Day ONE Ethiopia

Isaiah 61:3

³     and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
    instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
    instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
    instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
    a planting of the Lord
    for the display of his splendor.

painted on the wall outside guest house

We arrived in Addis Ababa Ethiopia around 8 am (Saturday).  The guest house where we are staying is only 5 or so minutes from the airport.  We arrived and spent a couple of hours here with 2 other families (who are leaving w/their children tonight) and our adoption coordinator who is here visiting.

Our coordinator then took us to the “transition home” where “Y” is.  This is not the orphanage.  This is where children who have been matched with families go and wait for their court date and for their families to come get them.  When we arrived, we drove through the gate (everywhere here has tall walls surrounding the bldg. and one gate to enter through), “Y” was playing in the front yard.  All the children rushed up to us including him, and he was grinning from ear to ear. 

We were instructed to bring a backpack of goodies for him (and brought a few things for the other children).  All of the children who have families in the transition home have backpacks and are very proud of their contents!  “Y” gave us a slight hug and then wanted his backpack IMMEDIATELY! Lol He also opened it IMMEDIATELY!  And then, we don’t think he ever took his backpack off.  He was very proud of it.

his backpack

Everything was good but also a little awkward…. other kids were wanting our attention, we knew his birthmother was somewhere at the house waiting on us, he was tossing things onto the ground from out of his backpack, etc…. You can get the picture.  Luckily,  I’ve heard enough “first meeting adoption stories” to know that rarely does anyone have that precious moment where eyes lock, tears of happiness are shed and POOF you are a family.

We sat with “Y” just a little while outside with other kids in our laps and on our hips.  Then, we made the move to go inside to meet his mother.  She was a beautiful 19 year old Muslim girl. She went on to tell us a very moving story about “Y”.  She was pregnant with him at 13 years old and tried to have an abortion because the father did not want a child.  He was young also.  However, the abortion “did not take” in her words.  It sounded as if she had tried several times.  For this reason his birth name means miracle work of God.  WOW.  We have all of this on video.  Priceless.  She kissed him several times and he was also affectionate towards her.  Together, we looked at photo’s of our family.  His mother was very happy to know that we had other children.  I gave her a photo album as a keepsake and she was very thankful.

We took some “family” photo’s including his mother.  I want him to have these and hope that he has happy memories of his time w/his mom.  In adoption, the “B” word – meaning birthmother can be a VERY scary thing…..even when adopting internationally.  On the way to Ethiopia part of me was pretty bummed that this was the route God had laid out for us.  It’s easy to want to just grab your child and get the heck out of dodge, so to speak!!  But the fact is – “Y” had a life before us.  To totally ignore all of that, like life didn’t happen until he met us, would be ridiculous.

together at last

It makes me think about our relationship with Christ.  For believers, we had life before we met Christ.  Part of that life could have been very good and part of that life could have been very, very dark.  Regardless – it’s what do we do with all that stuff (good or bad) once we claim Him as Lord.  Do we act like life never happened?  Or – do we use it for His purpose?

I DO NOT intend to draw the parallel that Russ and I are like Christ in anyway and have “saved” this little boy.  Not at all!!  I’m just saying how we have a choice.  First, as his mother, I have to embrace the realities of what “Y” has faced. His birthmother was 13 when he was born. She tried to abort him. Life was too difficult so she gave him up.  WOW – harsh, huh?  However, with discretion, I can share stories of “Y’s” past, show him pictures, pray for his mother and that information can be used to help him fulfill his ultimate purpose for the kingdom. 

Just like, with discretion, you and I can share personal stories, experiences, etc… from our past and use them to help others grow in Christ and allow us to fulfill our God given purpose. 

It’s tempting to shut down and totally close the door on a chapter of your life, especially when it’s been hard.  I encourage you to make the choice to embrace the good, bad and the ugly.  He will bestow a crown of beauty instead of ashes.