"Angry Devil"

GOOD EVENING!!!!  What a great day in Addis Ababa! I will start at the beginning.....

The plan was for the driver to be here at 7:30am this morning.  At 7:40am I asked them to call Mengistu to check on the driver because WE HAD A BIRTH CERTIFICATE TO GET  I did not want to be late.  Our driver was 20 minutes late which was frustrating, but we couldn't change it.  So, we piled into the van and hit an ALL TIME HIGH for traffic issues (of course). Tesfahun was going early to the kebele, so, we were hoping by the time we arrived the adoption certificate  would be ready for us to sign.  We sang (rapped) to Lecrae most of the ride over.  We finally arrived at 9am (yes, an hour and 10 minutes).  Turns out our driver being late didn't even matter. Tesfahun came out to meet us and I hugged him and said (jokingly), "we have power today?"  Not joking he said, "no."  WHAT ON EARTH?  So, an office that hasn't lost power in over 3 months lost power at 1:30 yesterday afternoon, had it return at 6pm. turn back off at 7:30am today?  YES.  Tesfahun said, "The devil isn't happy we are back." noted.
We walked back into the claustrophobic nightmare of an office the kebele and the familiar faces from yesterday greeted us.  They apologized for the power being out and we took our (comfortable by this point) seats from yesterday.  We cozied in and picked up where we left off... for the first hour.  Then, I noticed Tesfahun fidgeting and getting aggravated at some of the conversation the staff was having.  I asked what they were talking about and he said, "they are trying to tell me that they think since Tyson was born in the south we have to go to the south for his birth certificate and adoption certificate, but the new directive says in article 3 that any kebele in Addis can do one if the child RESIDES in Addis."  So, I said, "just to be clear, we could be waiting here for the second day in a row, the power might come on, and they will still refuse to do it even though he had most of it done yesterday?" Tesfahun, "No, we will get it.  I will go to their bosses boss.  I know the new directive about this process, because it's my job to.  They aren't lawyers and don't know the law."  My natural response was, "But, since you ARE a lawyer, shouldn't they know you know best?"  He said, "well, they don't know I am a lawyer.  Sometimes if you say that right away they feel like you are belittling them and they will refuse what you are asking them for."  Me... mouth gaped open dumbfounded, "so we have been sitting with these people for 6 hours (between the last two days) and they don't know you are an attorney?"  He grinned slyly, "no. If I need to tell them, I will.  But, just not right away."  I replied, "If them knowing that gets this done, please tell them.  I understand holding your cards until you need to play them. But maybe WE NEED TO PLAY THEM."  The conversation between Tesfahun and the mean man kebele workers escalated, but I could tell Tesfahun was frustrated.  They argued for a good solid 10 minutes while we all sat there wide-eyed and anxious.  Finally, I heard them both say "ishi" which means, "okay," and they shook hands.  Tesfahun turned to look at me and half-grinned and said, "we are good."  Literally in that second the power came on (at 10:43am)  I was nervous it would still fall apart, but Tesfahun leaned in and said, "I played the cards.  They know I am a lawyer now and they agreed to give it to us."  I wanted to high-five him RIGHT THERE IN THEIR FACES, but instead, I sat there with my heart racing a trillion miles an hour.
They began typing it all out and eventually Tesfahun went behind the desk to help them fill it out... later he explained this was so he could teach them how to do it (but they were doing the typing) so they wouldn't have any excuses about not knowing the procedure from here on out.  Praying that is helpful for other families.  While we were sitting there Tesfahun said, "Now we have an angry devil.  He didn't want us to get this far today."  Wise words, Tesfahun, armor locked and loaded... we aren't backing down.  Despite it taking an hour and 45 minutes to type and print the adoption certificate, we walked out of there with one that declares ASNAKE MARK MCKEEHAN TO BE THE SON OF MARK DANIEL MCKEEHAN AND CARRIE REBECCA MCKEEHAN (tears, praise hands, heart eye emojis, hallelujah chorus, and whatever else there is).  At one point in the typing/printing process Regan asked me what we were doing after we left there.  Tesfahun and I agreed on a response: PRAISING JESUS.
When we finally walked out of there I snapped a picture of Tesfahun and Tyson on the steps of the kebele (you can see it on my instagram feed) to remember that here, behind a ratty, worn out piece of paper on the door labeled "15" the enemy was silenced. again.  The war wages on, this we know, but with every victory along the way we realize the enemy didn't get all he set out for.  So grateful for tangible pictures of victory over systems that thrive on chaos and disorder.
We left the kebele with happy tears, lighter steps, and a heavy weight off.  We went to lunch (TEX MEX BABY) and then celebrated at THE cutest ice cream parlor I have ever seen.  The kids played on the swings at the parlor and we had a great day.  Our original plan was to go with Abdi (another attorney) to the passport office this afternoon, but he was sick today and stayed home.  So, Tesfahun needed to go pick up court decrees for families who passed court Tuesday (we wanted him to do that... that is so important).  The plan is for us to be waiting for immigration to open in the morning (we are leaving the guesthouse at 7am) so we can apply for his passport and expedite it (we should get it tomorrow afternoon). We arrived back at the guesthouse for dinner and then we all played in the living room with the other family who is here with their three new children. It was loud and fun.
If all goes as is expected from here on out, we will get passport tomorrow (Monday morning at the latest) and Tyson will start visa medical tests Monday.  He is super healthy and this shouldn't be a big deal, except waiting on his TB skin test results which takes 48 hours.  So, that will finish up Wednesday morning and will allow us to file for an Embassy appointment on Thursday.  The Embassy usually takes 1-2 business days to review paperwork and then they assign an embassy appointment (but our adoption agency is assigned for Tuesday appointments only).  So, we are expected to have our embassy appointment on Tuesday, November 15th.  In which case we would leave on Wednesday, the 16th, and arrive back in Knoxville, Thursday evening, November 17th (THAT'S ONLY 2 WEEKS FROM TODAY!!!!).
Tyson has had a great day!  He is sweet and learns quickly.  The last two days we have heard him say (in English), "I don't know how,"  "Mom has van in American.  Dad has white car.  Me have a red seat in car.  I have to buckle in America." BUCKLING IN ETHIOPIA IS UNHEARD OF... so we have discussed multiple times that in America he will feel like he is wearing a straightjacket in the car he will have to stay seated and buckled at all times.  His giggle is contagious and his smile just kills us.  Tonight during "The Incredibles," he was so tired he grabbed my hand and said, "Mom, let's go."  He escorted me to his bed and said, "You and me.  Lay down.  You sing. Me sleep. Please."  OK, YOU TWISTED MY ARM.  It was so sweet and tonight he let me pull him a little closer and tighter.  Grateful for the details and growth that the Lord allows us to see.
We are so grateful for all of you who woke to pray for us today....who have carried these burdens and weighs with us.  The enemy isn't backing down and neither are we!  We are so grateful for your continued prayers.

Passport tomorrow!

Until WE'RE home,
carrie