Why Ethiopia?

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One of the frequent questions we get is, "why did you choose Ethiopia?" In the spring of 2004 we were in Boston (Grant was running the Boston marathon) and we spent time with our beautiful and talented friend Erica Pelaccia talking about adoption options. She had been in the adoption world since college and knew a lot about the different programs. As soon as she mentioned Ethiopia, we were all in. We didn't look at any other options after that.

Her reasons:

1. The country had recently opened their doors to international adoptions so the program was new. This meant a very short wait time. We adopted Alex in six months and Almaz in seven months. (This is drastically different now! Waits are 2 - 3 years).

2. The emphasis on caring for children was high. The low number of nannies to babies meant the babies received lots of love and care.

3. Fetal alcohol syndrome is low since alcohol isn't consumed often, especially not by women.

My extra special reason:

4. My grandparents, Sam and Alice Linden had lived in Ethiopia so there was an emotional and spiritual connection. It was as if we had come full circle. Almaz's middle name is Allegra, named after my grandma Alice Allegra.

Sam and Alice Linden lived in Ethiopia in 1965 for about a year. My grandpa Sam was in construction for his whole career in Bremerton, Washington. He owned Linden Construction Company, and built many schools, hospitals and other commercial buildings in Bremerton from 1944 through the 1970’s.

They were also active members in Sylvan Way Baptist Church, which is part of the Baptist General Conference. The BGC had missionaries in Ethiopia and they needed a church, a school building and missionary offices built. So, Sam and Alice moved to Ethiopia to supervise the construction of these!

We received most of their Ethiopia memorabilia a few years ago when my Grandma Alice died. These items are a tremendous gift to us. Alex has a few spears waiting for him for when he is much, much older! My grandpa was a painter and we have three of the paintings he did while living there. They are so precious to us.

My dad recently scanned and sent me a bunch of pictures of his parent’s time there.

I may be romanticizing Ethiopia in the mid 60's but it was during the time that Emperor Haile Selassie was making many changes to modernize the country.  It was before 1974 when the socialist government took over. During the 70's and 80's it seemed like everything fell apart in Ethiopia...especially when the government tried to hide the famine that was taking place in Ethiopia in the mid 80's. We all remember We Are The World.

These pictures make it appear that Ethiopia is a healthy and vibrant country. So much has happened in the last forty years but I do believe that Ethiopia can find that health again. 

One of my grandpa's construction projects in Ethiopia.

Love this hair! Notice the Bible the girl in white is holding? My grandpa was a Gideon (you know the Bibles that are in all the hotel rooms?) and he was constantly passing out Bibles...spreading the Good News! 

 

My grandma mentioned how she always felt safe where ever she went and was never asked for money. While it is still relatively safe walking around, westerners are asked for money non-stop. Literally non-stop. 

 

I would love to know what this function is. 

My grandma and grandpa at the airport in Addis Ababa. 

My grandpa is the farthest to the right. 

My favorite of their Ethiopian pictures.

 A painting my grandpa did of a busy street in Addis Ababa.

 A painting my grandpa did of Ethiopian countryside.


I love the chance to share these pictures with you! It has been such a fun project to revive my blog during this time that I am fundraising for Mudula Water. Team Braasch has raised $6,000! Thank you SO MUCH for donating to Mudula Water! It means the world to us. 

Donate to Mudula Water here.