Still No News - I keep waiting for something "substantial" to share. But I am thinking my definition of substantial and God's definition may be different. So... two more weeks have passed. It's now been something like 3 and 1/2 weeks since our file was accepted by the US Embassy in Addis. We understand the Embassy is behind and that we shouldn't expect to hear soon... but we were hoping by now we would have heard something. We are asking God for the grace to focus on what he is teaching and doing in our lives rather than get impatient and cranky. We trust the Lord is also accomplishing his perfect plans in Tarike so far away. Thank you for your prayers both for us and for Tarike. We love you! Jim & Jaci 

PS - Here is a photo of our family (minus Leah who took this photo - thanks Leah!) We celebrated Jeff & Jenae's birthday last weekend. We hope to celebrate Tarike's arrival to our family in America soon! :)

Friday, September 27, 2013

Thank you family and friends for all your love and support for our family!  We see your faces as we write this almost final update on our journey to bring our daughter home.  You have been a part of this incredible process.  Thank you so much! God is good!

Our adoption case was submitted to the US Embassy in Ethiopia just over a week ago.  We’ve been told that they are backed up at the Embassy.  So, we patiently wait for the email that says we can come and pick up our daughter.  We are hoping to get that email in the next week or so.  Please pray our file is approved with no additional requests (delays).

A couple family and friends have asked if we still need financial assistance.  The simple answer is yes.  If you would like to contribute towards our adoption, it is not too late.  We would ask that you send the funds to Lifesong for Orphans. Their address is PO Box 40, Gridley, Illinois, 61744. Use this phrase in the memo line of the check: Kennington #3753 adoption. This means your donation is tax deductible for you.

The estimated cost of this adoption is $35,000. We have personally contributed about 50% of the funds and the other half has come from generous donations from family and friends! Thank you so much for your investment in Tarike’s life!  

We plan to make a puzzle with all the friends and family who financially contributed and will send a picture of that out in a letter.  Also, we will try to post a final photo of bringing Tarike home.  We know that God has a life-time of learning for our family.

God bless you all for your love, interest, prayers, and finances.

We love you!
Jim & Jaci

Dear Friends,

We received this photo today. It is the most recent photo we have of Tarike Kennington. This is taken at the Thomas Center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia... notice the traditional Ethiopian clothing! We are awaiting word from the US Embassy that our papers are complete and we can come pick her up! We expect that email might come in the next week or so... and that we may be traveling to Ethiopia to get Tarike in 2-5 weeks. Hopefully sooner than later! :) Would you please pray for God's perfect timing and for Tarike to be at peace and prepared for this big transition? Thank you so much! We love you!

Jim & Jaci 

Jaci & Tarike at the Thomas Center...

One bonus of staying in Addis the extra 5 days is we were able to see Tarike again on Monday before flying home. She was moved to the Thomas Center along with the other CHI children at the orphanage in Adama... so we saw her "home" until we come back for her. That was so nice!

Also - we were praying for the last few months for a miracle of being able to get into the adoption court before they closed for "rainy season." Well, we found out that we appeared on the very last day of court, and then they closed. This is great because it means we will likely be able to go get Tarike and bring her home 2-4 months earlier than if we had not gotten in before the courts closed. Praise God.

Thank you for your prayers and support!

We love you!
Jim & Jaci

Meet Tarike!

Here we are within an hour of meeting at the orphanage on Tuesday afternoon. We had such a sweet four hours together. Thanks for your prayers and support for our adoption! We love you! Jim & Jaci

IT'S OFFICIAL!


Dear Family and Friends!  

Greetings in the Name of Jesus Christ our Savior!!  If it wasn't for Him, we wouldn't be here right now!

We are so excited . . . yes, she is officially our daughter, Tarike Kennington!  She is a real jewel! We met her Monday at the orphanage and thoroughly enjoyed 4 hours with her there! Then today we passed court and it is official!

Thank you all for your love and support.  We love you all and know that God has blessed us through each of you!

Love, Jim and Jaci

PS - As soon as we figure out how to upload a photo we will do that! LOL!

Tomorrow we meet her!

Hi everyone,                                                                                                                                          We are in Ethiopia to meet our daughter on the 13th! It happened so fast that we didn't have time to say much. We have been here for a week now... visiting friends from Lake City and helping on a mission project. Now we get down to the matter of meeting our daughter tomorrow. We can't wait! After we pass court on Wednesday we can reveal her name and show photos!                     Thank you for praying! 

We love you, Jim & Jaci