Day Four/Asela!

We had heard that many kids want to change their names so we were prepared. But we also felt that because of their age we weren't comfortable just changing them without having their blessing. For Ejigayehu we were struck with her poise on the referral video during a very sad time...so we chose the name GRACE. It also referred to God's grace in bringing us together. So her name Grace Ejigayehu suited her. Ejigayehu means "she has seen so much" add Grace to that and it defines her. For Kidist (means holy), we wanted to give her my grandmother's first name Ella. It means "she is holy and beautiful".. Yared's name would be changed to Jared Michael. But knowing that Ejigayehu had been very sad after the name conversation (even though she brought it up) we were going to leave their Ethiopian names as theirs. SO, on thursday we would endure a three hour trip each way to Asela. We had a driver and a social worker who would translate. The social worker also had arranged for a gentleman who knew the family and brought the family to Addis to come with us. He didn't show up. So we were left with the kids as navigators. The little ones knew very little of Asela but we depended on Ejigayehu who is only 9. All the way there the kids were very serious and quiet. It was as if we were heading to a funeral. When we got to Asela we had no clue where their home was. We were about to head to the social affairs office in their village when Jeri (our translator) asked Ejigayehu if she remembered a landmark. She mentioned one. We also had put her in the middle seat with Mark and I so she could see. She was very quiet but intently looking everywhere. She timidly said something to the driver. Then she pointed for him to go straight. Then she got excited because she recognized where she was and said keep going. The she said stop...dove over me, unlocked the door and ran out of the car. And then she screamed and ran right into the arms of her mother's sister and brother. There was so much screaming and crying and hugging. Then we were led into their great grandfathers shack. Dirt floor with 3 cots. We also met Yidnekachew their 16 year old brother. THe grandmother was in a far off village. We were told she could not come. We sat for an hour. They cried as the interpretor read the letter my friends had written into Amharic. I had promised to always remember their mother BAYOUSH and told them that her heart (the mother of these children) would always remain inside of me too. I also has told them that I believed that God answered my prayers in bringing us. I had only written it thinking the orphanage would mail it to them. Then we had tea...Then the great grandfather spoke. He said "It is by God's GRACE that you have come". Mark and I were stunned and looked at each other. Knowing that the family had just confirmed and blessed Ejigayehu's american name, naming her for a second time. THen I hear Ejigayehu scream...the grandmother had somehow made it. Ejigayehu ran with the other two children into the courtyard. The grandmother lost her legging and fell to her knees at the sight of her grandchildren. She was hugging, kissing her daughter's children. Then when we embraced I sobbed and sobbed and sobbed. The greatgrandfather told his daughter not to cry. We continued. Then we sat with her...took pictures and then we got back in the van. An hour and a half had passed. The family was no longer crying but waving goodbye and smiling with joy in their hearts. The kids then changed totally and were laughing and joyous all the way home. These were new children and had clearly been healed and released to go to America. There was also a neighbor there who asked us what religion the kids would be raised Orthodox or protestant. I told them protestant/evangelical. She said "that is much better than Orthodox"

That night we had dinner. I asked Kidist for something. She said "No Kidist....Ella" I say oh okay...And then Ejigayehu now laughing and clearly happy said "No Ejigayehu , Grace" The translator had explained to her what happened with the so called coincidence with the word Grace and what it meant. She then said to me "tomorrow America we go???" I said "Yes" she said "Good."

Another funny thing was that during dinner Ella had totally opened up and was clearly proud of Asela mentioning to us that all of the world's most famous runners come from her town.....the day before she didn't want to go and now she had a pride regarding her town.