I could go on and on about that . . . but instead I'll tell you more about our last full day in Ethiopia!
It started off with our daughter Ethiopian friends laughing at us . . . a lot! Since it was our last night at the guest house we were having a party! An Ethiopian Barbeque! That meant we needed a sheep. In Ethiopia you don't really go to a grocery store to buy meat. You go to a butcher and buy it . . . or you buy a live animal and slaughter it yourself. Nati, Josiah and Laterra assumed that we'd want to be a part of the slaughter or a least watch. Uhhhhhh . . . for those of you who know me well I was a vegetarian for 7 years due to matters such as this!!! The guys went and bought a sheep (a live one) and brought it to the guest house. I could hear a few baa-aa-aas from the courtyard. I kept diligently writing my blog from the day before and ignoring the fact that we had a sheep in the compound. Nati came through . . . "Don't you want to come and watch us slice the sheep?" "Uh, no thank you." Queasy look on my face. Nati just laughs at me. Laterra comes though the living room. "We're going to cut the animal, come watch!" "Laterra, I just can't." We had to explain to them that many Americans do not and do not know how to butcher animals. We tried to be as polite as we could about it. However, that's one part of Ethiopian culture I may never be able to participate in. "M^" got many good laughs at me too! She was back there for the whole thing. I think she helped too!
In the afternoon we were able to go to the American Embassy for the last step of our adoption process . . . visa interview. Our awesome driver took us and waited for us. Because there was a computer glitch last week there were many families waiting for their visa interview. We were next to last. It wasn't bad though. The American Embassy provided excellent people watching and we had some great conversation with the folks waiting as well. Our interview came up. We answered the questions the officer had. He stamped our paperwork, told us the visa would be ready at 10 am on Friday and away we went! Easy as that! "M^" is coming home!
When we arrived back from the embassy our friends were in full swing getting ready for the party and BBQ. Tables and chairs were moved into the courtyard. A fire was built.
The meat was ready!!!
All of the "kids" played ball while it cooked! And tried really hard to keep the ball out of the fire!!!
Our friends from the guest house were there . . . Nati, Laterra, Josiah. Our friends Zebene, Hiwot and their children were there. Our friend and taxi driver, Buggadu, made it as well. Our friend and in-country representative Dereje came too! It was a wonderful crowd of people we care so very much about!!!
We ate injera . . .
We ate meat . . . until we couldn't eat anymore! A wonderful meal!
We had a great time talking, being silly, and having fun!
And then the music was turned up and the dancing began! Our group of friends are all very involved in their faith so the music was all Christian and all about praising God! We danced and sang and together at the party we worshiped!
We danced . . .
and sang . . .
and danced some more!
We fueled up the fire and danced some more!
It has been a long time since Kevin and I have danced, sang, and laughed so much. My face hurt from smiling and laughing. What an amazing night. We danced and sang until it was dark and raining. And then the night ended just like it began . . . with prayer. Dereje and Kevin prayed for the group. We all stood in the dark, in the rain holding hands and praying. What a perfect way to end the evening together.
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