Together at Last!

Dear friends,
We had a wonderful day today picking up Tarike at the Thomas Center in Addis Ababe, Ethiopia. She was definitely teary eyed saying goodbye to her friends and nannies. But she has done will the rest of the day. We arrived in Addis around 6:15 am this morning (Wednesday), made our way to the hotel, took  a nap, picked up Tarike at 2:00 pm and we've been together at the hotel since then. We enjoyed walking around the pool, playing on the playground, having an ice cream cone, and then watching video, TV, games, dinner in our room. Trying to keep it pretty simple and busy. Please keep praying. We are enjoying Tarike so much. We are also missing Bethlehem and the rest of the family back in the USA. We love you!
Jim & Jaci & Bethlehem

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EMBASSY DATE CONFIRMED!

We have a confirmed Embassy hearing on Thursday, Oct. 31st! So we booked our tickets… we are leaving on Monday for Addis, and return on Saturday night! A very quick trip this time! One reason is so we can come home on the same flights as another adopted child who Tarike has been with at the orphanage for some time. We hope that makes it easier for both of them. Please pray for health and safety and for Tarike to do well with all the change! Also for Bethlehem back home while we are gone. Thank you so much!                        We love you! Jim & Jaci 

ADDIS - Here we come!

We received the email we have been waiting for from the Embassy in Ethiopia this morning… we are cleared to set up our Embassy date! Yay! We will hopefully have a confirmed date and travel plans by tomorrow!              Blessings! Jim & Jaci

Embassy News!


Dear Friends and Family,
We heard from the US Embassy on Oct. 16 that they are now working on our file. Then on Friday, Oct. 18, we heard they are waiting for a missing paper for our file which should be arriving from the orphanage later this week. The good news is they are finally working on our file. However, we hear it can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of months for them to complete this step. We have also heard that at least one family that was in Ethiopia while we were has received clearance from the Embassy to come pick up their child. So our prayer is that our clearance to come pick up Tarike will be soon too! Thanks for your prayers! 
We love you, Jim & Jaci

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