Back In The USA!

Just a quick entry to say we are back safe and sound in the USA. We had quite the welcoming committee at the airport. Thanks to everyone who came out to welcome us home. It meant so much to have all of you there. It was a tough 18 hours plane ride back with no sleep and I caught a virus before we left and I was pretty sick on the plane ride. So to see all of you coming off the plane lifted our spirits. Tam is amazing and we are overwhelmed by God’s precious gift. He is speaking more English each day, smiling, laughing and enjoying his new home. No real issues yet although he likes to go outside without telling me. I am still not up to par but will try and write more later. Thanks again for all your love and support.

Crater Lake.. The Big Adventure!

We spent yesterday on a wild adventure driving 3 hours west of Addis Ababa to a breathtaking lake called “Crater Lake.” The last hour of driving was in our big bus on rocky roads and steep ravines. We brought along tons of food so we could pass it out to the many children we saw along the way. When we would stop they would crowd the bus wanting a glimpse us and oh so pleased when we had treats to give them. Tamerat wanted to give them his new backback that Kim had given him which made me tear. He ended up giving the pants he was wearing to a little boy who had pants on that were so badly shredded and pinned together with big safety pins. You could see his entire legs through the pants. We had brought an extra pair of shorts for Tam and he wanted to give him his pants.

Once we arrived we rode on horseback down to the lake. What an exciting experience for al of us. Each of us were on our own horse and led by guides. The guides ranged in age to 10 years old to 70 years old. We had quite a following of locals as we made our way down to the lake. It was of course Tam’s first time on a horse and he loved it.

Traveling that far out into the country is like stepping back in time. We saw the most beautiful landscape and countryside and the people were so friendly and curious. It was great to get out of the hustle and bustle of Addis.

Here is a picture of some of the children we met along our visit to Crater Lake. These kids have little or nothing and spend their days tending the livestock or taking care of each other. Some of the girls had little bouquets they were trying to sell. They are precious!

We are packing today as our flight leaves tonight and arrives in Dulles at 7:55am. We won’t clear customs till probably 8:45. It’s going to be a long flight as we leave at 10:30pm and fly all night. Both Stefan and I have picked us a hacking cough and I am praying it’s nothing to major. We are all so thankful for God’s hand of safety and provision while we are here. We could not have asked for a better trip or a better son! We look forward to seeing all of you upon our return. Will try and post once more before we leave with a picture.

We spent yesterday on a wild adventure driving 3 hours west of Addis Ababa to a breathtaking lake called “Crater Lake.” The last hour of driving was in our big bus on rocky roads and steep ravines. We brought along tons of food so we could pass it out to the many children we saw along the way. When we would stop they would crowd the bus wanting a glimpse us and oh so pleased when we had treats to give them. Tamerat wanted to give them his new backback that Kim had given him which made me tear. He ended up giving the pants he was wearing to a little boy who had pants on that were so badly shredded and pinned together with big safety pins. You could see his entire legs through the pants. We had brought an extra pair of shorts for Tam and he wanted to give him his pants.

Once we arrived we rode on horseback down to the lake. What an exciting experience for al of us. Each of us were on our own horse and led by guides. The guides ranged in age to 10 years old to 70 years old. We had quite a following of locals as we made our way down to the lake. It was of course Tam’s first time on a horse and he loved it.

Traveling that far out into the country is like stepping back in time. We saw the most beautiful landscape and countryside and the people were so friendly and curious. It was great to get out of the hustle and bustle of Addis.

We are packing today as our flight leaves tonight and arrives in Dulles at 7:55am. We won’t clear customs till probably 8:45. It’s going to be a long flight as we leave at 10:30pm and fly all night. Both Stefan and I have picked us a hacking cough and I am praying it’s nothing to major. We are all so thankful for God’s hand of safety and provision while we are here. We could not have asked for a better trip or a better son! We look forward to seeing all of you upon our return. Will try and post once more before we leave with a picture.

A Day On The Road

Today we spent the day on the road seeing so many things! We had the same bus that I rode on last year on my missions trip with Sammy “Mario Andretti” and Surafel at the helm! Our first stop was the National Ethiopian Museum where we saw lots of cool artifacts, clothing and history about Ethiopia. From there is was on to the “Mercato” an outdoor shopping market where they sell everything. You have to see it to believe it. We walked the streets for a couple of hours taking in it all. It is pure chaos and driving in it was an art form. Some of the sights were very disturbing. Things you would never see in the US. People with elephantiasis, leprosy and crawling on the pavement with twisted legs. You saw young girls with babies sitting on the streets begging and children that were no more than 3 or 4 selling things and roaming the streets. It puts our blessed life into perspective so quickly. Life is so hard here especially for women and children.

Just had to drop this picture in to show you how the kids live at Hanna’s orphanage. This is a neighborhood where the kids live. Each little house is two small rooms housing 8 children and a house Mom. They eat, sleep and hang out here and go to Hanna’s larger compound to study and play. The insides are neatly kept but pretty barren. There is one solo light bulb and no running water. Hanna is trying to buy a large place as she is paying rent for over 15 of these little houses and they keep going up in rent. Although these children don’t have much they are happy and joyful and so much fun to be around!

Hello to Mrs. Robertson's 4th Grade Class!

Salaam to Mrs. Robertson’s 3rd Grade class. That means “Peace be unto you.” This greeting is being sent all the way from Ethiopia to Dominion Academy! Ethiopia is on the continent of Africa. Take a look on your map in your classroom and see how far it is from the United States. It took us 16 hours by plane to get here! We only stopped once in Rome, Italy so they could refuel the plane but we did not even have to get off the airplane. Madeline wishes she could have been there for her first week of school but she is in Ethiopia picking up her new brother Tam. Tam was born here in Ethiopia and is six years old. He is experiencing all kinds of things for the first time! Ice cream, going to church, swimming, riding in an elevator, and eating American food are just to name a few. I know he will want to come to Maddy’s school to meet all of you!

Today we went to a big open air market called the “Mercato” where they sell everything. It is outside and there are so many people selling things. We were able to buy a few souvenirs to bring home to the US. We also visited an orphanage called AHOPE today that cares for children that do not have Mom’s and Dad’s. We were able to bring them many donations and some fun things too like candy. Above is a picture of Maddy handing out candy to some of the kids. Tomorrow we are taking a trip to the countryside where we will be able to ride horses down to a lake. Have a great first week of school and Maddy hopes to see you next week once she recovers from being seven hours ahead of you in time! God Bless!

Successful Embassy Appointment

Today was our embassy appointment at the American Embassy where they issue Tam’s Visa to travel. It was successful and Tamerat is cleared for take off! Today we asked Tamerat his name and he said “My name is Tamerat Asfaw.” We told him after the paperwork he is now Tamerat Mandanis. He had a huge grin and later when someone asked him what his father’s name was he proudly answered Mandanis.” We had dinner with the sweet lady who helped Andrea and Pete Kidd deliver our photo album to Tam several months ago and translate it to him. She is a nurse for the children at America World Adoption. She is truly making a difference in her country. Tomorrow we are going to AHOPE to visit. This is an organization that cares for children with HIV. We are brining donations and hope to meet the children and learn more about their work here in Addis.

Please pray for the Putty family. They are a family with CWA who have five children of their own and came to Ethiopia to adopt a little boy. There was an error in their paperwork and they now need an addendum to their I-171 from USCIS. It took me 4 weeks to get this addendum back home. They brought three of their children with them. They thought they were leaving on Friday with us and now they are looking at an extended stay. A very hard situation to be in!

Tam is now showing much more personality and the signs of a being a true boy! Climbing on things, making animal noises at dinner and using the utensils as instruments. There is a new mischievous grin that has just surfaced as well. The newness for Madeline has worn off and I think she now finds him a little annoying and someone who is competing for our attention. All of which we expected! Love will grow! His finger is much better but pray for Stefan as we think he may be having some stomach issues. Please email us as we love getting emails from home! Thanks to Francine who gave me “Marley & Me.” It’s a book about a crazy yellow lab and all his antics. I read some excerpts to Stefan in bed last night and we laughed so hard we cried! I highly recommend it! Signing off..

Stefan is the Man!

My husband is the most amazing handiman ever! I totally destroyed our USB port which downloads our pictures. Very precious item but Stefan took it apart with nail clippers and untweaked it! Can you say Maguiver? I wish I could post all the pictures of Hanna’s because there are so many great ones that really paint the picture of our experience and how precious the kids are but I am only allowed to load one at a time. We did face painting and this one is of Tam! Hi to Bella who is on a playdate at Marla’s house. Donna Tanner if you are reading one of the girls asked for you by name and wondered if you were with us. You made quite an impressions! We are off to dinner. Tomorrow is our embassy appointment and dinner with our friend Fortuna who helped the Kidds translate our photo album when they visited Tam several months ago.

When we were at Hanna’s the girls there could not resist braiding Maddy’!s hair. She kept it in overnight and then had to shower. Tonight there was a huge thunder and lighting storm and we were on the 12th floor having dinner and we looked down at the pool and can you believe there were at least 10 people swimming in the pool? It was crazy! We played crazy eights tonight with Tam. He played one hand with me and then immediately caught on and played is own hands. Tomorrow we go to the embassy and will get his Visa to get back into the USA!