Worship and A Visit . . . Ethiopia Round 3, Day 28

This morning was our last Sunday with the congregation of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Addis.  The people here have welcomed us and embraced us as a part of their congregation for the past month.  It has been a joy to worship alongside them. 

We saw the same faces that we have seen in the past weeks.  I was once again inspired by my white haired little old lady friend that has demonstrated what it means to worship with your whole self.  We saw the children and had so many hugs!  I had to smile and was slightly distracted during the sermon though!  I could hear the children in their Sunday school singing the song we taught them from the week before.  Joy!  I was able to say farewell to the congregation and ask for their prayers and continued relationship.  We were truly blessed by all of them.

After lunch we headed out with our friend/one of the nannies from our adoption agency.  We were headed to go see "T"s nanny!  She now lives way on the other side of Addis with her mother.  They invited us for lunch at their home.  We were greeted at the door by her mother.  She had a face so welcoming and kind!  As customary in Ethiopia we received 2 kisses on each cheek.  Each of the sister introduced themselves to us and we had huge hugs for "T"s nanny!  We sat and talked with her mother while all the sisters cooked up lunch.  We had spaghetti with a delicious chicken sauce on it.  Amazing!  There was a hearty loaf of bread to go with.  As customary, we had coffee after lunch.  The mother kept passing around the plate of sugared popcorn.  We definitely won't need to eat again tonight!  It was a so delicious! 

While the food was wonderful it was so nice to visit with "T"s nanny and be invited into her home.  "T"s nanny lives with her mother, 2 sisters, and aunt in a modest one bedroom condominium.  The 5 story building is newly constructed and their home is immaculate.  It was cozy, warm and you could just tell that they loved each other and loved being with each other.  We had wonderful conversation.  They told us about their new endeavors with growing mushrooms with a local grower/seller.  We were able to brag about how wonderfully "T" is doing in our family!  We talked about her accomplishments in school and her gains in language.  "T"s nanny was so pleased to hear how well she has adjusted.  She was also excited to receive some of "T"s school work and updated pictures.  It was a blessing beyond a blessing to be able to share all of that with her.  I know for certain the children adopted through our agency are deeply loved by the nannies that cared for them.  There is a small table in their living room with pictures and gifts displayed of all the children this nanny had cared for.  She truly loved, no . . . she truly loves them all!