Didier at the Layton house

Exactly 2 months ago today, I told a 1-year-old "I will not leave you as an orphan, I will come to you" (John 14:18, which Didier helped me say in Swahili, "meta kuya tain" or something like that). That day I boarded a plane in Congo to return to the U.S. after my first trip praying God would allow me to come back and to return with the little fella in my arms. Exactly 2 weeks ago today, that prayer was answered when after 18 long hours, a 747 touched down in Washington D.C. with a very tired dad and his very wiggly and whiny son!

Didier, Matteus, and I arrived on U.S. soil together 2 weeks ago today then parted planes as he headed to Idaho and the 2 Laytons headed to California (you can read Phil's and Matteus' separate perspectives of their journey on earlier blogs). Today the 3 were reunited along with the Layton family in our home and Jim Hagen and Ray and Judy Hill, who are hosting them, and Mary Barb, who helps with our kids on Wednesdays. It was a full house and full of joy as we recounted the blessings and how much Matteus has changed since he first came to the orphange 2 months ago (and even since Didier saw him last) and how well he's doing as well as the Wilmarth twins they saw yesterday.

Yesterday's blog title about Adam and Matteus could also be the title of the relationship Didier and I have in Christ: 2 brothers, 2 colors, 1 race, 1 family. If you haven't already, you'll have to read that one to see what I mean, but we're almost twins wearing these matching shirts from Congo below - in case you can't tell I'm the one on the right.

As Didier walked into our house Matteus seemed a little confused, and was surprisingly quiet despite being around the Swahili-speaking Papa Didier who he loved and loved his moto-car in Congo. But once he figured out Didier wasn't going to take him away but was just here for dinner, he was running and laughing and goofing around (Matteus that is). And when Ray and Judy gave him a present including a toy truck that carries several moto-cars and drives itself and makes all kinds of fun noises when you push buttons, he was as happy as a 1-year-old can possibly be. Mom and Dad are debating taking the batteries out later as it has no volume moderation ;)

For dinner, Didier bought okra, his favorite Congolese food, and taught Jaime how to cook it (Didier was once a chef for a few years).

Jaime cooked chicken adobo (a Filipino chicken over rice with vinegar / soy sauce, very tasty) so it was quite the international meal. Topped off with ice cream and brownies, first time for Matteus but he knew what to do with it and did so gladly!

It was a great day and way to celebrate the 2-week anniversary of our son's homecoming with the whole family and our beloved brother Didier who helped bring him to us, and we were honored to host this family member in our home. Didier is not only my brother, as far as I'm concerned, he is practically my twin.