Merry Christmas!

With all our travel and trip preparations, we didn't get Christmas cards out this year, so this is the best we can do.

Wishing all our friends and family

a very Merry Christmas

and a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year!

Made it back to the USA!

Kristine & I made it home safely late last night.  The return trip was a bit tougher as there were numerous delays and we nearly missed our connection in Chicago.  But, at the end of the day, we made it home and now we can focus on prayers that the US embassy will review our petition quickly and act to finalize things so we can bring Melat home.

Over the next few days Kristine and I will post more photos from our adventure, but for now we're working on returning to our normal routine and getting ready for Christmas and all our family and friends that we'll be celebrating with.

Thank you to everyone who offered prayers and support for this trip - we truly appreciate it and are blessed to have so many offer to assist!  God bless you all!! 

Happy Day, Sad Day

Well today has been one of mixed emotions.  We were at court bright and early (8:45am) only to have to wait until nearly 11:30 to be called in front of the judge.  The entire process once we saw the judge took only about 7 minutes.  Were were asked several questions and then the judge granted our petition of adoption of Melat.  That was the happy part - Melat is officially ours now!!!

We then spent some time visiting the lions at the zoo and some shopping before returning to the orphanage for the final time this trip to visit Melat and to say goodbye to her for a few weeks (the sad part of the day).

So with that, we would like to formally introduce Melat............enjoy the pictures (click to enlage)!

Another Day in Ethiopia

Today was a really long and hard day for me (Kristine).  We started out in the morning to two museums.  When we first headed out in the van a young boy came to my window and told me he was hungry so as the driver started to go I handed him a bunch of candy canes that I was bringing to the orphanage.  We have been told that if you give to one that a mob will surround you and that you have to be careful.  As we continued on our way to the first museum, we were tied up in traffic and had many beggars approach our van.  The driver told me to close the window because he could see I was getting upset.  We have experienced the begging since we arrived but today it was really difficult for me emotionally.  It’s so hard to see the poor and suffering here when we have so much at home.  You so badly want to give but you don’t want to create a mob scene so I found myself just in tears for most of the ride.

 The first museum we visited was the University Museum; we had a wonderful tour guide and learned much about the rich Ethiopian culture.  We then moved onto the National Museum and learned  more Ethiopian history along with seeing fossils, some human, millions of years old.  I forget how young America is in comparison to other cultures.  The Ethiopians are very strong yet peaceful people and it shows throughout their history.

After lunch we went back to the orphanage.  Melat was ready to see us and immediately crawled into Greg’s lap and just stared at him, it was so cute.  I brought some small beach balls and blew a few up and handed them to the older children.   When I handed one to Melat she instantly started to kick it to me, she was amazing.  I think we have a natural born soccer player.  I then got out some coloring books and crayons.  The orphanage director told me that Melat had never held a crayon, but once we showed her how she became an artist coloring many pages.  When I pulled out the sticker and asked her where she wanted it she pointed on the page.  We were both amazed how quickly she was catching on to everything we showed her or asked her to do.  When our visit came to an end we all had a hard time.  She did not want me to hand her off and cried when we left.  I don’t think we will have many bonding issues.

Greg and I were able to rest a little before our guide took us out for an amazing authentic Ethiopian dinner and dance show.  We are now back in the room ready to go to bed so that we can go to court early tomorrow morning.  After we are finished with court we will be able to post photos of our sweet little girl so stay tuned.

We hope that grandma and grandpa made it safely to Grand Rapids.  Thanks for hanging out and taking care of our girls.  Ja and Anniearea we miss you both so very much and can’t wait to get home to tell you all about our trip.  Love you!!!

-- Kristine

(10:44pm Thur, 12/15 Etiopian time)

We met Melat!

Hi All….this is Kristine, we have had a very busy day along with very little sleep.  Our first stop for the day was to Melat’s orphanage.  We were welcomed by  five of her friends.  We barely got through the gate when four older children ranging in age from 6-13 came rushing up to us all wanting hugs.  We found out that they are a sibling group and are waiting for their adoptive parents to come back and pick them up.  It’s a good thing they already had an adoptive family because I was ready to take them home myself.  Little Melat came running up to us after the older kids were finished getting hugs.  I sat down on the ground and she came right to me with her arms held up for her hug.  It was so percious and she was just a little sweet heart.   I got a sucker out and handed it to her and she was all smiles after that.  She did great with Greg especially when he got a balloon out and they played a little game.   She has the best belly laugh and loves to be held.  She is a little peanut for being three but seems very healthy.  We will go again tomorrow and hopefully one more time before we leave.

While we were at the orphanage we had our first coffee ceremony.  This is a tradition that is done for special guest or events, we were very honored to share in the ceremony.   Greg even tried the coffee, which is something I have never seen him do.

After the visit our guide took us to get coffee and chat with him and the social worker.  We then went back to the hotel and chilled out for an hour.   In the afternoon a driver came to pick us up and took us to a local market.  I had fun shopping while Greg carried all my purchases.  The vendors were great and I got better at bargaining with them by the end of our shopping excursion.

We are now back at the hotel relaxing and trying to stay awake at least until 8:00.  The jet leg has really set in for both of us.   We want to be ready for tomorrow.  We will be going to see the lions in the morning, then more time with Melat at the orphanage and then out to dinner and a show with our in country guide.

Annierae and Ja we miss you and hope you are doing well.  I know that the two of you are going to love having Melat as a little sister!!!  Hugs and kisses to you both!!!

-- Kristine (6:47PM Wed, 12/14 Ethiopian time)

Made it to Ethiopia!

Well after nearly 24 hours of travel we have made it to our hotel in Ethiopia.  The Chicago to Frankfurt flight was long, crowded neither Kristine or I got much sleep.  Frankfurt to ADD was much better, but still, not much sleep.

We learned several important things on our travels today:

1) Amway bug spray is considedred highly flammable and packing 6 cans in your checked bags to donate to the orphanage is not appreciated by the TSA.  Nothing like getting a page "Will Gregory Lang please return to the United ticket counter immediatly" 10 minutes after you have checked in to start your travel day out :)

2) Contrary to their web site, Lufthansa does NOT offer a 1 day pass to their first class lounges :(  So, 6 hour layover in the airport tryin to go to sleep on a bench - yee-ha!  As Kristine reminded numerous times as I was being grouchy - IT'S ALL WORTH IT!

So, at 9:45am tomorrow we get to travel to the orphanage and meet Melat!

So now it's off to bed to get rested up for our big day tomorrow.

-- Greg (11:58pm Tue 12/13 in Ethiopia)

Preparing to Meet Melat

Kristine and I are preparing to travel to Addis Ababa Ethiopia on 12/12 to meet our new little girl, Melat and to participate in the court process to adopt her! It will be a long trip, but we're so excited to finally be meeting our little blessing. We'll post details on the first of our two trips here on this blog, so bookmark it and follow us on this fabulous journey!