Moses is a Doll

Dustin and I expected to wake up Monday morning to a picture of Moses. We did not. We expected Margaret to be in Blantyre. She was not. Apparently she had to go to the police again with the chief and the birth mother. The chief was late and they had to go find the mother. The ordeal took up the entire day. We went to bed last night hopeful that THIS morning would be the morning, and it was!

Margaret had hired a photographer in Balaka to take a photo of Moses, but it came back so dark that she said it wasn't worth sending. Fortunately, she went to a photo studio in the city where they were able to put the image on a CD for her (who knew?). We woke this morning to his little tuft of hair, bright eyes, soft mouth and chubby cheeks! We can't take our eyes off of him. Now when we hear him cry and laugh, we can see his adorable little face.

Margaret said he's gained a bit of weight in the past few weeks. He used to have some mosquito bites on his face and hands. But now he's looking happy and healthy and hunky.

He also went for his HIV test. Margaret signed his name "Moses Khumbo Pattison." The American worker at the clinic met Margaret and walked her through everything step by step. Moses cried for quite some time after his blood was drawn. Margaret said they took quite a bit of blood - not just a little prick as with other tests. We expect to hear the results in two weeks. Ten business days. April 22nd.

Margaret is staying in Blantyre for another day to buy him clothes. It's starting to get cold there at night. Dustin and I also did some shopping of our own: a few onesies and pants and socks for Dustin to deliver in May. (We sent some other items in the mail last week. I almost laughed when the postman said they would arrive in 6-10 days. Time will tell.)

I'd better get going. I have e-mailed the photo to a number of you, but if I've missed anyone, please e-mail me at my Gmail account. It's my first and last name at gmail.com. Talk to you soon!

P.S. The "agogo" of Moses (below) is actually not his real grandma, but is in fact Margaret. Sorry if I confused anyone. In Malawi, any older woman is one's "grandmother" and every woman is one's "mayi" or "mother." What a beautiful world!