Update!

Well a lot has happened since our last update so I will do my best to fill you in.  We picked up Kassahun from his orphanage last Friday and he has been with us since.  His orphanage had a farewell ceremony which included a traditional coffee ceremony with bread and popcorn.  Kassahun was the oldest in the orphanage and it was obvious he was a big brother to many of the kids.  Some of the goodbyes were hard.  He left the orphanage with only the clothes on his back and the backpack that we had sent for him.  When we asked if there was anything he wanted to take from his room back to the US, he said he wanted his friends at the orphanage to have his belongings.  What a sweet boy!

After saying goodbye to his friends we headed to a local lodge where we had lunch before heading back to the capital.  Kassahun has older siblings who unfortunately aged out of the orphanage so we were able to invite them to lunch with us.   It was a special time for us to learn about Kassahun’s life up to entering the orphanage and to learn more about his siblings.  

The boys were pretty excited as well because there were monkeys running around everywhere!

The rest of our days have been spent completing all of the necessary paperwork in order to bring Kassahun back to the US.  Unfortunately for the boys this has meant lots of riding around in the back of the car.  They definitely are bonding!

We have been able to obtain the adoption decree, and have started the application at immigration for Kassahun’s Ethiopian passport.  He will undergo medical testing this week which is a requirement for submission of his case to the US Embassy to obtain his US Visa.  There have been a few hiccups along the way but we are praying that Kass will be able to come home to the US next week as scheduled.

Things seem to be going well as for our bonding as a family.  Kass is very, very quiet and reserved.  He is SUPER polite and is constantly wanting to serve us.  After dinner yesterday we found him with a broom sweeping from under the table.  Those of you who know Jack know how quickly this won him over.  LOL!  His English is minimal, but we know he will pick it up quickly.  English is actually his THIRD language.  He speaks, reads and writes fluently in Amharic and Oromiffa.  We have been through this learning curve before and know it can be painful for both sides at times, but we are working to put all the right resources in place to make Kassahun successful.  We are not worried. 

Until they are home,

Dana and Jack