Yesterday, we traveled from Addis to Awassa. The trip was incredible! The countryside and its people are very beautiful! In our book, Ethiopia must be home to the most beautiful people in the world!
We met with our children's aunt yesterday. This was more emotional than we were prepared for, but was one of the most amazing moments of this process so far. Although tomorrow we will be picking up Sofie and Sam from the orphanage, so it only gets better from here on out. We can hardly wait!
We started today off by attending the Festival of St. Gabriel (outside St. Gabriel's Church). There were tens of thousands of people there. It was hot, and very packed, but it was an emotionally moving experience. After lunch we headed south to a coffee farm. Let's just say that driving in Ethiopia is near-death experience. You are constantly stopping or swirving to avoid farm animals, bicyclists, pedestrians, or vehicles driving on the wrong side of the road. There is almost no traffic control at all, so it is certainly an adventure! While at the coffee farm we trekked through the forests and toured a cave, which was once a five-year hideout for the former emperor's daughter during the Italian occupation. We followed this by having Machioto's in a beautifully crafted coffee hut.
Sorry, for the short posts, but the internet is too slow when it does work. We will post more details and pictures when we get home. We will TRY to post some pictures of our children when we get back to Addis.
6 comments:
Thanks for taking the time to update on your blog, I know it's difficult with the internet connection and your other commitments there! I'm looking forward to hearing about you meeting your children and will be praying for you...
I hope you're able to take lots of pictures. Your trip sound wonderful. Only one more day until you get your beautiful children. I'll keep you all in my prayers.
Stacey
WOW!! We are so happy to hear things are going well and you will soon have your two new additions with you. It gives us hope that we will soon see our girls.
Prayers and love,Beth and Craig
court date 1/6/08 for Kidist and Mekdes
Colleen and Jason,
This is so exciting and wonderful to be able to hear about your journey. Have a great new year and travel safe.
Hugs,
Stacey
How exciting...can't wait to hear more details. Keep the short posts coming!! Beth P.
I am so happy you had safe travel and arrival in Addis. This will be a life changing trip in so many ways; one of which is you forming a personal bond and connection with Ethiopia.
The time you have to spend housed away from the public with the children can be an amazing time to begin forming that 'trust' and 'understanding' relationship.
I know you both spend lots of time thinking about the 'parenting role'. Dale Evans (actress married to Roy Rogers, who had two biological children, and adopted five children, said:
"Time and experience have taught me a priceless lesson: Any child you take for your own becomes your own if you give of yourself to that child. I have born two children and had seven others by adoption, and they are all my children, equally beloved and precious."
You both have good, loving hearts. Everything else will work itself out. Can't wait to hear about your trip; but more importantly, can't wait to meet Sophie and Sam. Have a safe trip back. Hugs to you both and the kids! Happy New Year! Ernie
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