Anyway, the second leg of this journey is about to begin. The journey to bring her home. In 4 days time (on my big baby girls 13th birthday) I board a plane to Ethiopia to take custody of my daughter. I am anxious, scared, overwhelmed, and thankful. I have been so blessed by friends and family who will love and care on my big “babies” while I am gone. Josh is manning the fort until we officially “clear” (not sure why I’m using so many quotations) then hopping on a plane to join me. We are praying this is sooner than later.

Because of the generosity of so many I will be taking money to buy basketballs, a suitcase full of soccer balls, dodge balls, jump ropes, air pumps, needles, hand sanitizer, and diapers. Some very amazing kids held bake sales to raise funds, part will be spent on humanitarian aid, the other to provide a special meal for the women who care for Melawit (most of these women aged out of the orphanage themselves. It’s one of the main things I love about Gladney).

I feel a little selfish, it is because of so many that I love and so many that love Melawit (before we even knew her) that this whole journey has been possible. I get to be a “hero”, but these things have come from the compassion and generosity of others.

My desire for this blog has been to keep a record, or love letter if you will, for Melawit. Along the way, I’ve been blessed for others to write “chapters” in her story.

So, I’m not sure I’ll be able to update this thing from Ethiopia. I will keep our status posted on Facebook. Please pray that the 6 of us will be united sooner than later, actually first pray I actually make it there by myself, then that we’re united. I can’t wait to share the end of this part of our journey!

We entered a small room that was filled with adoptive parents, and birth parents who were waiting to relinquish. It was so hard. I searched the eyes of the people sitting there…some with hopes of a future with a child and others releasing their child so that they may have a future. It was so emotionally charged, I don’t know how I made it through that wait without losing it.

The judge finally called our case back. We entered her office and she proceeded to ask us questions. Of course my voice was quivering the whole time. I was so thankful for your prayers because I was able to confidently answer all of her questions without being a blubbering mess. I was so happy to be able to share that we had a community of adoptive Ethiopian parents, and especially a beloved niece from Ethiopia as well. She then asked us if we realized that when this was done, Melawit would be ours forever and couldn’t be changed. I wanted to stand up and shout YES!!!!! However, I was able to practice restraint.

We went to eat lunch at Top View to celebrate, but honestly all of us were so emotionally exhausted we were just in zombie land. However, it was nice to sit and have a coke and laugh at the fact that we could finally say she was ours. So VERY thankful for His love to give us this gift in her.

We left lunch at came back to the Bejoe to change clothes and catch our breath. Then we headed to Kolfe the boys orphanage in Addis. Most of the boys were at school, so it was kind of barren. We toured the bunk houses, and talked with the few boys who were there. They were between 9-13 and they took the kids to the soccer field to play a little. As a mom I wanted to hold each of these boys and tell them they are loved and worthy.  I looked at my sons and couldn’t imagine them sleeping on the cold, hard bunk…bathing by a faucet outside, responsible for washing their few pieces of clothes themselves and hanging them to dry  outside. When I return we want to have a party for these boys and buy an ox to feed them.

Speaking of Belay, he is like Santa Claus in Ethiopia. All the children flock to him and yell his name. He cares and loves for each of them, and my heart is so touched by how he cares for his people. He truly is a gift here, and I am so thankful that we have had the honor of getting to know him.

We then went to Trinity Church with Belay as he took us through Ethiopian history, and the practices of the Ethiopian Orthodoxy Church. We were all transfixed as we learned so much of Melawit’s heritage. Belay prefaced one event with “make sure you remember this, it’s important to tell Melawit”. Of course, we were hanging on every word.

He then shared his own story, of how at the age of 11 his father was assassinated with 60 of the most powerful men in Ethiopia (including their last emperor) by the Communist party. This time period is known as the “Red Terror”, and it lasted 17 years. His mother was put into jail for 10 months. Their houses and cars were confiscated. He and his 4 sisters were able to seek political asylum in the U.S. There they worked there way through school, paying for their education. They are an amazing family.

The last government orphanage in Addis, Kebebe Thisaye. This is were infant boy and girls go through age 8, before going to Kechene and Kolfe.  I will leave out the descriptions, but it was hard. Find me in person and I would love to share. Wells rocked and fed a baby that was 1 day old, he had to leave the room twice to cry. Bella our stalwart rocked a tiny baby until we had to leave. This little one had cried every time a person put her down, so Bella rocked her to sleep and gave her comfort. Josh played with a little one named Mimi, who just stared into his eyes. Orion loved on a little boy who was precious. I fell in love with a little one named Christina who was 7 weeks old, but probably only weighed 6-7 pounds. She was beautiful. Once I comforted her to sleep, I picked up a little one who I am guessing was 7-8 months. She was laying in her crib just whimpering, wanting attention. I whispered prayers of her body, and told her of her Father’s love. I prayed for a family that would share that love with her.

When they finally told us it was time to leave we were shell shocked. We had planned to go to a nice dinner to celebrate, but could hardly eat the bread as we ALL sat and stared and wept for those who are waiting, big and small. We have a lot to process together, and I am definitely thankful for this gift that we were able to share together. It has brought us so close together, and united in our desire to help the beautiful people of Ethiopia.

I pray these updates reach you and make sense, they are just my stream of conscious. Tomorrow we plan for our final visit with or sweet cheeks, then the long journey home. Our hearts are changed forever, and we are so thankful for His provision that we were able to share in the beauty of all of HIS people.

much love,
Josh and Jen

resting from the journey down the mountain with 100 pounds of firewood

We woke up this morning to Bella not feeling well. She stayed in bed through breakfast, but when Solomon got here she rallied to ride up the mountain. Probably not such a good idea, steep and winding, not to mention we are already at a higher altitude than Colorado. We stopped to take pictures and she got sick She felt a little better so we continued our journey up the mountain. When you are in Addis you think the poverty is more than you could imagine seeing, then you have your driver tell you the poor people live up the mountain and it kind of rocks you.

After our journey, I took Bella back to the guest house to rest and the boys went out exploring with Solomon. You can tell the boys were exploring with their Dad….Wells came home with a goat hide bean bag chair. He told me he liked shopping with the guys way better, because apparently men never think A. how will we fit that in our luggage and B. what in the world will we tell customs. We rescheduled our visit to Korah to tomorrow after our court date, Solomon didn’t want any of us to miss it.

After sleeping all day Bella was feeling well enough to go to Kechene. Kechene is the government run orphanage in Ethiopia for older girls. A group from Washington was providing the girls with a pizza party. They also brought little goody bags. These girls were so excited! The bags held travel size toothpaste, a lotion, soap or body wash, chapstick, hair band, 2 pieces of candy, and a toothbrush.The joy of a gift was so apparent, even when they didn’t know what some of the items are used for. We had fun using gestures to explain how to use the products. Their excitement was humbling. It was like Christmas.

The girls then formed a large circle and started clapping and singing. They would take turns dancing in the middle. Then they started a game where they would point to a person and they had to dance inside the circle. They had already been going crazy over Wells and his hair, calling him “Justin Beiber” and basically petting his head. So, imagine the chaos when they pointed to him and he started doing the worm in the center. He was kind of a rock star.

I met a special girl there. She is 13 and just beautiful. Her english was broken, but we could communicate. She has a shy, sweet smile….and when I asked what she likes to do she said she loves basketball!!!! I asked if she played there and she said no, she didn’t have a ball. It is so hard for me to wrap my head around this. At the end of the night she asked me if I was the kids mother and I said yes. She smiled and nodded, then got teary and told me that her mother and brother died, and she didn’t know where her father was. I don’t even know what to say. I sat and held this teen-age girl and my heartaches to bring her home. She asked for my email and if I would please come back. I am praying for a way to invest into her life.

The kids were pretty tired after the orphanage visit. We sat and tried to process what we had seen…but, not sure that is possible. All of our hearts ache for these kids. Not that they would have material things, but that they would be warm and their bellies full…and more importantly feel loved.

Tomorrow is court. We go to bed filled with hope and excitement. That we might be able to shout to the world we belong to Corrie Melawit!

On Etoto Mountain

We then went to the silk factory, and that was cool to see. We saw how it went from larvae, to caterpillar, to cocoon, to silk….each part is used from the dead pupae to the feces. An interesting observation the kids had was that there wasn’t any waste of this natural process, that every bit was used.  Unlike the trash you saw in the city from day to day that was man made.  Just shows God’s creation and cycles are perfect.

At the end of the day we went to the Mercado, the largest market in Africa. It was CRAZY. Like straight out of a Indiana Jones movie . People everywhere, cars everywhere, donkeys everywhere. You could buy anything and everything there. They let nothing go to waste, the even rinse out and resell water bottles. Some food vendors sell food by the bite for those who can’t purchase the entire meal.  We bought some spices and a ground chickpea mixture called Shirro to be able to make some traditional dishes (or attempt to make) for Melawit.

Tomorrow morning we ride up Entoto mountain to see the view….which includes women who make the hike up and down the mountain  carrying 150 pounds of wood on their backs. The wood provides fuel to those in the city, but this laborious job nets about $2 a trip.

We will then go to Korah. This is the community of people (approximately 100,000) who literally live in the trash dump. We get to serve lunch there to kids at a feeding program by Hands for the Needy. Please pray for our hearts (josh and I and especially the three kids). I have heard that this is very very very hard. We are so thankful for the opportunity to serve, and feel blessed to be allowed to share in this.

After lunch we are going to the church to hear the story of Belay, our in-country director. His father was the head of security for Emperor Selassie (the last of the Solomonic empire),  when the communist party took over in Ethiopia.

Our night will end at a pizza party for one of the government run orphanages called Kechene.

We are all exhausted at the end of the day, and the kids are taking naps for the 1st time in years. I am not sure if the exhaustion is from the time difference, the emotions from all of this, or a combo of both. I do know that it is one of the best things we have ever done as a family, and are so thankful for this opportunity. All I can say is Africa is beautiful and hard, and it is forever etched into our hearts.

Thanks for all the positive notes and prayers. They have been felt. Please continue to pray for us to pass court Friday, so we can shout to the world that Melawit is ours!!!

love to you all!
The Foreigners in Ethiopia (we are called “foringe” a lot here)

Spinning cotton at the Alert hospital.

The next three days are filled with seeing the country. We are visiting the leprosy hospital today, going to the largest market in Africa. Tomorrow we drive to the top of Entoto mountain, visit some churches with Belay, and get to go to a pizza party at Kechene the government orphanage for girls in Addis. Friday is court, then 2 more orphanage visits. Saturday we will have our last visit with Melawit…hopefully we will officially be her parents.

Thank you for all the prayers, Orion is feeling much better. We continue to be healthy and our hearts are strong. The girls at the guest house are amazing, and have been teaching Wells how to shoulder shimmy (Ethiopian traditional dance). The kids LOVE it here, and it has done my heart good to see them care for one another and those around them. Truly seems to bring out the best in them. Please continue to pray for us.

Josh, Jen and crew

We met her today!! It was precious. When we walked into the care center her special mamma was getting her shoes on to go outside to play. Before any of us could get across the room we were attacked by a room of precious little ones. We literally had cuties hanging from our legs. I finally got in front of Melawit. SHE IS PERFECT. I gave her a little hug and she timidly hugged me back, but then she spotted Wells. She yelled his name and pointed at him. She ran to him threw her arms around him and planted a HUGE kiss on his face. He lost it and burst into tears. It was a very sweet, emotional moment. She literally followed him around almost all day. She did warm up to the rest of us, and lots of hugs and kisses followed, but she knew her big brother and he was in the spotlight. She is friendly, and funny, and she might be a tad bit bossy …. She is BIG, and not in diapers!!! We played outside for a long time, ring around the rosie, chase, horseback rides. We then went inside for their “snack”….girl put down a huge bowl of oatmeal. At the end of the meeting they started clapping and singing, and you will die when you see her do the shoulder shimmy!!!! It was very hard to leave. She started to pout, then she started to cry…then we all started to cry. it was a long ride home We are just so thankful that she was happy to see us, that she is so healthy, that we are so close to bringing her home. pray for our hearts, but please pray for hers…we get to see her tomorrow, and Saturday before we leave. She knows what good-bye means, and that is the hardest part of all.

Upon their return, I asked Scott to tell me his thoughts about her. He repeated all that Mollie had said. He then thought for a moment, and said “genuine”. The best word he could use to describe her was genuine. At first I thought genuine was a funny word used when describing a toddler. GENUINE. What does that mean? I keep turning that word over in my head. I’ve looked it up and pondered the definition. It’s really not a big deal, but for some reason I couldn’t let it go. In the dictionary, genuine means to be honest, sincere, real. I think of all the amazing women who have shared their details of my baby girl. That she is kind, joyful, sweet, loving. I think of her face, and her smile, her sweet disposition…. I think that it’s genuine, and I couldn’t think of anything more lovely.

Later that afternoon, we went swimming. I couldn’t get over a little bit of sadness from the conversation I had with Wells that morning. I texted another adopting mom and told her how discouraged I was. We exchanged the usual: feeling blue, will pray for each other encouragement we give to each other weekly. I went on visiting with my friend who was with me at the pool, and tried to put the sadness aside. We were deep into conversation when my phone rang at 3:41, out of habit I checked it and COULD NOT BELIEVE the area code popping up. Kristin told me she wouldn’t call unless it was “THE CALL”, so I knew.

I started screaming in the phone, crying, shaking, she confirmed indeed it was time. I told her I would get Josh and call her back. I sat in the lounge chair for a moment just sobbing and my sweet friend Tressa had to kind of take over, because at this point I wasn’t really functioning. I called Josh, of course he didn’t answer, so I called the office assistant (in what I am sure sounded like a crazy wife, feel sorry for that guy call) and he pulled him out of his meeting. I texted several friends the code we had devised when the call came in….817. I then shakingly drove home, thankful it was just the next neighborhood over, it wasn’t pretty.

Josh and I then sat for an hour and looked at the most beautiful, tiny, perfect 3 year old you’ve ever seen. She has HUGE brown eyes, long long lashes, sweet chubby cheeks. I mean she is delicious. We cried, and laughed, and went through every emotion. We celebrated, we mourned, we grieved, we gave thanks. It is so hard to explain the feeling of joy that comes from such sorrow, but that is what it is. We prayed for her and then we called our friends and family (who are so close to us we really don’t know the difference).

For the next 4 hours, our house had a constant stream of people coming in to celebrate the life of a little girl we’ve never met, but love with all our hearts. For those that couldn’t come, our phones blew up with text and calls. Of course, there were tons who would have come to celebrate, but I forgot to notify them…note to adoptive parents: this is like birth, make your call list before hand. You will not be thinking rationally.

Miraculous stories started coming in: families that had gone to Ethiopia and had met and fallen in love with M, to a family that was there at the time of our referral, and went to spend time with her the very next day, to my brother in law who was there with Kidmia 3 weeks before our referral and snapped her picture in hopes that she could be the one. Our family was shown over and over that she was worth the wait and meant for us.

So, now we wait through summer into the fall. We will begin praying for a quick court date in October. I can not wait to feel her chubby hand in mine. I can’t wait to see her snuggle in her Daddy’s lap. I can’t wait to hear her giggle at her brothers and sister. She is ours and I can’t wait…..