I admit it!  I have done a terrible job of keeping you all updated about what is going on!  These are the updates that we received from our agency for October

Ethiopia  - October 5th
America World is happy to announce that we received referrals for six children this week; four of the children were males, and two of the children were females. The ages of the children ranged from approximately 1 ½ months to 11 months old. There are five families currently reviewing the referrals for these children. We look forward to receiving their responses within the next week!

As mentioned in the Ethiopia September monthly update, America World signed a lease for a transition home in Addis Ababa last week! Once this home is up and running, the children who are being adopting by America World families, will be transitioned to this home from the orphanage between the time of referral and travel. In addition to this, our in-country staff liaison has recently hired two additional staff to help with adoption processing. Our agency believes that both of these accomplishments will lead to a smoother, more efficient adoption process for Ethiopia families, so we are happy to share this news!

Ethiopia - October 12th
Several families have asked about referral timings. How often does America World anticipate receiving referrals? In answer to this question, referrals in the Ethiopia program will be more sporadic and less systematic than some of the other America World adoption programs. Occasionally our agency may receive two sets of referrals in a month; other times there may be more than one month between referral batches. In most cases, we will receive multiple referrals at a time rather than individual referrals. This will assist America World in planning group travel for families.

Ethiopia   -  October 19
America World is happy to announce that we received referrals for six children this week; three of the children were males, and three of the children were females. The ages of the children ranged from approximately 2 months to 14 months old. There are five families currently reviewing the referrals for these children. We look forward to receiving acceptances from families within the next week!

October  -  26th
Our agency continues to wait on court appointments for the families who received referrals on 10/3/07 and 10/19/07. The court in Ethiopia has been overloaded due to re-opening after 2 months of being closed, but we anticipate receiving appointments in the near future.

America World recently hired Rachel (Duckworth) Ward to work with our transitional home services in Addis. Those of you in Tennessee may know Rachel as she has worked in America World’s Tennessee affiliate office as its Director of Social Services since AW-TN was licensed in 2004. She and her husband Barrett plan to depart for Addis Ababa early in 2008.

We received the following letter from Laurel, our Ethiopia Program Director 11-14:

Dear AW Ethiopia Families,
 
We are excited and pleased to be able to announce that the new America World transition home in Ethiopia  is up and running.  Last week the first 13 children, who were recently referred to families were moved from Kids Care to the America World home.  The home has been equipped with all the major needs and staff have been hired, trained and are providing loving care.  There are still many things needed to help make the home a nurturing and stimulating environment for your prospective children as they wait the arrival of their parents.  Therefore, we are writing to let you know of some of these needs and how you could help meet them, if you desire to do so.
 
America World employee Rachel (Duckworth) Ward and her husband will be making a 10-day trip to Ethiopia before their official move  there at the end of January 2008.   So if you would like to donate items  for use at the transition home, please have them mailed to or dropped off at the America World--Tennessee office by close of business on Wednesday, November 21st.   Items may also be dropped off at the Corporate office in McLean.  Rachel will be  leaving for Addis on Monday morning, the 26th.

Here is a list of suggested items:

Classic children's books
Coloring books and crayons
Children's Bibles and/or Bible stories
Hand Sanitizer (large bottles)
CD players, children's worship CD's, lullabies, etc.
DVD player and Children's Videos (ie: Veggie Tales, The Wiggles, Praise Baby)
Rubber coated children's spoons
ABC and 123 learning materials for toddlers.
Tape recorder
Little cosmetic mirror
Baby blankets, regular ones and one with hoods sewn in
Towels/soaps and bath items
Playdough
Jump rope
Inflatable balls
Bubbles
Lace cards, beads to string on laces
Clothing
Diapers
Baby Tylenol, antibiotics, probiotics

If you would prefer to make a monetary donation, you may write a check to America World and send it to the corporate office in McLean.  In the memo line, please write "transition home support," so that our finance department knows how to allocate your donation.  Rachel will be able to use these funds to purchase items while she is in Addis.

New agency news!  

 "America World is happy to announce that we received referrals for six children this week; three of the children were males, and three of the children were females. The ages of the children ranged from approximately 2 months to 14 months old. There are five families currently reviewing the referrals for these children. We look forward to receiving acceptances from families within the next week!"

Congrats to the Steiger's - Baby Girl
Treat's - Baby Boy
Treadwell's - Baby Boy
McIrath's - Baby Boy & Baby Girl 
"Mystery Fam" - Baby Girl (They are not on the Yahoo Group)!!!

We are celebrating with you!

Maybe it will be our turn next!  We'll see!

Well, we found out that the courts will be re-opening on Monday, October 8th for sure!  We have been waiting for this news!  

We are also excited to hear that the David's, Carpenter's and the Singleton's have received referrals!  There were also two other families that we don't know that received referrals!  Things are moving right along now!  

The following is the Weekly Update for AWAA (our agency) which is full of great news! 

 America World [Ethiopia program] is happy to announce that we received referrals for six children this week; four of the children were males, and two of the children were females. The ages of the children ranged from approximately 1 ½ months to 11 months old. There are five families currently reviewing the referrals for these children. We look forward to receiving their responses within the next week!

As mentioned in the Ethiopia September monthly update, America World signed a lease for a transition home in Addis Ababa last week! Once this home is up and running, the children who are being adopting by America World families, will be transitioned to this home from the orphanage between the time of referral and travel. In addition to this, our in-country staff liaison has recently hired two additional staff to help with adoption processing. Our agency believes that both of these accomplishments will lead to a smoother, more efficient adoption process for Ethiopia families, so we are happy to share this news!

Ok.....So here it is!  It's a little scary, I know but it is what it is!  These are the remaining fees that we owe!  WE NEED TO DO A FUNDRAISER!!  Any ideas??  I have sworn off garage sales so it has to be something else! 

Trusting God!

NO.......I'm not going nutso!!  (I'm already there )
Today is ENGUTATASH EVE, New Year's Eve, in Ethiopia and they are partying like it's 1999..... because it is.  I posted a while back about Ethiopia using a different calendar and that they are 7 years behind us.   This is really confusing I know but that's how it is! 
On one of the Yahoo Groups I belong to, this post was written by someone who lives in Ethiopia and I thought it was a great insight as to what is going on over there so I asked for permission to post it.  I wonder if our daughter will be in on the celebrations? 

Ethiopia is really gearing up for a huge celebration tonight and
tomorrow. The streets are full of people on their way to market with
chickens over their bicycles, in baskets and hanging from sticks
over their shoulders. Children are adorned in new bright and clean
outfits and men and women are parading the streets in their white
traditional clothes, with decorated shawls, umbrellas and baskets.

Everywhere the markets have been full of vendors selling new and old
styles of traditional clothing, and all the food makings for a real
feast: spiced bread, coffee beans, chickens, corn, potatoes, and
onions galore peddled along the roadside. The clothing stalls tout
the lasts fashion of fish tail bottomed skirts and strappy shirred
tops, while children and chickens run amongst the legs of buyers.

People have been cleaning and decorating their home, laying new
flooring, painting with fresh bright colours and hanging coloured
lights or candles in windows. Last night the first fireworks
cracked the night air here in Bahir Dar and children and adults
alike ran to the waterfront park where the celebration will be held
tonight to see the display.

All around the country visitors have been arriving for weeks, many
are family members who have not been back to Ethiopia for decades.
The cafes are full of old friends boast past victories and successes
to captivated audiences. Foreigners and family visitors flash money
at anyone who comes begging, so the streets are also filled with
children and women from the countryside hoping to beg enough for
several new cows, another plot of land, new clothing and the years
school fees.

The celebrations span the western tradition of midnight and
fireworks and the Ethiopian tradition of gift giving and feasting on
Engutatash (New Years Day). 1999 was a leap year so today (11th
Sept) is Pugami 6 in the Ethiopian calendar, the leap year extra
day. Regardless, celebrations of Ethiopia's enterance into a new
millennium will continue for days as family and friends down their
tools and work clothes to eat, drink and share time together.

Please pray for the country over this time, for safety of travellers
and for a dawing of a new era for the Ethiopian people.

Leith Harding
Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

Well, there really is no update but I thought I would write since several people have been asking   We are still waiting to receive word from our agency that they have a match for us!  Will keep you posted!

On another note, we have two families that just arrived in ET that are with our agency and it is so nice to hear that all of the children are so well taken care of.  Each family has spoken so well of the care and love that the children receive so that has been a huge blessing!

So, thanks for asking how it's going, I wish I had more news but for now it's still WAITING!

This is a must see video!  A great reminder to all of us!  Click on the link below to see!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyheJ480LYA