Sunday, January 13, 2008

Prayers for Brett and Kelli Shreck




***UPDATE*** Shrecks arrive back in Edmond with their sons!


The Shreck family was reunited on Saturday, January 19th when Brett and Kelli returned from Africa with sons Nicholas and Benjamin. More news as soon as I have it. Thanks so much for all of your prayers. I know the entire Shreck family appreciated them and I know they helped.




*** UPDATE *** email from brett in ethiopia
We had our best day in a long time today! This morning we went to the Embassy here in Addis Ababa and our file had arrived...they had our paperwork! We gave them the additional documents, photos, medical exams and applications that they needed from us and they took them to review. They called us about 5:30 PM this evening and said everything looked good and we are now scheduled to do our visa interviews tomorrow, Tuesday, at 1:00 PM.To celebrate we went and bought what we hope will be our last non-American packages of diapers and wipes! Since we anticipate getting to come home this weekend we are going to stay put in our lodge and just try to put up with the dogs, prayer calls and herders. We had been told we might have to change rooms to one without a bathroom because our room had been reserved by someone, but they have delayed their trip so I think we are okay. When we thought we were being moved I asked the manager if we could get another room that didn't use a community bathroom (shower only), but had it's own bathroom with a bathtub like we have now, she commented that we had gotten spoiled quickly...then said no. Funny...we don't really feel that spoiled by this place!So, the plan now is only to move if: a) we get bumped to a non-bathroom room here or b) we have another unexpected delay in our process and have to extend our stay here. We did get some video of cows going down our street from the balcony today...we keep missing the sheep and donkeys, but will keep trying!Right now we are confirmed to fly home on Jan 19 and should arrive home on Sunday, Jan 20 at 3:00 PM...please, please, please pray that we don't get delayed again! After today we have let ourselves dream about coming home again and it is going to be rough if it doesn't happen this time!Blessings,Brett


Brett and Kelli Shreck left OKC on December 5th, 2007 to complete the adoption of their 2 boys in Rwanda on the continent of Africa. As Rwanda is unable to issue US visas, the boys were to get their visas in the country of Kenya which is now, as many of you know in the midst of civil and political unrest making it a much longer and more difficult process than Brett and Kelli had anticipated. Brett and Kelli have been back and forth between Rwanda, Kenya, and Ethiopia which is another African country where adoptions and US visas may be granted. They are now in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia hoping to complete the legalities and fly out this coming Saturday and be home by Sunday. Gary and Paulette, Brett's parents have expressed concern as Ethiopia is a much more Muslim country than Kenya and as such, Americans may not feel as welcome there. Brett and Kelli's 2 little girls have been here in Edmond, splitting time between their 2 sets of grandparents since December 5th.

Please add this family to your prayers. Pray that Brett, Kelli, and the 2 newest members of their family are able to complete the adoption and get back to the US next weekend if not sooner. Pray they will continue to be safe and have a safe trip home. Pray for their families that are here waiting for them, especially their girls who missed Christmas and one birthday with their mom and dad.

They expected originally to be back around December 29th so this was never intended to be quick but it is now stretching to almost twice as long as initially intended. Please pray for this family. I will post this on the blog and update the blog if there are any changes. It's so good to have brothers to share this with and to rely on in situations like this. God Bless.