After many, many, many hours on a plane we have arrived in Ethiopia!! The plane ride from DC to Addis Ababa was very comfortable. We can't say the same for the trip from Detroit to DC...but that is all behind us now. We met a couple from Oregon on our flight that are also here adopting a son. We actually got their info and (maybe) will try to meet up with them while we're here. If not we at least have someone we can email with when we return to the States.
Alemu picked us up from the airport after we went through customs and obtained our visas to enter the country. We then came to the guest house (which is Alemu's own house) just about a mile from the airport. We just finished our dinner and are now enjoying bread that was baked for us as part of an Ethiopian tradition. The accommodations here are very nice. We've got our own room with a crib already ready for Henock.
We found out that we will be going to the Adera orphanage tomorrow to pick up Henock. Very exciting!!! It will be hard to sleep tonight for sure. Alemu also told us that the package we sent for Henock (on April 20th) just arrived yesterday. I guess we could have just brought the items ourselves. At least Henock is sleeping with our gifts for one night before we meet him tomorrow.
It sounds like all the donations we brought will be split between two orphanges so we can benefit the most children. I think we ended up with about 70lbs. of donations. We'll be a lot lighter coming back. Except I guess we'll have one more person with us!!
That's all for now. Goodnight everyone.
Fitness cycling Understand
6 years ago
17 comments:
So happy you made it safe and comfortably! It is funny because you guys were joking that the package would arrive around the same time you did. Who knew how right you would be?
I am so glad you made it there safely! I was worried about you for the long plane ride. I spoke with Mom 10 minutes after she talked to you in DC. I am so excited for you to pick up Henock tomorrow. I can't wait to read a post.
I have been hitting refresh on your blog for about two hours now. I am confident I hit refresh over 200 times througout the day. I finally decided if I got up to go to the bathroom, maybe I'd get back and something would be posted. It worked!
oops...that last message is from me.
Alison
oops again.
Glad to hear you got there and everything is going well so far! Hopefully having one bad flight already means you won't have to suffer on the way home!!! :-) Can't wait to read about your first meeting with your son.
Elizabeth has been talking about going to see her new cousin on an airplane. She says she is going to hold her new baby cousin.
We are very happy to hear you made it safely. I pray that morning comes quickly for you. As your life will forever be changed.
All our love...
Uncle Rick, Aunt Caroline, and
Cousins Elizabeth and Sarah
I couldn't wait to get home and see if you made an entry... whew! What a relief!
So happy that you are there safely AND that you will be able to pick him up tomorrow! We will anxiously await the next post!
Kim
8:20pm here. 3:20 am there.
Are you sleeping or laying there staring at your son? In one way this is his re-birthday as a McKinney. You will always remember this special day. We are sooooo excited for you and look forward to meeting the newest addition to to family. Love to all three of you,
Uncle Brian & Aunt Chris
Hi Joanna and Benjamin,
We are so relieved that your are safely in Ethiopia. What an emotional day!!! Everyone I saw at school was asking how yesterday had gone and if I knew anything yet. I spent the whole day with tears welling up every time I thought of you two. What a relief. Dad and I couldn't wait to read your blog. We wait with much anticipation, your blog of tomorrow. We love you both very much.
Mom and Dad K
P.S. Hang on Henock, Mommy and Daddy will be there soon.
Love Grandma and Papa K
Yeah!!! Told you that you could do it (the flight):-) If I got the clock right, you're about 4 hours away from meeting your son. I can't wait to hear about him...and if he really did shrink!! Enjoy your first days as parents. Love you both.
So glad to hear that you made it. Of course, we can't wait to hear all about every last detail! God bless!
Very, very cool. I'm very excited for tomorrow (today?)- so I can't even begin to imagine both of your jitters. I really would be checking the blog every 5 mins tomorrow, but I might just let Alison do the work for me and wait for her email.
If you can, post a pic of the 3 of you. ...And then post like 200 or 300 more pictures too. And videos. With sound.
Steve
We're all glad you made it safe and sound. Big day tomorrow (today for you)! We're all so excited for both of you. Please post some pics if you can.
John & The Chrysler gang
SO glad to hear that you made it! We can't wait to hear about your meeting and to see new pictures of the three of you!
Love, The Sigler's
Ben/Joanna
I just got your blog address at work and have read the entire thing. By now you have met your son and your new journey can finally start. Congratulations! You will love being parents, it is the greatest experience you can imagine. Enjoy your time in Africa and especially enjoy your new addition!
Greg L.
It's hard to think of anything else here. We are constantly looking at the clock and wondering what you're up to at this time and that time. You have had probably several hours with him by now...we're sure it's been amazing. So relieved to here you're in good hands while there...we will say a prayer of thanksgiving for your son and for Alemu as well. What a great job he has bringing families together. Eagerly awaiting the next post...
Love, The Becks
I can't concentrate...I keep checking this site...hoping for a glimpse of what you are experiencing. I keep glancing at the clock, forming pictures in my head of what you may be doing, feeling, thinking, absorbing, living...just think God had this in mind all along. It's great to hear that you are in good hands, and that by now you have been united with your son. You have been able to hold him, hear him, and smell his sweet wonderful scent. My thoughts and prayers are with you and everyone that has been apart of this process for you.
What a wonderful miracle on how this unfolds.
Love you...
Caroline
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