Last Friday, our adoption agency submitted our paperwork to the Ethiopian courts. We expect to hear this week or next our exact court date. I'm guessing July 15th but John is less certain. As excited as we are to finally get there, we are also worried about money. We need approximately $9,500 for this leg of our journey. However, God has shown throughout this adoption that we have no need to worry. He is a big God and He has provided throughout this adoption. The most amazing thing to me is the number of times the money has come from complete strangers. We are in Florida visiting with the grandparents. We are staying with my parents in Chiefland for a few days. This morning, my mom decided to take the boys to the park to get them out of the house for a bit. After wards they decided to stop by Hardees for a milk shake. When they were done, Feromsa went to throw his trash away. A man sitting nearby struck up a conversation with Feromsa asking him about school, etc. Feromsa was quickly joined by Bereket, followed by Joshua and my mom. Mom mentioned how hard the boys had worked, especially since Feromsa and Bereket didn't know any English 2 years ago and she mentioned that they had been adopted and that our family was adopting again. The man quickly gets up, yells to one of the workers. "Sister Rita, I need a witness" and then promptly walked out to his car. At this point, Mom wasn't sure what to do. Before she could decide, the man returned and handed her $55. He said that he was here from California conducting a revival and that they had a concert last night. During the concert they collected an offering for widows and orphans. So he decided to give us a portion of that offering for our adoption.
Now come on people, what are the odds? A man from California just happens to be in Chiefland, FL. He just happens to be holding a revival where they just happen to collect an offering for widows and orphans. The next day he just happens to be in Hardees. My kids just happen to be there even though my kids had voted for McDonalds. My mom just happened to insist on Hardees (even though she never goes against what the kids want.) Then this man just happens to strike up a conversation with Feromsa. Coincidence? I don't think so!
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"Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west." Isaiah 43:5 (NIV)
AWAA
About Us
- The Raymers.
- We are John and Dottie. We have 5 kids: Hannah, Abel, Joshua, Feromsa, and Bereket. This is our blog about our lives.
Timeline and Cost
- Here you can find a posted a listing of all of our adoption expenses that are paid and are yet to be paid.
- *Note* AWAA program fees are reduced because John is an associate for AWAA.
- 1-13-10 AWAA Application Fee $250.00- PAID
- 2-3-10 First program fee* $250- PAID
- 3-8-10 Fingerprinting $830- PAID
- Birth Certificates, etc. $70- PAID
- Fingerprints for NC $10.00 PAID
- NC SBI Background Check $30.00 - PAID
- Physicals for everyone $150.00 - PAID
- Homestudy $1800 PAID
- Authentication of out of state documents $40.00 - PAID
- Post-placement fees $1050 - PAID
- 4-13-10 Fingerprint appointment with USCIS
- 4-21-10 Home study complete and in hand
- 4-22-10 Referral!
- 4-28-10 I-171 arrived!
- 4-28-10 Program fee ($250), 1/2 International Program fee ($3,750), Post-placement admin. fee ($385) Total of $4385 PAID
- ????- Agency mid-payment fee ($2000), Translation/Authentication fee ($800), Post-placement deposit ($1,000), Courier fee ($150), 1/2 International fee ($3750) Total $7700
Ethiopia
Addis Ababa |