Last full day in Ethiopia

Our time in Ethiopia was nearing its end, but one full day remained and it was dedicated to Solomon.  We wanted him to experience something special that would reconnect him to his roots and the people who helped him on his journey.  We decided to head to Entoto Park for the day, which is perched atop Entoto Mountain with a beautiful view of the city.  

On the way to the mountain we picked up several special people who played pivotal roles in Solomon's life.  First was Elizabeth, the kindest soul, who works with Compassion International.  

She spotted Solomon's potential and secured him a place in their sponsorship program when he was just 3 years old. To those supporting Compassion International back home, know this; your generosity makes a world of difference.  Solomon's story is living proof of the impact you create through Compassion International.

Next was a reunion with the family who cared for Solomon after his mother's passing.  Their reunion was filled with smiles and tears, with gratitude for a shared history.  They brought a picture of Solomon and his friend Kassahun from when they lived together.  The picture was precious and their bond was evident even then.

Entoto Park was the perfect playground of joy for the day, with trampolines, ziplines, and go-karts.  It was fun to watch those we were with jump on a trampoline for the first time in their life.  And several of them mustered up the courage to zipline as well!

Saying goodbye was tough once again, but with social media Solomon promised to stay in touch.  We are forever grateful for the special friends that we met today and the important roles that they played in Solomon's life.  

We ended the day with the familiar comfort of injera and traditional dancing.  One of the best parts of the trip is that the boys have been able to eat injera at every meal!!  They are loving it.  The traditional restaurant allowed the boys to indulge once again while enjoying traditional dancing and singing.  Since it was Solomon's day, we thought it was most appropriate to trick him into going up on stage to dance.  He did not think this was funny, but we certainly did!!

Tomorrow we depart from Ethiopia, but the memories will linger.  Adoption is a journey of joy and sorrow, loss and discovery and a journey that is often complex.  We are grateful for this trip that allowed our boys to experience the raw and beautiful reconnection with family and friends.  These are the memories that we will carry home.  We leave Ethiopia with a heart of gratitude, knowing that one day we will again return with more love to share.

Thanks to all of you for your prayers and support during our journey this week.  We pray that you and your loved ones have a Merry Christmas this year.

Ethiopia Day 4 - Kassahun's Day

Day 4 was dedicated to our dear Kassahun and his beautiful family.  We woke up early in Hosanna and drove 3 hours north to Wolisso, Kassahun's hometown.  Wolisso is a vibrant town in the Oromia region of Ethiopia, situated about 114 km south of the capital.  It is where Kassahun grew up and where his older brother and two sisters still live.  As we walked through the streets to his brother's home we were all eager for the visit.

We were greeted at the front door by Kassahun's brother.  The reunion was a tear-jerker.  It was beautiful to see their embrace.

We were then greeted by his two sisters and many nieces and nephews.  

His brother eagerly invited all of us into his home to visit and share a meal together.  They had prepared doro wat for us, which is a spicy dish of lentils and chicken.  This dish isn't a typical everyday dish.  It is reserved for special occasions, so we were honored by this beautiful gesture of hospitality!  We, of course, were also served bunna (coffee) by Kassahun's niece.

Next Kassahun, our ever thoughtful soul, distributed gifts that he had very thoughtfully chosen for each of his family members.  The joy on their faces mirrored his own as he passed them out.  To our Kansas City friends, we made sure that part of their gift represented our love for the Chiefs.  Now KC is well represented in Ethiopia!

The most touching part of the afternoon, was when Kassahun, with a quiet confidence, addressed each family member individually.  He offered words of encouragement, affirmations, and promises of unwavering support.  It was a  beautiful site and a testament to the depth of his love and a window into his kind heart.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, we bid farewell to Kassahun's beautiful family, but again with promises to return again in the future.  Carrying with us the memories of the afternoon, we set off for Negash Lodge, our haven for the night.  These adorable huts became our temporary home for the evening, and we were entertained by the colombus monkeys that call this area home and ran freely throughout the complex.  

Tomorrow we travel back to Addis Ababa for some rest and then it will be SOLOMON'S DAY!

 

Ethiopia Day 3 - Joseph's Day

 At 500am before the sun rose, we set off on a journey to the south unlike any other.  It was Joseph's Day and our turn to see where his family is from in the heart of rural Ethiopia.

The six hour drive south went by quickly as we admired the breathtaking countryside views.  

Once in the town of Hosanna we traded our van for a four wheel drive vehicle to tackle the next hour of the journey.  

We drove until the terrain would not allow us any further by car.  Then we hopped out for the 45 minute walk to their family home.  As we got out of the car to walk there were school children near us that were amazed that the ferenji (foreigners) were in their neck of the woods.  We had a huge group of probably 100 of them following us for most of the journey.

We had no idea what we were getting ourselves in to with this, but it ended up being ABSOLUTELY AMAZING.  We walked through "jungle" meeting animals and neighbors along the way.

Finally, emerging from the dense foliage, there was the most breathtaking sight.  Words (or pictures) don't begin to do it justice.  There was Joseph's family's home amidst sprawling fields of green and yellow.

We were quickly greeted by family with warm smiles and open arms as they invited us into their home to visit and for chai (tea) and dabbo (bread).  As we sat sipping on tea, it was a special time for Joseph to share memories with those who loved him first.  

The family's life was a stark contrast to ours and we were so very intrigued to learn more.  They shared that many family members lived together in the one room hut which housed their beds, kitchen and fireplace, and even animals!  Outside the home they had several cows and crops including false banana and gomen (collard greens).

We visited for several hours and Joseph shared some thoughtful gifts that he brought for them including solar powered lights, solar powered audio-bibles in their language, and some special pictures that were framed.  

As the sun started to dip late in the afternoon, it was time to say our goodbyes.  But the farewells were met with the promise of a return trip.  We left with hearts full of gratitude for their hospitality, our minds filled with the sights and sounds of rural Ethiopia, and our souls touched by the unwavering spirit of Joseph's family.  We praise God for this most amazing day which was a gift to us all!

Thanks for all of your prayers for our transportation in country and for Sophia.  She seems to be back to her self and we have been blessed with an amazing driver who is keeping us safe.  Tomorrow we are excited for KASSAHUN'S DAY!!!

Ethiopia Day 2 - Dagim's Day!

Today was all about Dagim! It was a reunion with a piece of his past that he left 7 years ago.  We began our day at Unity Park where three of Dagim's friends from his orphanage days met us for the day.  It was a beautiful sight to see these four hang out just like old times.  They seemed to pick up right where they left off.  We learned that the three boys live together in an apartment where they are partially supported by the orphanage as they transition into independent life.  I don't think Dagim stopped smiling all day long - he seemed to be overflowing with joy and it was beautiful!

Unity Park was the perfect place to spend the day.  Newly opened in 2019, it is a green oasis in the heart of the city.  We enjoyed the zoo, gardens, and cultural villages showcasing Ethiopia's ethnic groups.  

The highlight of the park, however, was the injera-making session that we took part in.  The boys laughed and cheered as they each tried their hand at the perfect injera pour.  And then, of course, we celebrated the day with an Ethiopian feast.

At the end of the day, we had the privilege of meeting with Dagim's orphanage director, a woman whose kind spirit spoke volumes of her dedication to her "children."  We shared stories of the past and caught up on life as it is now.  What a blessing it was to see her again!

As we reflect on this day of homecoming, we are so thankful for the wonderful people that God placed in Dagim's life in Ethiopia.  We will turn in early tonight as we will leave tomorrow morning before the sun rises to head south.  Tomorrow is ALL ABOUT JOSEPH!!  

Sophia is hanging in there - but please continue to pray that she will feel back to normal soon.  We also ask for prayer for our travel tomorrow as we will be travelling on some roads that are not in the best shape for most of the morning.

Our First Day in Ethiopia

 

Touchdown Addis Ababa!  After way too many hours of travel and two red-eye flights in a row we stumbled off the plane at 625am Ethiopia time in the bustling capital city of Ethiopia.  Our amazing guide and driver met us at the airport, but our hotel would not be ready until noon.  So we did what all good visitors to Ethiopia do....head for bunna, Ethiopia's beloved coffee!

With a few more hours still to burn our next stop was Addis Ababa University, the home of the National Museum of Ethnology.  I wasn't sure how well a museum would go over with 5 jet-lagged kids, but we all LOVED it!  I can't believe we have never gone there on our previous trips.  The museum was a treasure trove of ancient clay artifiacts, intricate tapesteries, relics from ancient empires, and stories about Ethiopian customs and culture.   History came alive and it was fun to see the kids really get into learning!

We then made our way to the hotel for a long afternoon nap. Revived and refueled after the nap, the boys were eager to make their way to their first Ethiopian dinner in country.  They couldn't wait to get their hands on injera, shiro, and doro wat.  Dinner did not disappoint.  

Later in the evening, Kass was able to connect with a few friends who are now living in Addis Ababa.  We loved meeting them and were so glad they could spend some time together.  These are the moments that will make this trip special!

We are all headed to bed now and eager for our day tomorrow.  Tomorrow is ALL ABOUT DAGIM as we meet up with friends from the orphanage and spend time with them at Unity Park.  A few quick prayer points - unfortunately Sophia is not feeling well (so she and I were not able to go to dinner).  Would you pray that she is on the mend soon and the rest of us remain healthy.  Also that God would bless our time of fellowship this week with all of the family and friends that we will get to meet up with.

See you tomorrow!  

Frankfurt and the amazing Christmas Markets

Our 12 hour layover in Frankfurt Germany turned into a delightful Christmas adventure as we explored the city's enchanting Christmas Markets.  Our first stop was the Romberg, the heart of Frankfurt's Christmas Markets.  Here, we were greeted by a dazzling array of stalls adorned with traditional Christmas ornaments, handcrafted trinkets, and an enticing spread of local delicacies.

The boys couldn't resist the aroma of grilled sausages, and they eagerly indulged in a bratwurst, the epitome of German street food.

Our quest for culinary delights continued with the kartoffelpuffer, a hearty potato pancake that's a staple of German cuisine.  We chose the option with applesauce, a classic pairing that was delightful.

For a sweet treat, we couldn't resist the allure of freshly made waffles and crepes.  We opted for the classic waffle topped with Nutella, a combination that never fails to satisfy.

Of course no visit to a German Christmas Market would be complete without trying the traditional Gluhwein, a warm and spiced wine that's the perfect beverage to chase away the winter chill. They also sold a variety of hot chocolate and warm cider drinks. The best part was that each market had their own mugs that they served the drinks in that you get to keep as a souvenir!

As our 12 hour layover drew to a close, we bid farewell to Frankfurt's charming Christmas Markets, our bellies full and our hearts filled with the spirit of the season. We experienced the essence of German Christmas traditions, indulging in hearty cuisine, warm beverages and the enchanting atmosphere of the markets. We are all exhausted but agree that it was well worth it!

Next stop is Ethiopia! We will arrive at 625am Ethiopia time. We are not sure we will do much on day 1 as we are waiting to see how good (or bad!) we feel after our 50 hours of travel!