The Gate

This was our guest house in Addis Ababa. Most of the homes have barbed wire and a gate around the home. There is little violent crime but lots of petty theft. Our guest house was a nice place to stay and I always felt safe there. Our room had a balcony that overlooked the city, and I enjoyed looking out at this beautiful place every morning. Each night, Tim and I would go down to the lobby to use the Internet, and we enjoyed the time talking with the other families. One of the greatest joys from the trip was getting to know the other adoptive families, hear their hearts and stories, and witness them being united with their children. What an amazing thing to watch! Below is a picture of some friends we met in Nashville through the African Adoption Fellowship group. They were in Addis the same time we were to pick up their son. What a treat it was to watch them meet their son for the first time. There was not a dry eye at the transition home. The families we met on this trip will forever have a special place in our hearts.

This is the gate and entrance to the America World transition home for the younger children. I will never forget driving the very bumpy and rocky road that led to this gate. I kept looking for the sign, and once I saw it, my heart starting beating twice as fast. I was about to meet my girl. Every day while we were in Addis, I looked forward to seeing this sign and spending time with Lidiya. Experiencing the culture, eating the food, and spending time with the other families was great, but seeing Lidiya was the absolute highlight of my days in Addis.

I look forward to entering this gate again to bring Lidiya home. Even though she has wonderful nannies who love her, nothing can compare to a home with a mommy and daddy. She will no longer be one of six or eight babies in one room. She will get to go outside and see the sunshine lots and lots. She will have two big brothers who adore her. She will go to church, learn Bible verses, and be a part of an amazing Vacation Bible school every summer. She will get new school supplies every fall as she prepares for the new school year. She will be gently tucked into bed each night by a mommy and daddy who love her so much. Every one of those children we met in Ethiopia should have all of this. I pray God will bring each of them a home and a family to love them.