Ethiopian Adventure #2, Day 12

Day 12

This morning we were able to spend some time playing in the courtyard with “T”.  She LOVES bubbles and playing soccer.  We were very excited that she played with Kevin some this morning.  She’s slowly getting closer to him. 

This is our last full day here and we’re starting to get in the mindset of heading home.  We miss our others girls so very much!  We can’t wait to see them in 2 days!

There was one last shopping trip that we needed to make.  “T”s nanny has done so much for her that we wanted to give her a very special gift.  She LOVES movies!  So, we decided to buy her a personal DVD player.  Thanks to the help of another nanny we were able to find one.  We went and purchased it this morning.  It was so wonderful giving her that gift.  She was so very happy!  It makes us happy to be able to do that for her!

After lunch at the guest house we decided to take a nap.  That consisted of a little actual sleep for Kevin and “T” and I playing on the tablet.  Oh well!

This last evening in Addis Ababa was one of the most special times we’ve had here.  We were very honored with a special feast and coffee ceremony.  The owner of the guest house, his wife, and family (who we consider very good friends) arranged for a special meal in the courtyard.  Before we ate all of the kids (and some of the “big kids”) played soccer together.  The kiddos wore Kevin out with all of the games!  For dinner we had doro wat (chicken stew) with injera.  The table was set so nicely!  It was a beautiful evening.  We ate, we talked, we were encouraged to eat more, we laughed, we were told to eat more!  After dinner we moved inside for an extra special coffee ceremony.  There was tall grass spread around the coffee ceremony rug.  They had incense burning.  The popcorn was sugared and they had “big bread” from a large round loaf.  The coffee was amazing as usual.  Very dark with a little sugar.  Seriously the best coffee I have ever had is served at this guest house!  I might not sleep tonight after my two cups of amazing coffee . . . but it is well worth it! 

After the coffee ceremony our hosts had gifts for us.  This took us by complete surprise.  They really are way too kind to us.  I received a beautiful scarf.  Kevin and “T” were given shirts.  There are gifts for the other girls to open when we get home.  It was too much, but it shows the love and kindness of our friends.  We look forward to many more celebrations with them as well as many more opportunities to do God’s work alongside them.  The church and clinic that they serve are doing amazing things for the people in this area.  We feel very honored to have the opportunity to help them with their work.  We also feel great responsibility to spread the word about what they are doing.  This family is truly an amazing witness to how God calls people to serve others.  We are blessed so much by knowing them.  We had to say goodbye to them tonight, but it is only good bye for now.  We’ll see them again soon when we pick up Miss “M^”!  Hopefully sooner than later!

And it wouldn’t be a blog post without your Amharic lesson . . .

Dekinish – tired

Ish - Okay

Ethiopian Adventure #2, Days 10-11

Day 10

This morning we went to church with our Ethiopian friends.  He is one of the leaders of the church and she sings for worship.  It’s a small church.  There were around 50 people there that morning at Emmanuel Baptist Church.  The preaching was based on 1 Thessalonians.  Even though we couldn’t understand what our friend was preaching on we definitely felt the Holy Spirit moving in that place.  I was able to bring greetings from our congregation, Emmanuel Lutheran Church.  I let them know that we would be praying for them.  I also asked for them to pray for us.  It was very special for me to be able to address their congregation.  Another friend from church sent socks and underwear for the children.  All of the children received at least one item of clothing and they were all so grateful.  Such beautiful smiling faces!

We at lunch at a hotel and then had to head back to Wolliso.  It was time to take “M^” back to the orphanage where she is staying.  She wanted to be there verses our agency’s transition house because she could attend school at the orphanage.  We know that education is extremely important to her!  It was very sad for us to leave her there.  We miss her so much already.  We’re hoping that we’ll return no later than April/May to bring her home to the US.  Please pray for our sweet girl!

The drive back was quiet and “T” slept most of the time.  There wasn’t anything nearly as exciting this time . . . no hitchhikers or large bovines!  We were able to talk with the friend that accompanied us there.  He told us about some conversations that he had with “M^” . . . what kind of music she likes, etc.  We came up with some ideas of activities to do with her next time we come to Ethiopia.  It was also nice that “T” voluntarily sat by Kevin on the way back to Addis.  She hasn’t been too warm toward him, but it’s improving.  I think the M&Ms helped significantly!

On the way back from Wolliso

It was rather late when we returned to the city.  Our driver and Ethiopian friend asked us what we wanted to eat for dinner.  Usually they take us to the super nice hotel restaurants.  Those are nice and all, but we’d rather eat where the locals eat.  They took us to a great burger place.  Ca’De Burgers.  It was basically the Ethiopian version of “5 Guys”.  Good food, messy, but very good!

And last, but not least  . . . here’s your Amharic lesson for the day!

Lemon – why?

Sayamawee – blue

Day 11

 Before breakfast.  Notice the crayons in a line . . . 

she may be more like her sister “M*” than we previously thought!

This morning we met another family that is here for court for their 3 adopted kiddos!  Such a nice family and their children are so very sweet!  This is another day where we don’t have much planned.  Kevin, “T” and I decided to be adventurous and take a walk all on our own.  We went to the pharmacy then to ALL MART!!!  Yup, as close as we could come to Wal-Mart in Ethiopia!!!  It was nice looking around at the different things they had.  We purchased a few snack items for “T” and to share with others.  On the way home we decided to walk past the shops of some locals.  We found some nice dishes from one man’s shop.  He was so kind.  We looked and looked.  We wanted to buy a traditional coffee pot from him.  However, he told us that they had been dropped and were broken.  We’ll visit this man’s shop again because we highly respect him.  So many times the local shop owners hike up the price on foreigners.  He also could have sold us the dropped coffee pots and we would have never known.  We walked a little further down and saw coffee pots that a women was selling.  We bought one of hers.  She spoke no English and we don’t speak any Amharic.  We were able to communicate enough to make the purchase.  AND she even offered us some injera that she made.  We feel very honored.  We’ll visit her shop again as well!  A VERY successful outing for us!

We ate lunch at the guest house.  Then it was an afternoon of culture and shopping for us and 2 others families!  We first went to the Ethiopian National Museum.  It is where the famous “Lucy” is housed.  The museum was awesome.  So many extremely old artifacts and some wonderful art.  I wish our other girls could have been with us!  “K”, “S”, and “M*” really like looking at art museums with their daddy!

 "Lucy"

 Musical Instruments

Religious Artifacts . . . notice that there is a coffee pot!!!  It's part of a religious ceremony!!!!

Afterwards it was onto shopping at Church Hill Road.  It’s a very touristy spot.  There are lots of different shops.  Many of them sell similar items.  It’s very different than shopping in the US.  You’re expected to haggle the price.  I’m not very good at that, but getting better.  I would like to announce that I am FINISHED with my Christmas shopping!!!!  Yup, that’s right . . . I’m done!  They might not get wrapped until the last minute, but at least I’m not shopping at the last minute!!!

The hard part about shopping in this area is the fact that there are so many people begging.  It is painful to know that we’re making purchases when there are people in that immediate area who don’t have enough to eat or adequate housing or clothing.  It’s also hard to choose the best way to help those individuals.  We plan on looking into more organizations that work in that area to help those in need.  I know that there is poverty in most parts of the world.  But, the poverty in places like this is so different than in the US.  It is difficult to even explain. 

And last, but not least  . . . here’s your Amharic lesson for the day!

Macawful - share

Buna – coffee (“T” already knows that this is one of my favorite things!!!)

Masticka – gum

This pic is for the girls' dance teacher!  She’s almost ready for class at 5-6-7-8 Dance!

Ethiopian Adventure #2, Day 9

Day 9

This morning we went with another family and our friend/social worker to the NGO Bazaar.  I have no idea what NGO stands for, but it’s a bazaar that has multiple organizations selling items on behalf of non-profits in Addis Ababa.  There were multiple organizations that supported the blind, deaf, and disabled.  We found some really nice items that were made by various people.  The bazaar was held at a local church/seminary.  Kevin was able to talk with the pastor for a while as well. 

We also drove around the very poorest part of Addis Ababa, Korra.  Our social worker had worked for an organization called Transformation Love during a summer.  We were able to tour their compound and learn more about that organization.  If you’re interested in sponsoring a child/family in Ethiopia this organization is the way to go!  We met one of the Ethiopian women who runs the sponsorship program.  It is very well operated.  The children and their families have access to food, hygiene items and Bible studies.  We will definitely be coming back to help out this organization in the future!

We went to a restaurant for lunch, Tivoli’s.  It was nice to eat outside and enjoy the awesome company.  

On our way back we had the strange experience of being in a taxi during a collision with a bus.  Don’t worry no one was hurt!  It was interesting to see how the drivers yelled at each other, but then resolved the issue without police involvement. 

That afternoon we took the girls to the transition house for “M^” to see the nannies before we took her back to her orphanage.  Through one of the nannies I was able to have a good conversation with “M^” about her room and her name.  We wanted to know how she felt about sharing a room with her 8 year old sisters.  She would prefer that, but we’ll see if she changes her mind.  Maybe she’ll want her own room.  We also wanted to let her help pick her middle name.  Any suggestions?  We’ll have a list for her to choose from when we see her next.  It was nice with the nanny helping us communicate, but I’ll be very glad when she can speak a little English.  She is very shy and doesn’t necessarily want to express her own opinions. 

One of the nannies was kind enough to have a coffee ceremony for us.  I can’t say how much I LOVE that tradition!  It was so sweet seeing some of the children help with it as well.  A sweet 6 year old girl passed around the popcorn and took our empty cups.  What a sweetheart!  That afternoon Kevin played bubbles with the sweetest little 7 year old boy!  He was so good at taking turns.  Help us pray that he has a family soon!  After we played at the transition house for a while we had to say goodbye to our friend/social worker.  It was so amazing getting to spend this time with her in Ethiopia!  She is such a fun and engaging person to know.  I also know that God is doing amazing work through her and her love for children in need!  I pray for God’s blessings on her and all the work she does!

We came back to the guest house and Miss “M^” was whisked away by the cook at the guest house for a hair session.  She does awesome work.  “M^” was so proud of her new do!  Beautiful braids!!!

The cook had the night off so Kevin went with our friend (and operator of the guest house) for take out pizza.  Yum!  Santa Fe Chicken pizza in Addis Ababa.  Who would have thought!  After pizza it was time to get “T” to bed.  However, Kevin and “M^” had other errands to run.  “M^” did not ever ask for anything, but we knew that she needed a backpack for school.  Kevin and “M^” took a taxi to find the perfect backpack.  And the perfect backpack was . . . a sparkly, pink, Hello Kitty one!

And last, but not least  . . . here’s your Amharic lesson for the day!

Mendonow Englise enya – What is it in English?

Mendonow Amanyria – What is it in Amharic?