Everything went perfect today at the Embassy – PRAISE BE TO GOD!!!  We waited two hours for what amounted to about 3 minutes for three signatures and two questions.  There were several families from Hope and KVI and it looked like everyone made it with no issues.

We had our first real boo-boo today.  Theodore bent over in front of the swing to pick up a kwas and received a pretty good gash in his head.  Head wounds bleed a lot.  There was blood all over him and me and he was scared.  The staff here at the guest house were amazing help.  I held him while they got the bleeding stopped and nursed the wound.  I just got to hug him and keep repeating the words “father” and “I love you” in Amharic (I can’t really spell them).  He kept kissing my face and repeating the word “father” (sounds like: abot).  I hate that it happened but we bonded during those precious minutes.

Two new items emerged today that you can be praying for now that the embassy hurdle is traversed.  The first is with Bethlehem.  She was used to sleeping with a friend at the orphanage.  She has gone to sleep with Theodore the past two nights because they only brought one cot in for them.  We really didn’t give it much thought until this last night when it seemed to be a touchy subject with her at bedtime.  All we could see is it becoming a real difficulty once we got home because they are to be in separate bedrooms. 

Of course they will be sharing the rooms with a sibling, but at first a very unfamiliar sibling in a very unfamiliar environment.  So to start dealing with it now to attempt a bigger issue later, we had them put an extra cot in our room today.  When Bethlehem saw it this evening, she lost it.  This was her first real outburst and we couldn’t calm her down.  Michelle comforted her for a good hour but stuck to the plan of independent sleep.  I just finished praying with them – in their separate beds – and she seems fine.  Please pray that will be the extent of the adjustment for her.

A more difficult dilemma may prove to be with Theodore.  Within about 15 minutes of meeting them at the orphanage on Monday, Theodore asked if I would take him to Nazareth (I only knew this with translating help).  I told him I would take him on Thursday.  He was very satisfied with that and didn’t mention again… until today.

When we got in the car to go to the embassy he was so excited because he thought it was the trip to Nazareth.  It wasn’t of course.  He was broken.  He and Bethlehem react differently.  She seemed mad, almost pouting about the bed.  Theodore was crushed and pitiful.  Though we are visiting the orphanage there, his desire to go to Nazareth is primarily to see his birth mother.  He doesn’t really speak of her but I know that is what is drawing him there.  We are planning to see her in the morning around 10:00 AM Addis time.

It will be one of the most difficult things Michelle or I have ever done.  There is no doubt in my mind that it is the right thing to do.  Their mother desires to meet us and send her children off with what will likely be a final farewell.  She deserves that.  While some have counseled it might be too difficult for the children, I have become equally convinced that is the right thing to do for them.  If we didn’t take them, one day they’d be old enough to realize that we chose not let them.  I do not think I could produce a reason that wasn’t patently selfish.

So pray for us all tomorrow – well actually tonight.  If you happen to be up between 3 and 4:00 AM, feel free to pray then.  Pray for their mother, that she has the right words to explain the situation and ground her children with peace.  Pray for Bethlehem and Theodore that that hear truth and feel that peace.  And while they may not fully understand, pray that they trust all of us that love them unconditionally.  Pray for Michelle and me, that we stay strong and can feel the same peace that we desire the children to experience.  We will have pictures and video for the children to view someday when they ask and are ready… that will be invaluable…

All that said, it’s been another really good day.  Sorry for another tear-jerking post.  I can promise tomorrow’s update will be emotional as well but I pray that it will be a story of joy and encouragement.  Might try to post a few pics in the morning if the computer is free.  We have also been battling power outages.  This makes day four (not in a row) with no power during daylight hours.

Love you each and covet your prayers…