It has been a while since we have blogged and although we have been talking about it alot in the past month or two neither of us have actually done anything, sorry!
We had a pretty harsh April through June but God is faithful and we are a family working on being a family. Sam has is prostethic leg which is good and bad, it rubs a blister on one area of scar tissue so he cant wear it for long periods of time. We will be going in to "revise" the scar on Oct. 7th they said 85% chance that it will fix the problems and just make it more comfortable in general. Sam is excited to do it, he really wants to wear the leg all day and not have it hurt!
The rest of the family it busy, school is in full swing we have a 9th grader (so not ready to have a high schooler) 6th, (2) 5th, 3rd, and 2nd! They all love school though and are very happy to have friends and social interaction with more than just siblings and an occasional friend.
We are busy with that soccer and the orphan care ministry at our church. We are working on a concert/informational evening in Nov. Other than that we are continuing to grow together not always easy or fun but it will be so worth it!
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Check the Basket
At 3 months old Moses was put into a basket and sent down the river so he would be saved from the Pharaoh. Pharaohs daughter went down to the river to bathe and found the basket with Moses in it. She had to know what would be in the river because a few verses earlier we were told that Pharaoh ordered all baby boys were to be thrown into the river. Not a great place for a bath in my opinion. But God had a plan for the little boy in the basket and was able to use the family of the Pharaoh. As we continue to read we know of the amazing things God did through that little boy.
I can't help but wonder what is waiting in the 143,000,000 baskets today. When we look at some of the people who were once waiting in the baskets it is an amazing list. The Philosopher Aristotle, Bo Diddley (the musician), Eleanor Roosevelt (former first lady), Dante Culpepper (professional football player), John Hancock (Signer of the Declaration of Independence) and Nelson Mandella just to list a few. Nelson Mandella was not adopted until he was 9 years old. He was taken in by a family who loved and nurtured him and the people of South Africa are so thankful for the leader he became.
Does God have a basket waiting for you today? As Christians we first and foremost need to understand that all of the waiting children are loved unconditionally by the same God who loved us and gave himself up so we may live. What is God calling you to give up so an orphan can live? I understand that God is not calling all Christians to adopt, but there are so many ways we can honor God by helping one orphan at a time. (See the my favorite posts on the right for 10 Ways that every Christian can help an orphan or waiting child)
Psalm 68:4-6 Sing to God, sing praises to his name, extol him who rides on the clouds, his name is Lord - and rejoice before him. A father to the fatherless, a defender of the widows is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in family's, he leads forth the the prisoners with singing: but the rebellious live in a sun scorched land.
We are Gods family and the body of Christ is where he desires to place the lonely. Does God have a basket for you that you are afraid to open? Are you afraid that this will change your life? As an adoptive father I promise you that it will! Pray for Gods leading in where he wants to use you to help the orphans and follow the calling he lays on your heart. It can be anywhere from being an adoptive parent to simply praying regularly for an adoptive family, but open your heart to the possibilities.
I can't help but wonder what is waiting in the 143,000,000 baskets today. When we look at some of the people who were once waiting in the baskets it is an amazing list. The Philosopher Aristotle, Bo Diddley (the musician), Eleanor Roosevelt (former first lady), Dante Culpepper (professional football player), John Hancock (Signer of the Declaration of Independence) and Nelson Mandella just to list a few. Nelson Mandella was not adopted until he was 9 years old. He was taken in by a family who loved and nurtured him and the people of South Africa are so thankful for the leader he became.
Does God have a basket waiting for you today? As Christians we first and foremost need to understand that all of the waiting children are loved unconditionally by the same God who loved us and gave himself up so we may live. What is God calling you to give up so an orphan can live? I understand that God is not calling all Christians to adopt, but there are so many ways we can honor God by helping one orphan at a time. (See the my favorite posts on the right for 10 Ways that every Christian can help an orphan or waiting child)
Psalm 68:4-6 Sing to God, sing praises to his name, extol him who rides on the clouds, his name is Lord - and rejoice before him. A father to the fatherless, a defender of the widows is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in family's, he leads forth the the prisoners with singing: but the rebellious live in a sun scorched land.
We are Gods family and the body of Christ is where he desires to place the lonely. Does God have a basket for you that you are afraid to open? Are you afraid that this will change your life? As an adoptive father I promise you that it will! Pray for Gods leading in where he wants to use you to help the orphans and follow the calling he lays on your heart. It can be anywhere from being an adoptive parent to simply praying regularly for an adoptive family, but open your heart to the possibilities.
A funny thing on the way to Chinese
Last night a few of us went to pick up Chinese, as we were leaving the parking lot there is a little day care place with the little buses out front when Abby asks "Why Mom?" I start telling her about the fact that some parents work long hours and the buses come get kids from school...... Abby grows more and more upset, "Cold Mom, Ethiopia Mom, no food" she is pratically in tears at this time when I catch a glimpse of what she is seeing. There are two people on a bench infront of the day care. "We will go back Abby we will help them okay." We turn around and go back, Abby is so upset her seat belt is off and she is ready to jump out of the car and run to help these poor people and then.... they are statues!!!
We laughed and laughed, it was a statue of a little girl reading a book to a little boy. I was happy that it was only statues but it brought back memories of cold, hunger, and despair for Abby. I am so thankful that I know God can use the worst of circumstances and turn them into something for His glory. Because Abby has known hunger, cold, and fear she is unafraid to seek those hurting out and to do all she can to help them. May we all have moments of laughter in our lives to mix with the tears of sadness. May we all use our sadness and pain to lighten the load of others.
We laughed and laughed, it was a statue of a little girl reading a book to a little boy. I was happy that it was only statues but it brought back memories of cold, hunger, and despair for Abby. I am so thankful that I know God can use the worst of circumstances and turn them into something for His glory. Because Abby has known hunger, cold, and fear she is unafraid to seek those hurting out and to do all she can to help them. May we all have moments of laughter in our lives to mix with the tears of sadness. May we all use our sadness and pain to lighten the load of others.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Torn between two worlds
Little Abby's home sickness is profound. She has lost a very ill mother and a little brother whom she worries about anytime she is not busy. Her home, language, food, friends, and way of life. One moment she tells me she wants to stay with us until she is very old and literally two minutes later she is telling me she will go back to Ethiopia to marry and raise a family as soon as she is 18.
She is torn; her two worlds clash in so many ways. I am sad for her, broken with her, and waiting for God to turn her mourning into gladness. No matter where she goes neither place will really be "home" at least not right now. They both have good and bad things about them as every season of life has it's positive and negative attributes. Her favorite things about Ethiopia: Mom, brother, Ethiopian food. Her favorite things about America: Hannah Montanna, french fries, shopping, and powdered doughnuts! I don't know what the future holds perhaps she will return to Ethiopia when she is old enough and live out her days there. Perhaps she will visit and find that it no longer holds the memories and allure.
She is torn; her two worlds clash in so many ways. I am sad for her, broken with her, and waiting for God to turn her mourning into gladness. No matter where she goes neither place will really be "home" at least not right now. They both have good and bad things about them as every season of life has it's positive and negative attributes. Her favorite things about Ethiopia: Mom, brother, Ethiopian food. Her favorite things about America: Hannah Montanna, french fries, shopping, and powdered doughnuts! I don't know what the future holds perhaps she will return to Ethiopia when she is old enough and live out her days there. Perhaps she will visit and find that it no longer holds the memories and allure.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Numbers
I love numbers, I work with numbers, I often think in numbers. Numbers are always the same, there is no gray it is black and white it is right or wrong. Recently I was sent an email with some numbers that have caused me sleepless nights.
I have known for over a year that there are 143,000,000 (143 MILLION) children in this world who are waking up with no one to care for them. They survive the day to return to restless slumber with no one to hold them in the dark night. This is disturbing to me and I think it should be to anyone with a heart. But I learned something more heart wrenching than that....
There are 2,100,000,000 that is 2.1 BILLION people who claim to follow Christ in this world. With those statistics if 7% of those claiming Christ to be their Lord would adopt 1 (only one) child we could wipe out this sickening tragity called "orphans". I weep for the children, I weep for the families, I weep for the memories that have not been made, the lives that have been lost alone when God intended them to be in a family. There are people out there who God has been speaking too. Guiding to adopt He has shown them what to do but they have not been able to trust they have allowed fear.... selfishness... ignorance.... or perhaps a calloused heart... to keep them from paths of incredible adventure. We struggled with all of these things too; but this life is not our own, we have been bought with the blood of Christ. His heart should be our heart, His ways should be our ways. I am not pretending to be perfect or saying that I always do what God would want me to do.
I am sick and tired of living a life of routine, I am tired of being self absorebed, I am not an American.... I am a follower of the God of heaven and Earth. I am ready to be broken for Christ's sake, to live a life that is a clear picture of grace and love, I am ready to serve. Are you ready? What holds you back? I beg of you go before the Lord with an open heart allow Him to impart truth into your life and then ACT! The path is not always clear but the purpose is; that we may be known by the love we have for others.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Moving Forward
Abby & Sam are in school full time now. Abby is doing great. She is still shy, but has made friends and is learning academically. Her best subject is Math, but is enjoying meeting with
Mrs. Pasquel who is her English Second Language Teacher. She also likes to do homework which is not normal for our family. Her and Zoe are the only two who we don't have to fight to get it done! Today she got to go on her first field trip on a school bus. We live a couple blocks from the school, so this was her first time. I am not sure what she thought of the play the went to see, but she thought the bus was awesome.
Sammy on the other hand does not want to go to school. He feels his time would be better spent watching The Chronicals of Narnia. Once he gets there he usuailly does pretty good, but to get him out of bed and ready to go is like pulling teeth. Ok pulling teeth might be easier! His teacher has had to pull from the staff to get additional help to keep him on task. He is making friends and everyone wants to help him and hang out with him. It is not school that is the problem so much as submitting to authority; he is not dangeriously deffiant but he certainly has a strong will. We knew going into this that Sam's will is what kept him alive for so long, his lack of family relationships, and selfreiance would alsi be issues that would have to be over come. Considering that he has only been home 2 months Sam has made incredible strides, he has sadly had to start many, many things later than a child should and some behavior patterns will be hard to relearn.
This past weekend we were invited to visit the local ethiopian church. It was educational and the kids had a great time. The people were very accepting and friendly everyone was willing to extend extra grace to us when we didn't know protocall for different things. All in all we are pleased we went it was good for all of us in different ways. We didn't learn much spiritually as it was all in Geeze or Amahric but we all serve the same God and that is what is important!
Mrs. Pasquel who is her English Second Language Teacher. She also likes to do homework which is not normal for our family. Her and Zoe are the only two who we don't have to fight to get it done! Today she got to go on her first field trip on a school bus. We live a couple blocks from the school, so this was her first time. I am not sure what she thought of the play the went to see, but she thought the bus was awesome.
Sammy on the other hand does not want to go to school. He feels his time would be better spent watching The Chronicals of Narnia. Once he gets there he usuailly does pretty good, but to get him out of bed and ready to go is like pulling teeth. Ok pulling teeth might be easier! His teacher has had to pull from the staff to get additional help to keep him on task. He is making friends and everyone wants to help him and hang out with him. It is not school that is the problem so much as submitting to authority; he is not dangeriously deffiant but he certainly has a strong will. We knew going into this that Sam's will is what kept him alive for so long, his lack of family relationships, and selfreiance would alsi be issues that would have to be over come. Considering that he has only been home 2 months Sam has made incredible strides, he has sadly had to start many, many things later than a child should and some behavior patterns will be hard to relearn.
This past weekend we were invited to visit the local ethiopian church. It was educational and the kids had a great time. The people were very accepting and friendly everyone was willing to extend extra grace to us when we didn't know protocall for different things. All in all we are pleased we went it was good for all of us in different ways. We didn't learn much spiritually as it was all in Geeze or Amahric but we all serve the same God and that is what is important!
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Week In Review
Abby and Sam both went to 3 full days of school! We had kids home sick almost every day this week but we have survived. No school Friday or Monday so it is a 4 day break! Sam and Abby got to meet their Papa Ron for the first time. That was VERY EXCITING! Abby ran right up to him and gave him a huge hug. Sam waited as everyone squeezed in for a hug but he was very excited to meet his Papa.
Valentines Day is a first, filling out cards was great practice for writing our letters, passing them out was good pratice for sharing! Last night Abby was so funny. She loves to punch people and she started punching Dad in the kitchen. Abby punches, Dad punches back, Abby punches, Dad punches back. About the third time Abby pretends to be hurt and Dad says "Show me the tears Abby" Abby replies "Wait!" She runs to the sink and splashes water on her face, "See Dad, see!" It was hysterically funny. It has been amazing how quickly they are learning english!
Over all things are going well, Abby is starting to become accustome to American food. It has helped a lot that she likes to eat lunch in the school cafeteria. So now Mom's food isn't so bad after all! We have found several things she really likes and a lot of stuff she will eat anyway. Sam on the other hand has found food he doesn't like; including school food! He love cheddar brauts and still laughs with such sheer joy at the silliest things! It really helps when we are having a bad day to be able to listen to that laugh.
Valentines Day is a first, filling out cards was great practice for writing our letters, passing them out was good pratice for sharing! Last night Abby was so funny. She loves to punch people and she started punching Dad in the kitchen. Abby punches, Dad punches back, Abby punches, Dad punches back. About the third time Abby pretends to be hurt and Dad says "Show me the tears Abby" Abby replies "Wait!" She runs to the sink and splashes water on her face, "See Dad, see!" It was hysterically funny. It has been amazing how quickly they are learning english!
Over all things are going well, Abby is starting to become accustome to American food. It has helped a lot that she likes to eat lunch in the school cafeteria. So now Mom's food isn't so bad after all! We have found several things she really likes and a lot of stuff she will eat anyway. Sam on the other hand has found food he doesn't like; including school food! He love cheddar brauts and still laughs with such sheer joy at the silliest things! It really helps when we are having a bad day to be able to listen to that laugh.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
The Tax Collector & Us
I have recently picked up an old study that I did on the book of Mark years ago. I love the book of Mark, I got as far 2: 13 - 17 today; The Calling of Levi. Levi is a tax collector and Jesus simply said "follow me" Levi wisely chose to follow and it changed his life forever! Levi is also the apostle Matthew.
This is such a meaningful passage to me right now because I keep hearing comments about how wonderful we are. Honestly don't feel wonderful at all. I know people are saying it kindly but we are nothing special; we are tax collectors whom Jesus called and chose to follow. We have not done anything grand, nothing extordary. We are failing the calling god has put before us in so many ways. We are simply living out the grace that God has bestowed upon us. It is not easy, it is not always fun, it is work just like anything else worth doing well! But there are certainly great rewards. The smiles of our children, the life lessons of compassion, grace, patience, and sacrifice. Comparing the first pictures of the kids we got to the pictures we take now. That is priceless....truely, honestly, and humblingly priceless.
This is such a meaningful passage to me right now because I keep hearing comments about how wonderful we are. Honestly don't feel wonderful at all. I know people are saying it kindly but we are nothing special; we are tax collectors whom Jesus called and chose to follow. We have not done anything grand, nothing extordary. We are failing the calling god has put before us in so many ways. We are simply living out the grace that God has bestowed upon us. It is not easy, it is not always fun, it is work just like anything else worth doing well! But there are certainly great rewards. The smiles of our children, the life lessons of compassion, grace, patience, and sacrifice. Comparing the first pictures of the kids we got to the pictures we take now. That is priceless....truely, honestly, and humblingly priceless.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Good Stuff
The good stuff; Sam's all out laughter at the smallest of things. Abby's love of every thing she comes in contact with (with the exception of food:) Praying together, growing together, learning together. Celebrating a new life and a new family unit.
Abby started going to school on Tuesday, we went for math, Wednesday she went for math and lunch with Dad! Today we are going to leave Abby in the class room, it is a big step. I think Sam and I will go all the way down the hall to the library! Sam met his teacher after school on Tuesday, he will start going to school for an hour or so on Monday. They are both anxious to get going. The teachers and kids have been wonderful every time we have gone to lunch or visited the school they have been so friendly and kind.
They are also excited about learning to ride a bike. We have two trundles (they hook on to a regular bike and have the back wheel, pedals, and bike handles) so Rob hooked those up out of sheer insantity last night. It was very lightly snowing by the time we got tires aired up and everyone ready to go. We rode for around 15 minutes (the trundles are great for helping with the idea of balance) by the time we got home it was really coming down. We have about 5 inches out there this morning. Normally I would not go biking in snow no matter how hard the kids begged, most of the kids went though, only the two oldest (wisest) stayed home:)
It is incredible to watch all of us growing together. I am so thankful that we have been blessed with 6 little lives to guide and direct. May God give us the wisdom to guide them well and keep all of their hearts soft towards Him. I pray constantly that each of them will have the grace to forgive us too, as parents make mistakes too, who doesn't need forgiveness!
We are so very blessed, even in the hard times that I can not express the joy growing can be. It is not always easy or fun but it is good, very good, for all of us.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Remember Me
"Remember me" that is what Sam's ET father told him the last time he saw him. It has been very hard for all of us as Sam's memories are not good. How do you tell a 7 year old who doesn't speak your language that he can remember his father but he doesn't have to live in the past? Sam has shared with us some things that happened with his father even with our limited communication we knew it was not pleasant. We were blessed with a visit of some older children who moved from ET 2 years ago and when Sam began to tell a very wise 16 year old what his memories were the young man ask him to stop. He very wisely told Sam that he didn't want to hear those things and that Sam needs to focus on all the opportunities he has now and not the past. We are so grateful for his wisdom!
Yesterday was very difficult for Sam as he struggles to figure out does he follow the advice of his new friend or his father's last request. It was a long day filled with mood swings, temper tantrums, tears, and mostly confusion. He is having a better day today for which I am exceedingly grateful! I will be so pleased when we have better communication with him.
I think now, that at 7 he bears an awful burden, choices that only he can make. Will he chose to participate in our family or be sullen, depressed, moody, and angry forever? To be faced with this choices that many adults struggle with; to forgive or hold on to anger, live in the past or for the blessings of today? To us it seems clear, embrace the family that has prayed for you, loved you, and sacrificed for you. Not to make you forget your past but to give you a future! Yet I know adults who chose to hold on to all the bad not seeing that there could be so much good if only they would let go of their hurts.
Yesterday was very difficult for Sam as he struggles to figure out does he follow the advice of his new friend or his father's last request. It was a long day filled with mood swings, temper tantrums, tears, and mostly confusion. He is having a better day today for which I am exceedingly grateful! I will be so pleased when we have better communication with him.
I think now, that at 7 he bears an awful burden, choices that only he can make. Will he chose to participate in our family or be sullen, depressed, moody, and angry forever? To be faced with this choices that many adults struggle with; to forgive or hold on to anger, live in the past or for the blessings of today? To us it seems clear, embrace the family that has prayed for you, loved you, and sacrificed for you. Not to make you forget your past but to give you a future! Yet I know adults who chose to hold on to all the bad not seeing that there could be so much good if only they would let go of their hurts.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Food!
Food is with out a doubt our biggest issue with Abigail. I was feeling frustrated yesterday as I offered her at least 20 things and "no Mom" was the response to all of them. But then she looks at me and says "Eat Mom?" It is frustrating after almost a month home and still not being able to find stuff she really likes. The bigger perspective; that is our biggest issue! She has attached well, is communicating effectively, and seems to be adjusting with out any major hitches. Not to mention she will let me do her hair! I am not great, and certainly not fast, but she is tolerant.
Sam has some food issues too but they are getting better. He is the complete opposite of Abby, he eats everything! At first he struggled with hoarding, over eating, and sharing (even a loaf of bread). Sam has suffered sever hunger and his reactions were nothing that we had not been prepared for thanks to a wonderful and informative conference by Kingdom Kids. We have made food available at all times and this last week Sam actually said "no" to food when it was offered to him! That is huge; we didn't expect him to trust that we would care for him and meet his needs so quickly.
In short the fact that food is our biggest issue is a blessing and an answer to the many prayers we sent up while we were waiting. They are happy for the most part and have blended pretty well with the family. There are small things to look at but they are small; not all consuming huge issues. I will continue to remind my self of these things as the familiar phrase "America food bad" is repeated for the thousandth time. :)
Sam has some food issues too but they are getting better. He is the complete opposite of Abby, he eats everything! At first he struggled with hoarding, over eating, and sharing (even a loaf of bread). Sam has suffered sever hunger and his reactions were nothing that we had not been prepared for thanks to a wonderful and informative conference by Kingdom Kids. We have made food available at all times and this last week Sam actually said "no" to food when it was offered to him! That is huge; we didn't expect him to trust that we would care for him and meet his needs so quickly.
In short the fact that food is our biggest issue is a blessing and an answer to the many prayers we sent up while we were waiting. They are happy for the most part and have blended pretty well with the family. There are small things to look at but they are small; not all consuming huge issues. I will continue to remind my self of these things as the familiar phrase "America food bad" is repeated for the thousandth time. :)
Friday, January 25, 2008
Communication
We have been able to communicate with Abby & Sammy more and more everyday. We have been using Amharicdictionary.com and it is proving to be an amazing tool. We are finding out about their family history and about their life in Ethiopia.
We now know that Sammy has a little brother who still lives in ET with his dad. We are now praying for him (Abraham) and his safety, not sure of what his dad plans to do with him. Sammy thinks it would be a good idea for us to go get him. We will put that in Gods hands and pray that his will be done. We also found out his leg was taken later than we thought. Sammy still remembers the surgery very vividly. He is excited about the possibility of getting a prosthetic. We have an appointment with the Shriner's in February to have him evaluated and will be advised of a timeline after that.
We also learned that Abigail graduated her first year of Karate. She would love to get into it here in the State's. She loved her little brother very much. We have not been able to find out why she was removed from the home, but she will tell us when she is ready. Every day she is using more English in her communication. We are amazed at how quickly she is picking it up!
We are looking at starting both of them in school. Our local school got together with all their teachers and councilors to put together a game plan on how to make this successful. We are thinking that we will put them in Math Class, Gym, Music, Recess, Art etc. We are thinking that it will make the transition easier, and allow them to get more exposure to learning our language without a lot of pressure.
We now know that Sammy has a little brother who still lives in ET with his dad. We are now praying for him (Abraham) and his safety, not sure of what his dad plans to do with him. Sammy thinks it would be a good idea for us to go get him. We will put that in Gods hands and pray that his will be done. We also found out his leg was taken later than we thought. Sammy still remembers the surgery very vividly. He is excited about the possibility of getting a prosthetic. We have an appointment with the Shriner's in February to have him evaluated and will be advised of a timeline after that.
We also learned that Abigail graduated her first year of Karate. She would love to get into it here in the State's. She loved her little brother very much. We have not been able to find out why she was removed from the home, but she will tell us when she is ready. Every day she is using more English in her communication. We are amazed at how quickly she is picking it up!
We are looking at starting both of them in school. Our local school got together with all their teachers and councilors to put together a game plan on how to make this successful. We are thinking that we will put them in Math Class, Gym, Music, Recess, Art etc. We are thinking that it will make the transition easier, and allow them to get more exposure to learning our language without a lot of pressure.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Routine
We are finally starting to get into some kind of routine around here. It is good for everyone to know what to expect from the day ahead. Today we had a translator and Sam's desires, "I don't have enough clothes or games and when do I get my leg?" Don't you just love human nature! I have not let the kids go shopping, in an effort to keep them from getting into the mind set that they can have everything they want but they are certainly NOT without clothing! Sam alone has two drawers stuffed with pants and plenty of shirts. He collects shoes no matter the size, he has at least 8 that he has claimed as his own. It reminds me of my self and how God has granted me so many gifts and I still don't say thank you often enough. Instead I come whining for something else.
Abigail seems to be content except that we have not let her call her ET Mom. She is allowed to write but are not to sure about telephone calls just yet. It is hard to have your heart in two places at the same time! We need to be sure that she is part of our family before we foster a continued relationship with those in Ethiopia. Speaking of phone calls Sam called 911 the other day, at least they called before they showed up at the door. It only takes a minute and with 6 kids in the house it is easy to slip away. We had to explain that 911 (the prefix for any calls in Addis Ababa) calls the police in America! He hasn't done it again at least:) well not yet!
Abigail seems to be content except that we have not let her call her ET Mom. She is allowed to write but are not to sure about telephone calls just yet. It is hard to have your heart in two places at the same time! We need to be sure that she is part of our family before we foster a continued relationship with those in Ethiopia. Speaking of phone calls Sam called 911 the other day, at least they called before they showed up at the door. It only takes a minute and with 6 kids in the house it is easy to slip away. We had to explain that 911 (the prefix for any calls in Addis Ababa) calls the police in America! He hasn't done it again at least:) well not yet!
Thursday, January 17, 2008
God's Sovereign Hand!
Just in case you have been wondering where we have been I will give you a recap from the last week. Rob felt yucky; not horrible just not great Saturday and Sunday. Monday his sinuses were bleeding terribly! He had sores in his mouth and was very pale, he called to get into the doctor's who recommended he should go directly to the ER. From there I found out he was in quarantine for TB. Then he was out but being run through a bunch of tests. By around 1:30 pm the doctor called to tell me Rob was bleeding from his ears and nose and covered in ulcers! I knew his sinuses where bleeding but also found out he was bleeding from his ears and developing ulcers; things had taken a serious turn for the worse. He was being admitted and just so I knew it was very serious; he was being run through a CAT scan to make sure his brain wasn't bleeding. By the way he has ITP and just in case I hadn't figured it out it could be life threatening.
I decided not to tell anyone but the oldest kids as my information had left me with a lovely picture in my head of my husband sitting in a bed with open wounds, tubes, and blood pouring from his body. And yes I kind of had a feeling things weren't great even before the doctor was so wonderfully supportive. Normally I would have been at the hospital but we have two new children who have personally experienced the loss of at least one parent. It is not highly recommend for healthy bonding to bring a child home and two weeks later go into the hospital nor is it to bring them to see their Dad who looks like a monster from the description. Needless to say I was very concerned for Rob and the kids as well.
At the hospital I (Rob) was not being given all the information they were telling Elissa. The bleeding was all internal and the external ulcers were tiny red spots. I felt OK and did not look like the monster that Elissa had been told. I was told that my immune system had identified my Platelets in my blood as the enemy. When they figured this out my Platelets were down to 2000 and they should have been around 50,000. They gave me a CAT scan to find out if I had bleeding in my brain, that was the life threatening part. Luckily there was no bleeding in my brain and they admitted me to the hospital to start treatment. I was told that if all went well I would be out by the end of the week.
After the first treatment it was not looking good. (This was Tuesday when they told Elissa that Rob was not responding to treatment and they would try the steroid drip once more before they went with more invasive treatment. As a wife and mother this is when I became truly afraid. What was going through the heads of our precious new ones? They must have so many questions that we cant answer, or even understand! Our biological children were all told and each responded in their own way fear and again questions I could not answer. I knew that God was in control but it is very hard at times to trust the driver when you are blindfolded! God's ways are often not our ways, His plans not ours. Through trials we are to drawn closer to God, through suffering we are to be made more like Christ. They are not pleasant experiences ever but "God never wastes a heartache".) Rob's platelets had only come up to 3,000 and they were expecting 20,000 before they would even consider letting him go home. He was being pumped full of steroids to shut down his immune system and allow the other treatments to work. We found out that this disease was most likely caused by the live Malaria vaccine with Quinine we were given for our trip to Ethiopia. Rob very specifically told the nurse who was giving the vaccinations that we didn't want that one because of the possible side effects, but she assured us that that it was not the live version with Quinine. So it goes, this is why we researched all the shots and side effects before we got them!
Praise be to God, Rob was released on Wednesday evening! Much earlier than expected and to our great relief! We are truly thankful to God, our church family, and our friends as I don't know how we could have managed with out the prayers and support that went up for our family. We are thankful that Rob did respond to treatment and are praying that it will not be a chronic problem. God's hand formed this family one by one and His will be done for each of us.
It is amazing how many people have tapped into this blog and we don't know many of you, so we want to leave this with you today "Though the fig tree may not blossom. Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls- Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation" Habakkuk 3:17 & 18
The sovereign part of the story is not only that God knows what he is doing but by trusting that His timing was perfect we were not in Ethiopia when all of this happened. It would have been horrible to have to put Rob on an airplane and have him taken to most likely Egypt or Italy to find a decent hospital! By trusting that God's timing to get the kids was right we were at least able to be home with family and friends to love and support us through this trial. Rest asured more trials will come and for some trials there is no happy ending on this Earth. There are no Earthly answers and no words to comfort in those times; personally today we also remember a precious life taken from us all to soon. May we all know that God has plans that we do not see and that heartaches don't have to be wasted! Grace and peace to all of you!
I decided not to tell anyone but the oldest kids as my information had left me with a lovely picture in my head of my husband sitting in a bed with open wounds, tubes, and blood pouring from his body. And yes I kind of had a feeling things weren't great even before the doctor was so wonderfully supportive. Normally I would have been at the hospital but we have two new children who have personally experienced the loss of at least one parent. It is not highly recommend for healthy bonding to bring a child home and two weeks later go into the hospital nor is it to bring them to see their Dad who looks like a monster from the description. Needless to say I was very concerned for Rob and the kids as well.
At the hospital I (Rob) was not being given all the information they were telling Elissa. The bleeding was all internal and the external ulcers were tiny red spots. I felt OK and did not look like the monster that Elissa had been told. I was told that my immune system had identified my Platelets in my blood as the enemy. When they figured this out my Platelets were down to 2000 and they should have been around 50,000. They gave me a CAT scan to find out if I had bleeding in my brain, that was the life threatening part. Luckily there was no bleeding in my brain and they admitted me to the hospital to start treatment. I was told that if all went well I would be out by the end of the week.
After the first treatment it was not looking good. (This was Tuesday when they told Elissa that Rob was not responding to treatment and they would try the steroid drip once more before they went with more invasive treatment. As a wife and mother this is when I became truly afraid. What was going through the heads of our precious new ones? They must have so many questions that we cant answer, or even understand! Our biological children were all told and each responded in their own way fear and again questions I could not answer. I knew that God was in control but it is very hard at times to trust the driver when you are blindfolded! God's ways are often not our ways, His plans not ours. Through trials we are to drawn closer to God, through suffering we are to be made more like Christ. They are not pleasant experiences ever but "God never wastes a heartache".) Rob's platelets had only come up to 3,000 and they were expecting 20,000 before they would even consider letting him go home. He was being pumped full of steroids to shut down his immune system and allow the other treatments to work. We found out that this disease was most likely caused by the live Malaria vaccine with Quinine we were given for our trip to Ethiopia. Rob very specifically told the nurse who was giving the vaccinations that we didn't want that one because of the possible side effects, but she assured us that that it was not the live version with Quinine. So it goes, this is why we researched all the shots and side effects before we got them!
Praise be to God, Rob was released on Wednesday evening! Much earlier than expected and to our great relief! We are truly thankful to God, our church family, and our friends as I don't know how we could have managed with out the prayers and support that went up for our family. We are thankful that Rob did respond to treatment and are praying that it will not be a chronic problem. God's hand formed this family one by one and His will be done for each of us.
It is amazing how many people have tapped into this blog and we don't know many of you, so we want to leave this with you today "Though the fig tree may not blossom. Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls- Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation" Habakkuk 3:17 & 18
The sovereign part of the story is not only that God knows what he is doing but by trusting that His timing was perfect we were not in Ethiopia when all of this happened. It would have been horrible to have to put Rob on an airplane and have him taken to most likely Egypt or Italy to find a decent hospital! By trusting that God's timing to get the kids was right we were at least able to be home with family and friends to love and support us through this trial. Rest asured more trials will come and for some trials there is no happy ending on this Earth. There are no Earthly answers and no words to comfort in those times; personally today we also remember a precious life taken from us all to soon. May we all know that God has plans that we do not see and that heartaches don't have to be wasted! Grace and peace to all of you!
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Loss
With the bio kids back in school and Mom unable, and unwilling, to provide the constant entertainment that 4 siblings can bring to ones life, both of the kids have begun to deal with "loss". As Americans we often think we are the answer to all these kids problems with out considering what their native land and people offered them. They have now lost their friends, language, food, sense of identity (to some extent, I will get into that more later), even the smells, and the way people drive!
Some things are funny like them wanting me to go through red lights and around the people who are clearly in our way! Others are hard and sad such as Abigail wanting to dye her hair blond and make it straight (identity). She is beautiful just the way God created her, how do you tell that to an 11 year old who barely speaks English! We have tried but I am not sure we have succeeded, I had expected the hair issues but I thought it would at least wait till she was in school!
Sam is having a hard time too, which translates into moodiness and an occasional battle of wills. Fortunately he has pick battles that are currently easy for us to win! His favorite thing to do right now is to listen to his Amharic music; this seems to put the home sickness at bay.
We did doctor's visits yesterday, it turned into an all day event. I do mean event, they both charmed everyone they came into contact with but it was a hard and long day. I ended up calling Rob to come help out. We still had to give Sam a sedative as well as get an Amharic translator. It was exhausting in every area. The up side; Sam slept till 7 am, a new record! Every cloud has a silver lining right!
Some things are funny like them wanting me to go through red lights and around the people who are clearly in our way! Others are hard and sad such as Abigail wanting to dye her hair blond and make it straight (identity). She is beautiful just the way God created her, how do you tell that to an 11 year old who barely speaks English! We have tried but I am not sure we have succeeded, I had expected the hair issues but I thought it would at least wait till she was in school!
Sam is having a hard time too, which translates into moodiness and an occasional battle of wills. Fortunately he has pick battles that are currently easy for us to win! His favorite thing to do right now is to listen to his Amharic music; this seems to put the home sickness at bay.
We did doctor's visits yesterday, it turned into an all day event. I do mean event, they both charmed everyone they came into contact with but it was a hard and long day. I ended up calling Rob to come help out. We still had to give Sam a sedative as well as get an Amharic translator. It was exhausting in every area. The up side; Sam slept till 7 am, a new record! Every cloud has a silver lining right!
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Ethiopian food
We had a good day, we worked on some school stuff and then cooked some ET food! I am very excited, it was our first shot and it tasted good! Abigail helped me make Kit Fo, sirloin steak cut very small, onion, butter, and salt. The best part was; she ate it!!!! Sam helped make beef and peppers; sirloin steak cut, diced chilies, diced red pepper, and some seasoning. Yummy, both of them.
They are both very motivated to work on school now that all the rest of the kids are gone and they are home. "School, Mom" we have told them once their English is better they can go to school. So refreshing; kids who realize that learning is a privilege. Our local school is so excited to work with them. Abigail and Sam went up to the school and met the office staff and shortly after we left we got a call from the Vice Principal who has some home school ideas for us to help prepair them for when they enter the school.
They played Foose Ball, Uno, and ran on the tread mill today. Abigail is a true Ethiopian girl, she LOVES to run. She put on 2 miles last night and 1 mile tonight. Sam is struggling with jealousy on this one, we tried to let him the treadmill last night but it didn't go to well. He really wants his prosthetic leg, then they will both be running marathons!
They are both very motivated to work on school now that all the rest of the kids are gone and they are home. "School, Mom" we have told them once their English is better they can go to school. So refreshing; kids who realize that learning is a privilege. Our local school is so excited to work with them. Abigail and Sam went up to the school and met the office staff and shortly after we left we got a call from the Vice Principal who has some home school ideas for us to help prepair them for when they enter the school.
They played Foose Ball, Uno, and ran on the tread mill today. Abigail is a true Ethiopian girl, she LOVES to run. She put on 2 miles last night and 1 mile tonight. Sam is struggling with jealousy on this one, we tried to let him the treadmill last night but it didn't go to well. He really wants his prosthetic leg, then they will both be running marathons!
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Derka, Derka
Around our house we have a phrase, "derka, derka" (Thanks Cliff) This means you have done something... well, not very bright. Like tipping your glass before it gets to your mouth causing you to spill some down your shirt will get you a "derka, derka". Or perhaps your looking for your car keys and they are in your hand, "derka, derka." I am sure we have all done this stuff from time to time, anyway, we have had the kids home for under a week and Abigail has all ready learned "derka, derka!" It was the other night at dinner when Rob set a cup of water on top of silverware, the cup spilled and Abigail looked at her wonderful father and said, "derka, derka!"
The silly little things that make us family! They have been doing so well this week, aside from waking up at 4:30 am every morning and having a hard time eating; as a family we are bonding. There is bickering and I know I am crazy but the first couple of tiff's I have been excited to hear. It means that being on our "nice behavior" is over and we are starting to really know the nice things about each other and the not so nice too. I am going to have to read this again in a couple of months when the not so nice is driving me nuts!!! But for now I am going to enjoy it.
The silly little things that make us family! They have been doing so well this week, aside from waking up at 4:30 am every morning and having a hard time eating; as a family we are bonding. There is bickering and I know I am crazy but the first couple of tiff's I have been excited to hear. It means that being on our "nice behavior" is over and we are starting to really know the nice things about each other and the not so nice too. I am going to have to read this again in a couple of months when the not so nice is driving me nuts!!! But for now I am going to enjoy it.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Expirencing the New World
Ever since we got home, Sam has been hounding me to ride a bike. I went out and shoveled all the blowing snow from the driveway and side walks to give it a try. Then I took one of the kids bikes and tried to fashion a strap so he could lift up the peddle. We ran up and down the driveway several times. I could not get the strap to hold on or it was too tight for him to get his foot out. I will need to get a toe clip and some new peddles, but as determined as this boy is he should riding by this spring. We will keep you posted on his progress and get some pictures. He is so excited about the possibility.
We also took them out to Westernaires today to watch John Ride horses. For those of you who don't know, Westernaires is the fastest precision drill team in North America and we are lucky to have it in our backyard. Sam and Abigail sat in amazement watching the Steppes Team perform. On this all boys team the boys will take turns jumping off the horse while the next boy standing on the ground jumps on without the horse breaking stride. Both Abigail and Sam are asking to ride! This should be fun. We put them on our horse just for kicks and if I wouldn't have been so nervous I would have gotten pictures! The smiles on their faces! I think they could be wonderful riders and Sam could diffenantly do trick riding or "freedom riders"; he is FEARLESS. If you want you can visit the Westernaires site they have video clips that really show you what they do: http://www.westernaires.org/
We also took them out to Westernaires today to watch John Ride horses. For those of you who don't know, Westernaires is the fastest precision drill team in North America and we are lucky to have it in our backyard. Sam and Abigail sat in amazement watching the Steppes Team perform. On this all boys team the boys will take turns jumping off the horse while the next boy standing on the ground jumps on without the horse breaking stride. Both Abigail and Sam are asking to ride! This should be fun. We put them on our horse just for kicks and if I wouldn't have been so nervous I would have gotten pictures! The smiles on their faces! I think they could be wonderful riders and Sam could diffenantly do trick riding or "freedom riders"; he is FEARLESS. If you want you can visit the Westernaires site they have video clips that really show you what they do: http://www.westernaires.org/
Friday, January 4, 2008
FYI
Anyone who is going to Ethiopia or has already been to get their kids I found a very helpful web site. If you punch in the English word you want to communicate it will translate it into Amharic. I have found it very useful when I need to communicate something to the kids.
www.amharicdictionary.com
Good luck. Abigail is helping me with annunciation.
www.amharicdictionary.com
Good luck. Abigail is helping me with annunciation.
Unphotographable
There are a couple of things that happened on our trip that I have been working to process. Things that we did not get pictures of and even if we had they never could have captured what was really taking place.
One of them for me was a child at AHOPE. While the kids were for the most part kids. Some, like the little fellow whose name I just found out to be Moyasu, were happy to have a smile, hug, or a hand to hold. Others ignored you completely. But one child walked right up to me and when I offered my hand he just looked at me. That look is unphotographable, such deep sadness. Language was unimportant and for a brief moment I saw into his world. Probably 3 or 4 and HIV+, alone in a group of 45 others. No Mother to hold him when he scrapes his knee, no Dad to learn to wrestle with. He is shunned by his people and only a shadow of what God has created him to be. It was as if a simple touch by me would have broken loose all the terrible lose this small child has suffered. That he would have lost that small reserve that kept him functioning on a moment by moment bases. To be honest with you I am not sure what I am going to do with that memory.
The other situation was at a stop light, a girl around 10 years old came to Rob's window selling those little Kleenex's wrapped in plastic. She is perfect, beautiful, and sweet. "One Birr, tissue for you." She said, Rob gave her 4 Birr and told her to keep the tissue, "Thank you, oh, thank you" was her response as we were moving away. We ask our driver about her, "she is just another street child, but at least she isn't begging." "What will happen to her?" She will probably be mistreated, possibly abused and die of AIDS or some other sickness that we should be able to be prevented. Unphotographable.... Her eyes were so bright, her smile so sincere. Does she know the fate that awaits her, what is the hope that she clings too? Can I change the dark coarse that our driver just laid out as her probable life? I wanted to go back, to put her in the taxi with us, to bring her home. I want to change what is in her future, to give her a future. Instead I am left a world apart, thinking and praying for her, I am left wondering.... what do I do with these memories?
I do not want to forget them, I want to do something with them. To change the fates of children I do not know. To change the "Zeros" into faces, hopes, dreams, to make people see with their hearts. I can not do it alone, I can not change the fates of 143 Million children alone. I want to be part of an army, an army of caring people who are willing to do something, to make a difference, to think beyond our fears, to change the world one "zero" at a time.
One of them for me was a child at AHOPE. While the kids were for the most part kids. Some, like the little fellow whose name I just found out to be Moyasu, were happy to have a smile, hug, or a hand to hold. Others ignored you completely. But one child walked right up to me and when I offered my hand he just looked at me. That look is unphotographable, such deep sadness. Language was unimportant and for a brief moment I saw into his world. Probably 3 or 4 and HIV+, alone in a group of 45 others. No Mother to hold him when he scrapes his knee, no Dad to learn to wrestle with. He is shunned by his people and only a shadow of what God has created him to be. It was as if a simple touch by me would have broken loose all the terrible lose this small child has suffered. That he would have lost that small reserve that kept him functioning on a moment by moment bases. To be honest with you I am not sure what I am going to do with that memory.
The other situation was at a stop light, a girl around 10 years old came to Rob's window selling those little Kleenex's wrapped in plastic. She is perfect, beautiful, and sweet. "One Birr, tissue for you." She said, Rob gave her 4 Birr and told her to keep the tissue, "Thank you, oh, thank you" was her response as we were moving away. We ask our driver about her, "she is just another street child, but at least she isn't begging." "What will happen to her?" She will probably be mistreated, possibly abused and die of AIDS or some other sickness that we should be able to be prevented. Unphotographable.... Her eyes were so bright, her smile so sincere. Does she know the fate that awaits her, what is the hope that she clings too? Can I change the dark coarse that our driver just laid out as her probable life? I wanted to go back, to put her in the taxi with us, to bring her home. I want to change what is in her future, to give her a future. Instead I am left a world apart, thinking and praying for her, I am left wondering.... what do I do with these memories?
I do not want to forget them, I want to do something with them. To change the fates of children I do not know. To change the "Zeros" into faces, hopes, dreams, to make people see with their hearts. I can not do it alone, I can not change the fates of 143 Million children alone. I want to be part of an army, an army of caring people who are willing to do something, to make a difference, to think beyond our fears, to change the world one "zero" at a time.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
10 Ways
The following list was put together by Family Life's Hope for the Orphans Ministry. I know we said we would post it yesterday, however we are suffering from Jet Lag so here it is a day late.
1) Plead with the father for them. (Matthew 7:7-8) Pray for a waiting child, you can go to http://www.adoptuskids.org/ and pick a child waiting for a family and pray for that child until he/she gets placed with a forever family.
2)Speak up for them. (Proverbs 31:8-9) Keep a picture of the child you are praying for and share his/her story with every believer you come in contact with. You never know that may be the family God wanted for that child.
3)Give them what they need. (James 2:15-16) Find and orphanage to support. you can send care packages, do mission trips to help maintain the facility, or financially support their efforts. We have some great friends in Cambodia who run an orphanage for HIV+ as well as abandoned children. Cambodia is a country closed to adoption and with out their help these children would have no hope. Go to http://www.cambodianoutreachproject.org/ for more information.
4)Support those who support them. (Hebrews 10:24) Find a foster or adoptive family to help. Go mow their lawn, offer to baby sit so they can have an evening out, throw a shower for an adopting family. Most of all let them know you appreciate what they do.
5) Provide them a safe place. (Psalm 146:9) Consider becoming a foster parent or an emergency foster parent (for short term placement) You can also build an orphanage, it is not as hard as it sound. Go to http://www.worldorphans.org/
6) Go visit them. (James 1:27) Take your family on a missions trip to an orphanage. There are construction trips, medical trips, help conduct a vacation bible school. taking your family on a mission trip can be life changing!
7) Give Sarcificially to them. (2Corinthians 9:7) Support a reputable orphanage or adoption ministry. You can contact us regarding donations to the Rocky Mountain Adoption Alliance Fund which is set up to give to family's in the process of adoption. Also Cambodian Outreach Project is always needing financial aide and are doing a great work. http://www.cambodianoutreachproject.org/
8) Cheer Them On. (1Thessaloians 5:14) Spenser a child. There are 20,000 teenagers that "age out" of the foster care system every year. They have no family to celebrate birthdays, Christmas, or any other holidays with. They have no place to call home. You can contact your local foster care office and let them know you would like to help a child "ageing out" of the system.
9) Give Them a Forever Family. (Psalm 69:5-6a) You can give a child a forever home through international, domestic or foster care adoption. To learn more about these types of adoption call 1-800-FLTODAY for a free booklet entitled Welcome Home: Eight Steps to Adoption
10) Mobilize Your Church for Them. Matthew 28:18-20 Churches all over the country are launching ministries dedicated adoption and orphan care. The impact has been remarkable. For more information you can go to http://www.shaohannahshope.org/ or http://www.hopefororphans.com/
If you have any questions please feel free to contact us at rob@ductsunlimitedinc.com
1) Plead with the father for them. (Matthew 7:7-8) Pray for a waiting child, you can go to http://www.adoptuskids.org/ and pick a child waiting for a family and pray for that child until he/she gets placed with a forever family.
2)Speak up for them. (Proverbs 31:8-9) Keep a picture of the child you are praying for and share his/her story with every believer you come in contact with. You never know that may be the family God wanted for that child.
3)Give them what they need. (James 2:15-16) Find and orphanage to support. you can send care packages, do mission trips to help maintain the facility, or financially support their efforts. We have some great friends in Cambodia who run an orphanage for HIV+ as well as abandoned children. Cambodia is a country closed to adoption and with out their help these children would have no hope. Go to http://www.cambodianoutreachproject.org/ for more information.
4)Support those who support them. (Hebrews 10:24) Find a foster or adoptive family to help. Go mow their lawn, offer to baby sit so they can have an evening out, throw a shower for an adopting family. Most of all let them know you appreciate what they do.
5) Provide them a safe place. (Psalm 146:9) Consider becoming a foster parent or an emergency foster parent (for short term placement) You can also build an orphanage, it is not as hard as it sound. Go to http://www.worldorphans.org/
6) Go visit them. (James 1:27) Take your family on a missions trip to an orphanage. There are construction trips, medical trips, help conduct a vacation bible school. taking your family on a mission trip can be life changing!
7) Give Sarcificially to them. (2Corinthians 9:7) Support a reputable orphanage or adoption ministry. You can contact us regarding donations to the Rocky Mountain Adoption Alliance Fund which is set up to give to family's in the process of adoption. Also Cambodian Outreach Project is always needing financial aide and are doing a great work. http://www.cambodianoutreachproject.org/
8) Cheer Them On. (1Thessaloians 5:14) Spenser a child. There are 20,000 teenagers that "age out" of the foster care system every year. They have no family to celebrate birthdays, Christmas, or any other holidays with. They have no place to call home. You can contact your local foster care office and let them know you would like to help a child "ageing out" of the system.
9) Give Them a Forever Family. (Psalm 69:5-6a) You can give a child a forever home through international, domestic or foster care adoption. To learn more about these types of adoption call 1-800-FLTODAY for a free booklet entitled Welcome Home: Eight Steps to Adoption
10) Mobilize Your Church for Them. Matthew 28:18-20 Churches all over the country are launching ministries dedicated adoption and orphan care. The impact has been remarkable. For more information you can go to http://www.shaohannahshope.org/ or http://www.hopefororphans.com/
If you have any questions please feel free to contact us at rob@ductsunlimitedinc.com
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Snow!
The first two days home the kids have loved the snow! They have spent several hours playing outside and enjoying the swing set. They are starting to bond as brother & sister, talking and sharing these new experiences. What a blessing it is. We hear them often commenting to one another and only understand two words "Addis Ababa" and "America". We think they are comparing the two, hopefully the good outweighs the bad!
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Zero!
Now that we are at home I am sitting and reflecting on our trip. The first morning after we got the kids Samuel (Abete) told me he was hungry. The girls were just hanging out and still in their PJ's so I decided that I would take him to breakfast in the hotel. The waitress was great and asked him what he would like to eat, then went to the buffet and filled him a plate. When she returned they talked some more then the waitress told me that he said "he was lucky that he has a family." At first this made me feel good until I thought about how a child should not feel "lucky to have a family". What a sad statement that there are children in our world who do not know what it is like to have a family to love them.
There are approximately 143,000,000 orphans in the world today. I believe that it is the Christian churches responsibility to be caring for them and we are failing in this area. In Addis Ababa Ethiopia alone there 70,000 living on the streets with no one to feed them or even care for them. Before we left I took all of the food and a few Birr we had left over and split it into 2 bags for the boys who sat outside the hotel where we stayed, they polish shoes to earn money. I encountered an Ethiopian man standing out side the hotel who told me that one of the boys I was trying to help was a lousy worthless boy who deserved nothing. I tried to explain to them that Jesus loved them (regardless of what this man said), but where is the Body of Christ to show these boys the truth? They are told that they are not worth anything day after day? James 1:27 says that"pure and undefiled religion is to care for the orphans and widows" Where is the church?
I know that 143,000,000 is a large number. I read on another blog (I can't remember who's) who spoke about the large number of zeros. How overwhelming it is to look at all those zeros? What a daunting task to help all the zeros that there are in the world. What can I do? I hear the question all the time "How can God allow this to happen"? The question should be how does the Body of Christ, the church, stand by and let this happen? Colossians 1: 24 We can start one zero at a time. I now have 2 children who are no longer Zero's!
Ephesians 1: 3-5 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ in accordance to His good pleasure and will.
Tomorrow I will post the 10 things every christian can do to help the orphans and only one addressed adoption!
OSHA who?
I thought the construction practices were very interesting. They use 2 1/2" wood poles to build and support everything. then they cover it with the metal panels. It is common practice to build there scaffold out of the same wood poles, then they take out 2x4 or 2x6 that the walk on. In the third picture they have supported the entire second floor of concrete with the poles. The only place they took them out is where the walls were built. I think that the job of building inspector does not exist.
As far as the housing and and majority of their shops are concerned they are built out of the poles and metal panels. Some even have power ran into them. They have entire blocks of homes built on top of one another using their neighbors walls as their own. No power running into any of them. We visited the Christian music store to get some music for the kids which was 6' x 10' room built of the wood and metal where they had a CD burner copying the music to sell.
It appears you can go the the local Home Depot to pick up all your supplies!
Are we there yet?
We were able to get a flight out of Addis on Sunday at 9:30 pm Ethiopian time. We flew to Rome for refueling which turned into a 2 1/2 hour lay over because one of the passengers had a panic attack and needed to get fresh air. Unfortunately she was the only one who was allowed off the plane while the rest of us waited. We were able to get some sleep, but Samuel (Abete) was a little restless. What seemed to be every half hour he would poke me in the ribs and ask "America"? it was hard to get upset because of the huge smile on his face. That portion of the flight was about 19 hours.
Next we went into Dulles for immigration and customs. At this point we were 2 hours behind schedule and my stress was starting to elevate. Of course we got behind a lady who did not fill out her paperwork until she got to the front of the line. The immigration people would not let anyone from that line move forward until she was completed. We finally got to present our paperwork and move through to get our baggage so we could recheck it to move forward to our next flight. Of course our luggage was the last to show. We were then running trying to find the spot to recheck our luggage. The very helpful people with the Dulles airport pointed us in the wrong direction three times before we stumbled onto the baggage area. Next we ran to the United check in (at the opposite end of the airport) to get out transfer tickets. We were put in the wrong line twice before getting a very nice lady who got us the tickets and we ran to the security.
At security they separated our family so Samuel would not have to wait in line. I explained that our flight scheduled to leave in 35 minutes and asked if they could move us through together, but the TSA felt if would be a breach of security to be helpful to our family. After Samuel and I were thoroughly screened for bomb making material we waited for Elissa, Zoe and Abigail to make it through there line so they could be thoroughly screened. We had 15 minutes to get to concourse D to board our flight. Dulls uses a weird bus transport system to get you to the different terminals so patience was needed while we waited for the bus to get us there. We sprinted to the Gate, but made our flight.
Our three hour lay over in Dulles was over and we were on our last leg home. Though our seats were scattered all over the plane we made to back to Denver. We were welcomed home by my mom, Jen and Jill. They delivered our car and left us to be alone as we introduced the kids to their new home and brothers. We all went to bed at about 6:00. I now know the meaning of Jet Lag!
Next we went into Dulles for immigration and customs. At this point we were 2 hours behind schedule and my stress was starting to elevate. Of course we got behind a lady who did not fill out her paperwork until she got to the front of the line. The immigration people would not let anyone from that line move forward until she was completed. We finally got to present our paperwork and move through to get our baggage so we could recheck it to move forward to our next flight. Of course our luggage was the last to show. We were then running trying to find the spot to recheck our luggage. The very helpful people with the Dulles airport pointed us in the wrong direction three times before we stumbled onto the baggage area. Next we ran to the United check in (at the opposite end of the airport) to get out transfer tickets. We were put in the wrong line twice before getting a very nice lady who got us the tickets and we ran to the security.
At security they separated our family so Samuel would not have to wait in line. I explained that our flight scheduled to leave in 35 minutes and asked if they could move us through together, but the TSA felt if would be a breach of security to be helpful to our family. After Samuel and I were thoroughly screened for bomb making material we waited for Elissa, Zoe and Abigail to make it through there line so they could be thoroughly screened. We had 15 minutes to get to concourse D to board our flight. Dulls uses a weird bus transport system to get you to the different terminals so patience was needed while we waited for the bus to get us there. We sprinted to the Gate, but made our flight.
Our three hour lay over in Dulles was over and we were on our last leg home. Though our seats were scattered all over the plane we made to back to Denver. We were welcomed home by my mom, Jen and Jill. They delivered our car and left us to be alone as we introduced the kids to their new home and brothers. We all went to bed at about 6:00. I now know the meaning of Jet Lag!
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