These past three years have seen us through a wide range of emotions--the highs, the lows, the in-betweens.
Adoption is not easy.
It is most definitely not for the faint of heart.
And these past few days have proven so.
Of every emotion and rollercoaster we've been through, these past three days have hands-down been the most emotional...
On Thursday we got up before sunlight to head to the airport. We flew from Addis Ababa to Dire Dawa, a community about 40 miles from Harar--the boys' birth town. From DD we took a van to Harar. The two towns are very different than Addis--smaller communities, fewer cars, older buildings, and the people are even more welcoming --which I didn't think was possible.
Upon pulling into Harar, Nahagi asked the driver to stop. He knew every twist and turn for many miles before, and knew this was exactly where you turn to their little village. We turned down the road bouncing up and down on a dirt path that's typically not used for vehicles. A few feet from the turn off and little girl about 6 ran up to the van yelling, "NAHGAI, NAHAGI." She ran alongside the van all the way back to their little community. People young and old swarmed us, all knowing the boys and welcoming them (and us) with hugs and kisses.
And that began our day in Harar.
For the sake of keeping their story THEIR story, I will not be sharing photos or many more details of our day. Just believe me when I say it was wonderfully special, full of many tears, and needed.
While in Harar we did get to tour the city, have lunch (including Nahagi's Kitfo Tibs---raw beef!!), and tour Abenezer-Harar where the boys were before being moved to Abenezer-Addis Ababa.
Traveling to Harar with the boys was the best thing for us. Yes, it was heartbreaking and hard; but helpful for the boys AND us. Someday you may hear the entire story, but for now please just be praying for them. Their hearts have been through so much in their young lives.
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We traveled back to our hotel in Dire Dawa--staying up late enjoying supper in our room and watching movies.
On Friday we spent half the day in Dire Dawa before our plane took us back to Addis.
We walked the beautiful tree lined streets.
Watched monkeys play.
Went to the market.
Stopped at little shop at Nahagi's request for some baklava and another sweet treat that he said is his favorite (ha-luh-wah or something like that).
And even rode on a horse and buggy taxi!
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Today we awoke with another lump in our throats....knowing it was going to be another day full of tears as we took the boys back to Abenezer for their Going Away Ceremony. We had heard about this ceremony from other families and knew that it was a tradition. But we did not know the specifics of the ceremony nor were we prepared for how hard it would be for us all.
We all piled into the school/dining room as the boys came in wearing traditional Ethiopian outfits. All the kids were seated around the room as they first called us up and they prayed for us. As we came forward, everyone was crying---including Detcho who SOBBED into the orphanage director's arms. It was hard to make it through the prayer as we were all crying.
A few hours later we pulled away from Abenezer--a place so dear to the boys, and very special to us. Even the grown men stood around the van with tears in their eyes. One of them men pulled me aside earlier in the day to make sure I understood how special D and N were to them all. He said it's been a very tough week around Abenezer with them leaving and that they're a namesake of Abenezer having been there so long.
It was another special day, but very hard for the boys. We ask that you all uplift them in prayers are they have had a few hard days...a lot to process.
We're here for another 2 days and then we begin our journey home. The boys ARE excited and anxious to come home with us, but we keep reminding them that it's OKAY to be sad and to grieve.
Adoption is not easy.
It is most definitely not for the faint of heart.
And these past few days have proven so.
Of every emotion and rollercoaster we've been through, these past three days have hands-down been the most emotional...
On Thursday we got up before sunlight to head to the airport. We flew from Addis Ababa to Dire Dawa, a community about 40 miles from Harar--the boys' birth town. From DD we took a van to Harar. The two towns are very different than Addis--smaller communities, fewer cars, older buildings, and the people are even more welcoming --which I didn't think was possible.
For the sake of keeping their story THEIR story, I will not be sharing photos or many more details of our day. Just believe me when I say it was wonderfully special, full of many tears, and needed.
While in Harar we did get to tour the city, have lunch (including Nahagi's Kitfo Tibs---raw beef!!), and tour Abenezer-Harar where the boys were before being moved to Abenezer-Addis Ababa.
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| A photo of Detcho 4 years ago! |
Streets of Harar...
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We traveled back to our hotel in Dire Dawa--staying up late enjoying supper in our room and watching movies.
On Friday we spent half the day in Dire Dawa before our plane took us back to Addis.
We walked the beautiful tree lined streets.
Watched monkeys play.
Went to the market.
Stopped at little shop at Nahagi's request for some baklava and another sweet treat that he said is his favorite (ha-luh-wah or something like that).
And even rode on a horse and buggy taxi!
Today we awoke with another lump in our throats....knowing it was going to be another day full of tears as we took the boys back to Abenezer for their Going Away Ceremony. We had heard about this ceremony from other families and knew that it was a tradition. But we did not know the specifics of the ceremony nor were we prepared for how hard it would be for us all.
We all piled into the school/dining room as the boys came in wearing traditional Ethiopian outfits. All the kids were seated around the room as they first called us up and they prayed for us. As we came forward, everyone was crying---including Detcho who SOBBED into the orphanage director's arms. It was hard to make it through the prayer as we were all crying.
After the prayer the four of us were seated as the children came and brought D and N pictures they had made and gave hugs. Then the boys and some of their friends blessed us with some traditional songs/dancing and we enjoyed a feast of treats!!
It was another special day, but very hard for the boys. We ask that you all uplift them in prayers are they have had a few hard days...a lot to process.
We're here for another 2 days and then we begin our journey home. The boys ARE excited and anxious to come home with us, but we keep reminding them that it's OKAY to be sad and to grieve.
wow. thanks for sharing.
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