Simegn - She is the Cooker

This is  Simegn also known as "the cooker".  What a devoted woman.  She was always at the House of Hope.  We don't know if she actually lived there or was just always there when we were awake.  She was the first to help us with Jericho.  When Tesfu and the little nanny returned from the American Embassy and handed Jericho over to us we found that he was not terribly enthused about getting to know us.  Simegn was the one who took him in her arms walked across the little court yard to the kitchen, got a piece of bread and handed the bread to me and then handed Jericho to us and said "mama, dada, kiss!"  Believe it or not it helped tremendously.  He did not want us until we had something he wanted... bread!   Simegn seemed to be the center of House of Hope.  She greeted us in the morning with breakfast, at noon for our dinner and in the evening for supper.  She kept us from getting sick by carefully washing our food.  She also made us the customary coffee for dinner.  Wonderful stuff!  After serving us (and who knows how many others at the HOH) she roasted coffee beans on a small open fire and prepared coffee like we had never tasted.  It was delicious!  She sat to the side just like you see her here in this picture and served us coffee in small cups.  She was wonderful and such a witness of the love of Christ.  Serving strangers she would never see again with a smile and such willingness.  Never tiring.  Simegn was not weary in well doing and in due season she shall reap a great reward.  In as much as ye have done it unto the least of these, you have done it unto me.- Jesus

Teshome, God's Gatekeeper

This is Tesfu (on the right) he was our driver in Ethiopia.  Great Guy!  Couldn't say enough about how important he was to us.  The other man is Teshome the gatekeeper at the House of Hope where we stayed.  The children all loved him.  He was much more than a guard or door opener, he was part of Jericho's family at the orphanage.  Jericho LOVED him.  

Teshome would rub the back of Jericho's head and speak very softly to him.  No wonder Jericho loved him.  Very gentle and sweet man.  I am thankful for God's people who give of themselves freely, not for recognition or promotion but for the "Least of These".  God bless Teshome today.

These Turkeys are in Our Back Yard.

They are Absolutely Cracking Up!

Bedtime Stories

I'm writing a story about barfoot-bearnies, wizzetts, and dopple-ding-dangers.  There are also dopple-ding-downers who are related the the ding-dangers but totally opposite.    The barfoot-bearnies live under leaves and roll up in balls when they are scared.  They are very social and would rather share a leaf with a neighbor than live by themselves.  Wizzetts float through the air and are light as a feather and if they are not careful they will be carried about by every strong wind that comes along.  The dopple-ding-dangers are shaped like an inverted bell with a loose head which clangs against their shoulders if they do not prop themselves up with a stiff collar.  The dopple-ding-downers have a body shaped like a pear and if they are not mindful of what they eat they become so bottom heavy that their little legs can barely carry them.

This is Jericho's first Trick or Treat.  He wasn't sure what was going on.  Gunner didn't know the beautiful princess but she was to magnificent for us to pass up.  They had a great time.  It's all about the candy :)

A Little Cowboy, Jericho

Am I Ready for This?

Had a dream that we went to Ethiopia to pick up another child only when we left they sent us home with two!  We were concerned about not having the the paperwork for the second child and they said "oh, no problem, they will take him at customs and keep him until you get your paperwork ready."!!!  ?????

He poured in the oil and the wine

the kind that restoreth my soul

He found me bleeding and dying on the Jericho Road

and He poured in the oil and the wine.

It Works!

You really can stand an egg on it's end on the Fall Equinox!  They also stood the egg on the bare table without the runner.  

10,000 More

We had a big scare this week!  Jericho suddenly began running a high fever.   After checking a second time and seeing 103.1 he began seizing!  I called Chuck.  Luckily he just returned to town from the morning away and beat the ambulance to our house.  I called 911 and prayed and put cold, wet clothes on his head.  Poor little guy.  He had two IV's that could not be used to draw blood so he had to have another stick to draw blood, an x-ray, and had to be catheterized!  We spent the better half of the day in the ER and found out that he had pneumonia!  We didn't know he was sick!  By the next day he was already back to his old self, playing, eating and being sweet as usual.  

This scare made me vividly aware that if Jericho was still in Ethiopia he would not make it.  With no medical care or antibiotic he would have died.  For me this makes the plight of our brothers and sisters in suffering countries very real.  For every one child adopted from a third world country there are 10,000 more who are orphaned and alone and will not be rescued.  If we want to please God we must care for the fatherless and the widows, this is his heart.  When you see a child who obviously is adopted by any family remember those who are left with no one to care for them and pray for a way to help.  I am going to post some sites which give us an avenue to get involved.  keep checking in.

Our Last Day

Thursday, April 24, 2009

We did not keep a journal for this last day and probably the most important and memorable one of our journey in Ethiopia.  I will post it as soon as possible.

Our Trip to Ethiopia

Thursday, april 23, 2009

we slept good until Chuck woke up with food poisoning about midnight!  He was sick all night long.  I felt so bad for him.  We think it was his food at the Hilton Hotel.  He had veal parmesan.  He didn't feel any better by morning.  I listened to the Orthodox canters chant their morning prayers beginning today at 4:30 am.  First, there was one who wasn't very good (maybe that is why he was the first to go).  Next, came the main canter, I liked him.  You could tell that he was more accustomed to chanting.  It really does sound like a call to prayer, almost instrumental.  After him around 5:30 or so there were 3 who chanted at once.  I thought at any minute they were going to break into a barbershop quartet!  Very strange but interesting.  I enjoyed the concert.  

Jericho and I were the only ones for breakfast.  He had diarrhea last night and by morning we had gone through at least 5 diapers!  I don't know if he had a touch of something or if he has parasites.  

Chuck rested during the morning.  We did not finish our shopping as we had planned.  Maybe tomorrow we will have time.  At lunch time Chuck did not feel better.  He came to lunch in the dinning room but had to leave because of the smell of the food.  Tsegay tried to find him some medicine but I don't think it helped much.  Our appointment at the embassy was at 2:30 and we left at 1:30 from the HOH.  A famous singer from Addis had just died and his funeral was today.  Many of the streets were closed for the people to walk to the church where he was to be.  It took us much longer to get to the embassy because we had to take back roads.  Chuck still was not well and the embassy did not have air.  It was so hot that it made me feel sick.  Chuck barely made it.

We thought the American Embassy would be very nice and have air conditioning but it did not.  The waiting room was filled with other Americans adopting little ones and the room for our appointment was up one more flight of stairs.  Poor Chuck.  

We stopped at a pharmacy on the way back and Chuck picked up some medicine which helped him a great deal.  Anyone off the street can come in and buy medications.  Chuck said that you would have to have a prescription in America to get what he bought.

Once back at the HOH Chuck laid down to rest and Jericho and I went down to the court yard to take pictures of all his friends.  Tesfu helped me by writing their names.  The first person I took a picture of was the gate keeper.  He is the sweetest man.  Jericho loves him.  He cries to go to him.  His name is Toshome Negewo.  I got pictures of his nanny, helpers, one of the many who are constantly washing diapers.  The cook, who I think is the heart and soul of the place.  She pitches in and does whatever needs to be done.  From cooking to emptying potty chairs to stepping in to elp with babies.  His nanny's name is Harege and the cook is Simegn.  Tesfu had a hard time writing their names because he had to translate to English alphabet.  I didn't realize that until right now.  We exchanged email addresses with Tesfu and really hope to keep in touch.  He wants to come to America and go to school.  I hope he gets to.  

Chuck felt well enough to eat some bread fro supper and got more liquid in him.  He was dehydrated at the embassy.  He looked like he was going to pass out or be sick andy second.

Tsegay and Almas came to our room after supper to see how Chuck was feeling and apologized that Almas would not be able to go tomorrow to the orphanage with us to meet Jericho's birthmother.  I am a little nervous about the meeting but I know it will help her and give us a better understanding of her situation and maybe Jericho's family history.  Almas suggested that we give her one of the picture books that we sent to Jerich0 after his referral.  I have pictures of him and us in it.  After they left we packed our suitcases so we would be all ready to go to the airport at 6:30 pm on Friday!  We are so ready to get home to Gunner!!!

Our Trip to Ethiopia

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

We slept the sleep of peace and refreshing from the Lord.  We feel much better today!  We slept so hard that we did not hear the Orthodox prayer and singing that starts at 5:00 am.  Instead we were awoke by one of the ladies who helps do the cooking knock, knock, knocking on our door.  Jericho did not even wake up.  I am sure the changes for him are hard also.  He has slept all night each night we have been together.  We ate breakfast and took showers which consist of 15-20 seconds of warm water!  refreshing and exhilarating!  

Tesfu took us to a market today.  We bought several things for other people.  Then he took us to the soccer stadium to get a nice soccer ball for Gunner!  I think he will love it.  He will know Dad didn't forget about playing with him.  We went back to the HOH and ate lunch with Tsegay.  He is very interesting.  He told us some things about Ethiopia like Queen Titu and Ethiopia's relations with other countries around them.  We told him about the Pilgrim and Puritans, turkeys and the deterioration of religious liberty in America.  He was happy for the election of Obama.  

We rested then met with Tsegay to go over our papers for the embassy appointment tomorrow.  It sounds like all of the paper work is done.  Almas and Tsegay do so much work before the adoptive parents even arive!  We gave Jericho a bath- he needed one.  He has had diarrhea and we can't get rid of the smell so his clothes also got washed by the nannies.  They are great. 

At 5:00 we took Tesfu to the HIlton for supper.  He's such a nice guy, I wish we could adopt him!  He told us he wants to come to America and go to school.  I hope he is able to.  He loves country music so we are going to give him our Bart Millard CD and hope he likes it.  There were Rastifarians in the restaurant.  Tesfu said that they are Jamaicans who "Love Ethiopia".  You need to hear Tesfu say this with an Ethiopian accent.  It just looses something in translation.   I had chicken Teryaki, Chuck had veal parmesan and Tesfu had steak and french fries and Jericho smiled a real smile for the first time!  He also had mashed potatoes and bread.  did I mention he loves bread.  He and Gunner will have that in common.  It is after 9:30 and we are still up.  We looked at the stars and watched the nannies take down the laundry before crawling into bed.  The mosquitoes buzz around your ears but the breeze feels good coming in through the door.  You can also hear the soft quiet sounds of people in the courtyard.  

Our Trip to Ethiopia

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

We are HOMESICK!!!  We miss Gunner so much.  We have decided that we do not want to ever go away without him again!  As you can tell we could not bring ourself to even write.  We went to the National Zoo today with Jericho and Tesfu and saw Black Lions!  I did not know there were black lions.  The Hospital here is called the "Black Lion Hospital".  We found out later in the week that Jericho's father was taken to the Black Lion Hospital when he died.  We also went to the Hilton Hotel where we got more money exchanged and confirmed our flight registration for Friday.  We came back to the HOH and ate lunch and went to Mt Entoto where King Menelek and his wife Queen Titu who was like Deborah in the Book of Judges lived in their palace.  Queen Titu was the mind of strategy in Ethiopia's battle against the Italians in the 1800's.  Ethiopia is the only country in Africa that was not under colonial rule by another country.  We learned about Queen Titu from Tsegay because we could not understand our tour guide at Mt. Entoto.   Halie Selassie was the last king of Ethiopia.  On the Top of the Mountain you could see all of Addis and smell the grove of Eucalyptus trees that grew nearby.  The breeze smelled fresh and clean.  Quite a difference from eco-friendly Addis!  We were both suffering from jet lag today and emotionally unstable!  We cried and prayed ourself to sleep!

Our Trip to Ethiopia

April 20th, Monday

Woke up at 5:00 to what I thought at the time were Muslem prayers being sung in the neighborhood.  It is 7:30 now and I can still hear them.  I have since found out that it is the Orthodox Church that is chanting prayers.  The sound is almost tangible in the early morning air.

We can hear the sound of children's voices and busy activity.  Looking out the window I can see girls washing clothes and diapers in 2 concrete tubs below.  They are up to their elbows in laundry!  We can see our driver pulling out of the court yard.  There is a girl in the back seat and I think Jericho is setting on her lap.  I can not see his face only his legs and I am assuming they are taking him  to the embassy to get a final exam for his visa.

Out of our window there is barbed wire that lines the top of the wall around the House of Hope and acoss the street is an area where their are several brightly colored buses.  The court yard below is painted with cheerful, bright colors.  There is a bright green wall with what I assume is a scripture in Amharic writing.  The letters look as if they are happy and dancing.

We met Almas and Tsegay today before we left our room.  Almas came to invite us to breakfast.  Earlier this morning we could here Almas praying in the room below us.  We had our first breakfast which was delicious pancakes and hazelnut spread.  We are free to wander anywhere here at the HOH so we wandered into Tsegay's office and talked with him for a while this morning.  We found out that Jericho is at the Embassy getting his physical for his visa.  We have not met him yet.  

Tsegay showed us the toddler room where Jericho spends his time.  All the toddlers flockedto  Chuck.  They loved him!  

Almas say's that Jericho is quiet and very sweet as she patted her heart as though he were hers.

We met Abduselam/Jericho as soon as he returned from the Embassy.  He is so quiet!  Huge eyes and he seems very untrusting.  One of his nannies got a piece of bread and gave it to us and then gave Jericho to us and said to him "Mommy - Daddy - kiss"!  He has a cute blue teeshirt and kakie overalls on with sketcher sneakers.  Later in the evening we discovered it broke his heart to take his shoes off.

We took him all day.  He eats very well and we made a big hit with him by giving him orange pop.  we mistakenly thought it gave him diarrhea.  We later discovered that all of the babies on the plane that had been adopted and on their way home, about 7-8, had the same diarrhea!   While changing his diaper we discovered how much he loved his shoes.  He slept in them this night.

Tesfu took us for a tour of the city.  We saw goats, sheep and cows in the street within the 1st block of HOH.  People everywhere!  They told us the number one cause of death here is car accidents.  No wonder!  The streets are lined with one shanty after another.   I know where all of the old corrugated tin roofing went... it is all in Addis!  Our driver, Tesfu, is great in only 4 months he has learned to speak English!

At lunch time we visited with Tsegay.  He is very interesting.  He told us how they started HOH and all the red tape of beginning a new work.  He and his wife are very good Christians.  Here he said all Protestant church denominations embrace speaking in tongues and fellowship with on another.  So you are either Protestant, Catholic or Orthodox.  There is the division.  Not so many denominations and even if there are they are not separated like here in the states.  Tesfu brought us a phone card so we could call home.  His phone plays "This World is not my Home" by Johnny Cash when it rings!  He is a kindred spirit!  Jericho sat on my lap the whole time with out a peep!  He's so quiet!  He likes his car sippy cup but does not like the lid!  He took everything in with his big eyes.

Tonight Jericho has called Chuck "Bah Bah", Dah Dah and Daddy and me MaMa.  He is wanting me to hold him all the time.  I know that this is good but very tiring.  Chuck isn't holding him as much but Jericho doesn't let him out of his sight.    I think he was impressed with Chuck trying to get the TV to work.  Finally worked and has only one channel in Amharic and runs the same 5-10 min show over and over!

Our Trip to Ethiopia

April 19,2009, Sunday

Arrived in Addis Ababa at 8:00 PM after a very, very long flight!  It was dark so we could not see the city or mountains only the lights.  We stood in line for two hours waiting to get our Visa.  When we made it to the front we found out why it was taking so long.  Four people were working on the visas and doing the writing by hand with carbon sheets... no crime in that but, the line was not in order!  You met the first person who took your name and passport, passed it to the 3rd or 4th person in their line who passed it back to the 2nd and then you payed the 4th person all the while following your passport up and down the line bumping into the other people in line?  While waiting in line we met other couples traveling here, like us, for adoption.  

When we finally made it through the visa line and customs and picked up our luggage we met Tesfu, our driver.  He was standing outside the Luggage pick up with a sign that said Childrens Hope International.  We were very impressed with how very nice, polite and clean he looked.

The ride back to the House of Hope (HOH) was interesting.  Many people were out on the streets.  Tesfu said it was a Holy Day.  This is their Easter.

As Tesfu turned down the last road to the HOH I thought "anyone could have picked us up!"  "How do we know that Tesfu is really from the HOH?"  There were no street lights and the roads were all under construction.  The road to the HOH was worse than a cow path.  You could have lost a car in some of the holes!

It turned out Tesfu was real and he did take us to the House of Hope.  The HOH is gated.  Tesfu brought us to our room and showed us where the bathroom was.  I took Tylenol PM and slept all night.

The Road to Jericho

 

The biggest realization that Chuck and I came to during our adoption process was that is was not about us--it was about a little boy that we didn’t even know who lived in Ethiopia.   We knew even before we adopted him that his name would be Jericho although that name has taken on a new depth of meaning since we met him.  One of the most poignant parables that Jesus told was that of the Good Samaritan.  It begins with these words, “and a certain man went down to Jericho”

 

Many things happened on the way to or from Jericho.  It was “near Jericho” that the beggar, Blind Bartimaeus, met the Lord and received his sight. It was as Jesus “passed through Jericho” that He became a guest of Zacchaeus, the tax collector, and was accused of “eating with publicans and sinners.”  The man who fell among thieves was going “down to Jericho” and those who neglected to help him were the self-righteous who where on their way up to Jerusalem to do their customary service in the Lord’s house.  

 

We call our video about our trip to Ethiopia “The Road to Jericho” because of this change in our understanding of God’s plan for us. We truly received our sight on this journey.  In serving the Lord in “His House” we must go “down” to Jericho; we will not find him in the temple at Jerusalem, or in the palaces of kings, or in the mansions of the rich.  We found him, and our purpose, in little orphanage in Ethiopia. We truly met the Good Samaritan on this journey—our new little boy was surrounded by many good Samaritans at the orphanage doing the Lord’s work.  It is our prayer that we will live up to this great calling and purpose the Lord has for our lives.  The purpose we found on “The Road To Jericho”.