Counting Down the Days

This has been a long month.  Since Staci and I returned from Ethiopia the wait has been very difficult.  We are so anxious to get the date for our embassy appointment and bring Sofani home.  Sofani’s Aunt Mihreret has to visit the US Embassy on Monday, July 9^th.  This is the final step in the process.  We should know our travel dates on Monday.  More than likely we will travel the week of July 16^th. 

Staci and I have deliberated about the return trip – who would stay and who would go.  At this point Avery and Jackson are planning on making the trip with me and Staci is going to stay in the US with Anna.  I think it will be a once in a lifetime experience for Avery and Jackson to see Sofani’s country and meet him on his own turf.  They both recently had their immunizations and are gearing up for the trip. 

While we’re in Ethiopia, we have made arrangements to go to visit Birtukan, the girl that Avery sponsors in the Southern region of Ethiopia, through World Vision.  Birtukan and Avery have been corresponding over the past year.  Birtukan lives in a World Vision sponsored village near Jimma town.  Jimma is 315 km from Addis Ababa (about 4 hours away).  She lives with her parents and 1 sister.  The village that she lives in has been impacted severely by the HIV/AIDS crisis. 

Avery sends Birtukan letters and as many things as she can stuff in an envelope – jump ropes, bracelets, tights, etc.  Birtukan’s last letter said that she “kissed and hugged” the photos that Avery sent her.  At the end of the letter Birtukan said that “we wish you good times and hope to meet you.”  She wrote this before she knew that Avery was going to Ethiopia (she will likely be made aware in the coming week). We will be packing gifts for Birtukan’s family.  Avery, Jackson, Sofani and I will be spending one night in Jimma along with our 2 chaperones from World Vision.   This will be a special day for all of us – especially Avery and Birtukan.  It’s going to be life changing for everyone involved. 

I would ask that you pray for Mihreret’s travel to Addis and that we would get a good price for flights since we’re booking on such short notice.  Please pray for Sofani and the rest of the children at the transition home who are anxiously awaiting the opportunity to have families.  Pray for good health and smooth travels for Avery, Jackson and me.  Pray for Staci and Anna as they hold down the fort and anxiously await our return to the US.  Pray for Birtukan and for our trip to Jimma in the Southern Region of Ethiopia.

We are planning an open house for Sofani on Saturday, August 18^th.  If you have followed our story and would like to meet Sofani this would be a great opportunity. 

More details to follow!