Praying

We want our babies home. Plain and simple. No fancy words. Just praying.

Breaking Point

I have reached my breaking point. Although my disposition may seem sweet and demure the rage inside has heightened to a degree that I cannot write quietly anymore. For sake of anonymity I'll refrain from spilling too many specific details but lets just say that our eyes have been opened... 

I am sick and tired of people claiming to be good when they are nothing but evil. I am fed up with people wanting to be so in control of a situation that the innocent suffer. I am exhausted by those around me who seem to thrive in the company of drama and I am pissed off that our family does nothing but love and yet still people think that we are up to no good. 

In the past month we have been accused of lying, stealing, walking against the word of God and certain individuals, who shall remain nameless... for now, have been using us as an attempted pawn to divide. To those of you who are guilty of what I am referring to, know that I know and realize that despite your devious plans you will fail because we have Jesus on our side and you are working for the Devil. 

I am a fighter and I will fight armed with a faith that does not waver. I have reached my breaking point so prepare yourselves for a more candid view... 

Outside of Addis

Biftu and You?

Biftu was Laurent and Nicasio's first home. This is where they were when we knew of them. Here they slept, safely. Merdokiyos and Tarik, who run the orphanage, have become dear friends to both AJ and me; brother and sister in Christ. Their passion for the children is tangible and visible as tears fill their eyes when they discuss those they care for and nurture. We couldn't feel more honored to have them be a part of our family history and now at their request and our prayer we have a question for you... Could part of your history begin here as well... Are these your children?

They are siblings, estimated ages 7 and 9.  They have been at Biftu for some time and although 'paper ready' no one has stepped forward to adopt them... yet. With sorrow in their expressions Tarik and Merdi told us how during school they will at times see both of them "hanging their head in sadness" because another child is able to leave to be with their family and they are again left behind. Their dream is to be adopted, to be with their own family, to be loved unconditionally and forever. Please feel free to re-post and spread the word about this amazing brother and sister who have been through so much yet have so much joy and hope. Please email me (j_gumieny@yahoo.com) with any questions, to see unobstructed photos, for more information, or if you know or anyone who may be interested in being their forever family. I will get in touch with the Biftu staff with your emails and hopefully together we can find the fortunate ones being called to these two blessings.

The Reason

This is why we returned to Ethiopia. This is who we listen to. This is where our heart is.

Relief

We arrived late, groggily ventured to our guest house unsure of exactly how we managed to get there and slept like babies. The following morning we were lulled awake by the crow of a local rooster (of which AJ insisted was not a real bird but rather a rooster recording - um yeah we're from the states - convinced of this until a second rooster joined the morning call), religious chanting echoing between the hills and car horns beeping in an attempt to manage the driving chaos. We knew immediately that we were back in Ethiopia. 

For a time we lay in bed soaking it all in, making mental files to hold on to and then the excitement of what was to come hit us and we rushed to get ready. We had a wonderfully prepared breakfast, bolted out the door to meet our driver and ten minutes later entered the gate to the foster home where our boys were. Having adopted before, we felt like we had a pretty good grasp of what was to come and could visualize, to an extent, what to expect. With Charlotte it was fueled on emotion and with the boys it felt more like a sigh of relief. Finally, after years of waiting for a moment we thought would never come, the time was upon us and the sense of peace we felt was beyond expression. We were simply minutes from our boys!

They brought Nicasio down first and we were taken by his beauty... Seriously, in person, this kid is gorgeous beyond words! We held him, breathed in his scent, kissed his head and praised God. In awe of how we could be chosen to be his. Laurent came down about ten minutes later and we were struck by how delicate yet strong he is. Transfixed at the realization that because of this little man we had returned to Ethiopia; he had found us.  

In retrospect, it occurred to me that AJ and I didn't speak much during these first moments with our boys but rather stared in disbelief at them. I think we were in shock of how in this time all of the pain, the waiting and the confusion made perfect sense. In this moment we understood God's will and realized how flawless His timing truly is.

The day was perfect, spent in the company of our two smallest Finks and the ten days that followed were more brilliant than the previous...

MSP to ORD to FRA to ADD

I used to love to fly. The idea of it alone made my heart flutter with anticipation and excitement as thoughts of the ensuing adventures flooded my mind. Time has passed, I've grown a bit older, my back has become increasingly more achy, the number of people to pack for has quadrupled and the travel flurry that used to invigorate me now tends simply to exhaust. I still crave the memories, the experiences and the overall end result, but I wish the path to get there wasn't 18+ hours of airtime.

Thankfully, on our way to Ethiopia we had a lengthy layover in Frankfurt, Germany. Time to stretch, walk and re-acclimate ourselves to unfiltered air. As we deplaned the skies were still dark with the early morning, fold out cots lined the walkways beckoning exhausted travelers and although we felt nauseous with sleep deprivation, we kept walking. It was just AJ and I, only hours from our boys and yet with no children in tow; we couldn't let this time be lost to slumber. It was a moment to explore. The SBahn underground runs directly to the airport terminal so we decided to grab a map, purchase tickets and hop the next train into the city center. We felt like our younger selves again, like when we were dating or just married and this rush pushed all tiredness aside.

Within twenty minutes we had arrived to our destination, stepped up the stairs into the bitter chill and witnessed the timeless beauty of Germany. We've been told that of all the cities in the country, Frankfurt can be noted as one of the least impressive, but as our perception and noted first exposure to the land of our ancestors, we were taken by the charm of it all. Quaint shops, a Christmas walk filled with intricate decorations, street musicians and unmistakable architecture. For just over two hours we wandered, sipped coffee, sampled baked goods and marveled at the history that surrounded us. Then we went back to the airport for a nap.

Crazy? Yes. Happy? Beyond.

I'm attempting to put together a post or series of posts to honor our time in Ethiopia, but it's proving difficult to sum it all up... so much unfolded. In the meantime, here's a little glimpse of the crazy that's about to rock our house when there are five kids living within it!

Nicasio Henri Sena Fink

Nicasio is five months old. His presence lights up a room, his gummy smile is contagious and his disposition is one of pure joy. He is solid, healthy and in love with his ‘dada.’ It would be impossible for anyone to not fall completely in love with him instantly. He loves to growl like a lion with his raspy little voice. He rarely gets upset, but if he does it’s only for a moment and usually means he is tired. We lay back with him on our chest as he sucks on his pudgy fingers and drifts off to sleep. He periodically raises his head to make sure we are still with him and as soon as he hears our voice and sees our face he is comforted back to sleep. He loves to be loved and loves everyone he meets.

Laurent Christiano Fink

Laurent is ten months old. He is timid, cautious and more reserved. It takes effort to lure a smile out of him, but once you are able all of the endless tickling proves more than worth it. His smile captivates and his gigantic eyes speak volumes. He is observant and seems to be deep in thought much of the time. He loves to snuggle close but fights sleep to stay awake as not to miss anything. He has a habit of grinding his five little teeth and it appears that two more teeth are about to pop through. He is very thin and weak but has great determination, much like his big sister Charlotte, and we are confident that he will overcome every obstacle placed in his path. He is gentle yet strong and although you have to earn his love once you have you have earned it forever.