This past Friday afternoon we were scheduled to have a "phone meeting" with our consultants about our upcoming court date for Sintayehu. While the intention of the scheduled meeting was to discuss travel arrangements, the tone quickly changed after we were informed that there have been complications that may delay our court date. Unfortunately, the reality is that "may" seems like a far reaching comment. We are not expecting anything on Wednesday. We are so disappointed. We are not sure, at this point, when those complications will be remedied.
However, deeper than that disappointment is fear. We also learned that the formula situation in Ethiopia is becoming "precarious". It appears that the orphanage that Sintayehu is in doesn't have a surplus of formula. While formula being sent over has certainly been attempted, the most full proof way of having the formula arrive is with people handing it off directly. The adoption boards have come alive with plans, for which we are grateful. We hope to connect with a family who is traveling mid-March to be able to hand off the stockpile in our basement. Ironic that there is formula right under me and a child 7337 miles away who needs it. Scratch that....children 7337 miles who need it now!
Our Saturday consisted of us searching the Ethiopian Airlines website looking for flights to have ready should we get the go ahead to hop on a flight with formula in tow. Does it seem irrational that a parent wants his/her child to have food? To say that this is frustrating and sad is an understatement. I hate feeling helpless while we go about our daily happenings. I hate the fact that when Mikias didn't finish something at dinner, I noticed it more. More than anything, I hate the fact that this is our son we are talking about.
Today we received word that a doctor had visited our son. On January 6th, Sintayehu was 5.8kg. Today he is 6.0kg. We are thankful that there are hands to examine him. We were also told that our contact feels as if they have enough resources until our next group arrives. These are all good things....at least enough to stall us from purchasing tickets, for now.
The hardest part of our surreal experience is that hunger is the reality for many people on a daily basis. We only feel deeper now because we are talking about our family member. I wish I knew how to bottle these feelings up so I can remember them when our life returns to "so called" normal. The clarity that is present right now is certainly powerful.
When you have a moment....please send some thoughts across the ocean to a little guy and his friends who could use a little love.
Fitness cycling Understand
5 years ago
3 comments:
I'm so sorry that your court day may be delayed, I pray that any snags be worked out. It's awful not to have more immediate help available regarding the formula, it shouldn't be so difficult to mail it off and know it's going to go to the right place and get through customs, too. I pray for protection for your little guy and all the other children there.
Sorry to hear about your court date and that it may be delayed.
We did bring over a lot and gave it all to Alemu so hopefully that will get to him and the other children. It was a 36 galloon container completely full.
Glad your little guy has gained some weight. I did ask Alemu if we could go to his orphanage when we were there but he said no. Sorry, I wish we could have.
I was so sorry to hear that the court date was most likely not going to go through tomorrow - hopefully the issues that need to be worked out will be resolved very soon and you'll be on your way to Ethiopia again! Being far away is so very difficult - hang in there and enjoy the last few weeks as a family of three!
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