Alex - Road to Freedom is a story of hope and compassion. In May of 2006, Rod and his family decided to rescue Alex from the streets of Addis Ababa in Ethiopia and made a commitment to adopt him. Alex isn't a baby and he isn't cute, having a scar on his face and having lived a rough life. He has emotional and psychological scars that will take a long time to heal. The story began, appropriately, in The Beginning.

Earlier this month, the adoption was legally finalized and Alex celebrated his birthday for the first time. In the previous 12 years, he never celebrated a birthday. Is this a happy ending? No, not yet! Alex still has not been united with his new, adoptive family. Rod is struggling with gaining additional entrance visas, changing airline tickets, and dealing with other delays. Due to the continued unexpected issues that have become the norm for the past year, Rod's financial resources have run out. On May 21, 2007, Rod reluctantly called out for help in: We never thought we would have to do this. Rod is now using credit to pay for everything and is heading deeper into the red.

Alex's father and brother are now waiting for Alex to be granted a visa to enter Albania where they live, but the Albanian Government is not making it easy. Alex's father is distraught that his new son is going to feel betrayed and won't understand why these delays keep happening. Many blogs are used to make money, even if it is secondary like mine. Some are personal journals and some are used like Rod's, to make a difference in this world. We bloggers of the first kind should be able to make a difference of our own.

If we can't help with financial assistance, the least we can do is write about the situation and get the word out to those who can. The continued coverage of this journey can do nothing but support Rod's determination to get Alex into Albania, safe and out of the streets of Ethiopia.