Ok so first of all-- It's hard to find time to post when you have a toddler!!
It's been an amazing 36 hours getting to know each other. He is so sweet and has been so amenable to everything. Things we have learned:
- he's left handed
- he can eat with a fork(and is cleaning his plate twice per meal)
- he loves birds:)
- he fell right asleep last night, literally in seconds
- while shy and quiet, he notices EVERYTHING
- he has an amazing ability to sit and focus-- very particular about where things go and how things work
- he likes to figure things out, how doe sit work?
Anyway-- Lord willing our Visas will be printed tomorrow and we come. While we miss Patterson and William terribly, and the primitive living isn't ideal, we are blessed to have these few days with Israel to get to know each other. We are only a few hundred yards from the orphanage so all the sounds and smells are still familiar to him.
Please pray for our safe return, the 17 hour flight, and that he would continue to be unafraid and easygoing.
Love to all
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Monday, December 19, 2011
Spent a few hours with Israel
Arrived in Addis early and without incident. So funny how the second time around it seems like old hat. The city is still as crazy, as foreign, as totally unreal, but not as overwhelming at all.
We went straight to the guest house, unpacked and sat in the warm sunshine--- 70 degrees and sunny here. Very nice breeze. We stared out across the ravine at Help for the Needy(Israel's orphanage). Cant wait to get over there to see him, i mean we know where he is, we can walk there, he's our son, but alas, it's Ethiopia....let's be patient, lets respect the process, let's be patient. So we take advantage of an hour's downtime to recover from the flight. Then a quick lunch in the guest house and off to CHS office for a presentation on their in-country efforts---- money from adoptions is going to build three schools, a health clinic for mothers and children, drinking water/wells and electricity to rural areas. It is pretty cool, we knew all this but the adoption process is so frustrating it easy to forget all the good things they are doing for Ethiopia.
Then we head over--- it's the moment we have been waiting for. We are so unprepared!!!! What do you say the the nannie who's been caring for him for 6 months? What do we say to him?! He doesn't know english, he doesn't know us. Will he cry if we try to hold him? Will WE cry? Is it bad if we don't?
Said a quick prayer for God's grace.
CHS sends in a social worker with a video camera first--- so that Israel can see this day from older eyes. He will remember it.(another thing CHS does well).
We walk into the sleeping room. 10 kids are sitting and laying on the floor quietly, some smiling, some not, but ALL watching what's going on. Israel is off to the side-- the Nannie is gently talking to him, encouraging him to smile and come see us, which he does. clearly they have been showing him the little phot book and preparing him for this day. He flashes a shy smile and come sovereign and sits right in allison's lap.
We spent two great hours with him. Mostly outside. He is very cute, very quiet, and very small. He really enjoyed kicking the soccer ball! We peeked over fences, followed the flight path of various birds, rolled trucks etc. We sat quietly for a spell. He showed a mischievous side too--- he would take the ball, scamper out of sight and wait for us to come around the corner. When we did he would laugh and throw the ball down the stairs!
We are working on a few words in amharic--- No, Good job, Okay, toilet, Come---
Tomorrow we have our big Emabssy appointment, his going away party at the orphanage -- this is our last night without a toddler!
We went straight to the guest house, unpacked and sat in the warm sunshine--- 70 degrees and sunny here. Very nice breeze. We stared out across the ravine at Help for the Needy(Israel's orphanage). Cant wait to get over there to see him, i mean we know where he is, we can walk there, he's our son, but alas, it's Ethiopia....let's be patient, lets respect the process, let's be patient. So we take advantage of an hour's downtime to recover from the flight. Then a quick lunch in the guest house and off to CHS office for a presentation on their in-country efforts---- money from adoptions is going to build three schools, a health clinic for mothers and children, drinking water/wells and electricity to rural areas. It is pretty cool, we knew all this but the adoption process is so frustrating it easy to forget all the good things they are doing for Ethiopia.
Then we head over--- it's the moment we have been waiting for. We are so unprepared!!!! What do you say the the nannie who's been caring for him for 6 months? What do we say to him?! He doesn't know english, he doesn't know us. Will he cry if we try to hold him? Will WE cry? Is it bad if we don't?
Said a quick prayer for God's grace.
CHS sends in a social worker with a video camera first--- so that Israel can see this day from older eyes. He will remember it.(another thing CHS does well).
We walk into the sleeping room. 10 kids are sitting and laying on the floor quietly, some smiling, some not, but ALL watching what's going on. Israel is off to the side-- the Nannie is gently talking to him, encouraging him to smile and come see us, which he does. clearly they have been showing him the little phot book and preparing him for this day. He flashes a shy smile and come sovereign and sits right in allison's lap.
We spent two great hours with him. Mostly outside. He is very cute, very quiet, and very small. He really enjoyed kicking the soccer ball! We peeked over fences, followed the flight path of various birds, rolled trucks etc. We sat quietly for a spell. He showed a mischievous side too--- he would take the ball, scamper out of sight and wait for us to come around the corner. When we did he would laugh and throw the ball down the stairs!
We are working on a few words in amharic--- No, Good job, Okay, toilet, Come---
Tomorrow we have our big Emabssy appointment, his going away party at the orphanage -- this is our last night without a toddler!
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Answered Prayer!!!!
First and foremost--- Praise and Glory be to God!
Allison and I are humbled by how richly he has blessed us---- the love of family and friends is overwhelming at times.
So we got "the email" from the US Embassy on December 15th, Israel's Visa and Passport were approved. Just like that---
AFTER ALL the back and forth with the agency, vague responses to our inquiries from the Embassy, a barrage of helpful letters from NC elected officials Shuler, Burr, Price, Hagan, contact through friends to State Dept officials, the tireless efforts of one persistent sister, conference calls with Immigration, more conference calls with our agency, help from an advocacy non-profit group, and the untold number of prayer requests from family and friends----- the Lord has decided it's time for Israel to be a Sheehan. We may never know the true nature of the holdups and delays or "field investigation", and for now only God knows why the sudden approval---
We are at Dulles ready to board the flight---- with a plan to get our son and be home by Christmas!
Please pray for Israel---- there is no way he can be prepared for the changes ahead.
Allison and I are humbled by how richly he has blessed us---- the love of family and friends is overwhelming at times.
So we got "the email" from the US Embassy on December 15th, Israel's Visa and Passport were approved. Just like that---
AFTER ALL the back and forth with the agency, vague responses to our inquiries from the Embassy, a barrage of helpful letters from NC elected officials Shuler, Burr, Price, Hagan, contact through friends to State Dept officials, the tireless efforts of one persistent sister, conference calls with Immigration, more conference calls with our agency, help from an advocacy non-profit group, and the untold number of prayer requests from family and friends----- the Lord has decided it's time for Israel to be a Sheehan. We may never know the true nature of the holdups and delays or "field investigation", and for now only God knows why the sudden approval---
We are at Dulles ready to board the flight---- with a plan to get our son and be home by Christmas!
Please pray for Israel---- there is no way he can be prepared for the changes ahead.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Prayers Needed
Hello friends,
So many of you have asked how things are going and when we will get to travel back to Ethiopia to bring home Israel. Jeff and I (Patterson and William, too) are so thankful for your love and support. These are however, very frustrating and unsettling days here. We wake up each morning so hopeful that we will have the clearance email from the Embassy allowing us to come get Israel. Unforunately, it appears that our government has declined into a inexplicable process that may hold up our clearance for weeks or months. Israel's case should be relatively straight-forward but we are now being indefinitely delayed due to the many other complicated cases that the Embassy must review. We have desperately sought political pressure and thank all of you who have helped. Jeff's sister works for a NC congressman and is on the war path to help us. We are humbled and grateful for her love. She can't wait to be Israel's aunt in person!
As you all know, Jeff and I have are not certain the our agency can help us but our faith is the knowledge God is infinitely bigger than red-tape and the governmental inefficiencies. Our specific prayer requests are:
1- patience- we confess that we are angry and discouraged
2-the US Embassy would do the right thing and clear our case immediately
3-Israel be loved and fed each day
4-wisdom- Jeff and I must make daily decisions on who, how and what may help our case.
Again, please know how much your love and support mean to us. We will remain faithful that God has called us to parent Israel but your prayers are truly a source of comfort and strength for us.
Love,
Jeff and Allison
Friday, September 16, 2011
Still waiting.....
Hello all~
Jeff and I just wanted to share that we continue to experience delays and roadblocks in our effort to bring Israel home. We still have no clear understanding of why our case is bring held up or when it will be resolved. Because we were so hopeful that we would be going to Ethiopia this month, we are struggling with sadness and disappointment. We ask for your prayers for Israel and the process.
Thanks to all of you for your love and support
Allison and Jeff
Jeff and I just wanted to share that we continue to experience delays and roadblocks in our effort to bring Israel home. We still have no clear understanding of why our case is bring held up or when it will be resolved. Because we were so hopeful that we would be going to Ethiopia this month, we are struggling with sadness and disappointment. We ask for your prayers for Israel and the process.
Thanks to all of you for your love and support
Allison and Jeff
Monday, July 25, 2011
are we "in the window"?
We found out that one of our freinds from "trip 1" to Ethiopia, who got court approval while we were there, just got an Embassy date to return August 4th or 5th!
That is great news. Its impossible to handicap, but our court approval was June 30th, about 5 weeks after we were there. So if we do that-which-everyone-tells-you-not-to-do and speculate on when we might go back(egads, dont speculate--it will only lead to heartache!!).............
five weeks delayed on court approval, so five weeks from August 4th means early to mid september?
I dreamed about Israel the other night, he was playing in our house. I can see it.
That is great news. Its impossible to handicap, but our court approval was June 30th, about 5 weeks after we were there. So if we do that-which-everyone-tells-you-not-to-do and speculate on when we might go back(egads, dont speculate--it will only lead to heartache!!).............
five weeks delayed on court approval, so five weeks from August 4th means early to mid september?
I dreamed about Israel the other night, he was playing in our house. I can see it.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
just tell us the truth please
Ally and I just saw an email from one of our Addis friends. So we checked the CHS website.
Mussie orphange has been closed.
seriously?!?!?!
Yes......seriously.
it made no sense and rang so false to us when we were told that Israel had been moved a few weeks ago(did we even Post about that? ).
allison kept asking "why was he moved?"
i recommend going back to the Maarta post. the one where we all kept asking questions in the conference room at CHS-Addis about how the process really works. we were told in no uncertain terms that israel(and samuel, and bereket and ereftu and obama--wait-- well obama was already in Addis but anyway)....NO child.......would be moved until the adoption was legal. no question.
so BEFORE the adoption was legal we were told that israel had been moved to Addis... to the orphanage called Help for the Needy which is right across little valley from the Guest House that Ato Tefara runs. The house where we stayed...... but the Orphanage that we were told has no room, so Israel will go to the other Orphanage that we never told you about but don't worry its fine.......! :)
Allison kept asking "why was he moved?" response was "i dont know"...."well help me figure it out" Ally says and asks again with the same non-response......and then finally.....our fear...."is it his health?" "oh no no no" Jill said......so Ally asks again.."then why"......" i'm not sure" she says.
that was last Tuesday June 28? Or maybe Wed?
...and then we get an email from a friend tonite July 5th that says he just read on the CHS website that our orphanage had been closed.
According to CHS website/self proclamation (almost proudly?), "it was not for reasons related to care or community development, but for 'leadership reasons'..." .......... No duhh.
oh and I forgot to mention. Ato Desta-- the new boss of CHS Addis-- is in the USA right now. Don't you know that THAT bit of information learned two fridays ago elicited a barrage of new questions from momma-bear-Ally.
"no big deal" says Kjrstie (head of all international adoptions at the soon to be defunct CHFS) Olsen. "There is a big Ethiopian community in Minneapolis. That's why he is here."
Wow.
Just tell us the truth please
( but also thanks for moving him ahead of time, we do appreciate that part, heads up play)....
praying for the families and children who are now thrown into dissarray. we pray that you didn't have to learn it by reading the website. and that the Lord will intervene.
Mussie orphange has been closed.
seriously?!?!?!
Yes......seriously.
it made no sense and rang so false to us when we were told that Israel had been moved a few weeks ago(did we even Post about that? ).
allison kept asking "why was he moved?"
i recommend going back to the Maarta post. the one where we all kept asking questions in the conference room at CHS-Addis about how the process really works. we were told in no uncertain terms that israel(and samuel, and bereket and ereftu and obama--wait-- well obama was already in Addis but anyway)....NO child.......would be moved until the adoption was legal. no question.
so BEFORE the adoption was legal we were told that israel had been moved to Addis... to the orphanage called Help for the Needy which is right across little valley from the Guest House that Ato Tefara runs. The house where we stayed...... but the Orphanage that we were told has no room, so Israel will go to the other Orphanage that we never told you about but don't worry its fine.......! :)
Allison kept asking "why was he moved?" response was "i dont know"...."well help me figure it out" Ally says and asks again with the same non-response......and then finally.....our fear...."is it his health?" "oh no no no" Jill said......so Ally asks again.."then why"......" i'm not sure" she says.
that was last Tuesday June 28? Or maybe Wed?
...and then we get an email from a friend tonite July 5th that says he just read on the CHS website that our orphanage had been closed.
According to CHS website/self proclamation (almost proudly?), "it was not for reasons related to care or community development, but for 'leadership reasons'..." .......... No duhh.
oh and I forgot to mention. Ato Desta-- the new boss of CHS Addis-- is in the USA right now. Don't you know that THAT bit of information learned two fridays ago elicited a barrage of new questions from momma-bear-Ally.
"no big deal" says Kjrstie (head of all international adoptions at the soon to be defunct CHFS) Olsen. "There is a big Ethiopian community in Minneapolis. That's why he is here."
Wow.
Just tell us the truth please
( but also thanks for moving him ahead of time, we do appreciate that part, heads up play)....
praying for the families and children who are now thrown into dissarray. we pray that you didn't have to learn it by reading the website. and that the Lord will intervene.
APPROVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
First and foremost-- praise be to God for this major milestone.
Israel Eyasu is legally our son.
We must confess that our post is late----we got word on Thursday June 30th. But honestly we were still holding onto some of the negative feelings, fear and hurt from the previous week(read the "head fake" post) and decided to sit ont he news until we were really really sure.
Well-- we got his offical brith certificate today! As is the custom, for now his name is Israel Jeffrey Sheehan-- how funny is that! It is the custom in Ehtiopia for a child to be given his own name, then his last name is is Father's first name. So by way of example, if we were Ehtiopian, pattersona nd William would be Patterson Jeffrey and William Jeffrey.
Ally and I had along talk about names last night and we'll just have pray about this issue. We will be able to change it when we go throught the normal legal process stateside.
Anyway
Israel Eyasu is legally our son.
We must confess that our post is late----we got word on Thursday June 30th. But honestly we were still holding onto some of the negative feelings, fear and hurt from the previous week(read the "head fake" post) and decided to sit ont he news until we were really really sure.
Well-- we got his offical brith certificate today! As is the custom, for now his name is Israel Jeffrey Sheehan-- how funny is that! It is the custom in Ehtiopia for a child to be given his own name, then his last name is is Father's first name. So by way of example, if we were Ehtiopian, pattersona nd William would be Patterson Jeffrey and William Jeffrey.
Ally and I had along talk about names last night and we'll just have pray about this issue. We will be able to change it when we go throught the normal legal process stateside.
Anyway
head fake gets worse!-- post from June 24th
this is the post we intended to make on June 24th---
Still reeling from the up and down of yesterday's information cycle. really bummed. agency says dont worry that the approval is imminent but its hard to make yourself believe it.
to make matters worse-- we were told that a woman form the agency who runs the Ehtiopia program was goign to to Addis. we had been hoping that this trip would bring some urgnecy to Israel's case.
Today is the day of her departure. except for she didnt go. instead she has decieded to take a leave of absence. of course this new information raises red flags all voer the place. why is she doing that? are there deeper issues here? who is goign to take over theprimary commnication with CHS in Addis?! it was already spotty, surely it will be wrose now?
Ally went momma bear ballistic again and tracked down the head of all international adoption programs and repeated our laundry list of complaints. instead of clearing the air it feels more like screaming into a rabbit hole.
Still reeling from the up and down of yesterday's information cycle. really bummed. agency says dont worry that the approval is imminent but its hard to make yourself believe it.
to make matters worse-- we were told that a woman form the agency who runs the Ehtiopia program was goign to to Addis. we had been hoping that this trip would bring some urgnecy to Israel's case.
Today is the day of her departure. except for she didnt go. instead she has decieded to take a leave of absence. of course this new information raises red flags all voer the place. why is she doing that? are there deeper issues here? who is goign to take over theprimary commnication with CHS in Addis?! it was already spotty, surely it will be wrose now?
Ally went momma bear ballistic again and tracked down the head of all international adoption programs and repeated our laundry list of complaints. instead of clearing the air it feels more like screaming into a rabbit hole.
head fake-- post from June 23rd
so i know our last post refernced June 23rd--- it has been a roller coaster since then. here is the post we INTENDED to make on June 23rd
June 23rd--- unfortunately no news. actually we learned that our Apu and Carol's boys were approved yay!! We had a message from the agency that (combined with Apuy and Carol's news) we took to mean we were approved double yay!!! We were on alternately riding cloud nine, crying, and praising the Lord. What a milestone!!!!
2 hours later we realized that signals had gotten crossed. No approval. Although we had geared ourselves for the possibility that it wasnt going to happen on the 23rd, the "head fake" aspect realy really got to us. bad day indeed.
June 23rd--- unfortunately no news. actually we learned that our Apu and Carol's boys were approved yay!! We had a message from the agency that (combined with Apuy and Carol's news) we took to mean we were approved double yay!!! We were on alternately riding cloud nine, crying, and praising the Lord. What a milestone!!!!
2 hours later we realized that signals had gotten crossed. No approval. Although we had geared ourselves for the possibility that it wasnt going to happen on the 23rd, the "head fake" aspect realy really got to us. bad day indeed.
Monday, June 13, 2011
still hoping for court approval
Allison and I had a conference call with Minneapolis a week and a half ago--- we set it up in order to express some of our viewpoints and frustrations. As you can tell from reading our earlier posts, we have serious concerns about the communication breakdowns and dropped balls with CHS.
They didn't want to hear it.
Essentially said that these are all cultural translation issues that we need to get used to. Ugh.
Regarding our case, we still dont have the approval letter from MOWA(Ministry of Women) remember the one that Wundwassa said would be "no problem". Evidently he went there last week and the whole office was gone-- yikes.
The Judge in The Room has pushed the next review date for our case to June 23rd. We are praying that the MOWA letter is ready before the court date. And we are praying that the judge approves our petition promptly on the 23rd.
Then the clock can start ticking on our return to pick up Israel!!! We think that is a 12-20 week clock......
thanks for all of your prayers, comments and support-- it is such an encouragment to us to know that people are reading the blog.
J and A
They didn't want to hear it.
Essentially said that these are all cultural translation issues that we need to get used to. Ugh.
Regarding our case, we still dont have the approval letter from MOWA(Ministry of Women) remember the one that Wundwassa said would be "no problem". Evidently he went there last week and the whole office was gone-- yikes.
The Judge in The Room has pushed the next review date for our case to June 23rd. We are praying that the MOWA letter is ready before the court date. And we are praying that the judge approves our petition promptly on the 23rd.
Then the clock can start ticking on our return to pick up Israel!!! We think that is a 12-20 week clock......
thanks for all of your prayers, comments and support-- it is such an encouragment to us to know that people are reading the blog.
J and A
Friday, May 27, 2011
still NOT APPROVED
Ally's momma bear instincts have kicked in! she made calls to our agency contact here in the states and did not hear anything of substance. knowing that the workday is coming to a close in Addis(7 hours ahead), she found a phone number for Maarta and called her. when she couldn't get her, she called Ato Tefara's cell number!! Way to go Ally, I am so impressed. Ato Tefaro answered the phone,YES! and was actually at the CHS office, he carried his cell up to Maarta's office and put her on!
the good news is that our agency has in its posession the additonal Police letter that was requested by the court. the bad news is that they just got it today so did not have time to get it to MOWA or back to the judge. this is the scenario that we kind of thought would happen realistically, but its still a bummer.
Maarta says Wundwassa will go to MOWA on Monday and then keep going back to the court everyday until we are approved. keep praying.
the good news is that our agency has in its posession the additonal Police letter that was requested by the court. the bad news is that they just got it today so did not have time to get it to MOWA or back to the judge. this is the scenario that we kind of thought would happen realistically, but its still a bummer.
Maarta says Wundwassa will go to MOWA on Monday and then keep going back to the court everyday until we are approved. keep praying.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Airport in Addis
Through both security checks, got boarding passes, through immigration. At the gate, hope to start boarding in an hour or so. Let's play name that song..."ohhh to be back in the land of COCA COLA".....anyone know it(lowbrow band mates not allowed to answer:) )
we are very happy to be headed west, in good spirits. No posts for the next 20 hours. Will keep everyone updated on the court approval-- as soon as we know it, you'll know it!
We did get to spend some time with the three families who are picking up their children during our last few hours at the guest house. That was such a refreshing scene a reminder of why we are doing this in the first place-- amidst all the meetings and drama we kind of lost sight of it. The families were so happy-- the children so beautiful. They had a going away party for the kids at the orphanage. A great and special event we were told.
I have to say we came to this blog thing reluctantly-- it seemed too self absorbed for our taste. My view has changed---(while it may indeed still be self absorbed!) it has been a great encouragement to us to know that our friends and family are able to come along on this journey via the blog. It has also kept me jeff from losing my cool a few times to pour the energy into the blog instead.
Allison is typing an email to our case worker in minnesota as we speak asking for quick communication on Friday about the police letter and MOWA letter.
we are very happy to be headed west, in good spirits. No posts for the next 20 hours. Will keep everyone updated on the court approval-- as soon as we know it, you'll know it!
We did get to spend some time with the three families who are picking up their children during our last few hours at the guest house. That was such a refreshing scene a reminder of why we are doing this in the first place-- amidst all the meetings and drama we kind of lost sight of it. The families were so happy-- the children so beautiful. They had a going away party for the kids at the orphanage. A great and special event we were told.
I have to say we came to this blog thing reluctantly-- it seemed too self absorbed for our taste. My view has changed---(while it may indeed still be self absorbed!) it has been a great encouragement to us to know that our friends and family are able to come along on this journey via the blog. It has also kept me jeff from losing my cool a few times to pour the energy into the blog instead.
Allison is typing an email to our case worker in minnesota as we speak asking for quick communication on Friday about the police letter and MOWA letter.
Specific prayers:
-the police department in Hosanna is cooperative and writes the letter
-the man who is supposed to carry the letter up four hours from Hosanna does so
-Wundwassa gets the letter to MoWA
-MoWa writes their approval letter
- the judge approves our petition on Friday or Monday
We are in desperate need of prayer on these items. Also:
-Please pray that my persistent cough is healed. It started before we left and will and seems to be no better. I am sick.
-We fly back tonite.17 hour flight!
-For Israel, his health and well being at the Mussie orphanage in Hosanna
-for Israel's mother, may God grant her peace amidst grief and extreme poverty
-the man who is supposed to carry the letter up four hours from Hosanna does so
-Wundwassa gets the letter to MoWA
-MoWa writes their approval letter
- the judge approves our petition on Friday or Monday
We are in desperate need of prayer on these items. Also:
-Please pray that my persistent cough is healed. It started before we left and will and seems to be no better. I am sick.
-We fly back tonite.17 hour flight!
-For Israel, his health and well being at the Mussie orphanage in Hosanna
-for Israel's mother, may God grant her peace amidst grief and extreme poverty
NOT APPROVED ***Read Lost in Translation
We finally are in. Small office, two clerks and the judge. Three desks piled high with folders, all gray, no apparent filing system. Maybe by day? And maybe one pile for approved not approved.
She calls us out by our children,s names and asks for our passports. Then
She asks the expected questions to the group:
-have you seen the child?
- do you know this is final?
- have you undertaken a study of ehtiopian culture?
-do you have children already?
- have you told them about the new child?
Yes, yes, yes, yes, emphatic yes, yes
She calls Samuals parents. Approved.
Obama's parents. "Famous name " she says and smiles. Approved.
Bereket and Ereftu's parents. I have requested additional letter from police, will review again on Monday. Wundwassa presents the letter, he has it. She reviews it. States it is acceptable. Says she will approve on Monday.
Israel's parents- requested additional police letter.
We are very happy for Mike and Steph(Obama's parents) and Chris and Tricia(Samual's parents)-- it's official for them! That's so awesome, joy! and they rightfully are so happy and relieved. This is major milestone in the adoptive process.
We knew we wouldn't be, but its still hard. We are still waiting on the additional information from the Hosanna police department. Wundwassa says he is confident he will get it tomorrow thursday, and will take it to MOWA(ministry of women, whose approval must be obtained via letter). The judge said she "ordered" MOWA to submit the letter once the additional police letter is presented. Wundwassa says this is easy and will happen. Ok. God does not make mistakes--so we know that it is in his hands one way or the other.
Allison just pointed out that unless we had pushed the questioning in out meeting with Maarta the other day, we wouldn't have had any idea that this was going to happen, and would have been devastated. We need more transparency from CHS.
She calls us out by our children,s names and asks for our passports. Then
She asks the expected questions to the group:
-have you seen the child?
- do you know this is final?
- have you undertaken a study of ehtiopian culture?
-do you have children already?
- have you told them about the new child?
Yes, yes, yes, yes, emphatic yes, yes
She calls Samuals parents. Approved.
Obama's parents. "Famous name " she says and smiles. Approved.
Bereket and Ereftu's parents. I have requested additional letter from police, will review again on Monday. Wundwassa presents the letter, he has it. She reviews it. States it is acceptable. Says she will approve on Monday.
Israel's parents- requested additional police letter.
We are very happy for Mike and Steph(Obama's parents) and Chris and Tricia(Samual's parents)-- it's official for them! That's so awesome, joy! and they rightfully are so happy and relieved. This is major milestone in the adoptive process.
We knew we wouldn't be, but its still hard. We are still waiting on the additional information from the Hosanna police department. Wundwassa says he is confident he will get it tomorrow thursday, and will take it to MOWA(ministry of women, whose approval must be obtained via letter). The judge said she "ordered" MOWA to submit the letter once the additional police letter is presented. Wundwassa says this is easy and will happen. Ok. God does not make mistakes--so we know that it is in his hands one way or the other.
Allison just pointed out that unless we had pushed the questioning in out meeting with Maarta the other day, we wouldn't have had any idea that this was going to happen, and would have been devastated. We need more transparency from CHS.
Lost in Translation
Its way more than the words and language--- the whole way of thinking is different.
We have an ongoing issue with a date on Israel's report, on the very first referral it listed that he was admitted to the orphanage in august of 2009. We inquired and were told a number of times that it was a mistake, due to the difference in calendars. Seems plausible.
However, the same date appeared again in Israel's social report received two weeks ago, so we brought it up with the social worke Nazreht in our meeting(she is not Israel's worker, but Meron was double booked and offered to meet later). Nazreht said she thought the date was wrong, what it should have been august of 2010, but that she would confirm. The next day, talking with Meron after the birth other meeting, Meron brought it up and said she checked, and that 2009 date was right-- said Israel has been at Mussie in Hossana since then! We pushed back a little saying this is contrary to what we have been told, also pointing out that his metrics were only recorded starting in august 2010, why would they wait a year to start wishing and measuring him? To which Meron said wisely " I think instead of saying anything else we should go together to talk to Maarta" which we did. Maarta pulls out a big file, goes to the earliest document, pulls up the Amharic date, then turns to her computer and does the translation software and comes up w August 2009 again. We go through our questions and she agrees something doesn't look right. Both Meron and Maarta say they think it's a mistake but cannot be sure. Maarta calls Mussie to ask what the nannies remember-- has Israel been there going on two years or one year?
No answer. She promises to follow up with us.
Our biggest concern is that this discrepancy of dates will raise questions with the court, the passport or the embassy and cause further delays.
Here's the lost in translation part: whereas we Americans, having seen the
potential for a bigger issue would now start to take steps to reconcile and be proactive, the Ehtiopian response is don't worry it will be fine-- they think well we have these other documents with correct dates so it will be fine. And a seeming inability to foresee how problems could easily arise.
Another example-- leaving for court again this morning(second attempt) Maarta advised getting here first, so that the judge could start with yesterday's cases if we were here on time.
There is an Afro-Indian summit here which started Monday, we have seen major traffic issues because of it. SoOF COURSE we get stuck on the way to the court because the roads are blocked in order to let the Indian Prime Minister's caravan through. We Americans would have factored in the Summit-- it does not seem to have occurred to any of our folks here.
Wundwassa wasn't here when we arrived. Other agencies had their people here already and had their people with them. So Frustrating.
It's going to be a long day.
Now in a 20 by 30 foot room crammed shoulder to shoulder with at least 150 people all here to see th judge. The hallways are crammed with all of today's appointments, while yesterday's have been ushered to the front. They have started calling people in, but not us. We hear from Tefera that they called us, but we were sitting on the bus because Wundwassa wasn't here. Uggh.
The judge,s office is in an adjacent room. We are separated by The Door. A metal door, with no handle on our side. The whole room is turns every time it opens, and the clerk calls an agency. We watched many groups get called. Groups whose appointments were from today were even getting called. Wundwassa stood by the door and pleaded our case, I didn't have to know Amharic to understand her say " this is your problem, we called you, you were not here."
We are watching the faces of the adoptive parents as they come out. Sme smiles. Some tear of joy. Some tears of sad. One young woman comes out skipping and high fiving. Poor form.
We finally are in. Small office, two clerks and the judge. Three desks piled high with folders, all gray, no apparent filing system. Maybe by day? And maybe one pile for approved not approved.
We have an ongoing issue with a date on Israel's report, on the very first referral it listed that he was admitted to the orphanage in august of 2009. We inquired and were told a number of times that it was a mistake, due to the difference in calendars. Seems plausible.
However, the same date appeared again in Israel's social report received two weeks ago, so we brought it up with the social worke Nazreht in our meeting(she is not Israel's worker, but Meron was double booked and offered to meet later). Nazreht said she thought the date was wrong, what it should have been august of 2010, but that she would confirm. The next day, talking with Meron after the birth other meeting, Meron brought it up and said she checked, and that 2009 date was right-- said Israel has been at Mussie in Hossana since then! We pushed back a little saying this is contrary to what we have been told, also pointing out that his metrics were only recorded starting in august 2010, why would they wait a year to start wishing and measuring him? To which Meron said wisely " I think instead of saying anything else we should go together to talk to Maarta" which we did. Maarta pulls out a big file, goes to the earliest document, pulls up the Amharic date, then turns to her computer and does the translation software and comes up w August 2009 again. We go through our questions and she agrees something doesn't look right. Both Meron and Maarta say they think it's a mistake but cannot be sure. Maarta calls Mussie to ask what the nannies remember-- has Israel been there going on two years or one year?
No answer. She promises to follow up with us.
Our biggest concern is that this discrepancy of dates will raise questions with the court, the passport or the embassy and cause further delays.
Here's the lost in translation part: whereas we Americans, having seen the
potential for a bigger issue would now start to take steps to reconcile and be proactive, the Ehtiopian response is don't worry it will be fine-- they think well we have these other documents with correct dates so it will be fine. And a seeming inability to foresee how problems could easily arise.
Another example-- leaving for court again this morning(second attempt) Maarta advised getting here first, so that the judge could start with yesterday's cases if we were here on time.
There is an Afro-Indian summit here which started Monday, we have seen major traffic issues because of it. SoOF COURSE we get stuck on the way to the court because the roads are blocked in order to let the Indian Prime Minister's caravan through. We Americans would have factored in the Summit-- it does not seem to have occurred to any of our folks here.
Wundwassa wasn't here when we arrived. Other agencies had their people here already and had their people with them. So Frustrating.
It's going to be a long day.
Now in a 20 by 30 foot room crammed shoulder to shoulder with at least 150 people all here to see th judge. The hallways are crammed with all of today's appointments, while yesterday's have been ushered to the front. They have started calling people in, but not us. We hear from Tefera that they called us, but we were sitting on the bus because Wundwassa wasn't here. Uggh.
The judge,s office is in an adjacent room. We are separated by The Door. A metal door, with no handle on our side. The whole room is turns every time it opens, and the clerk calls an agency. We watched many groups get called. Groups whose appointments were from today were even getting called. Wundwassa stood by the door and pleaded our case, I didn't have to know Amharic to understand her say " this is your problem, we called you, you were not here."
We are watching the faces of the adoptive parents as they come out. Sme smiles. Some tear of joy. Some tears of sad. One young woman comes out skipping and high fiving. Poor form.
We finally are in. Small office, two clerks and the judge. Three desks piled high with folders, all gray, no apparent filing system. Maybe by day? And maybe one pile for approved not approved.
William
We are still reeling from the news that William needed an emergency appendectomy last night.We were at the Jupiter hotel with our new friends when Allison talked to Cap and Goggy.
We are so blessed to have such a strong support network --- Having Goggy and Cap and Mike and Mary Dee there to care for P and W, we are moved to tears when we think about how good we have it. In addition, all those who have stopped by to check on him and help out from school and church community. Absolutely amazing.
And I am sure we still don't know the half of it.
It was great to be able to see William in the hospital post operation via Skype. We are so proud of him and give praise to God for bringing him through, and for all our friends and family.
I can't help but believe that God is demonstrating his commitment to this adoption--- he has equipped us to be able to handle it right? Without this amazing support from family and friends, there is NO way we could do it at all. Contrast to Israel----One of the biggest reasons Israel's mother had to give him up is that she DOESN'T have this support network. her parents passed when she was young, she has no grandparents or other family to help. Her brothers do not have the means to help either. I can't stop thinking about it in that context.
God is good-- all the time.
We are so blessed to have such a strong support network --- Having Goggy and Cap and Mike and Mary Dee there to care for P and W, we are moved to tears when we think about how good we have it. In addition, all those who have stopped by to check on him and help out from school and church community. Absolutely amazing.
And I am sure we still don't know the half of it.
It was great to be able to see William in the hospital post operation via Skype. We are so proud of him and give praise to God for bringing him through, and for all our friends and family.
I can't help but believe that God is demonstrating his commitment to this adoption--- he has equipped us to be able to handle it right? Without this amazing support from family and friends, there is NO way we could do it at all. Contrast to Israel----One of the biggest reasons Israel's mother had to give him up is that she DOESN'T have this support network. her parents passed when she was young, she has no grandparents or other family to help. Her brothers do not have the means to help either. I can't stop thinking about it in that context.
God is good-- all the time.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Humbled
Just back from CHS office.
Just as we did for our previous meetings, we were led to a small office-- they have all been the same-- two desks, one computer, four chairs and one set of shelves.
Israel's social worker seated us, then went to retrieve his mother and just like that there we were. She is very shy and would not look at us. She was wearing a tshirt and long skirt. She is really short. We start awkwardly, we introduce ourselves. We introduced Patterson and Wlliam with the picture and explained that they are very excited to meet him and love him.
She immediately asked if we were Christians, and asked if we would raise him to fear God. She explained that this was her one wish for him. We explained emphatically our love for God, and that we would raise him to fear God, go to church for worship. We explained how happy we were that she loves God and named him Israel. Throughout we asked what other wishes she has for him, and this is the ONE thing she cared about. Not health, education etc. God. What a blessing to be able to respond with confidence and vigor to her request!!!
She wanted us to know that she did the best she could, that she did not want to give him up, but she could not care for him. She said he was so so very sick. We replied that he is healthier now. We asked how she came to know God, she said her parenst raised her that way.
We asked if there were any family stories he should know. She said no, just to tell him about her, about Ethiopia and teach him about God. She said she was so glad to know he is going to a family that knows God. I asked what songs she used to sing to him--- and she sang for us!! A song about God's promise to care for his people. That was such a blessing and she had sweet little singing voice.
At some point Meron the social worker commented that he looks like her to which she quickly replied, no, he is much lighter skinned.
Then she smiled big and evidently asked to see him. I could tell that Meron was responding to a difficult question but had no idea until she told us. Meron said it is not allowed. At some point Allison said to say that we pray mercy for her,and that God loves her. I believe she said that she knows that God has a plan.
Then we had our picture taken with her. Then I asked if we could hold hands with her and pray the Lord's prayer which we did. then she asked to repeat it in her language--- this was a very sweet moment, one I will never forget.
Ceremony
The four adoptive couple lined up on one side, and the four birth parents, two dads and two Moms on the other. They repeated a prayer, lit a candle and passed to us. We were all crying. Everyone. They then handed the candle to us. Then we said a prayer in unison.
It was then time for goodbyes. Then three of us embraced for many minutes, holding each other and crying. She had her head buried in our chests and we were all three sobbing. Gripping each other so tightly--almost fell over.She did not want to go, she kept looking at us and putting her head down, and reaching her hand out. Bereket and Ereftu's dad consoled her. He seemed mature and happy, Obama's mom was also crying, and Samual's dad looked the worst of them all.he was completely dejected and would not raise his eyes from the floor.
Humbled.
Just as we did for our previous meetings, we were led to a small office-- they have all been the same-- two desks, one computer, four chairs and one set of shelves.
Israel's social worker seated us, then went to retrieve his mother and just like that there we were. She is very shy and would not look at us. She was wearing a tshirt and long skirt. She is really short. We start awkwardly, we introduce ourselves. We introduced Patterson and Wlliam with the picture and explained that they are very excited to meet him and love him.
She immediately asked if we were Christians, and asked if we would raise him to fear God. She explained that this was her one wish for him. We explained emphatically our love for God, and that we would raise him to fear God, go to church for worship. We explained how happy we were that she loves God and named him Israel. Throughout we asked what other wishes she has for him, and this is the ONE thing she cared about. Not health, education etc. God. What a blessing to be able to respond with confidence and vigor to her request!!!
She wanted us to know that she did the best she could, that she did not want to give him up, but she could not care for him. She said he was so so very sick. We replied that he is healthier now. We asked how she came to know God, she said her parenst raised her that way.
We asked if there were any family stories he should know. She said no, just to tell him about her, about Ethiopia and teach him about God. She said she was so glad to know he is going to a family that knows God. I asked what songs she used to sing to him--- and she sang for us!! A song about God's promise to care for his people. That was such a blessing and she had sweet little singing voice.
At some point Meron the social worker commented that he looks like her to which she quickly replied, no, he is much lighter skinned.
Then she smiled big and evidently asked to see him. I could tell that Meron was responding to a difficult question but had no idea until she told us. Meron said it is not allowed. At some point Allison said to say that we pray mercy for her,and that God loves her. I believe she said that she knows that God has a plan.
Then we had our picture taken with her. Then I asked if we could hold hands with her and pray the Lord's prayer which we did. then she asked to repeat it in her language--- this was a very sweet moment, one I will never forget.
Ceremony
The four adoptive couple lined up on one side, and the four birth parents, two dads and two Moms on the other. They repeated a prayer, lit a candle and passed to us. We were all crying. Everyone. They then handed the candle to us. Then we said a prayer in unison.
It was then time for goodbyes. Then three of us embraced for many minutes, holding each other and crying. She had her head buried in our chests and we were all three sobbing. Gripping each other so tightly--almost fell over.She did not want to go, she kept looking at us and putting her head down, and reaching her hand out. Bereket and Ereftu's dad consoled her. He seemed mature and happy, Obama's mom was also crying, and Samual's dad looked the worst of them all.he was completely dejected and would not raise his eyes from the floor.
Humbled.
Things Ato Tefaro said
Ato means Mr.
Tefera is the guest house manager. Call it middle management in the CHS system. been with CHS for 5 years in various jobs. very nice. Meets people atnthe airport, rides with us to the office, keeps the cooks on task, helps us get a taxi. Of course it took us two days to figure out who he was because he didnt introduce himself or give us his title or anything like that which is so Ethiopian. He is probably in his sixties. Short. Yellow teeth. Quiet. Pretty good English but you have to lean in to hear him. His English is way better than my Amharic.
So I have my father's trait of being prone to talking to strangers and asking every question under the sun. Way leads unto way and I learn that he is an elder at his church, which is a very big deal here. His church is evidently a Protestant church. Next thing I know we are comparing bibles---ours both have 66 books, but he says many churches here believe in 15 extra books. I ask about the Arc of the Covenant, Ally and I had read that some believe it to be in Ethiopia. Myth he says. Not supported anywhere in the bible he says. How did the gospel come to ehtiopia I ask. He points us to Acts 8. Its right there in the text yall! Ehtiopian eunuch goes to Jerulsaem to worship. he is basically the prime minister under a Queen Candace. He is sitting in his chariot reading from Isaiah when the Holy Spirit prompts Phillip to approach him. Go read the rest -- its pretty cool. Who knew. I studied Acts a few years ago so I must have read it, but no recollection whatsoever.
Ok. Then he says Haille Sellassie, the much celebrated emperor and king of ethiopia from the 1930's until the communist regimes took over in the 1970,s claimed lineage from King Solomon. The story goes that Queen Sheba went up the Nile to visit King Solomon (this part true) and came back pregnant -- and Sellassie said he was descendant. Tefera says bogus. You can't make this stuff up!!!
We did see Sellassie's tomb though. 100 birr for foreigners to get it in. 3 birr for ethiopians. Says it right there on the sign.
Later I learned from our new companions that the entire Rastafarian religion believes that Haile Sellassie was the second coming and is God. Evidently he went to visit Jamaica, and thousands(including a 7 year old Bob Marley)saw the scourge of the nails of the cross on his hands. Furthermore his arrival ended a terrible drought. Sellassie never made these claims and evidently there aren't many rasta's here.
While I am at it. The priest over at the Christian Orthodox church started up the loudspeaker chant at 3 am the other night and went until 8 am. I think I posted earlier that I kind of liked the prayers.
I take it all back.
Why do prayers need to be blasted over loudspeakers?
Tefera is the guest house manager. Call it middle management in the CHS system. been with CHS for 5 years in various jobs. very nice. Meets people atnthe airport, rides with us to the office, keeps the cooks on task, helps us get a taxi. Of course it took us two days to figure out who he was because he didnt introduce himself or give us his title or anything like that which is so Ethiopian. He is probably in his sixties. Short. Yellow teeth. Quiet. Pretty good English but you have to lean in to hear him. His English is way better than my Amharic.
So I have my father's trait of being prone to talking to strangers and asking every question under the sun. Way leads unto way and I learn that he is an elder at his church, which is a very big deal here. His church is evidently a Protestant church. Next thing I know we are comparing bibles---ours both have 66 books, but he says many churches here believe in 15 extra books. I ask about the Arc of the Covenant, Ally and I had read that some believe it to be in Ethiopia. Myth he says. Not supported anywhere in the bible he says. How did the gospel come to ehtiopia I ask. He points us to Acts 8. Its right there in the text yall! Ehtiopian eunuch goes to Jerulsaem to worship. he is basically the prime minister under a Queen Candace. He is sitting in his chariot reading from Isaiah when the Holy Spirit prompts Phillip to approach him. Go read the rest -- its pretty cool. Who knew. I studied Acts a few years ago so I must have read it, but no recollection whatsoever.
Ok. Then he says Haille Sellassie, the much celebrated emperor and king of ethiopia from the 1930's until the communist regimes took over in the 1970,s claimed lineage from King Solomon. The story goes that Queen Sheba went up the Nile to visit King Solomon (this part true) and came back pregnant -- and Sellassie said he was descendant. Tefera says bogus. You can't make this stuff up!!!
We did see Sellassie's tomb though. 100 birr for foreigners to get it in. 3 birr for ethiopians. Says it right there on the sign.
Later I learned from our new companions that the entire Rastafarian religion believes that Haile Sellassie was the second coming and is God. Evidently he went to visit Jamaica, and thousands(including a 7 year old Bob Marley)saw the scourge of the nails of the cross on his hands. Furthermore his arrival ended a terrible drought. Sellassie never made these claims and evidently there aren't many rasta's here.
While I am at it. The priest over at the Christian Orthodox church started up the loudspeaker chant at 3 am the other night and went until 8 am. I think I posted earlier that I kind of liked the prayers.
I take it all back.
Why do prayers need to be blasted over loudspeakers?
Court today
Because of the heavy rain and storms last night, Ally and I were in our room starting at 6:30 or 7 reading, I started a dumb movie but abandoned it. So we fell asleep around 10.
This morning I left the guest house around 7:40 for a run. altitude still is difficult, and the smog is really bad today which doesn't help either. And the mud from all the rain was prevalent. When I got back I stood outside our gate and used a stick to scrape the mud off. The effort was only marginally effective, I looked up to see the guard watching me with mild amusement. None of the guards speak English(I have yet to hear one utter a word in any language ), but this one smiled and pointed to a small patch ofnaccidental grass and made a wiping motion w his feet--ingenious!
I went to the eating room, pancakes today which were really fat and good. Ally came in and we started talking to the couple from Atl who brought their 9 year old bio son and are here for a 3 yr old boy. by this time is was about 8:45am. Our agenda packet stated a 9:30 departure for court. Howevr, I overheard another couple say that Tefera announced a 9am departure instead. Yikes! This is the only dress up day and Ally and I are off to bad start. Bird bath and out the door. We asked our case worker specifically what the attire should be for court to which she replied no jeans. However, Maarta yesterday said a Tie or coat should be worn. My new friend Apu so graciously gave me his tie to wear.
Spirits high for the 4 couples on the bus on the way over, although everyone has lot of nervous energy. This is a big day. We have been prepped for all the questions we might be asked by the judge. Keep your answers to one word whenever possible we are coached. I plan to simply say Yes to everything. Are you prepared to adopt-- Yes, do you have children already- Yes, do you know that this adoption is final-- Yes, why did you choose Ethiopia-- Yes.
We park a half a block away and wait for our man Wundwassa to give us the sign. After 5 minute we get it, disembark the van and go into the courthouse. It is crowded. We climb four sets of stairs and are ushered in to room where we are immediately informed that the Judge is sick. No court today. Thankfully we had not switched our flights to tonite as planned because we have to go back tomorrow. Major letdown.
Wundwassa works with Maarta. His English is nowhere near is good, a fact which becomes problematic as he starts to give stairs reports on our cases.
Obama and Samuel's parents are told that their MOWA letters are there, and that they will likely be approved as soon as they appear before the judge because all of their paperwork is in order.
the news is not as good for Israel, Bereket and Ereftu's parents. The MOWA letter says we are not approved until wthe judge sees more info on the whereabouts and status of Israel's father. Evidently if the father has been gone for less than two years, they require a Police Report from the district in which he used to live with the mother. The judge has postponed a ruling on our case until May 30th in order to wait for this report.
Unfortunately Wundwassa mixes or cases up, and doesn't seem to know very basic elements of our cases. He told us that the issue was stemming from Israel,s fathers death, his father is living. he makes similar incorrect statements to Apu and Carol. This has been a consistent issue, there seems to be very little attention paid to the details.
Anyway Wundwassa did the best he could explaining the situtation, but it just
led to more questions. We asked to be driven to the office to talk w Maarta again.
We arrived and were invited to sit in her office which she shares with two orthree others, who gave up their chairs for us all to sit. Maarta explained the police report issue-- turns out that Bereket and Ereftu's report came in yesterday and they sould be approved on Monday May 30. Sadly, Israel's report is not in yet. Maarta called in the man who would be going back down to Hosanna to try to get it from the Police Department before friday.
Our specific prayer is that Israel's police report will be in the hands of the CHS office on Friday so that the judge can approve us on Monday the 30th. If this does not happen, the judge will set yet another date and we have no idea when that would happen. Each delay means more time before we can bring him home. Also more time before he is brought to Addis where the care is infinitely better.
This morning I left the guest house around 7:40 for a run. altitude still is difficult, and the smog is really bad today which doesn't help either. And the mud from all the rain was prevalent. When I got back I stood outside our gate and used a stick to scrape the mud off. The effort was only marginally effective, I looked up to see the guard watching me with mild amusement. None of the guards speak English(I have yet to hear one utter a word in any language ), but this one smiled and pointed to a small patch ofnaccidental grass and made a wiping motion w his feet--ingenious!
I went to the eating room, pancakes today which were really fat and good. Ally came in and we started talking to the couple from Atl who brought their 9 year old bio son and are here for a 3 yr old boy. by this time is was about 8:45am. Our agenda packet stated a 9:30 departure for court. Howevr, I overheard another couple say that Tefera announced a 9am departure instead. Yikes! This is the only dress up day and Ally and I are off to bad start. Bird bath and out the door. We asked our case worker specifically what the attire should be for court to which she replied no jeans. However, Maarta yesterday said a Tie or coat should be worn. My new friend Apu so graciously gave me his tie to wear.
Spirits high for the 4 couples on the bus on the way over, although everyone has lot of nervous energy. This is a big day. We have been prepped for all the questions we might be asked by the judge. Keep your answers to one word whenever possible we are coached. I plan to simply say Yes to everything. Are you prepared to adopt-- Yes, do you have children already- Yes, do you know that this adoption is final-- Yes, why did you choose Ethiopia-- Yes.
We park a half a block away and wait for our man Wundwassa to give us the sign. After 5 minute we get it, disembark the van and go into the courthouse. It is crowded. We climb four sets of stairs and are ushered in to room where we are immediately informed that the Judge is sick. No court today. Thankfully we had not switched our flights to tonite as planned because we have to go back tomorrow. Major letdown.
Wundwassa works with Maarta. His English is nowhere near is good, a fact which becomes problematic as he starts to give stairs reports on our cases.
Obama and Samuel's parents are told that their MOWA letters are there, and that they will likely be approved as soon as they appear before the judge because all of their paperwork is in order.
the news is not as good for Israel, Bereket and Ereftu's parents. The MOWA letter says we are not approved until wthe judge sees more info on the whereabouts and status of Israel's father. Evidently if the father has been gone for less than two years, they require a Police Report from the district in which he used to live with the mother. The judge has postponed a ruling on our case until May 30th in order to wait for this report.
Unfortunately Wundwassa mixes or cases up, and doesn't seem to know very basic elements of our cases. He told us that the issue was stemming from Israel,s fathers death, his father is living. he makes similar incorrect statements to Apu and Carol. This has been a consistent issue, there seems to be very little attention paid to the details.
Anyway Wundwassa did the best he could explaining the situtation, but it just
led to more questions. We asked to be driven to the office to talk w Maarta again.
We arrived and were invited to sit in her office which she shares with two orthree others, who gave up their chairs for us all to sit. Maarta explained the police report issue-- turns out that Bereket and Ereftu's report came in yesterday and they sould be approved on Monday May 30. Sadly, Israel's report is not in yet. Maarta called in the man who would be going back down to Hosanna to try to get it from the Police Department before friday.
Our specific prayer is that Israel's police report will be in the hands of the CHS office on Friday so that the judge can approve us on Monday the 30th. If this does not happen, the judge will set yet another date and we have no idea when that would happen. Each delay means more time before we can bring him home. Also more time before he is brought to Addis where the care is infinitely better.
The food
Just thought I would take a few note the food experience we had last night. We went to Yod Absynnia. Not far from the guest house.
We entered through the metal detector--just like at the Hilton. Always a comforting experience:)
Clearly had put a lot of Birr into the interior upfit of the place. The ceilings were fully covered with embroidered squares and wooden braces. They built replicas of the thatched roofs that finds in the rural areas, there was a stage with specialized lighting the tables were oriented into two tier all facing the stage. The tables we woven straw structures, round , with wooden tops resembling a lazy Susan. The chairs were all covered with cow skins. The waitresses and waiters were formally dressed, very beautiful and handosme.
I must note at this point that despite my best intentions I never did make it to the Raleigh ethiopian restaurant. Furthermore I missed the cultural days at school at related benefits. On one occasion a few months ago I did try to make injera. Patterson and I found a recipe, and the main ingredient, Teff. The Teff has to be moistened and left at room temp overnite. We managed the first step without problem. The next morning I came downstairs to find a very odd odor. Evidently left the teff on a hot burner. all night long. lucky I didn't burn the house down:)
So I have never had Injera--
Injera is a unique food-- it is the national bread, but as Ehtiopians do not use forks or other cutlery it is also the primary tool for eating. It comes in rolls, you tear off a piece, hold it between your fingers and grab a bite of the food.
The food consists of piles. Lumps. Chickpea hummus lookingnstuff. Collards. Lamb. Other piles look like really spicy barbecue. Cooked carrots. in the center of the round serving platter is one hard boiled egg, and a chicken leg, smothered in red sauce. Which came first, the chicken or the egg?
I absolutely loved it. the injera is really spongey and moist, delicious. The food is really good, although some of the piles were too spicy for me.
Evidently when we come back for thensecond trip, the cooks at the
We entered through the metal detector--just like at the Hilton. Always a comforting experience:)
Clearly had put a lot of Birr into the interior upfit of the place. The ceilings were fully covered with embroidered squares and wooden braces. They built replicas of the thatched roofs that finds in the rural areas, there was a stage with specialized lighting the tables were oriented into two tier all facing the stage. The tables we woven straw structures, round , with wooden tops resembling a lazy Susan. The chairs were all covered with cow skins. The waitresses and waiters were formally dressed, very beautiful and handosme.
I must note at this point that despite my best intentions I never did make it to the Raleigh ethiopian restaurant. Furthermore I missed the cultural days at school at related benefits. On one occasion a few months ago I did try to make injera. Patterson and I found a recipe, and the main ingredient, Teff. The Teff has to be moistened and left at room temp overnite. We managed the first step without problem. The next morning I came downstairs to find a very odd odor. Evidently left the teff on a hot burner. all night long. lucky I didn't burn the house down:)
So I have never had Injera--
Injera is a unique food-- it is the national bread, but as Ehtiopians do not use forks or other cutlery it is also the primary tool for eating. It comes in rolls, you tear off a piece, hold it between your fingers and grab a bite of the food.
The food consists of piles. Lumps. Chickpea hummus lookingnstuff. Collards. Lamb. Other piles look like really spicy barbecue. Cooked carrots. in the center of the round serving platter is one hard boiled egg, and a chicken leg, smothered in red sauce. Which came first, the chicken or the egg?
I absolutely loved it. the injera is really spongey and moist, delicious. The food is really good, although some of the piles were too spicy for me.
Evidently when we come back for thensecond trip, the cooks at the
Monday, May 23, 2011
Found an Apple
just found an apple from stateside in our our snack bag....SCORE!!!!!!!
Ok more importantly we have finally been able to get the dial-up internet connection in the house working. Better post quick before it conks again.
Tomorrow is going to be a big day. Court in the morning, then meeting with Israel's birth mother in the afternoon. We have no idea what to expect. However, after having seen the video and interview with her I am actually looking forward to it.
All of the "emabssy appointment" families have been rolling in over the last day and a half. They are here to pick up their kids! These folks were here in Feb for their court dates--so it has been a tremendous learning opportunity for us. We get a glimpse int our own futures. Mealtimes are around two big tables and we first timers get to learn so much more. Some couples have adopted here before and this is their second or third child. Some are adopting infants, some older children like us. One couple from Atlanta brought their 9 year old (bio) son this time. Blond hair blue eyes just like our boy-O. His name is Harrison. I planted myself right next to him and we talked school and soccer. He's not so sure about the food. He's no William Sheehan but I am sure he's doing the best he can:) It definitely has Ally and I thinking about bringing P and W..............
Anyway, over the next few days they will transition their children to the guest house....meaning by wednesday, the adopted children will be living in the guest house with the families with us. Cant wait to see it the joy and the challenges. invaluable sneak peak for us.
The house is very quiet right now(8 pm), it gets dark early and there arent many lights. Forgot our headlamps--somebody remind us to bring headlamps next time? and sheets.
We will try to read, or maybe play a movie on the iPad. Or go to sleep. Or talk about wether or not to give Israel a new name. That's a big topic around here. lots of opinions but everybody is cool about it being totally personal decision and no right or wrong. Especially with Mike and Steph whose son is named Obama. All the nannies and caretakers all say his name with special pride, and call him a little king. They have a tough decision ahead!
J and A but mostly J
Ok more importantly we have finally been able to get the dial-up internet connection in the house working. Better post quick before it conks again.
Tomorrow is going to be a big day. Court in the morning, then meeting with Israel's birth mother in the afternoon. We have no idea what to expect. However, after having seen the video and interview with her I am actually looking forward to it.
All of the "emabssy appointment" families have been rolling in over the last day and a half. They are here to pick up their kids! These folks were here in Feb for their court dates--so it has been a tremendous learning opportunity for us. We get a glimpse int our own futures. Mealtimes are around two big tables and we first timers get to learn so much more. Some couples have adopted here before and this is their second or third child. Some are adopting infants, some older children like us. One couple from Atlanta brought their 9 year old (bio) son this time. Blond hair blue eyes just like our boy-O. His name is Harrison. I planted myself right next to him and we talked school and soccer. He's not so sure about the food. He's no William Sheehan but I am sure he's doing the best he can:) It definitely has Ally and I thinking about bringing P and W..............
Anyway, over the next few days they will transition their children to the guest house....meaning by wednesday, the adopted children will be living in the guest house with the families with us. Cant wait to see it the joy and the challenges. invaluable sneak peak for us.
The house is very quiet right now(8 pm), it gets dark early and there arent many lights. Forgot our headlamps--somebody remind us to bring headlamps next time? and sheets.
We will try to read, or maybe play a movie on the iPad. Or go to sleep. Or talk about wether or not to give Israel a new name. That's a big topic around here. lots of opinions but everybody is cool about it being totally personal decision and no right or wrong. Especially with Mike and Steph whose son is named Obama. All the nannies and caretakers all say his name with special pride, and call him a little king. They have a tough decision ahead!
J and A but mostly J
Monday
This morning we met with the Videographers and journalists who have put together a video of Israel,s history. We saw clips of his home area, an interview with his mother, details of her relationship with the birth father and many other emotional things. I cried and went mute. Thank goodness Allison was there to ask many poignant questions.
Went back to guest house and had the best meal so far-- injera and true Ehtiopian food-- seriously my new favorite. I will post more on the food later.
Afternoon back to CHS office for meeting w Israel's soical worker to discuss his development in more detail. Later a meeting with Maarta, who is adoption division-the process person. We all met around a big conference table on the 4th floor. Marble floors! Nice table with leather chair and an old sharp television sitting at the end.
Could see a schoolyard with boys in blue sweaters playing hoops and soccer. Saw a kid doing an inverson crossover move!
Meeting with Maarta is fantastic, more concrete information than we have had cumulative in three years. We learned about MOWA and why they don't like adoption, about how court dates are assigned, that Mussie lost its license, that the "care center" is help for the needy orphanage, that they have added Ebeneezer orphanage and that Ebeneezer is where our kids will be going. It's a one month old relationship which makes all of us nervous.
We learned that if a birth parent's whereabouts are unknwn then the court will want to see a Police Report. Ours have been requested but not delivered whch is concerning. We learned the order of the process, MOWA letter, court date, birth certificate, then passport, then immigration, then embassy date. We never knew ANY of this. Furthermore this informattion, and specifics , are being communicated to Jan Simon.
When I say the meeting was fantastic, I mean that our group had formed a bloc that said we are not leaving until we finally get the answers that people using from other agencies are getting. Tell us about the MoWA letters. Tell us the process. Tell us how long it takes to get the embassy date. What agency is responsible for what? These types of things.
Marta knew all and shared all. Our driver was pacing in the hallway, we had been allotted 15 minutes and we went over and hour! Firing questions left and right.
Bottom line-- we think it will be 6-8 weeks until second trip.
Specific prayer--
1- our letter from MoWA is at the court tomorrow
2- the judge approves our petition in the spot
3- our meeting with Israel,s birth mother tomorrow is covered with grace
Went back to guest house and had the best meal so far-- injera and true Ehtiopian food-- seriously my new favorite. I will post more on the food later.
Afternoon back to CHS office for meeting w Israel's soical worker to discuss his development in more detail. Later a meeting with Maarta, who is adoption division-the process person. We all met around a big conference table on the 4th floor. Marble floors! Nice table with leather chair and an old sharp television sitting at the end.
Could see a schoolyard with boys in blue sweaters playing hoops and soccer. Saw a kid doing an inverson crossover move!
Meeting with Maarta is fantastic, more concrete information than we have had cumulative in three years. We learned about MOWA and why they don't like adoption, about how court dates are assigned, that Mussie lost its license, that the "care center" is help for the needy orphanage, that they have added Ebeneezer orphanage and that Ebeneezer is where our kids will be going. It's a one month old relationship which makes all of us nervous.
We learned that if a birth parent's whereabouts are unknwn then the court will want to see a Police Report. Ours have been requested but not delivered whch is concerning. We learned the order of the process, MOWA letter, court date, birth certificate, then passport, then immigration, then embassy date. We never knew ANY of this. Furthermore this informattion, and specifics , are being communicated to Jan Simon.
When I say the meeting was fantastic, I mean that our group had formed a bloc that said we are not leaving until we finally get the answers that people using from other agencies are getting. Tell us about the MoWA letters. Tell us the process. Tell us how long it takes to get the embassy date. What agency is responsible for what? These types of things.
Marta knew all and shared all. Our driver was pacing in the hallway, we had been allotted 15 minutes and we went over and hour! Firing questions left and right.
Bottom line-- we think it will be 6-8 weeks until second trip.
Specific prayer--
1- our letter from MoWA is at the court tomorrow
2- the judge approves our petition in the spot
3- our meeting with Israel,s birth mother tomorrow is covered with grace
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Leaving Hosanna
We passed thru many vllages on the way to Hosanna this morning.Trip took about 4 hours. Too funny to see all the goats and donkeys in the road-- nice smooth pavemennt all the way there although the road clearly sees more foot traffic than auto each day. Dareggi our driver always gave a beep of the horn when kids were driving the animals, but not adults! The donkeys were often loaded with yellow gas cans for water , packs of false banana root o. It's waybto eb made into a thin bread.
Each of the villages we passed thru seemed to have their own unique ways or cultures. Hilly villages had little blue taxis. Flat villages had more people I. The road? Kids wave. Beautiful countryside with many varieties of domicile evident from the circle thatched roofed to stickbuilt with mud. Some villages had block buildings and tin roofs. Lots of cows everywhere. We passed a huge greenhouse complex that hewat tells us is a rose business. Private investors. Oh and the incredibly huge condo project in addis-- must have been 5,000 units under construction. Told each unit will sell for 90,000 birr. Government owned and will finance. It's mountains and hills every direction -- breathtaking--- also saw some lakes.
And we saw a pelada!!!! 8 kids in a cow pasture at 7am what joy!
Hosanna was much bigger than any of the towns and villages we passed through. Nobody knows population here, but our group estimated 4 or 5,000 people. At first glance I thought Hosanna looked much more impoverished than anything we had seen, but after discussion with Apoo and Carol I realized that it's tricky --- rural areas have no healthcare or other services and probably less food or ways to make money.
All dirt roads now leading back to the orphanage. High fence around it made of sticks and branches. Laundry hanging in the dirt courtyard. Small low house in much need of paint. Smell of burning-- cooking ? The kids . Where do i start? We took off our shoes when we went in. The kids --17 all in one room waiting for us. Mobbed! All climbing fingers in ears and smiles. Ages 3-8 mostly boys but a few adorable girls. My heart broke 1,000 times over. The room was total chaos, peices of toys strewn all over. Nannies tried to keep noses wiped but a futile task indeed.When we broke out the new toys the kids went crazy-- older boys went for the new soccer balls-- we were doing headers and kicking. Tue toys that had multiple parts went in 10 directions. The kids have to learn to negotiate their way-- it is funny to watch them regulate -- take a toy get a scream or not, or maybe give a toy to get a toy, or enlist a friend to get it back. The older ones were sweet to the younger. The nannies would periodically pull one for a new diaper or dry cloths though most were wet at some point or another. We are still damp. Some kids were having a hard time wandering inncircles crying, but mostly happy kids.
Agency has been very consistent about telling us to play with all kids, but how do you not notice your own, but how do you not want to take them all home. Big 8 year old boy wanted to be picked up and held just like the little ones. Allison has marker all over her arms, they drew on everything! A little 3 year old girl took out her hair band and played with her hair.
The nannies clearly knew who was going to go with whom. Israel had a little yellow school bus and if another kid took it the nanny would fuss until it was returned. Israel's lucky day:) he is much smaller than we thought. He is reserved but sees what is going on around him. At one point Apu got to play ball with Bereket and Israel. Israel was a good kicker! We got to hold him for awhile each. We saw him dace sing to himself a little bit too. Ally says he is happy to sit with his feet out and play roll the bus back and forth. He didn't smile as much as some other kids, but he is happy.
In addition to the nannies and our social worker Hewat, there was a man there who was so good with the kids and they clearly all knew him. Turns out he is the nurse. I was holding Israel and he came over and said " this one was so malnourished when he came-- he had no hair because of, his skin had wounds all over because he had no nutrients." Then he smiled and cradled his face and said he is healthy now, so much healthy now. These children are clearly loved.
We keep crying, all of us, it's so hard to leave them.
After we got back on bus we rode around the corner more dirt roads and animals and thatched huts into a closed courtyard surrounded by 3 well built fresh painted buildings. The nurse came with us and we met some new social workers-- two men whose job we were told is to counsel the birth families. Tough job. This place is the nursery for the infants. There were 7-8 in all -- the most wide eyed cutest things you have ever seen!! There were 3 qnurses feeding them Atmit-- porridge, Apu tells us that Atmit is whole grain, used in Ethiopia , much healthier than the corn/soy used in most countries.
We then sat down for a coffee ceremony in a nice room with Indian rug, couches with beautiful embroidered crosses. Big bowl of sugared popcorn around. Beans are roasted over open coals. Tray ofsteaming hot saucers sent around--- the coffee was perfect. Perfect. And so needed at that moment.
Then back on the bus to the school. The school has been built entirely by CHSFS and is clearly the pride of the town. A huge vegetable garden that the kids plant and harvest and are fed by. Potatoes and and avacado tree, tomatoes and beans. K-5 and it's not just for the orphans -- evidently the government says if you have an orphanage you have to invest in a public school too. Kids from the town pay to go if they can get in. 250 students and the classes are all taught in English.
10:30 pm Friday Nite
We have been asleep for 4 hours or so. Fell asleep to the droning of the Imam over the loudspeakers. Not loud, but there. Although I have often heard the Islamic prayers on the loudspeakers on the news , and although I was quite aware that Ethiopia is about 50/50 Muslim/ Christianity--- it simply never occurred to me that I might ever be in a place where this is common practice. All that being said, i thought it was going to be upsetting. Nope. Oddly comforting?
Anyway--we had crashed right after dinner with the other families
* here at the CHS guest house. Dinner= two small squares of pizza. One cheese. One w ground beef. Lunch was minced meat lasagna with mashed potToes instead of noodles, herbed rice and a mixture of green beans and carrots. Modest quantities. The staff here appears to eat based on how much we eat. In other words we go first and then they eat what remains. I could not get Terefu to go ahead of me.
*other families=
Steph and Mike--from Minnesota adopting 21 mo old Obama!
Apu and Carol-- fromnDC- adopting brothers berekat and erefu. Evidently berekat and Israel are friends at Hosanna.
Chris and Tricia-- don't know yet
It is wild and such a blessing to have the other couples here. Ally and I tend not to get too close to strangers too fast in normal world. But here in journey land we have found fast friends---comparing notes of zigzag timelines and shared bewilderments.
Anyway-- we are awake because the new couple just got in from the airport nd the driver was beeping to wake up the slumbering watchman outside our flimsy tin car gate-- we re in a compound of sorts and evidently a good part of town. The president of the African Union(it's a big deal) isbaround the corner. I have not learned how to tell yet. Our street is dirt, huge holes to navigate. Power has been good so far, only a few outages. Walking on the road is such a crazy circus!!
Men women dogs goats very old very young well dressed and clean filthy and ragged trucks little cars bulldozer no bikes? No curbs rocks trash nug huge shiny church littlenmarket cellphones everywhere. Aljazeera and Biggest Loser on TV. Biggest loser!? Chickens in little cages. Lots of construction, female concrete crew! 20 of them in long skirts and big straw hats shocking load after load of gravel and cement and wheelbarrow. No blaze orange or hard hats. Scaffolding of sticks. Must take forever.
Sugar is in short supply right now. Tefaro says the government tried to impose a tarrif or restriction so the business groups rebelled and stopped supplying it?
Ally and I both really struggling over not being able to communicate w Family. Based our whole comm. Strategy on being able to skype and email via WiFi. Had reports of close by hotel Millenium having reliable wifi. Walked up there this aft, it's so close, but closed for renovations( wish I could relate how absurd that notion is in context). No time to remedy right now. Must try to catch cab tomorrow evening to Sheraton or other hotspot. Our guest house has dial up ally and ibboth got to our email accnts, but neither can read the emails .Welcome to Africa:)
Up and out at 6am for 3 hour bumpy ride down to hosanna orphanage. Hard to believe we finally get to meet him. Back to sleep I hope.
Friday, May 20, 2011
We are in Addis!
(sent via email upon arrival on Friday)
Hey!!! We are here in Addis. Too many details to share. Been walking tryig to find WIFI--no luck. We have checked in at guest house. May be a day or two before we can connect--- just learned that we will be up first thing tomorrow AM headed south to Hosanna. Will meet Israel! In good hands with agency people here. Please post for us. Peace!!!! J&A
Hey!!! We are here in Addis. Too many details to share. Been walking tryig to find WIFI--no luck. We have checked in at guest house. May be a day or two before we can connect--- just learned that we will be up first thing tomorrow AM headed south to Hosanna. Will meet Israel! In good hands with agency people here. Please post for us. Peace!!!! J&A
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
And we're off!!!
Not actually off the ground yet but driving to DC where we will catch our nonstop 14 hour flight to Ethiopia. We cannot believe it is finally here. We are so excited to meet little Israel. We are so thankful for prayers. We have felt the Lord's peace all day. Jeff and I are setting out on this journey with a tremendous amount of joy but admit that the details are a bit overwhelming. We will miss Patterson and William greatly and already look forward to seeing them next Thursday.
We would love your prayers for smooth travels, expedited court processing and health/safety for health/safety for all!
We would love your prayers for smooth travels, expedited court processing and health/safety for health/safety for all!
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Its about time!
Up until now, to get an update on our adoption you had to accidentally run into us:)
We are very excited to share our journey--(and finally join the digital age!)
The latest is:
-headed to Ethiopia in two weeks!
-the main reason is to petition the court
-we will stay at our agency's guest house in Addis Ababa
-we will head to the south region and meet Israel(he will not be told who we are or why we are there)
We are excited to see the country and learn more about the culture, but obviously the great anticipation is to meet him. Wow.
Thanks to all who are praying and supporting us.
A and J
We are very excited to share our journey--(and finally join the digital age!)
The latest is:
-headed to Ethiopia in two weeks!
-the main reason is to petition the court
-we will stay at our agency's guest house in Addis Ababa
-we will head to the south region and meet Israel(he will not be told who we are or why we are there)
We are excited to see the country and learn more about the culture, but obviously the great anticipation is to meet him. Wow.
Thanks to all who are praying and supporting us.
A and J
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)