Day 30 – Family Reunion

Susan and Koko signing on tonight from Adama, where we experienced a truly incredible day and moment in time. Perhaps this story of love and family is best told through the photographs we took, although impossible to post them all here. We sum up this day as one that will be stamped on our hearts forever – from the ‘so much more than a hug’ hugs Koko and all of us received from Abebech, Koko’s birth mother, to the wonderfully prepared ethiopian meal we shared, to the many relatives, friends, and neighbors who greeted each of us with huge welcoming smiles and hugs, to the powerful testimony and declaration of love and gratitude that seemed to just spill out of Abebech, with all listening on – God was in all of it. We cannot fully express the level of emotion. Nervousness, tears, laughter, dancing, and a whole new family waving goodbye to us at the end of the day, wishing for us not to leave. Koko shares that she was overcome with emotion as Abebech shared the details of making the heartbreaking decision to relinquish care of her, and asked for her forgiveness, making sure Koko knew she loves her very much – both with tears falling down their faces (like nearly everyone else in the room). Honestly, I could go on attempting to describe so many vivid moments from the day, but the tears are welling up once more at all that we were blessed with today. Just know that Koko is good, we are good, and the day was very very good. We spend one more day with the family tomorrow before heading back to Addis Ababa. Wow. Just wow.