"In Western Christianity, using the Gregorian calendar, Easter always falls on a Sunday between March 22 and April 25 inclusively. The following day, Easter Monday, is a legal holiday in many countries with predominantly Christian traditions. In Eastern Christianity, which uses the Julian calendar for religious dating, Easter also falls on a Sunday between March 22 and April 25 inclusive of the Julian calendar. In terms of the Gregorian calendar, due to the 13 day difference between the calendars between 1900 and 2099, these dates are between April 4 and May 8 inclusive."
In 2002, Easter was celebrated on March 31st here in the United States. In 2002 in Ethiopia (or 1994 by their calendar) Easter was celebrated on May 5th (taking into account the 13 day difference between the Gregorian and Julian calendars…)
Why am I telling you this???
We have confirmation that Bereket was born during the Eastern Holy week in Ethiopia (which uses the Julian calendar for religious dating)…2002... and that it was April. This means she was born in late April, and if it was during Holy Week in Ethiopia that means either April 29th or 30th. Pretty neat! Bereket’s mom couldn’t remember the exact day but she was positive that it was Holy Week and it was still April. A two-day window is accurate enough for me! Our dear Bereket, our “Blessing” born during Holy Week 2002 in Ethiopia, is 7 years and 2.5 months old. Pretty much the exact age that we suspected.
So yes, this also means that our contact at the KDN was able to talk with Bereket's mom on the phone on Monday (she traveled to his cousin's house to use the phone as she does not have one). She asked him how Bereket was doing, and also told him her true age. I am suspecting that the orphanage makes their own decisions on age based on size of children (who are often malnourished and stunted in growth) rather than info from parents or living relatives. This also makes them more likely to be adopted... it is true that while still not the most favorable age for adoption, "almost 5" (i.e. technically still "4") is more desirable than currently "6.5" It wouldn't have made a difference for us (when we started considering waiting children with HIV, Ben and I told each other we were open up to age 8), but I guess it could for some. And I think the orphanage knows this... Something to keep in mind for those of you who have stated you are open to a child 0-4yrs (wink)....
p.s. scroll down to see new pictures!
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
"From the Horse's Mouth"
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
8 comments:
So amazing to find this out NOW! Very excited for you.
Holly, I am just amazed! If there is some way that we can help, let us know.
HOlly, what an adventure the Lord has you on!!! And oh, so, glorious of an adventure it is!!! I cannot wait to continue to hear more as things unfold!! HUGS!
Wow, how cool to get confirmation on her birthday! Too bad you didn't know that before her actual birthday though, huh? What will you do now? Will you celebrate her birthday this August still? How about kindergarten?
NEAT!
WOW!
COOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!
:-)
weepy a bit too
This is awesome!!!! And the neatest thing about it, is that the gift is the biggest blessing to your precious 7 1/2 year old! What a beautiful gift to her. I wish all adoptive parents were able to see the contact with a loving birthfamily is really just contact with people who become yourfamily.
dawn
Wow, I can't believe it all... it's so crazy that she's actually seven and also that you could get in touch with her birth family and find a way to help them. Awesome!!
Wow - that is WONDERFUL to know. I have a friend that just adopted two "4/5" year olds from there as well ... and also now has two 7 year olds as confirmed by the girls' birth families.
How will you address school issues now? Do you change her birth certificate? Sometimes I think the extra years at home (being young legally) are VERY helpful -- but obviously emotionally much better for the child to know their true age.
Post a Comment