Our flight out of GR leaves at 3:25pm TODAY! It's hard to believe the day has finally arrived for us to fly to Africa and see our daughter for the first time! The excitement over here is contagious! We just praise God over and over for His perfect timing in all of this! Even now, I can look back at that very long wait we endured and see how things are "fitting into place" for this moment. Amazing. Something only God could put together.
We may not be able to get internet connection easily so may not be able to update until we return home on the 18th. I do hope we're able to get word to Jesse and Solomon that we made it there and at least hear their voices a time or 2. Pray that they do well while we're gone. I miss them already!
We will travel for around 22 hours before we arrive in Ethiopia. We should arrive at 1:20 pm our time on Sunday the 12th. Please pray for safety as we travel. That our flights over and back will be problem free. That we'll we able to adjust to their time zone and culture. That we won't have any health issues while there.
We will probably meet Kyah on Monday the 13th. We got our referral for her on July 13th and now will get to meet her exactly one month later! Our court date is August 14th. Please pray that we get a compassionate judge. Pray for our nerves while going through this process. Pray that all the paper work is in order and that we "pass court" right on the spot! Oh, that would be so wonderful! That would make Kyah an official "Klaasen" right then and there!
On Thursday we will meet with our sponsored World Vision child. Pray that our travel to get to her is safe. It's Ethiopia's rainy season and transportation into remote areas can be difficult. We pray that she will be comfortable meeting with us and that our time together will be unforgettably sweet!
As you know, we need to make 2 trips to Ethiopia to adopt Kyah. This first trip is to legally adopt her and do their countries court processes. Once we pass court, Bethany Christian Services will get her birth certificate, pass port and visa and notify us she's ready. The time frame between visits is around 1 - 1 1/2 months. I have tried not to focus on the fact that we aren't coming home with her this trip. It's just too hard to think about. I need to be rational and know this is just part of the process in order to bring her home. It will be emotional leaving her. I know that. I also know that God sustained me for over 21 months of waiting to see her picture and will continue to do so. But, your prayers are very welcome here!
Just a little over 48 hours until we hold our precious Kyah.
Prayers are sent your way. Pray that you not only "pass court" but get a straight "A" ! Praying for all you have mentioned.
ReplyDeleteSafe travels.
The Postmas
Praying for all of your requests!
ReplyDeleteHug Kyah for us!
The Imminks
Thanks for all the updates you have been posting for all of us. It is so appreciated. It makes it possible for all of us to rejoice, cry and pray right along with you. We are so excited for you guys..... Can't wait to meet your new daughter, Kyah. Travel safe-
ReplyDeleteTim and Sherri
Well you're 4 hours into your flight....I pray it's going well and I will continue to pray while you're gone! The boys will be in great hands (especially Tuesday-Thursday!!!!!!!!!) :) Love you guys and can't wait to get my hands on that precious little girl!!!!!!
ReplyDeletePraying as I think you are arriving in Ethiopia as I write this!! Prayers for everything you talked about! I hope the time with be unforgettably sweet too! I'm so excited for you and I'm sure you will continue to see God move his mighty hand in this whole stage of the process. Look for the miracles and you will continue to see a lot! Tears of joy over here! Love you all!
ReplyDeleteMyrna and Cliff
I received an email from Carrie. They arrived in Ethiopia. Got a good nights rest and will be heading to meet Kyah sometime today! They were off for a meeting & breakfast!!!
ReplyDeleteHello Carrie:
ReplyDeleteIt's Brian "Beuf" Buter. I got in here after hacking into Tara's account! We're praying for you guys. I hope and pray all goes well with your visit and return trip. I can't wait for her to be baptized. We'll be there.
P.S. I think I sold another 1/4 cow for you last night. Talk to you after the 18th.
Brian
Hey Klaasens!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing this important journey of your lives with us! Our family is SO excited for you and being able to watch God work has been amazing! Praying extra hard for your court date today, your visit with your Compassion child and the roller coaster emotions that will come during your last day and departure. Praying that you will just feel God's love and presents continually until you bring Kyah home! And Yes, we will be making signs for that day, too! All our love, Mary Beth, Matt, Lewis and Grace
Here is an up date email from Carrie
ReplyDeleteHey everyone! We are pleased to announce we are officially a family of 7! We passed court right on the spot today! It is still hard to believe it's official. Kyah is ours forever! The judge asked a few simple question and then said she "will be ours!" We are overwhelmed! So many stories to tell when we get home. =)
On Wed we meet briefly with World Vision to sign papers for our Thurs visit. Everyone of us is well and enjoying our time in Ethiopia. Food is fantastic. Guesthouse is great and we're glad we brought warm clothes along! We're taking tons of pics and video's. The cows, goats, dogs and people in the roads make things interesting. =P We are surrounded by wonderful Christian people and have made some very close relationships.
Please pray our health remains well (regarding foods and the high sltitutde), our time with our WV child and that flights go uneventful on our way home. We have asked about visiting Kyah again, and it probably won't happen. It's sad since we're this close to her, however, it may be for the best. It would be a re-do of emotions from Monday's visit. I think it's better this way. We're told in the next 3 - 5 weeks they should get her paper work all in order for her and bring her home (that is if all goes well).
Hope all is well at home. Jesse and Solomon, we miss you like crazy!!! We keep thinking of the things you would come up with to do here and how you would react to the things we've done. Love you boys SO much!!
Love to you all ~ Carrie and crew