What an amazing day!  God has answered your/our prayers!  Bethlehem just went to bed with no mention of sleeping alone – thank you God!  And… the trip to KVI Nazareth was nothing short of a miracle.

Theodore woke up knowing today was the day.  It was a long but good trip down – about and hour and a half.  It is hotter in Nazareth than Addis.  We pulled into the orphanage and Bethlehem and Theodore were greeted with cheers from their old friends.  I got a few okay pics and a few seconds of video that will barley communicate the excitement.  Their birth-mother was there and embraced them and Michelle and me.  There were certainly a few intensely emotional moments at the outset – for all involved.  After that, however, the balance of the time was more akin to a joyful celebration.

There was no more crying – not even at departing time.  It was truly a blissful, goodbye send-off for loved ones wishing loved ones well.  I did get plenty of pics of us with the children and their mother as well as some video.  In the video their mother explains that she has entrusted her children to God.  She added as a note to Michelle and me, “I have given you all that I have.”  Those few words packed a lot of punch.  The children were certainly her most valued possessions in one sense and they could be better cared for if given away.  But in a very real way, all she has on this earth is them and she has chosen to entrust us with them.  Wow… I pray we will be good stewards of the valuables she has commended to us.

I asked her if she had anything she’d want to say to the children when they are older.  She replied that she’d love for them to come visit her if possible.  Michelle and I have already considered that a certain possibility.  We’d all like to come back…

I’m not sure why or how, but we found ourselves in another coffee ceremony today – snap!  While it was going on, they fed us some injera and wat, popcorn (traditional favorite) and a thick, sweet buttery pancake-like bread.  Really good stuff!  I have pictures of Michelle and the children’s mother hand feeding each other – it was an amazing moment.

When we loaded up I was preparing for the other shoe to fall but it never did.  The children gave all of their friends excited goodbye hugs and their mother loaded them into the van.  Everyone was happy – no tears, no sadness.  This is what was supposed to happen, this was the plan.  This is what their mother wanted.  As orphans and workers, it’s ultimately what you want for your friends and the children you care for.  It was a very beautiful thing and all glory and honor goes to our good and perfect God because it was not what was expected.

I know everyone’s situation is different.  Because of that fact, everyone has to evaluate their own scenario and make the decision they feel God leading them to make.  Now having the benefit of 20/20 hindsight, we feel confident we did the right thing.  If you find yourself needing to make this decision during your adoption, pray and God will give you a peace about whatever is best.

We did a few other things today but I’ll save it for another post or save it so I actually have something to talk about when we get back.  Enjoy the pics.  I’ll try to post a final update before we leave the guest house tomorrow, about 1-2 PM Addis time (4-5 AM Bagdad, KY time).  It will likely be the last post from a computer until we get home.  I’ll try to post from the phone when we land in DC sometime Saturday morning.

Thanks again for the prayers of you righteous in Jesus Christ for they have accomplished much!  Peace through grace!!!