Ethiopia #4

So here is the news.... Sydney's embassy date went well. I was throwing up before it, but I had to go so by the time we got there, i actually felt much better. the lady who went with us who was adopting two boys threw up on the way back and the funny thing was, it was just normal. When we got the embassy, the man processing our papers was American and we told him about our son. He said he would remember our names so that we didn't have to wait for an embassy date (which typically takes 4-5 weeks to get). He said, just show up and he would process it the same day. It also takes 2 days after the appt. to wait for the child's visa and passport. So that just saved us all of that time. We found out last night that we were able to get a court date for Andrew for tomorrow, Friday! So what that means is that we are staying another week. There are many things that we will just have to go on faith for.
Things to pray for
1. that the court date goes through tomorrow (some have been taking 3-4 times bc of missing documents)
2. the possibility of meeting the birth father after court
3. getting Andrew and knowing how to love him so well as we take him from the care center
4. that it would take 3 days to get the birth certificate versus 4 in order to make our frequent flyer tickets for next thursday
5. that we could go to the embassy on thursday, see the same guy, and get it processed by 6 pm for our flights at 10:45 Thursday
6. of course, pray for our hearts as it is hard to be away from Bobby and Thomas for another week
7. and lastly, for my in-laws and my famliy who have so willingly given up their life to serve us and our children... energy, patience, extra tenderness for the boys

Faith is the theme this week. Andy and I prayed last night to know whether to stay or not with so much unknown (remember the title of the blog....). God of course made it abundantly clear through His Word that we are be here. We will rely on all of you when we hit our weak, sinful moments of doubt to intercede for us as we trek through another week in Ethiopia.

We are so thankful for all of your prayers; we are really beginning to find a love for this place despite all the challenges. The power has been out so we have been playing uno with some fun folks in the guest house by candlelight. Quite the third world experience; many laughs, many tears, many memories.

Quick update on Andrew... he is amazing. He has changed so much in the past few days. I went yesterday after being sick for 2 days and he came out to meet us. He loved the ball we brought him and the moon sand. He knows we are there for him now. He smiles so much now when he sees us. He hasn't spoken until yesterday, we said over and over again, "Say Bobby", "Say Thomas". In the softest whisper he uttered both...he can talk! we are so grateful for these moments. It is such a blessing to see this transformation.

Hopefully we will have power so we can update you as the week progresses...