Heading Home

Yesterday was a lot of fun! Sorry for not updating. We visited some homes of the locals who have children that are sponsored by AWAA and people who donate towards this cause. This is a wonderful program, as it encourages and supports the families to keep their children, instead of being forced to put them up for adoption. The stories we heard were heartwarming and we feel encouraged by the parents and children. We are so thankful to AWAA and programs like this one. 

Later we went shopping! Some of us were really good at talking the prices down. Some of us... :)

Later, the team enjoyed a traditional Ethiopian supper at a local restaurant. It was wonderful to be immersed in the culture while we have been here.

Now we are packing and getting ready to head to church one last time, then on to the airport to make our journey home!!

Thank you all for the prayers! Please continue as we travel. Once we get home, we will add more pictures to this blog so stay tuned! 

We love you all!!

Miskay

Day 9, Friday, January 3

Today we visited Miskay orphanage, the last of the orphanages on this trip. It was a great orphanage to end on. The kids were all so happy and joyful. It helped us to feel better after some of the heart-wrenching goodbyes at the other orphanages. We did a number of fun activities with the older kids, but the little ones were the ones that I loved to see the most. They had been very withdrawn the first day that we had visited, and it was wonderful to see them come out of their shells and begin to interact. There was one little girl in the infant room who was very shy and seemed very sad on the first day that we were there. Not for lack of care, she was just very quiet and sad. But today, she recognized some of us and it was wonderful to see her smile and to hear start to talk and giggle a bit. The goodbye today was very bittersweet. The kids were obviously sad to see us go, but they didn't cry or wail. I had been holding one little boy and playing catch with him, and when I told him that it was time for us to go, he went around and gave us all a kiss on the cheek to say goodbye. It was the most amazing feeling ever to know that they had all had such a great time and were very glad that we had come to visit them.

-Zechariah Weils

A visit to Miskaye

We started the day a little weary with some of us under the weather. . . But, we persisted and headed 45 Minutes across the city to the Miskaye Orphanage.  We had clothes, blankets, and diapers for them, as well as crafts and games.  In exchange they had smiles, hugs and the most amazing choir of joyful voices for us!!  We have much to learn about joy from the Ethiopian people we have met. . .

It's obvious that the children of Miskaye are well cared for and loved. We were greeted by confident, secure and happy children.  The younger ones were attended to by the most dedicated nannies who comfort, care and love the children day after day.  They work 12 hour shifts yet we see love and care when they interact with the children.  Yes, these children are orphans. But, The Lord has placed them in a wonderful community.

The school age children were in class when we arrived, but soon invited us in to class to welcome us with songs.  It was the most beautiful sound ever!!  They sang in English and the repertoire consisted of a welcome song and a very fun "found a peanut" song.  We tried to teach them old McDonald but they already knew it and were so proud.  We brought supplies to make colorful paper chains that now decorate their classroom. We played "Simon says" which brought lots of smiles and giggles especially when Mike did something silly.

After lunch we were invited to a coffee ceremony. . . I love Ethiopian coffee!  Starbucks is now a thing of the past!!  As we waited for the popcorn to cook, we played more games and the children treated us to traditional dances.  Such talent and joy in so many of these children!!  The children were included in this coffee ceremony.  That was a surprise and treat for us.  It was a wonderful party.  The children did lots of traditional dancing, drew us into the celebration and taught us their moves. .. laughing the whole time!!  Jonathan especially loved dancing with the children and jumped right in to circle of dancers.  He has done an amazing job of keeping the pace, sharing and connecting with the children, even the little ones.  It brought tears to my eyes to see both boys connecting, snuggling and playing with the children, unbothered by the surroundings or physical and language differences. 

 

I think the whole team was uplifted by the spirit of joy and celebration. . .it was a blessing and gift to be treasured.  There are many difficult circumstances in Ethiopia.  Life is hard, crowded, and without so many comforts we take for granted.  Still, today was a lesson in thanksgiving and joy despite the hard things in life.  To be invited into their joy and playfulness was a treasure!  When was the last time I laughed so long that my cheeks hurt?

Tomorrow we return to Miskaye. I cannot wait to see their faces and to hear their angelic voices.

Daphne Weils

New Year New Day New Beginnings

2014 began with some tired team members, as the majority slept in until 7 am ;) After a very fulfilling breakfast of eggs and bread, cooked by Mahaleet, we were off to return to Kibebetsehay to play with wonderful children. The Lord held our hands & hearts as we were feeling the weight of our mission. He answered our prayers in the children's chants of "they're coming!" in Amharic as we climbed the hill to the classrooms. Half of the team went into the classrooms to do activities, while the other half played & prayed with the infants and toddlers. The projects were focusing on God's never ending circle of love, as demonstrated in the colorful paper chains. The children shared the supplies and helped one another create the links. Once it was strung together, the children giggled with delight to see it hanging in their classroom! The other project was a Happiness Quilt. Each child was given a piece of card stock to draw what makes them happy. Majority of the drawings were of the amazing nannies and teachers who take such loving care of them. Then the cards were tied together and hung on their wall. One nanny was so touched, she wanted to remember the experience by writing the date on each piece of the quilt. The infants and toddlers wanted any lap space available! These children just crave touch and connections. Saying goodbye was very difficult because we all knew we wouldn't be returning. Those smiling faces will forever be in our hearts.

After lunch, we returned to Kingdom Vision Orphanage (KVI) to again play and share God's love with these children. The older children would be returning from school and needed some serious soccer play time before beginning the Christmas Story crèche project. Jonathan was a great helper modeling how to construct the Nativity scene! The toddlers loved being held and watching from the balcony, as the older kids worked together. They've also been fascinated by Bill's moustache and arm hair :)

In closing, during devotional time and discussing how God speaks to us during trying times, the following poem was shared:

Heaven's Very Special Child

A meeting was held quite far from Earth!

It’s time again for another birth.

Said the Angels to the Lord above,

This Special Child will need much love.

Her progress may be very slow,

Accomplishment she may not show.

And she’ll require extra care

From the folks she meets down there.

She may not run or laugh or play;

Her thoughts may seem quite far away.

In many ways she won’t adapt

And she’ll be known as handicapped.

So let’s be careful where she’s sent.

We want her life to be content.

Please, Lord, find the parents who

Will do a special job for You.

They will not recognize right away

The leading role they are asked to play.

But with this child sent from above

Comes stronger faith and richer love.

And soon they’ll know the privilege given

In caring for their gift from Heaven.

Their precious charge so meek and mild

Is Heaven’s Very Special Child.

A Life-Changing Way to Spend New Year's Eve

2013 went out with a bang here in Addis for our team. We had a day that was humbling, inspiring, difficult, and wonderful all at the same time. Our schedule for today was rearranged a few times today and we were all so thankful and could see God's hand on each change. We spent the first half of the day at a state-run orphanage called Kibebe Tsehay. This orphanage has a much lower funding base than the other, private ones And a lot more children. The nannies that work there have the hardest job I could imagine but their love for the children was overflowing. Hey- they got 30ish 2 and 3 year olds to sit at a table and wait untIl everyone was served before anyone touched their food! The facility is not ideal for the number of children they have, but it is clear they do the best they can with what they have. The bulk of our donations went to this orphanage including 200 cloth diapers, 3 suitcases of clothing, 2 suitcases full of toys, a suitcase full of blankets, and cash donations that were used to purchase approx 22 cans of formula and 30 boxes of baby cereal. Thank you so much for everything that you all donated! 

After visiting the special needs, infant, and toddler rooms we went to see the preschool and kindergarten age students in their s hook which is also on the orphanage compound. The teachers were all gone for a training so I think the substitutes let them have a little extra recess so we could play longer (sound familiar?). We spent about 2 hours laughing, playing, running, and singing with the kids. Everyone had a really great time and I can guarantee we left exhausted but the kids could have gone on for a few more hours :) They loved styling our hair and some marveled at how they could see our veins through our white skin and how our hair gets hot in the sun. After playing we had the opportunity yo serve lunch to the 2 and 3 year olds. It was wonderful to know we were giving the nannies some extra sets of hands! We will return to this orphanage tomorrow (which is now today for us!) and do some activities on joy and God's love with the older kids. Please join us in praying for the children and the nannies here. There is a lot of pain and loss the children are struggling with at very young ages and the nannies have a huge job in front of them everyday, for 12 hour shifts. Pray that they feel God's love surrounding them and lifting them up, showing them that this season will not last forever and that they are all beautifully and wonderfully made in His image, for His purpose. 

We returned to the guest home for lunch and got to enjoy so e refreshing sodas to give us a special treat before heading back out. The food has been Americanized but wonderful. Mahaleet is our chef and makes everything from scratch and by hand. We are so grateful for her and all the staff at Lulu guest house, they are taking such great care of us!

For the afternoon, we went out to Kingdom Vision International orphanage (KVI). This is a private orphanage with fewer kids and larger funding source. The director spoke to us about the vision for the orphanage which include a wholistic approach to care for the kids and training for families. The children were very happy here and well-adjusted. We spent about two hours there, delivering donations including 100 cloth diapers, 2 suitcases of clothes, a large bag of blankets, and pounds and pounds of rice, peas, lentils, and flour (staples here in Ethiopia). We will return here tomorrow afternoon for activities as well. 

For the evening, we had a traditional Ethiopian dinner of injera with a meat sauce, veggies, and lentil sauce to put on it. Jonathan was ecstatic! The entire team really loved the meal, even those new to injera ;) The guest house the did a coffee ceremony on the roof for us, fresh roasted coffee is so smooth and delicious! To close out the day, 5 of our teammates attended a new year's. eve church service at Beza International church. The pastor spoke on looking to a new season and remembering that in order to be ready for the new season God has in store for us, we have to change ourselves in a at that we are able to receive the change. It is our hope that each of you be blessed in the new year and be ready to receive the changes God has planned for you and your family! 

With love & blessings to you & yours,

Rachel

Monday

Our first full day in the AWAA Transition Home made for some wonderful experiences! We began the day by getting to know the children through games, drawing, and lots of nail painting. We were able to set up some equipment to help children with postural control and core strengthening with is extremely important for the children who often have developmental delays due to their circumstances. Snuggling, feeding, and burping the little babies was also great fun!

December Ethiopia ACT Mission Team

After a great lunch at the guest house we went back to the Transition Home and experienced a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony. These ceremonies are times for families and neighbors to gather socially. We had a great time chatting and learning more about Ethiopian culture. We also thoroughly enjoyed the delicious coffee! 

After the ceremony, we got back together with the children to teach some praise and worship songs and dances. The children also created happiness quilts to decorate their classroom and paper chains to decorate for their Christmas party. Ethiopian Christmas is celebrated on January 7th so we are able to experience an extended Christmas season while we're here! 

Tomorrow we will split up and visit two separate orphanages so we're heading to bed to get a good night's rest! 

~Ashley

Our first day!

We made it through our first night in Ethiopia, despite the sounds of the barking dogs, commotion on the street, and the 5 am Muslim call to prayer on the load speaker outside our window that kept many of us awake! Nonetheless, we were excited for our first day which started with Ethiopian coffee, something that resembled pancakes (but tasted fabulous), and an incredibly energetic and powerful worship service at Beza International Church. After lunch, we briefly visited the AWAA Transition Home and played with the kids. We are looking forward to our second day at the transition home and a full day with the kids.

Erin