Estes TRIBE: Nesting & Packing

Monday, January 4, 2010

Nesting & Packing

We are leaving this week, January 7th to travel to Ethiopia to get our boys! I haven't been able to sleep at night. My mind is racing with our list of things to do and imaging what our first encounter with our sons will be like.

Their bedroom is ready with cute bunk beds. Their little winter coats are hanging on low hooks by the front door and the bathroom is stocked with bubble bath.

I'm actually looking forward to little finger prints on our stainless steel fridge. I'm sure I will get over that quickly, but we have waited so long to be tripping over toys and wiping up spills that I'm even excited about that.

We will be flying out of JFK in New York with our friends from Nashville, to Dubai. After a one-night layover we will fly to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. On Sunday will we go to Hannah's Hope Orphanage, meet our sons, and take them back to the hotel with us! On Monday we will have our U.S. Embassy Appointment to get all the official paperwork done.

Please keep us in your prayers. We are praying for safe travel, for all paperwork & visas to go smoothly, and an INSTANT divine connection with these boys.

3 comments:

missyJanuary 4, 2010 at 5:54 PM
I love it, Kathleen! The boys have a great room. So excited to be part of this miracle with you! Hang in there...just 2 more days and we'll be on our way. So thankful to be taking this journey with you! Love you guys!!!
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FemmeModeJanuary 8, 2010 at 10:49 AM
wowow!!
I thought it was January 8th/ -- I txt'd you this morning that I was thinking and praying for you all....
This is an AMAZING time! We had an incredible night of prophetic worship last night...a small room filled with 17 people...God wrote some amazing worship songs.
One talked about "Expecting Miracles"...and God NEVER forgetting the dreams He laid on our hearts! WOW...that about says it all as you and David ARE getting your miracles & dreams THIS weekend!
Praying for an AMAZING union!
Now to Him, who is able to do immeasurably MORE than all we ask or imagine,
Deborah
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The B FamilyJanuary 17, 2010 at 11:20 AM
Just found your blog via a link on Kelly P's blog. I got to meet your sweet boys at Hannah's Hope a couple of weeks ago and have some pictures with them. Happy to forward you copies if you're interested--just leave your email address in a comment on my blog or contact me via the listserv. I'll definitely be following your blog--can't wait to see all that God has in store for these precious little ones!
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FAQ

When will you get the boys?

The time frame for adopting children in the waiting program from Ethiopia is about 6 – 9 months. The earliest possible date would be December ‘09, which would be amazing.

Are they full orphans?

Yes, both parents have passed away. They arrived at Hannah’s Hope Orphanage on May 19, 2009. It’s an amazing and wonderful place that provides a care-mother for every three children. We are confident that they are being well cared for during this process as they await their “forever home”.

Do you go to Ethiopia to pick them up?

Yes, we will need to be in Ethiopia for about 7 days to complete this process. We are not permitted to go to the orphanage or to see the boys until the Courts in Ethiopia approve our completed Adoption Dossier (which could possibly be in early December). Until that time, they are being lovingly cared for by the Caregivers at Hannah's Hope Orphanage in Ethiopia.

Do they speak English?

They can say their ABC’s and count-to-10 in English, but the language at the orphanage is Amharic. They are actually from the southern part of Ethiopia where the language is Wolaytta. There is no Rosetta-Stone program for Wolaytta, so we are learning a little Amharic. We will need to teach the boys English, so we’re learning how to do that as well.

How much will this cost?

The cost to adopt one child from Ethiopia is approximately $25,000. Due to the fact that we are adopting siblings it will be approximately $40,000 with travel. Because of a small family inheritance and all of our savings, we have about $10,000 towards this need. We will are raising an additional $30,000. So far, we have been blessed to raise about $18k, leaving us with a goal of raising an additional $12,000. We are rejoicing in faith as we watch God meet our needs!

Besides asking friends and family to help us, we are making T-shirts to sell, as well as making available some handmade African necklaces, all of which will help us toward our financial goal of bringing our boys home without incurring debt. We know that where God guides, He provides – so we eagerly anticipate His miraculous provision as we move forward in the direction of our two new sons.

For more info on the Waiting Children Program or Ethiopian Adoption, go to http://www.allgodschildren.org/

Estes TRIBE

Monday, January 4, 2010

Nesting & Packing

3 comments:

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