we are here. in addis ababa. again. and possibly for the last time in a while. not sure when we'll be back, maybe when Isaac and Biftu are old enough for a visit to learn more about their country. who knows. it's really good to be here. rainy season is over, it's sunny and high in the lower to mid 70's every day. we arrived Tuesday 1AM from Qatar. it was a long 30 hours of travel, but it wasn't bad. we slept in some Tuesday and hired a driver to take us around to a few places, like Sole Rebels to pick up some shoes we ordered, and also to Tomoca to get 20 bags of coffee, 22 pounds of coffee. we like to stock up. because it's the best! we grabbed a quick lunch at a nearby hotel and then met our driver at 2:30 to go to Sele Enat, Biftu's orphanage.
She was still asleep, but the nanny woke her up, we changed her into an outfit we had brought, sat with a nanny and an interpreter to learn about her schedule, likes/dislikes, etc. The nanny said she has been with Biftu since she came to the orphanage, so for about 10 months. I kept wondering what it was like for us to come in and take her, what it was like for her, it's all she has ever known. The sites, smells, faces, routine, her nursery buddies right next to her crib, and now we just waltz in and take her and that's it. Obviously, it's not easy. I imagine it's not easy for the nannies either. To have redemption requires loss somewhere along the way.
Then, the orphanage had a farewell ceremony for us, complete with cakes from Kaldi's, a coffee ceremony and popcorn, fanta and coke, and children from the orphanage singing and clapping. It was very special. The director gave us and the other family that was with us picking up their son, each packages, a traditional outfit, for Biftu a dress, and for our friend's son a top and pants. We felt very honored.
She's been sick. It's not pretty. It's just the mess in her diapers, someone mentioned giardia. We aren't sure. She's pretty lethargic. Pretty calm. Pretty cuddly. Pretty content. We have coaxed smiles out of her, and even a little giggle, but mostly just wide-eyed looking around, starting at us, taking it all in. I imagine even if she was feeling 100% she would still be somewhat shell-shocked. She likes to be held, so we hold her all the time, which is no problem. She is tiny. SHe has a protruding belly, possibly from giardia as well, but other than that I don't think she has great muscle mass. She babbled some tonight, but has not cried or fussed or made much noise at all. We tried to take her to a clinic tonight but because it's a holiday the dr had already left, so we are going back first thing in the morning. I hate to see her so sick. We have given her pedialite and some baby cold medicine because she has some serious chest congestion as well. I hope we can clear up the diarrhea before we leave on a plan for 30 hours of travel again.
She is beautiful though. Her bright eyes, her sweet cheeks and dainty little nose and lips. She's prefect in every way. She will try to crawl to me if I say "ney" (come), and she will smile. We rock her to sleep, she sleeps easily, which is good. She seems to be an overall happy baby. I worry because she has not eaten much and doesn't seem to have much of an appetite. Hopefully the dr will have answers tomorrow and we can get some medicine. but she sure is cute.
we went to the Embassy today, which was quick and easy. The girl behind the window asked if we are aware of her medical condition, in a way which indicated "sorry, this is obvious but I have to ask it." She told us that her sister was born with the same condition and their father lost his left arm in war. Her sister has a bionic left arm which she has had since she was 7 or 8 years old and uses easily. Pretty neat connection.
This has been a good trip so far. They are all different of course, it depends on the families you meet while here. Our friend Fekadu is in the hospital with typhoid and malaria, but we might try to visit him tomorrow to say hello. Our friend Woge was able to get her job again at Lucyland so we were able to see her last night. It's different now having a baby with us, we aren't as free to just come and go whenever, and that is more than okay with me. I miss my boy and am ready to be home to see him. we might try to call him tomorrow sometime!
I am here praising God, singing songs about Jesus to my girl, trying to meet all of her needs and care for her and love her well, cocooning as a family of 3 for now. This is good and right where I want to be. In this month of thankfulness, I am eternally thankful to my God for bringing us here, for rescuing our daughter, for creating and growing our family, for always loving us.
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