Our Birth Family

Early March I felt like God was wanting me to go to Ethiopia. I couldn't shake the feeling so I talk with my friend Emily she felt the same- so we booked a trip to Ethiopia. This shows what amazing husbands we have!! All I knew is that we were supposed to go. This was so out of Rob's comfort zone, but he supported me and held up the Neal fort with five kids while I was gone. I knew mine has something to do with our boys birth families, I thought maybe I would get to meet Caden's birth grandparents or have another piece to their past. We rented a car with a sweet driver and we were off to Awassa. We were meeting up with the Glimmer of Hope staff to tour the Dawaro zone projects, but we were staying the night in Awassa so I could meet with both birth families. After hooking up with a social worker he informs me that we will only have time to meet Caden's family and the other one would have to be in the morning. We couldn't be out at dark and the roads were muddy. After meeting with Caden's aunt, the grandparents were not there, and she is so sweet but very shy! This was my third time to meet with her and I am so proud of her that she walks the long walk to meet with me. I know this is hard for her, but she did it!! I left that meeting a little discouraged- I didn't get anything new for Caden and we are suppose to leave early in the morning for the Dawaro zone. I have to see Cruz's family, they were expecting me and I couldn't let them down! The Glimmer staff was so gracious to push our time back so I could leave early in the morning for Chuko. We drive as far as we can and then we have to walk the rest of the way. The roads are too muddy. The driver asks if I want to turn around and go back- Are you kidding me??? I booked a trip, left my family, traveled for days- I am not letting some mud stop me. So another friend of mine, also named Julie and I made the journey to my family. This pic above is me walking in the mud!

As we were walking we passed this gorgeous waterfall and stream. I was drinking in this amazing scenery-knowing that my son has been on this exact path! Will someone please pinch me!!! This is so beautiful, I didn't think it could be anymore spectacular until I enter an opening of lush greenery to a row of three mud huts! The last hut was the hut that my baby boy took is first breath in!! His sweet grandmother was dusting the dirt floor when we walked up!! This is it- this is what I came for!!
This is inside the hut looking out at what would have been my son's playmates!! They were so precious!
Look at the sheer joy on the grandmother and aunts faces as they look at Cruz's pictures. They couldn't believe how big he was!! I asked her if she would ever want to see him and she said "Yes, very much". At the time I hoped to make it a reality- I didn't know what I know now!!
This is us outside of their hut- I brought them things that will hopefully make life a little easier for them. I love this shirt of Cruz- they can wear him close to their hearts!!!
Julie and I having coffee from their coffee tree right outside the hut. It was truly the best cup of coffee that I have had!! This whole visit was very surreal for me. I had to keep telling myself that I was in Chuko Ethiopia in the hut where my son was born.
It had just rained an this beautiful lady was washing her clothes in the mud puddle.
As I'm walking back to our car-we had some followers go with us to get some fun stuff out of the car to take back for the friends that would have been Cruz's playmates.
I left this visit feeling so FULL and this is why I was supposed to come to Ethiopia. Anything after this would be frosting on the cake for me!! Boy was I wrong- God was only getting started!!
Stay tuned for the amazing adventure that God has called me to be apart of, maybe he is calling you too!!!