Today I had to write a letter to the Ethiopian Ministry of Women's Affairs. In this letter I had to state why we wanted to adopt a child from Ethiopia. When I first read that I would be writing this letter I was rather intimidated. I mean, why Ethiopia? What would I say? But as the days have gone on and I have been reading so much about Ethiopia I have learned so much. Just last night when I was thinking about this letter that I would have to write, I thought about Why Ethiopia? And this time the answer was easy. It just flowed.
(But, before I go on, I have to say - Do you know how hard it is to write to a government and say the 'right' words - to follow the letter format they are after, rather than flowing from your heart? I finally did let the pen just 'go' and didn't worry about saying the professional words. HOW do you limit yourself to a page when explaining why you want the honour of being able to adopt a child from a country!? Who am I to get the privilege of adopting one of *their* children?)
Ethiopia is a country that has endured incredible hardships for so many years. The first time that Ethiopia came to my attention was when I was about 18 or 19 years old. It was the year I worked at the mall as a Santa's Helper, taking pictures for Santa. That was the year the music industry made the song about Famine and Ethiopia. I forget the name now. As we have grown up we have always heard jokes and comments about "Eat your dinner. Don't you know there are starving children in Ethiopia." These comments are callous and it wasn't my parents that made these comments; these comments were on tv and all around you. They just 'were'...
When Ethiopia became a country in question for us, it was initially because the adoption restrictions weren't too hard and the cost was one of the lowest. That was how it started. But as the reading and research have gone on, I have become so fascinated by these people! They are the most remarkable people! They have endured so much, but yet they smile, smile, smile. Ethiopia is known as the "Land of 1000 Smiles". And they love their children so much. They want the best for them.
When I see how civil wars and Aids and famine have devastated this country and its people, it shocks me to think of all these children that have been left homeless and alone. But the beautiful thing about Ethiopia is the overwhelming love these people have for their children! The reports I read are so touching. People walk down the streets and the children are loved on, patted on their heads, spoken to, touched... This is a country that values its children.
As time has gone on and I have learned more about this land and it's people I can see that this is more than an adoption of a child from a foreign land. To paraphrase what my 10 year old son said, "So now we will be part English, Canadian, and Ethiopian, right?" Yes!!!! HOW can you bring a beautiful child, so rich in culture and heritage of her own, into your family and NOT become part Ethiopian? I am so excited to read of the countries festivities, holidays, foods, and culture. I am so looking forward to embracing these customs as a family and 'becoming' Ethiopian!
And one day, I hope that we, as a family, or just some of us, can go back to Ethiopia to see the people and the country again. To live there for a period of time and help them. Perhaps something so wonderful might happen that our children will be drawn to adopt from Ethiopia, because they feel "Ethiopian" and it feels 'right' to bring home another child from a country that they have come to know through their sister.
I have heard amazing stories of parents going to collect their children and while there for the ten day period they have encounters with the orphanages and the local people. What a wonderful opportunity!! I am *so* looking forward to that! One mum told how she met a 13 year old boy living in an alley, and while she was there he asked her for a notebook because he wanted to go to school. She, as a school teacher, was touched. Daily she would visit him and bring him food. Before she left, she met his aunt, and through sponsorship, through her adoption agency, she intends to help him. He will be able to afford to live with his aunt and go to school. That is beautiful!
Another story was of one mum meeting an Ethiopian mum, of two young children. The Ethiopian mum was dying of Aids. She said she really wanted to find a home for her two children before she died. The adoptive mum spoke to her (my) agency and they took the children into their orphanage and now there is hope for these two children. All because an adoptive mum took the time to see what was around her - and not just her own adoptive situation.
When we go to Ethiopia, I envision us bringing as many suitcases as they will allow us to bring. We will take as little clothes as possible to get by. The rest of the room will be filled with things for the children and the orphanages. First aid supplies, school supplies, toys. At that time we will put out a request to any of our friends that want to help fill these suitcases with love! It will be such an amazing thing to share our love with these children. When adoptive parents go to get their children it is such a great opportunity to do a 'short term mission trip'! First hand!! What an honour! And that is another thing that I have always wanted to do! God is good!!
(But, before I go on, I have to say - Do you know how hard it is to write to a government and say the 'right' words - to follow the letter format they are after, rather than flowing from your heart? I finally did let the pen just 'go' and didn't worry about saying the professional words. HOW do you limit yourself to a page when explaining why you want the honour of being able to adopt a child from a country!? Who am I to get the privilege of adopting one of *their* children?)
Ethiopia is a country that has endured incredible hardships for so many years. The first time that Ethiopia came to my attention was when I was about 18 or 19 years old. It was the year I worked at the mall as a Santa's Helper, taking pictures for Santa. That was the year the music industry made the song about Famine and Ethiopia. I forget the name now. As we have grown up we have always heard jokes and comments about "Eat your dinner. Don't you know there are starving children in Ethiopia." These comments are callous and it wasn't my parents that made these comments; these comments were on tv and all around you. They just 'were'...
When Ethiopia became a country in question for us, it was initially because the adoption restrictions weren't too hard and the cost was one of the lowest. That was how it started. But as the reading and research have gone on, I have become so fascinated by these people! They are the most remarkable people! They have endured so much, but yet they smile, smile, smile. Ethiopia is known as the "Land of 1000 Smiles". And they love their children so much. They want the best for them.
When I see how civil wars and Aids and famine have devastated this country and its people, it shocks me to think of all these children that have been left homeless and alone. But the beautiful thing about Ethiopia is the overwhelming love these people have for their children! The reports I read are so touching. People walk down the streets and the children are loved on, patted on their heads, spoken to, touched... This is a country that values its children.
As time has gone on and I have learned more about this land and it's people I can see that this is more than an adoption of a child from a foreign land. To paraphrase what my 10 year old son said, "So now we will be part English, Canadian, and Ethiopian, right?" Yes!!!! HOW can you bring a beautiful child, so rich in culture and heritage of her own, into your family and NOT become part Ethiopian? I am so excited to read of the countries festivities, holidays, foods, and culture. I am so looking forward to embracing these customs as a family and 'becoming' Ethiopian!
And one day, I hope that we, as a family, or just some of us, can go back to Ethiopia to see the people and the country again. To live there for a period of time and help them. Perhaps something so wonderful might happen that our children will be drawn to adopt from Ethiopia, because they feel "Ethiopian" and it feels 'right' to bring home another child from a country that they have come to know through their sister.
I have heard amazing stories of parents going to collect their children and while there for the ten day period they have encounters with the orphanages and the local people. What a wonderful opportunity!! I am *so* looking forward to that! One mum told how she met a 13 year old boy living in an alley, and while she was there he asked her for a notebook because he wanted to go to school. She, as a school teacher, was touched. Daily she would visit him and bring him food. Before she left, she met his aunt, and through sponsorship, through her adoption agency, she intends to help him. He will be able to afford to live with his aunt and go to school. That is beautiful!
Another story was of one mum meeting an Ethiopian mum, of two young children. The Ethiopian mum was dying of Aids. She said she really wanted to find a home for her two children before she died. The adoptive mum spoke to her (my) agency and they took the children into their orphanage and now there is hope for these two children. All because an adoptive mum took the time to see what was around her - and not just her own adoptive situation.
When we go to Ethiopia, I envision us bringing as many suitcases as they will allow us to bring. We will take as little clothes as possible to get by. The rest of the room will be filled with things for the children and the orphanages. First aid supplies, school supplies, toys. At that time we will put out a request to any of our friends that want to help fill these suitcases with love! It will be such an amazing thing to share our love with these children. When adoptive parents go to get their children it is such a great opportunity to do a 'short term mission trip'! First hand!! What an honour! And that is another thing that I have always wanted to do! God is good!!
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