Journey to Ethiopia (Part I)

I've been home almost 4 weeks, so I thought it was time I got back to blogging. I had every intention of blogging while in Ethiopia, but nothing worked out quite like I thought it would (with the exception of bringing my sweet boy home). When I realized I couldn't blog or even have regular access to internet service, I thought I'd just email Brian and he could blog my comments for me...but that didn't quite work out either. Here's what did work out in Ethiopia: I met and brought home the most precious baby boy, my son. He is a beautiful and precious gift from God, and I have been so incredibly humbled by the blessing of him. Here's my trip in a nutshell (I'll save all of the little details for Elias some day.)

Day 1 Leaving for Ethiopia: Our families took Sherry and me to the airport and after a long goodbye full of hugs, kisses and tears, we went through our first security check. After lots of sweat and rearranging clothes etc., we made it to the area where we would board our plane headed for DC only to learn that our flight would be delayed for maintenance....great. Once we were able to board our VERY TINY plane to DC, we felt like we were finally Ethiopia bound. God and my SIL got me through that scary flight from Nashville to DC (ok, and a little tiny anxiety pill; I won't lie). Once we made it to DC, we boarded our plane to Ethiopia. WOW! Ethiopia Air rocked!! It was such a nice flight...long, but nice.

Day 2 Landing in Ethiopia: After a very long 19 hour flight, we finally landed in Elias' birth country.
I distinctly remember how it felt landing in China, too; knowing that I was in the same country where my son was born was very overwhelming. Sherry and I were terrified getting off that plane, but thankfully we'd met a very nice family from Nashville who stayed with us the entire time. I honestly don't know how we would have survived without them. Once we got our Visas, found all of our luggage (YES!!!!) and exchanged our money, it was time to go through security again and find our ride to the House of Hope. We walked out of the security area and were met by a sea of people holding signs, looking for loved ones etc. We saw all kind of signs, but not a single one had our agency's name or our names. The sweet family would not leave us, and for that we will be eternally grateful. We were able to contact the director, and he said he could be there in 30 minutes. So, we waited. Did I mention is was 10:00 at night when we were waiting??? Eventually, our driver came and took us on one of the most memorable rides to the place where Elias was. I wasn't expecting this because we weren't staying there; I wasn't supposed to meet him until the next day. As I climbed those stairs to the room where he was, I can recall every emotion I felt.
We entered the room, and there he was asleep in his bed. The nanny picked him up and handed him to me. He woke up, and those beautiful eyes looked right at me. God is so good!! When it was time to put him down (oh yeah, the hardest thing I've ever done), he held onto my shirt. Heart wrenching!!!!! I promised him that was the last time I'd ever leave him. Our driver then took us to HOH #2 where there was no power, an armed guard, and where Sherry and I were the only occupants. Oh, and there were lots of wild dogs barking in the distance.

Day 3 Elias comes to HOH #2: After a night of no sleep (remember, no electricity, wild dogs, etc), Sherry and I hear a knock on our door. We look out to see the director's wife holding my sweet boy, Elias.
He came to me instantly and didn't cry a single time. Those big brown eyes that I'd memorized during the past several months were finally looking right at me. I'm not sure what labor feels like, but I'm thinking traveling 19 hours, living through no electricity and surviving packs of wild dogs has to be pretty close. AND, I know that having your son handed to you for the very first time HAS to feel the same no matter what you go through to get there. I'd explain more, but I'm sure the picture says it all.
After we got Elias cleaned up, it was time for us to tour the city. Addis Ababa is such an interesting place. I'll never forget the people I saw there or the way my heart ached when I saw the living conditions of many of the people. The average life expectancy is 46 and the government owns everything. We are very blessed to live in America.

Day 4 The lion Zoo: The next day, we learned that we'd be visiting the Lion Zoo. This is one of the attractions that Addis is very proud of. The lions were huge and beautiful.
Elias enjoyed looking at the animals, and the whole time I was there, I kept thinking how much Ella would have loved it (minus all of the strange bugs that were EVERYWHERE...GEEZ!) We stayed there for a while and then went to the Hilton for internet service and to confirm our flights home.

Day 5 Visa Appointment and HOH #1 Visit:
We went to the HOH #1 to visit the nannies and the other children waiting for their forever families. This was a very emotional time for us all since this was where our children had been waiting. It was immaculate!! The conditions were wonderful, and the children were VERY loved. The nanny/child ratio was very low, and each baby had his/her own bed. The older children had a play area and had a room for learning. The saddest part was when the 3 and 4 year olds ran up to us and said, "Mommy?" They are waiting, and any of us could have been their forever family. Precious, precious children. I cried a lot while I was there, and I cried when I left. I cried while I was there because I was so grateful for the care they gave Elias and for the care they continue to give the other children.
I cried when I left because I was taking Elias away from the only real home he had known. I prayed as we drove away that God would help me to always remember those amazing women and that I could share with Elias what I felt there that day. Next, we headed to our Visa Appointment. This was a little stressful because the American Embassy lost an important document of mine. It was the one that Brian signed giving me power of attorney to sign all legal documents and to bring Elias home. This was a very important piece of paperwork. Only by the grace of God did they accept a copy. It's unheard of for them to do this, but they did. I decided to make copies the day before I left (thank you, Sharon). When they told me to go sit down because I didn't have the necessary paperwork, I told God that I couldn't leave without my son and asked Him to please help me figure this out. Shortly thereafter, our director came to me, bent down to my ear and asked quietly if I had a copy. Oh, yes, I DID have a copy. Yeah, GOD!!!!!!

Day 6 Elias gets sick: The next day, Elias started getting sick. He had terrible diarrhea (we found out when we got home it was just a formula issue). Sherry and I were so distraught about this and felt like we just needed to get him home. He started running a fever and was digging in his right ear pretty regularly. We decided we should leave the next day instead of waiting until Sunday. This all depended on whether or not we could get Elias' visa the next day and whether or not we could get our flights changed. I called Brian (it was 2:00 AM in Nashville) and told him our situation. I told him that we felt like we needed to get Elias home and that it was scary there at night. That last part was one of those comments that just comes out when you are crying, exhausted and don't really know what you are saying. Needless to say, Brian got the flights changed for us, and God took care of the Visa. Sherry and I prayed that Elias would make it on the 19 hour flight without getting dehydrated.

Day 7 The flight home: About an hour before we were supposed to leave for the airport, Elias started getting sick again. Sherry and I DID NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO. She called a pediatrician she works with and she advised us to get on the plane and bring him home. We took a huge leap of faith and trusted that God would get us home. Right before we left the HOH, the cook came up to tell us goodbye. She could see how visibly shaken we were. I started to cry when I told her about Elias. I asked her to pray for him, and she started praying right then and there. Now I've heard lots of people pray, but I've only heard a few people really talk to God. This women TALKED to God and she did it in her native language, Amharic. I don't think I've ever experienced anything like that in my entire life. She layed her hands on my son and she looked up to Heaven and cried out to our Heavenly Father. How do I know she looked up to Heaven?? I watched her. My eyes were closed for most of it, but I've got to tell you that I HAD to open my eyes. I had to see this precious woman praying for my son. God lives in the hearts of ALL those who seek him. I witnessed that in Ethiopia. Elias made it all the way home without diarrhea!!


Day 8 Arriving Home: We made it to Nashville without any major problems. We were thrilled to see our families; the emotion was so raw. Elias went to Brian very easily, and it warmed my heart to see Brian holding his son. I travled a very long way to see that moment, and I'd do it all a million times again. God has blessed us with two beautiful children, and our hearts are very full. We haven't felt the kind of peace that we feel now. Our children are home...forever.