The bags are packed

Well… Sary-Jo spent four days in labor with Sarah and three days with Janel.  Now the boys seem to be continuing that pattern (metaphorically speaking).

After checking in for our flights very early this morning, we were next in line at security when we got “the phone call” that we did not want to receive.  One of the medical tests is causing a delay with one of the boys and at this time we don’t know if the delay will be a matter of days or of weeks.  For now, we are thankful that we got the call before we boarded a flight and that United Airlines was able to retrieve our checked luggage (and they did it with a smile).

We’re going to try to reschedule our departing flight to later this week.  If we receive the “all clear” by Friday we’ll travel Saturday and return on the original itinerary.  If, however, the delay turns out to be longer we’ll have to reschedule the whole thing.  Obviously our preference is that we can still travel this week so we can get the boys home.  But God is in control and we believe He has a reason for everything.  We might not ever learn what that reason is, but that doesn’t diminish His goodness toward us!

For now, we need to reschedule our flights and take a nap.

We received our appointment date at the US Embassy in Ethiopia today!  Our appointment is September 15 so we’ll be booking our travel soon.  We’re so excited and a bit anxious to meet our boys.  Our tentative plan is to travel the prior week so we can go to the orphanage before meeting the boys.  Then we’ll just “hang out” with them for a few days to get to know them, play some games, etc.  On the 14th we should meet with our lawyer to complete all the forms for the embassy.  On the 15th we have our meeting at the embassy.  On the 16th we’ll be issued travel documents for the boys and participate in a function at the adoption agency’s facility.  Then we’ll come home on the 17th with children numbers 3 and 4.  Once home, we can post pictures and names of the boys, but not until then.

I was just reflecting a bit on how God continues to place a burden for Africa on my heart.  For years we’ve sponsored World Vision children (and I urge all of you to consider doing so ), and Janel has been to Uganda for each of the past two summers.  It’s clear from scripture that where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:21).  I cannot claim that the small amount we’ve given to World Vision sponsorship qualifies as my “treasure” but  Janel certainly does!  And as my treasure has been there, my heart continues to have a burden for Africa.   If you pray for something or someone God will increase your concern for it.  That’s probably not much of a revelation to anyone, but I think it’s worth reflecting on a bit.

Also, it dawned on me today that three of my four kids are in Africa right now (although Sarah is about to leave)!  I have to admit it was kind of weird when that dawned on me.

I have no idea what, if anything, this means.  But i continue to have a burden for the people of Africa.  There is so much to do there and so many reasons to pray.  I encourage each of you to learn a bit more about Africa and what is going on over there.  AIDS heads the list of things that come to mind for me.  It’s infuriating that so much could be done and for relatively little money.  I don’t want to say specifically what is so aggravating, because my own knowledge is so fractured and incomplete.  I don’t want to lecture people who know as much, or more, than I do.  Information is everywhere, but I’m sure it’s not all reliable (it can’t be because the information contradicts itself).  Still, I suggest you read several sources and form your own opinions about what’s happening. 

Clearly God called us to adopt these two wonderful boys.  And just as clearly He is NOT calling everyone to adopt; He’s not even calling everyone to do something related to Africa.  But God calls every believer to do something.  I just want to encourage all my friends and family to spend time in the Bible and spend time listending to the Holy Spirit – and think BIG because He’s a BIG God.  He’s got bigger plans for you than you think.

We passed court today!!!  We received a phone call from our agency a few minutes ago that the boys are legally Averills.  God is so good and we are grateful that He is including us in the work He is doing in these boys’ lives.  We are eager to go to Ethiopia, meet them, and bring them home.

Next week, we should learn the date of our appointment at the US Embassy in Addis Ababa.  We’ll build our travel plans around that date.  Once we bring them home, we can post pictures.

Please join us in praising God for His work and timing!

Last Friday and Saturday, we attended adoption training specifically tailored for families adopting older children (i.e., not infants).  Before elaborating, let me give a brief summary:

• We learned some key items related to “attachment” that we need to convey to friends and family.  We need your support to ensure the boys really attach to us as their parents and internalize our proper roles.  Specifically, we learned how important it will be to have you “send them back to us” for a period of time.
• The workshop was unbelievably excellent.  I still cannot get over how challenging and practical the two (very full) days were.  Thank you to Adoption Ministry of YWAM for recommending Kingdom Kids Adoption Ministry for this training.
• Meeting others in the process of adopting, specifically hearing how God called them to adoption, was tremendously uplifting and encouraging.
• Getting to know Jeff and Chris, who live nearby and are adopting two kids from the same orphanage as our boys, was just amazing.  They have such a heart for God and we will continue to develop our friendship, which will allow the four kids to continue their friendship.  God makes provision in so many ways!

For those who will be around the boys in their first few weeks and months, please read on regarding attachment.  We will attempt to describe how you can help us ensure the boys properly “attach” to us as their parents.  Much of this is from the class; some of it is our own thoughts and ramblings…

Since the kids have significant life experience outside of our family and our culture, our number one job is to help them learn to be part of our family with its own unique structure and guidelines.  Their culture is much more open.  We have seen from video, pictures, and first-hand accounts from people who have interacted with them that the boys are outgoing and love people very much.  This is good, but might actually make their attachment somewhat complicated.  They will tend to go to anyone, and accept things (and direction) from virtually anyone.  In order for us to establish our role as Mom and Dad, we need you to “send” them to us when, for instance, they might ask you for something.  “I’m not your Mom (or Dad)” is a phrase we would like you to use rather frequently, at least for a while.  We don’t want them afraid of people, but some reluctance to go to others is healthy, appropriate and necessary.  There’s no magic formula and we’ll be finding our way as we go.  And we’ll probably make mistakes so we ask your forgiveness in advance in case we upset you along the way.

Also, during the workshops we met several people who have been there (and then some!) with adoption.  We were able to have fantastic discussions with some of the kids, including biological kids who became part of a larger family.  It was incredibly helpful to hear the perspective of all the kids.  They were extremely gracious and entertained all our questions on a variety of topics, some of which were rather personal.  We met and talked with kids who were adopted at the same age that our boys are now.  They’re adjusting quite well and that alone is encouraging to us.

We had met Jeff and Chris previously, but we spent hours Thursday and Friday evenings getting to know them much better.  They are a bit younger than us (but not too much; they have a young grandchild).  They have kids at home, some of whom were adopted as infants.  They are now adopting two children from the same orphanage in Ethiopia that our boys live in.   Jeff went to Ethiopia in March of this year and was with our boys when they learned that they’re our boys!  In fact, I think that experience helped influence their decision to adopt.  What a blessing to hear his account of that significant event.  We already have a strong connection to them, and I think they’ll stay on speed-dial for many years.

We also met Chuck and Teresa, who live north of Seattle and are considering the adoption of an older boy (13-plus) from China.  They are not sure the process can be completed before the boy becomes too old to be adopted (China has an age limit at the 14th birthday).  Basically, if God opens the door they plan to go through it!  They have a fantastic testimony about their older children and eagerness to include this special boy from China in their family.  They also have a tremendous story about their son’s brush with death last year.  I’ve included a link to their blog.

There’s so much more we could write about this.  We were so blessed by the weekend that it’s really hard to convey.  This is as concise as I can be.

Due to the MOWA closure, our case was rescheduled to July 31.  Although we are somewhat disappointed, we were very aware that this was a likely scenario due to the closure of the ministry.  We are grateful, in fact, that our new court date is so soon.  Praise God that He is in control.