We just received a notice that our court date has been postponed. The Ministries of Women's Affairs was closed this week. We will let you know when our court date gets rescheduled.
Mandi
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Sunday, January 27, 2008
5 More Days ~ I need your help!
We have 5 more days, until the court process takes place. From what I hear, last weeks court appointments were successful. It sounds like there are a few this week also. So we pray that everyone's goes well.
Over the next month - I need your help!
As we wait for our court date and our travel date, we have been preparing a suitcase of items to take to Ethiopia. We are putting together a suitcase of gifts for the caregivers and the children.
We are looking for the following items:
Clothes for children (any size, any color - like new condition)
Jump ropes, Yo-Yo's (activity toys)
Soccer Balls, Footballs, Balls, Beach Balls (that we can deflate) Soccer is their favorite sport
Jewelry (any that you could donate, for the women caregivers)
If you have any of these items that you would want to part with, please let me know. I will come pick them up and pack them in the suitcase. Just give me an email or a call.
I do have a limit of 1 suitcase and I will be using space saving bags for the clothes, so we can maximize the space.
Next post will be Friday after I find out the details of our court appointment.
Lots of Love.
Rick & Mandi
rmbrower1@charter.net
748-0896
Over the next month - I need your help!
As we wait for our court date and our travel date, we have been preparing a suitcase of items to take to Ethiopia. We are putting together a suitcase of gifts for the caregivers and the children.
We are looking for the following items:
Clothes for children (any size, any color - like new condition)
Jump ropes, Yo-Yo's (activity toys)
Soccer Balls, Footballs, Balls, Beach Balls (that we can deflate) Soccer is their favorite sport
Jewelry (any that you could donate, for the women caregivers)
If you have any of these items that you would want to part with, please let me know. I will come pick them up and pack them in the suitcase. Just give me an email or a call.
I do have a limit of 1 suitcase and I will be using space saving bags for the clothes, so we can maximize the space.
Next post will be Friday after I find out the details of our court appointment.
Lots of Love.
Rick & Mandi
rmbrower1@charter.net
748-0896
Friday, January 25, 2008
1 More Week - Important Prayer Requests
Hello Everyone!
We have 1 more week till our court date. Next week Friday Alemu (our representative) will be at court in Ethiopia. Please pray that there are no delays. We are anxiously awaiting and want to bring him home soon.
There has been some illnesses going around the orphange. They are currently passing pneumonia and possibly tuberculosis. The TB has not yet been confirmed, but a few children are showing signs. They have doctors there all weekend testing the children. Alemu will be taking them to the hospital if they need to go. Pray that all of the kids get well soon and that they can contain the sickness from spreading.
I will keep you posted as I hear more.
Hugs & Kisses
Rick & Mandi
We have 1 more week till our court date. Next week Friday Alemu (our representative) will be at court in Ethiopia. Please pray that there are no delays. We are anxiously awaiting and want to bring him home soon.
There has been some illnesses going around the orphange. They are currently passing pneumonia and possibly tuberculosis. The TB has not yet been confirmed, but a few children are showing signs. They have doctors there all weekend testing the children. Alemu will be taking them to the hospital if they need to go. Pray that all of the kids get well soon and that they can contain the sickness from spreading.
I will keep you posted as I hear more.
Hugs & Kisses
Rick & Mandi
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Did You Know? - Session 2
So now that we know we travel the beginning of March there will be no more news until Feb. 1. We should have final details after the court date.
I told you last time that I would tell you more about the climate, land & animals. Here is what I know.
THE LAND
Ethiopia is 437,794 Square miles. Eritrea and Djibouti lie along the country's north border. Kenya is to the South. Somalia is to the East and Sudan to the west. The country is a large Plateau. It is often called the roof of Africa. There is very little plant life. The highlands are dry and the lowlands contain desert. There are several major rivers. The Genale, Wabe Shebele, Blue Nile, Awash, & Omo.
THE CLIMATE
The lowlands in Ethiopia have an average temperatur of 82 degrees F. The highlands in the southwestern part are cooler with an average temp of 61.
THE ANIMALS
The lowlands have many different types of animals. They have wild pigs and dogs, antelopes, monkeys. They also have Walia ibex which is a type of Mountain goat. The Simien fox is also found in Ethiopia. The Walia Ibex and the Simien fox are both endangered.
THE LANGUAGE
Amharic is the common language. English is taught in the schools. Again many people can not read or write either language.
Some vocabulary for today:
ta.di.yass = Hello (informal)
chow! = bye/see ya
deu-na wal = Have A Nice Day ( to a male)
deu-na wai = Have a Nice Day (to a female)
e.weud.de.hal.lo = I love you (to a male) (the e's here are actually upside down, computer doesn't do that easily.)
e.weud.de.shal.lo = I love you (to a female)
Resources: Welcome to Ethiopia by: Gareth Stevens & Ethiopian Amharic Phrasebook by: Tilahun Kebede
I will keep you posted as I learn more about Ethiopia and it's people.
Have a great night.
All our love,
Rick & Mandi
I told you last time that I would tell you more about the climate, land & animals. Here is what I know.
THE LAND
Ethiopia is 437,794 Square miles. Eritrea and Djibouti lie along the country's north border. Kenya is to the South. Somalia is to the East and Sudan to the west. The country is a large Plateau. It is often called the roof of Africa. There is very little plant life. The highlands are dry and the lowlands contain desert. There are several major rivers. The Genale, Wabe Shebele, Blue Nile, Awash, & Omo.
THE CLIMATE
The lowlands in Ethiopia have an average temperatur of 82 degrees F. The highlands in the southwestern part are cooler with an average temp of 61.
THE ANIMALS
The lowlands have many different types of animals. They have wild pigs and dogs, antelopes, monkeys. They also have Walia ibex which is a type of Mountain goat. The Simien fox is also found in Ethiopia. The Walia Ibex and the Simien fox are both endangered.
THE LANGUAGE
Amharic is the common language. English is taught in the schools. Again many people can not read or write either language.
Some vocabulary for today:
ta.di.yass = Hello (informal)
chow! = bye/see ya
deu-na wal = Have A Nice Day ( to a male)
deu-na wai = Have a Nice Day (to a female)
e.weud.de.hal.lo = I love you (to a male) (the e's here are actually upside down, computer doesn't do that easily.)
e.weud.de.shal.lo = I love you (to a female)
Resources: Welcome to Ethiopia by: Gareth Stevens & Ethiopian Amharic Phrasebook by: Tilahun Kebede
I will keep you posted as I learn more about Ethiopia and it's people.
Have a great night.
All our love,
Rick & Mandi
Thursday, January 10, 2008
This Years Spring Trip
This years Spring Trip will be a little different than all the rest. We will not be headed to the Carribean or Florida this year. We are headed to Ethiopia. It should still be warm.
With our court date of February 1, we can travel 4 - 5 weeks after court. We found out today that our estimated travel date is March 3. We will be leaving on a Monday and returning on the following Wednesday.
Currently things are running smoothly at the court, so there should be no delays. Although you never know. At the court the Adoption Decree will be created and finalized. This is what we need to get his US Citizenship.
We pray that the court schedule will stay on time and that all the parties be present with documentation.
We are putting together a suitcase of items for the orphanage. I could use everyones help, I will post more this weekend on how you can help.
Lots of Love,
Rick & Mandi
PS More loads of paperwork to do before we go.
With our court date of February 1, we can travel 4 - 5 weeks after court. We found out today that our estimated travel date is March 3. We will be leaving on a Monday and returning on the following Wednesday.
Currently things are running smoothly at the court, so there should be no delays. Although you never know. At the court the Adoption Decree will be created and finalized. This is what we need to get his US Citizenship.
We pray that the court schedule will stay on time and that all the parties be present with documentation.
We are putting together a suitcase of items for the orphanage. I could use everyones help, I will post more this weekend on how you can help.
Lots of Love,
Rick & Mandi
PS More loads of paperwork to do before we go.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
February 1 - Court Date
We just received an email today. February 1 is the court date. I have a conference call tomorrow at 2:00 so I will find out more details then. Hopefully a large post tomorrow night with all the details.
Please pray that the court date holds. Also pray that all parties are present and all paperwork is completed by them. We hope that the process is simple and easy.
We do not attend the court. Alemu is our representative in Ethiopia and will be attending on our behalf. We are getting closer. If all goes well at court we should travel 4 weeks after that.
More details on court in tomorrow nights post.
By the way Ginger (our dog) had surgery today and is doing fine. The lump was just fatty tissue.
YIPPEE!
Rick & Mandi
Please pray that the court date holds. Also pray that all parties are present and all paperwork is completed by them. We hope that the process is simple and easy.
We do not attend the court. Alemu is our representative in Ethiopia and will be attending on our behalf. We are getting closer. If all goes well at court we should travel 4 weeks after that.
More details on court in tomorrow nights post.
By the way Ginger (our dog) had surgery today and is doing fine. The lump was just fatty tissue.
YIPPEE!
Rick & Mandi
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Did You Know?
Well we were hoping for an update today, but nothing new yet. We are anxiously waiting for the news on our court date. In the meantime we are taking time to learn about Ethiopia.
Here are a few facts for you to know:
Captial City: Addis Ababa (where we are going)
Official Language: Amharic
Population: 64,117,452 (estimated)
Land area: 437,794 Square miles
Major Religions: Ethiopian Orthodox, Islam, Animism, Judaism
Currency: Birr
As of 1/8/07 9.29 Birr = $1
January 19 is Timkat. Timkat is the most important Christian holiday in Ethiopia. It honors the day the Three Wise Men found the infant Jesus in Bethlehem.
September 11 is Enkutatash is the Ethiopian New Year.
Education: About 40% of Ethiopian Children go to Primary school, less than 1/2 of these students go on to secondary school. In the country they are just taught by their parents. In most cities, children start going to school at age 7. Only 36% of the adult population is able to read and write.
That's all for now. Stay tune for the next post on the land, animals, & climate. Hopefully an update on the court date too.
All our love,
Rick & Mandi
Here are a few facts for you to know:
Captial City: Addis Ababa (where we are going)
Official Language: Amharic
Population: 64,117,452 (estimated)
Land area: 437,794 Square miles
Major Religions: Ethiopian Orthodox, Islam, Animism, Judaism
Currency: Birr
As of 1/8/07 9.29 Birr = $1
January 19 is Timkat. Timkat is the most important Christian holiday in Ethiopia. It honors the day the Three Wise Men found the infant Jesus in Bethlehem.
September 11 is Enkutatash is the Ethiopian New Year.
Education: About 40% of Ethiopian Children go to Primary school, less than 1/2 of these students go on to secondary school. In the country they are just taught by their parents. In most cities, children start going to school at age 7. Only 36% of the adult population is able to read and write.
That's all for now. Stay tune for the next post on the land, animals, & climate. Hopefully an update on the court date too.
All our love,
Rick & Mandi
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Melkam Ganna
My aunt Karen sent this over so I thought I would share it with all of you. Enjoy!
Ethiopia is a country in Africa. It has mountains. There are deserts. There are lakes. It does not rain very much. Vegetables are grown there. Coffee is another crop. People have been living there for over five million years. A holiday is celebrated there on January 7th. It is called Ganna. It is the Ethiopian Christmas. Ganna begins in churches. Girls and boys do not sit together. Choirs sing. People have candles. They walk around the church three times. They stand during the service. It lasts three hours. Food is a big part of Ganna. People eat bread. It is flat. It is like a pancake. Chicken stew is the main meal. The flat bread is a plate for the stew. It is also like a fork. People scoop up the stew with the bread. Many people give gifts during the holidays. In Ethiopia, gifts are not important. Children do not get toys. They get clothes. Spending time with family is important. Much of the day is spent playing. People dance. A game is played. It is like hockey. It is played with sticks and balls. Ganna is about celebrating with family. There are holiday traditions. There are simple gifts. There is a lot of food. Melkam Ganna!
Ethiopia is a country in Africa. It has mountains. There are deserts. There are lakes. It does not rain very much. Vegetables are grown there. Coffee is another crop. People have been living there for over five million years. A holiday is celebrated there on January 7th. It is called Ganna. It is the Ethiopian Christmas. Ganna begins in churches. Girls and boys do not sit together. Choirs sing. People have candles. They walk around the church three times. They stand during the service. It lasts three hours. Food is a big part of Ganna. People eat bread. It is flat. It is like a pancake. Chicken stew is the main meal. The flat bread is a plate for the stew. It is also like a fork. People scoop up the stew with the bread. Many people give gifts during the holidays. In Ethiopia, gifts are not important. Children do not get toys. They get clothes. Spending time with family is important. Much of the day is spent playing. People dance. A game is played. It is like hockey. It is played with sticks and balls. Ganna is about celebrating with family. There are holiday traditions. There are simple gifts. There is a lot of food. Melkam Ganna!
Friday, January 4, 2008
The Waiting Game
As we are approaching the final steps of our adoption process, the waiting time gets harder and harder. Through the entire process, there were many times where we waited on paperwork and the government for the various steps along the way. When we received our referral a few weeks ago, it is now starting to be come more real. We received our referral on December 10 for a baby boy. He was born on September 8 so he will be and estimated 5 months old when we go to pick him up. We are currently waiting for our Court date. This wait has been the longest, it is emotionally the most difficult. Words really can't describe what we are feeling now. We are very excited, but nervous at the same time. Until the court process is final there are still risks involved. We continue to prepare and move forward with excitement. Cautiously knowing that the process is not complete. Please pray for the court date to come quickly. The process to be simple and the papers to be signed so that we can make our trip to pick up our baby boy.
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