The day has arrived, and I am on another incredible journey. This morning I left Las Vegas for Sacramento to see my friends, Rick and Wendi Cross.
Rick went to Ethiopia last year on a mission trip, and it was there that he fell in love with a boy at the orphanage. Although they already have 4 children of their own, he knew that God was calling them to adopt Nebeyu. After returning home, he discussed it with Wendi and she knew that this was what they were called to do… and so began the long, arduous process known as International Adoption.
Several home studies, paperwork filings, grant applications, fundraisers, prayers, and $26,000 later, Nebeyu is about to become their newest, and oldest, son. He will be sharing a room with their original oldest, Colby.
The Cross Family will soon become a Party of Seven, and their oldest child will be coming home in ten days.
The family saved a space for Nebeyu’s feet so we can take this picture again when he arrives at his home.
Can you imagine what will be going through his mind when he gets here? Leaving everything he ever knew and going halfway across the world to this place – this beautiful home with brothers and a sister and a mom and a dad… and, thanks to Wendi, he will also be coming home to a chore chart
– just one thing that will help him feel as though he is just as part of the family as everyone else. They know the transition will be tough on him, but they want him to know that he belongs with them. I think that’s so cool!
The goodbyes were next, and thankfully the kids are in wonderful hands with Wendi’s mom taking care of them.
The boys are so excited to meet their big brother…
We packed up the expedition to the brim… believe it or not, over half of what is in this vehicle won’t be returning with us. We are taking so many donations for the orphanages and street children in Uganda and Ethiopia… this trip is so much more than an adoption. We are going to be missionaries, too.
It was time for Rick to say goodbye the best way he knew how… with a toss in the air for each of his kiddos…
Then we loaded into the car… Wendi’s cousin, Gerald, is joining us on the trip. Gerald is a crack-up!
We stopped at McDonalds for one last taste of American junk food…
and we drove to San Francisco…
We even got to cross the Bay Bridge. The toll booth operator asked us where we were going… when we told him Africa, he said he is from Nigeria and he wished us all the best on our trip!
At the airport, we unpacked the nine 50 pound bags that we would be checking through, and said goodbye to Uncle Willy, our driver
The check-in agent at the airport was excited to hear that our final destination was Uganda, since he is from Kenya, one of the bordering countries! Another cool moment!
Rick had a small snack to tide himself over for the flight.
And we got to the gate and saw our plane!! This is really happening!!!!
Woohoo!!
Wendi and I decided to be row-mates!
Gerald hung out across from us and made a new friend in the seat next to him. In fact, everywhere he goes, he makes new friends instantly!
Rick and Colby had the Man Row in front of Wendi and I…
and after flying all night, we arrived in Washington, DC as the sun rose!
In DC, we headed to the international gate…
and we checked in at Ethiopian Airlines!
How cool is their colorful logo?
And we got our boarding passes… one for Addis Ababa, and the other one for the next leg on to Entebbe, Uganda. We will have a quick refueling stop in Rome on the way.
Wendi and I decided to freshen up a bit for the next leg of the flight… at least now our teeth are brushed! haha!
And we are getting ready in a few minutes to board the plane to Ethiopia, where the real adventure begins! I will do my best to continue updating daily (or whenever I have Internet access!!!)… please check back, and thank you for reading!
by jessie
27 comments