We Made It!

We made it to Addis Ababa a few hours ago.  Yeah, yeah, yeah!!!! 

 

The flight went well.  No troubles with any connections or bags.  It was long but not unbearable.  And even though we couldn't get off plane in Rome, they opened the back door to load food and we were able to stand by it and get a little fresh air.  We had a little7 or 8 year old boy named Arone sitting in front of us. We aren't sure what all his challenges were but he couldn't speak and had a few rough melt downs.  He was traveling alone with the most patient father.  The girls were able to share stickers with him, which calmed him right down.  There were high fives and sweet kisses for his daddy after he did all the stickers.  Corinne made a sock puppet for him.  And he was fascinated with Hollie's blue fingernail polish, so he kept wanting to hold her hand.  It was sweet to see them being a blessing to this sweet boy and his dad. 

 

About 20 minutes before landing, I got overwhelmed with emotion, knowing we are FINALLY here!

 

We got our visas and exchanged money at the airport and then met the driver and guide America World had sent to pick us up.  When we got out to the parking lot with our suitcases, there were about 5 men who started climbing on top of the van to load them up there.  I have no idea where these guys came from.  They kept asking us for tips and Kevin kept telling them T our guide was in charge.  T didn't think we should tip them, but I'm a softy so we ended up giving them each a little.

 

It was dark, so we just got small glimpses of the city as we drove to the guest house.  Lots of poverty.  The traffic wasn't bad at all, although I did make one huge gasp when a car started pulling out in front of us. I'll have to learn to control that, as this would be a normal occurrence here.

 

Robel stopped by to meet us shortly after we arrived at the guest house.  He will be our guide for most of the week.  We are staying at the Yesabi.  We have two bedrooms, 2 baths, a sitting area, and mini kitchen.  It's clean and nice.  It will work well when we get the kids here too. 

 

We ordered  a cheese pizza through the front desk. It was interesting, because it didn't have any sauce.  But it was ok.  We're all feeling a little "off" from the long flight and altitude and tiredness, so we weren't overly hungry anyhow.  We took what we had left down to the guest home guards to eat.

 

We then had a knock on our door from Tia Parks.  She flew in a few days ago because they baby they are adopting had to have emergency brain surgery.  The surgery did not go well.  The medical conditions she has observed are down right scary in terms of lack of supplies and sanitary conditions.  Miracuoulsy, Tess is out of ICU but they did not pass court today.  (MOW@ did not write any letters.)  So they are praying that tomorrow they will pass court.  They are also adopting a 7 year old boy, Sam.  It felt good to sit down with Tia and let her share her week with us.  I cannot imagine what she has been through!  Her husband David will arrive on Saturday.  Please be praying for their family!

 

Tomorrow we are going down to Awasa to meet the childrens birth mom.  We are praying that this is a good experience for both her and us.  We have so much we want to ask her and so much we want to share with her.  We will stay the night in Awasa and then come back to Addis Ababa on Saturday, because the drive is about 6 hours each way. 

 

Well I need to get some sleep in before the 4 am prayers and dog barking starts.  Thanks for your prayers and comments.