christmas. A family from Adolf’s class even bought him a bike as his Santa gift. He is so excited about it and pushed it around our living room dreaming of the day his leg splints will be gone and he can ride around the neighborhood. As a community, we certainly spoiled this boy and he deserved it!

Adolf with his new bike!

Our not quite "toned down" Christmas.

If that wasn’t enough of a Christmas celebration, Uncle Laine also planned a party for Adolf, Eva, and the people involved in mission work in Uganda. Many of these people had met Adolf and Eva while volunteering at the orphanage. It was wonderful for Eva to socialize with other adults that understand her culture and heritage and for the guests to see how well Adolf is adjusting to life in America. It was a wonderful Christmas gift for all involved.

The guests at the Christmas party for Eva and Adolf. I love how Adolf is front and center!

Oh wait! I almost forgot something super important. With all this talk about Christmas, I forgot to mention that Adolf is WALKING! He is out of his wheel chair and although his legs are still splinted from the thigh to ankle, he is able to move about and walk! Incredible! I was so excited when I saw him take those first steps at the doctor’s office last week. When he got home, all he wanted to do was go outside and walk so we took a walk to the neighbor’s house and back. He was smiling the entire way. He is such a fighter! We have another doctor appointment tomorrow and I look forward to more good news.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

When Adolf was in the hospital the one person he kept asking about was Baby Hayden. He was so happy to come home and be reunited with her! The Burn Center does not usually allow visitors under age 18, so she was not able to visit during his four days in the Burn Unit.