They carried Ayana back to the car. She woke up at some point along the way. But she remained perfectly calm, content to let Michele hold her. Henok drove the car slowly on their way back to the grandmother’s hut. All the while, Michele’s excitement grew. She was convinced that the thought—that she was holding the little girl God meant for her to have—did not come from her own imagination. It was something she’d never experienced before but heard others talk about: the still small voice of God.
She didn’t know how it would all work out, but she was sure it would. She looked at Allan in the front seat, wishing they could be alone so she could tell him what had happened.
He turned in his seat toward her. “How’s she doing?”
“She seems fine. I can’t believe how brave she is. Most children would be crying. I think the bleeding stopped. I’ll still feel better when we can get it cleaned up properly and bandaged.”
“Perhaps we shouldn’t mention the cut to her grandmother,” Henok said. “She will want to care for it using the best means she has, but we have much better medical supplies at the orphanage.”
Michele looked down at Ayana. Her big eyes roamed all about the car. “Do you think she has ever been in a car before?”
“I doubt it,” Allan said. “This would be like our first ride in an airplane. Or maybe even a spaceship. Have you ever flown in a plane before, Henok?”
“A few times. But only small two-seater planes. Never a big airliner. I have never been out of the country before.”
“We’ll have to see what we can do about that,” Allan said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if someday in the future God makes that possible.”
That got a big smile from Henok. He pulled the car over. “Here we are.” They got out of the car.
“You want me to take her?” Allan said.
“Just until I get out,” Michele said. “Do you mind if I carry her a little while longer?”
“Not at all.”
Once out of the car, Michele wasn’t sure Ayana wanted to come back to her. She was squeezing Allan’s neck so tight. But when Michele reached for her, the little girl let go of Allan and reached back. Michele picked her up and followed the two men through the dirt walkway that led from the muddy street, through the fence, and into the row of shacks and huts. Ayana’s eyes instantly locked on to the doorway where her grandmother lived.
She knew where home was.
Michele couldn’t help but recall their neighborhood in River Oaks, the view from the sidewalk to their front door. Or even the view coming in from the garage through the courtyard and back patio. Lord, she prayed, someday let that be what Ayana thinks of when she thinks of home.
Henok led them into her grandmother’s hut. The old woman greeted them warmly. When she looked at Michele holding Ayana, she said something.
Henok interpreted. “She likes you, her grandmother said.”
Michele hugged her gently. “Tell her I like her too.” Henok did.
Then he spoke to both Allan and Michele. “With your permission, I’d like to explain to her grandmother the situation and our plans. I think it’s best if she explains everything to Ayana herself. Of course, I will interpret what I’m saying as I go.”
“We’re fine with that, Henok,” Allan said.
“Perhaps you should let me hold Ayana for a moment,” he said, “so that she can be looking into her grandmother’s eyes as she speaks.” Michele handed Ayana to him. Looking at both the woman and the child, he said in their language: “Allan and Michele would like to do what they came here to do today, now, if you approve. But only if you approve. If you have any reservations, they can come back later this evening, or even tomorrow. They don’t want to rush you in any way. They also think it might be wise for you to explain things to Ayana in your own words, since she knows you the best. If you’d like, you can do it now. Or if you’d rather, we can step outside to give you privacy, or even come back later.”
Michele thought Ayana looked a little confused by this exchange. The grandmother seemed to grasp everything clearly. She said something to Henok in reply.
He looked at them and interpreted. “She has been praying since we left to find Ayana. She says God has put her heart at rest and has assured her she need not carry the burden of Ayana’s welfare on her shoulders any longer. God has brought you.” He pointed to Allan. “I think she means through the orphanage, to care for Ayana from now on. So she is ready to do this today. Even now.”
“Great,” Allan said. “Then let’s do this.”
Henok released Ayana to sit close to her grandmother, who held her chin as she spoke. Henok stood next to Michele and Allan, quietly interpreting what she said.
“My sweet Ayana, you have heard me pray many times since these men came to visit us a while ago. God has answered our prayers today. He has brought Henok and this couple from America to bring you to a wonderful new place to live. It is not far from here, so we will see each other again. You will have your own bed and clean clothes and never have to search through garbage for food again. And you will not be alone. Henok tells me he is bringing five other children from the village to this place. And two very nice women from the city will live there with you, to take care of you and the other children. Would you like to do this? Would you like to go with them?”
Ayana said something to her grandmother, the first words she had spoken. It caused tears to form in the grandmother’s eyes. Henok did not interpret what the little girl said, but he did share the grandmother’s reply. “Of course I love you still. I will always love you. It is my love and God’s love that are sending you to this new place. My love will go with you. But you know I am very old and not well. Soon, God will come for me, to bring me to heaven where he lives. This way, you will never be alone and you will always be loved and taken care of. So will you go?”
There was a long pause. Then Ayana nodded her head yes and reached for her grandmother. They hugged each other tightly until, finally, the grandmother let go. When Ayana turned, she reached for Michele. Michele took her and held her close.
An unusual look came over the grandmother’s face. She looked at Michele and Allan, then said something very quietly to Henok. Something she clearly didn’t want Ayana to hear. The more she talked, the more concerned Henok looked. When she finished, Henok said something in a fairly serious tone, but just as quietly. It looked to Michele as if he also shook his head no. The grandmother smiled and continued talking to Henok, this time looking back and forth at Allan and Michele. Henok’s expression changed, became softer. If Michele guessed right, he was conceding to whatever she said.
He looked at them and said, “I’m sorry. That must have seemed strange. It was a little strange for me. I will talk freely because Ayana doesn’t understand English. Ayana’s grandmother said something happened as soon as she finished talking to her granddaughter. She felt the Lord clearly show her that some of what she was saying to Ayana was wrong.” Henok sighed. It was clear he didn’t want to say what came next. “I did my best to talk her out of this, but it is no good. She is insistent that I tell you.”
“That’s okay, Henok,” Allan said. “Tell us, whatever it is.”
“She said . . . well, she said that God hasn’t brought you here to bring Ayana to the orphanage. He has, but only for a time. He has really brought you here to bring Ayana home with you to America, to raise her there as your own.”
Michele was stunned. She couldn’t believe what she’d just heard.
“I’m so sorry,” Henok said. “I tried to explain to her that—”
“I wish we could,” Allan said, glancing at Michele, “but that really is impossible. That’s not really why we—”
“Why is it impossible?” Michele blurted out.
“What?” Allan said. “Hon, do you hear what he’s saying? Do you understand what Henok is—”
“I understand perfectly. And I understand what Ayana’s grandmother said. I don’t think it’s impossible. I think it’s maybe the reason why we came. The reason why I’m here, with you.” She started to cry. “So that I could be here and see . . . all this. And see her.” She looked down at Ayana. “See this beautiful little girl and be able to hear what I believe God wanted me to hear a little while ago.”
Allan walked over and put both arms on her shoulders. “What are you saying? What do you believe you heard God say?”
Michele swallowed hard. She had to get the words out, just the way she’d heard them. “Do you remember when we began walking up the hill, and I almost stumbled?” He nodded. “I had just heard, well, I believe I just heard the Lord say, This is the child I have for you.”
Allan’s eyes instantly filled with tears. “I can’t believe it.”
“So, you’re okay with this?” she said.
“I’m more than okay. I’ve thought about adopting Ayana a hundred times since the moment I first saw her. But I never once allowed myself to think the thought came from God. It seemed like a completely closed door.”
“It’s open now,” she said.
Allan hugged her, careful not to squeeze little Ayana in between them.
Henok turned to the grandmother, a shocked look on his face. “They are saying yes.”