I just wanted to give you all a quick update on our progress here in Addis, but FIRST...

We want to THANK YOU ALL for your generosity and prayers. I still can't adequately communicate how encouraging your support has been.

It has now been just over a week after we flew out of Atlanta and so far we have met Getachew, passed court, received full custody, obtained the court decree, obtained the birth certificate, and submitted paperwork for his passport

We have an in-country guide and a driver who knows every road and passthrough in Addis and who has an uncanny gift at knowing his way around every government office in the city. If it can be done, he can get it done. We would probably be here an extra week without him. He is a personified answer to all of your prayers for us.

Getch has been in our custody since last Friday and we have been able to spend a lot of time with him on our own, learning his personality and the activities he enjoys. He shares the universal attraction to glowing screens and moving pictures (and if you know me and my penchant for road trips, you would know I am especially excited that he is entertained by passing scenery from a car window). He is very thorough and particular when it comes to folding and sorting his clothes, brushing his teeth, and tucking in his undershirt. He is an intense Lionel Messi fan and one living room soccer drill has already left me with a bruised toe after inadvertently kicking a wall. He enjoys praying before we go to bed.

It's looking like we'll be here another week or so, Lord willing. Your prayers have meant and will continue to mean everything to us as we continue to see the provision and faithfulness of God as the process continues and we daily zip around the city in a white van, dodging pedestrians and throwing documents on the dash.

We are excited for you all to be able to meet our little guy!