Day 3 in Ethiopia--Full Speed Ahead

Today was a full day....I think I experienced every emotion known to man or woman....Our driver picked us and three other families up from the hotel at 8:15 a.m. to go to court. We picked up the guy who was responsible for translating/filling out all of our court documents. When we got to court, the room was packed! There were families represented all around and a couple of birth mothers. We waited for about an hour and a half till the first family from our agency was called back...It was a quick in and and out....Then, it was our turn. I was so nervous sweating to death.....I knew it was going to be an easy process, but I never took it for granted. She asked us several questions. Trevis answered most of them b/c that is customary in Ethiopia. Then, she said, "She's yours". That works for me....Justus is secure in his maculinity *wink* *wink*. I was so happy and relieved. It was official! He is now our son!! We are a party of five......Hooray! We waited for another family to go and then we were off. After all the girls waited to use the facility (you must take in your own tissue), we pondered the thought of how it was possible to put a toilet in such a small space that clearly wouldn't have fit through the door opening.....

Then, we were off to some shopping area....We had about an hour and 15 minutes Wass said. We all jumped off eager to get some items that truly represented Ethiopia and it's culture. Honestly, I was really nervous b/c I'm not use to being around people who are begging and you have to banter back and forth on the prices...I thought yard selling was a challenge. After awhile though, I even got in on the bantering. Most of the shopkeepers were really sweet people. They kept the street people out and they said, "look" "look". We looked. If there was something you wanted but couldn't find, someone would take off, and be back in a jiffy with your item in tow...Trevis really wanted a lion of Judah small pendant to wear around his neck. One of the guys finally came up with one. We purchased traditional outfits for Justus to wear as he gets older, an authentic doll, purse, wooden toys, the beaded necklaces that the women make out of magazines, and a shirt for Justus that says, "Ethiopian" on it..... During our shopping experience, one of the little boys who lived on the street kept approaching us saying, "Sir, hungry, food.". Trevis bought a bracelet from him at the end and he ran and got another one from an adult sitting on the curb. Many of the children are sent to beg for their families.

We jumped back on the bus....headed to an authentic Italian restaurant. The Italians lived in Ethiopia for about 40 years. The place had local art hanging all over the walls. Everything was available for purchase. Although we didn't purchase any, we enjoyed looking at all of it. The manager of the store came over to our table and explained that sometimes Ethiopians wonder why we are taking their children....but he said....the rest of us...we know. It's a good thing you are doing. God bless you." insert "emotional moment".

The food was delicious! I had the biggest calzone on the planet and that was supposedly a "small". oh how yummy! We talked a lot with the new friends we had made. We learned we were going to an orphanage that many of our children had been to prior to Hannah's Hope. We were all a little surprised b/c that wasn't on our agenda and we were dying to see our kids and play with them.

We went to the orphanage. There were so many kids in such a little space....the lady said they had 53 or something like that. Babies were crying and all the toddlers and preschoolers were wide-eyed staring at us cracking a smile here or there. They asked us to walk them down the stairs to the common area. I had a little girl that looked about 2 1/2. She was soaked through her clothes in urine......When we got to the common area, I realized how many boys there were! It had to be 3 to 1. Trevis had two little boys on his lap.....At Hannah's Hope, it is a happy place b/c you know all of the children have or will have a mama and daddy. At this orphanage, I was sad. I thought about all these little children who need someone to love them, who I don't know if anyone will come to be their mom or dad. Could that be you? Oh....how they need to be held and loved. I read my two kiddos a board book and then Wass said it was time to go.

In the van we went....We stopped off at a place called, "Kaldi's". It is kind of like the Ethiopian version of Starbucks. They have green aprons, a green awning, and the cups look like Starbucks. I stayed in the van and chatted with some families. I just wanted to see Justus.

Finally, we arrived at Hannah's Hope. Justus was eating (yea), so I just played with the other big kids. I brought pads of paper and pencils and they enjoyed drawing. Justus came out with a big smile on his face when he saw us. He came and sat in my lap and I gave him his photo book. It is so cute when the kids get their photo books. All the other kids gather around and look at the pictures. They talk a string of Amharic 90 miles an hour....One of the special mothers stooped down to translate, "sister","brother", "dog", "cats" etc. for me. You should have seen the kids expression when they saw Lilly (our golden retriever) and our cats....You can definately tell they don't have pets like that...

It was a quick 15 minute visit. Trevis and I were both really sad b/c Justus was so happy to see us and then we had to leave. He cried.

We went back to the hotel and collapsed....A lot of emotions to process in such a little time...Can't wait to play with my little boy tomorrow. It should be a long visit. YEA!!

With Much Love,