There aren't any at the US Embassy in Ethiopia. You still have to wait in line and they still take your phones and any other electronic device. We did get to wait inside as opposed to outside, not because we're US Citizens, but because we had a baby. So there are perks to being a baby!
There were many, many Ethiopians waiting to interview to receive a visa to enter the US. Beza, our adoption officer said most would not receive a visa, yet they will continue to come back again and again. We "interviewed", which was basically just standing in front of a window and saying "Good afternoon " to the American guy on the other side. That was literally it. He gave us some documents, told us the visa would be ready tomorrow and that as soon as we stepped foot on American so, Melaku would become an instant American citizen.
Amazing, isn't it? All those other Ethiopians working SO hard for a chance into America, their promised land and Melaku gets automatic entrance because he's adopted into our family.
Guess what though? Right now, today, he'd like nothing better than for us to take him back to the orphanage. No exaggeration, he has been crying almost all the time. Today he has found some comfort with me, but when he saw Beza, he reached and cried for her because she represents the orphanage to him.
He is afraid of Zack because he's had little to interaction with men, especially white me.
We need prayer---big prayers. Please pray for peace for Melaku and that God would knit his heart to ours. I'm staying in our room except for official visits because the women here all want to hold Melaku and that is not helpful to his attachment to us.
Please pray for us. We are so thankful to be officially done and now we are to the difficult part in this journey. The days ahead are so crucial to Melaku's emotional health and to our family.
Love you all!
Thanks for sharing this. As you guys know, adoption isn't always easy. Isaiah screamed his head off both times that we picked him up from the orphanage(court and embassy). We did not mind allowing the ladies at the orphanage and guest house to hold him (like he wanted so badly). We knew that we would have the rest of his life to bond and form attachments. Once we were home, he had no problem at all bonding and finding comfort in both of us. Today he is a happy, bubbly 3 yr. old that squeals with excitement every time one of us comes home. I fear that many of the "adoption books" do more harm than good on issues of attachment. Praying for you all today.
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