Today is a very important day in the CHSFS adoption program. At 6:00 AM we piled into the van to head 3 ½ hours South to the orphanage where Sitota and all the other children were taken into care. A meeting is facilitated between the adoptive parents and whoever may be connected to the child…most in our group have a parent or family member who has relinquished the child. We along with one other couple have children who were abandoned. Shortly after arriving from our long bus journey , we were informed that our person we were to meet with was not coming due to being sick with Malaria.
.
Yeah…that feeling you just felt in reading this was what we felt…a lot of times over. We were quickly reassured that they were going to try and bring the woman to Addis later in the week to meet with us at another time. We have no idea if this will be possible or not. One person traveled 7 hours just to meet with one of the families today…and we have no idea what kind of trip it will be for our lady. We can only hope and pray because there would be some important things to learn on behalf of Sitota if we could meet with this woman.
.
And yes, we were the only parents who did not have anyone show up for the meeting. It was not all disappointment in the trip. We were able to see the orphanage that Sitota was originally brought into…and were able to take some pictures (and pick up a rock for Momma Roush). We stopped by a traditional Ethiopian home on our way back made of mud and sticks. The Maasi have nothing on Ethiopians when it comes to hut building. It was an impressive place.
.
We also got to experience some very sacred moments with some new friends. One of the more sacred was a ceremony where the folks who were giving the children said a prayer, then lit a candle and handed it to the parents. Then the parents read a prayer back. I am pretty sure there wasn’t a dry eye in the place. And we did get to spend about 7+ hours on a bus. Not quite as sacred, but still quality time with our fellow travelers.
.We also got to experience some very sacred moments with some new friends. One of the more sacred was a ceremony where the folks who were giving the children said a prayer, then lit a candle and handed it to the parents. Then the parents read a prayer back. I am pretty sure there wasn’t a dry eye in the place. And we did get to spend about 7+ hours on a bus. Not quite as sacred, but still quality time with our fellow travelers.
So a long, long day…with not much to show but really sore backsides.
.Pray we can still meet with the woman we were intended to meet with.
.
Aaron & Shelli on the bus (Note everyone yawning the background! :-)
The Mussie orphanage where Sitota was originally taken in.
Aaron & Shelli in front of the orphanage
A traditional Ethiopian home!
Shelli & some others inside the home!
2 comments:
Shelli and Aaron, Keithandshel (Keith and Shelley) here peeking in at your incredible adventure!! Praying that your intended meeting works out later this week before you come home. Sooo excited to be following in so many of your steps in just a couple of months! Blessings to you and congratulations on those first few, wonderful meetings with your sweet Sitota! We'll keep praying -- knowing you'll have a fantastic week!
Praying for you guys!
Post a Comment