Conference Call Update

Hello Friends!
I wish I had better news to report today! We are starting to feel the crunch of the wait this week. Both Chad and I are so ready to see our baby! It's getting tough to get through the day without thinking about him. I have been cooking and working like mad to pass the time. Today, I made vegetable soup, whole wheat scones, vegetable casserole, and the usual Devon meals. I have a need to stay busy lest I OBSESS over the phone not ringing!

I did sit in on a 2 hour conference call today with our Program director, Duni, and the other families in the program. We learned about MANY changes that are happening in Addis as well as needs. Here's a short list.

• We will no longer be staying at the Hilton when we travel. Rather, we will be staying at a B&B with the other families traveling with us. This is to keep a "low profile" as, while foreigners are welcome in Addis, adoption by outsiders is frowned upon by the general public. MOWA (Ministry of Women's Affairs) in Addis is committed to continuing adoption as Ethiopians are NOT ADOPTING THEMSELVES! So, while this is a bit daunting for us, it is nice to see proof of MOWA's commitment to adoption.
• The wait time for an infant boy remains 5-7 months. We hit 7 months on Tuesday of next week. So, if she's right on, we'll hear before then. However, a few families have gone beyond this 7 month mark so we are still expecting to hear at the end of the month.
• The Transitional home for our agency's children is FULL. This means that all of the children referred after August will remain at their orphanages until families begin travelling to pick up children in the Transitional Home. While this is scary for us, the care in the orphanage is above par and medical visits by doctors are frequent.
• There are many needs in the program that we can ALL help with both financially and through prayer. The Transitional Home needs funds for a new computer, office supplies, diapers, formula, and operating costs. We will be taking donations with us so please consider donating any of the above!

We are greatly encouraged by the news that the program is continuing to grow and move forward. There are over 200 applicants to the program who have not begun the waiting process. Their wait times will certainly be longer and longer as more families enter the program. How blessed the orphans of Addis will be by these 200 families!

Please continue to pray for us as we wait and for the work that God is doing in Addis through AWAA. May His will be done.

Kim