One Week to Go?

Well we got Lee to call with Ethiopian Airlines to ensure there were no issues.  We didn’t want there to be a translation issue so we got Lee as she speaks both Amharic and English fluently.  Well it appears Karen’s ticket is for Friday instead of Wednesday like Ibssa and mine.

Psyche – just kidding, hers is OK for Wednesday too.  The countdown has started – 7 days left.  We, of course, are assuming that our visa went in pouch today at the High Commission in Kenya like they emailed they would.  We will only know for sure when they open the pouch here in Ethiopia at the Canadian Embassy.

Today we didn’t do too much.  We went to the leather shops where I purchased a new computer bag for $30 and got Kate one too.– quite a deal.  While we were at the shops, Markos was conversing with one of the ladies.  When we were leaving the lady said, “Thank you for taking care of him.  God Bless you.”  Markos obviously told her that we adopted him.  It makes it all feel just right, when you hear that.

 

 

 

After lunch and Ibssa’s nap, we did our daily walk to pick up a couple of groceries.  On the way, in this small city of 6 million or so, a lady stops and says “Ibssa?  Ibssa?”.  It was hard to believe that you would run into someone on the street.  Ibssa ignored her like he didn’t know her.  She was happy to sees him and shook our hands.

After she left, we asked Ibssa if he knew her.  A big smile came over his face.   I said “Is she from Abenezer” and Ibssa said yes.  We believed she was the office clerk.  On return back to guesthouse, Ibssa played with Ashu for an hour until it was supper time. 

Supper was soup / stew that Candy made before she left and Karen froze.  Candy, if you are reading this, it was delicious.  We will have to stop by one day for more.

A movie and popcorn and it was bedtime. 

A matter of time

Yesterday we ventured out to get plane tickets for Ibssa and I. Markos took the three of us to to the Ethiopian Air office. We waited in line for one hour and then I sat with the ticket agent for an hour trying to sort out our tickets. Paul and booked his return for October 28.  When I tried to book Ibssa and I on that flight it was full. Grrrr. I really wanted to come home that day. The next flight is on Wednesday the 30th. So we proceeded to get all three of us on that flight.  What a struggle that was. The good news is that they said they had no record of my first change so my change was free. Paul however had to pay $300 for his change. Ibssa's ticket was just over $1100 for a one way ticket. That is almost the same as what Paul paid for his ticket. Good grief. By the end of the process I was pretty frustrated. Paul had to entertain Ibssa the entire time and Ibssa wasn't being very patient. After you are done with the agent you go to another window to pick up your ticket. It is nothing like at home. A printer with a roll of paper just continually prints and the agent just cuts them to separate your ticket from everyone else's.  There was a lot if time between when she processed my ticket and then processed the boys so there was a lot of tickets between ours. She found Paul and Ibssa's tickets right away and had a hard time finding mine in the pile. She found one with my name and handed to me and said done. We left without looking at them because we had all had enough at this point vehemently we were on the way home I noticed mine wasn't a ticket like the other two. Good grief!  I said to Paul that I am tired of trying to deal with these people so he is going to try and sort it out today. With my luck the boys will be going home and I will have to stay :-(  I am sure we will sort it out.

On the bright side we went to visit Tilahun this morning. We delivered the suitcase of goodies that Shelley sent over for the boys. The teens had the day off because they have exam time starting tomorrow. They treated us to a coffee ceremony. We decided we would hook up with him again on Friday to go and hand out some clothes that Shelley sent to some street people. We will probably all go out for dinner after as our final goodbye.

I must admit I am sure happy Paul is here. It makes life a whole lot easier. Tomorrow we are heading out to purchase some last minute things.  Paul would like a new computer bag and Kate needs some scarves for gifts for Christmas. Pray that the high Commision puts our visa in the pouch tomorrow like they said they would so we can soon come home.

We will arrive on the 31st which is Halloween. I have no idea how I am going to handle this with Ibssa. His first impression of Canada will be us handing out treats to strange looking children at our door. Lol. Oh well, we will cross that bridge when we get there.

Time for lunch.

God bless
Karen

Reunited

Well it's midnight and I can't sleep.  It's probably the 4 hour nap I had after things settled down after I arrived or maybe the additional 4 hours at Ibssa's bedtime.  By now you probably realize that it is Paul writing the blog.  For those of yo that didn't know, we decided it would be in all our best interest for me to return to Ethiopia to finish this amazing journey.  Karen and Ibssa had been here 45 days since I left.  It has been an emotional time for all.  The delays have not been easy but there is a light at the end of the tunnel.  I an sure it is the final light to get us home.   

The day has been but oh so worthwhile.  I was up at 4:30am on Saturday morning and then at airport by 7 am (thanks Pam).  There was no one in line so I walked right up and cheked bags and was having a coffee 20 minutes after I walked in.  That's through security as well.  Plane takeoff was at 10 and landed in Rome to refuel at midnight (6 hour time difference).  It was about an hour and a half to refuel and change crew before we were away again.  We landed in Addis Ababa at 8am Sunday morning.  Got my Ethiopian viasa, picked up luggage and was waiting outside for my ride.  Yes - it's 8:30am warm and sunny - far different than the rain when I left a month ago.  The guesthouse picked me up about 20 minutes later.  Driver told me that the prime minister was coming today.  As we travelled I noticed that there was an armed soldier about every 50 feet along the road on both sides.  I noticed there was an occasional one perched up on top of buildings.  Much different than in Canada.

 

I arrived at guesthouse but Karen and Ibssa were still upstairs.  There was a coffee ceremony setup and some of guest were waiting.  I was greeted by "Are you Ibssa's Dad", by one of the new guest - I guess they knew I was coming but Ibssa didn't,  Karen wanted to surprise him.  Well we surprised them.  The guesthouse tooked my bags up and I followed.  Karen seen the bags and knew I was there.  When Ibssa saw me he came running to me with a hug and a huge "Daddy".  He hadn't forgot me at all - Skyping everyday I'm sure helped.  A kiss and another tight hug and all was good.  Karen was right behind Ibssa with the big smile while trying to hold back her tears - it didn't work.  A warm embrace and a kiss and all was right in the world again.

 Once the initial hyped settled down, Ibssa said " Daddy come" and away went to the storage room.  He showed me the 3 bags that were already packed for our return trip.  Very excited he said, :  Can Na Da one week".  He knows he is going someplace but I'm sure he doesn't know how much his life will change.

We all went downstairs and met the other guests that assembled for the coffee ceremony.  The ceremony lasted about an hour and a half all while Ibssa sat with me and got re-acquainted.  He told me stories that only he knew what he was saying but it didn't matter cause I was ready to hear them.  He showed me his bike which was "Bike, mine". 

I was bagged by this time as I don't sleep well on planes.  I headed up stairs for a shower and a nap.  I think I napped for 2.5 hours before Ibssa joined me for another 1.5 hour nap.  We got up around 4 and headed to grocery store to get some supplies.  On the way back, Ibssa thought we should get a donut so we did.  It's not Tim Hortons (only 3 kinds of doughnut but it does the trick.  We got home, Karen made fish and homemade fries for supper, while we played.  A little more play time, we did his new puzzle, watched a little bit of a movie and it was bedtime.  Eight thirty - where did the day go (Oh probably the naps eariler made it fly by)

Hopefully without any further delays we will we be back home on October 29th.  After struggling to decide if I should come back to Ethiopia, it has been made quite clear by God today, that this is where I needed to be hopefully for the last week of our journey here.  As trying as it has been for Karen and I, I'm sure it will be the same for Ibssa when he comes to Canada to continue his journey.

 

Keep all the emails and prayers coming.  Each and everyone is appreciated beyond what people may think is just a simple gesture

 

Good night, chow as God Bless

 

Paul

What to do

Paul decided to leave it up to me whether he comes or not. I didn't know what to say. One minute I am sure that I can finish this journey on my own and the next minute my heart skips a beat when I think he could be here in a couple of days. I prayed and I prayed and I prayed. The only thing that gave me peace was that it would be so wonderful to finish this last leg together as a family. Ibssa would have that memory to hang on to later in life. His mom and his dad will be there together with him as he journeys to a foreign land. God has a way of providing so I am sure we will get through this tight squeeze. I can just feel a huge weight off my shoulders knowing I will have Paul with me all week. Praise God! Today Ibssa and I just did the usual. We walked for a few groceries and then of course played on his new bike. After lunch I broke down and let him play candy crush with me. My twisted mind said it was a learning game for him. He was learning colours and directions as I told him what to do. Lol. I made the mistake of telling Ibssa that dAddy is coming. He is soooo excited. He wants to Skype him every two minutes. Although Paul is leaving on Saturday he won't be here until Sunday. Should be an interesting day tomorrow. Well that's all for today. Tomorrow is another sunny day. I am sure I am going to have another bike workout for me. Chow for now. Karen

Some good news

Since I didn't hear anything about Ibssa's visa yesterday I was sure I wouldn't hear until Friday or Monday. Well, we got an email this morning saying that Ibssa was granted citizenship! Praise God! He said that it will go out on the pouch on Wednesday. The problem is it is Thursday so that means it will not go out until next week. Good grief. That means another week and a half here. Paul said that if the visa wasn't coming this week that he would come on Saturday. Now he is thinking maybe he shouldn't come so we don't have to spend the money. I know in my head this is the best solution but man oh man I don't know how I am going to fill all those days. Why do things always come down to money. I am glad I didn't tell Ibssa that daddy was coming. Now we will just concentrate on getting ready to go home. I will have to get creative with the food I have left to try and use it up. We spent a lot of time outside today on his new bike. It really was a smart purchase. We are going to have to go for a walk tomorrow and buy more bread. Tonight I made a casserole with my canned Costco chicken. I still have 5 cans left because it really isn't very tasty. However, Ibssa are all of what I put on his plate so it couldn't have been too bad. It even had peas in it. Well time to settle with Jammie's and a movie. We will be home by the end of the month ..,..I can finally say it out loud :-) Chow for now Karen

A good day for Ibssa

Today we had to go out. I am getting pretty stir crazy. I decided I would purchase a bike for Ibssa today. I also wanted to go to the silk scarf market. Markos took is for both. First stop was the silk place. It wasn't what I had pictured in my mind. The scarves had varying amounts of silk. I was thinking of the nice soft sheer kind. I purchased two. One is 100% and the other one is 65%. They are a tougher texture than I would have liked. Next stop was for a bike. They are not cheap here but what price can you put on sanity. We found one. I think Markos thought I was crazy but I am sure he doesn't understand what it's like to be a 50 year old woman at the end of her rope. Lol. I told him that since he is my angel he can have it to give to a deserving child Che said he would loan it to other Canadian families who come. He has such a kind heart. Ibssa was so excited. He couldn't believe the bike was for him. It's kind of a suped up tricycle with a lot of bells and whistles. We spent the remainder of the morning and the second half of the afternoon playing with it. I am certainly getting my exercise! Riley found out today that there was a bomb here on Sunday. The US had issued a warning to its citizens here to keep away from busy places and the Bole road area. It has to do with rebels protesting the Ethiopian army in Somalia. Good grief. Housebound again. We said our goodbyes to candy and rob. Riley decided he is going home in Friday. The high Commision is brig difficult to deal with so the agency advised him there is nothing he can do from here. We will pray that his boys will be home by Christmas. We have heard absolutely nothing. I certainly don't want to harass them after how I see Riley being treated. Paul is coming on sAturday. Hopefully if our visa comes they will let us know in Friday and not Monday so we don't waste money on a flight for Paul. Well time for bed soon. Need to save my energy for the bike. Lol. Chow for now. Karen

Farewell to my friends

Today is the day that Candy, Rob, and Ephram fly home. They have a nasty flight that leaves at 3 in the morning which I guess technically is tomorrow. I will pray that Ephram will be at peace the whole way. I have been a bit of a mess the last few days but I am better now. I unloaded in Paul the other night at 2 am. He came to the conclusion that I need him here for this final step so he is coming on Saturday if Ibssa's visa doesn't come by Friday. I feel like a bit of a failure not being able to hold on for another couple of weeks, but life here is hard and the days are very long. I would not trade this time with our remarkable little boy for one second. However, my batteries need to be recharged. I don't sleep or eat well here. I am sure this is mostly because I am lonely. It is the not knowing that is the hardest part. Our government is an expert at dragging their feet...at least it seems like that for us at every turn. But we will get through this and hopefully all of this red tape will just be a memory some day. I think I might go out today and purchase a small bike for Ibssa today. He needs something to do outside. It seems to be getting sunnier. It would be a good way to burn up some energy. I will just leave it with the guesthouse when we leave so other adoptive families that come can use it. I don't know why I didn't think of this earlier. I may go to the silk market today. Markos keeps telling me about it and that I should go. I hope he is available today. Keep praying for us. I can't wait to see Paul whether it is Sunday morning or next Thursday. I prefer the latter because that would mean we have our visa. Chow for now Karen