Last day!

                                         

This is it!  Today we go back to the orphanage to visit and say our goodbyes.  We fly out of Ethiopia at 4pm  and get to Dubai sometime after 9pm.  We have another horrid layover- over 5 hours long- and our flight takes of at 2:30 am!  We arrive bright and early in NY on Saterday and have a 2 hour drive home.

I am jumping out of my skin to see my kiddos!
The girls are doing really well but even so I ask for your prayers for them.  They are strong girls but this is a huge thing.  Actually, everytime I try to imagine what they must be feeling I start to cry because it really is such a hard thing.  Praying that they will feel God's presence and peace through this whole transition.  Thank you!!!!

Hope Chest/ Hands for the Needy in Korah

 Today we were honored to go visit Hands for the Needy.  Our church partenered with Hope Chest and supports over 180 kids in a village garbage dump called Korah- here in Addis.  Our church has a child sponsorship program set up here and we help feed, educate, and disciple these precious kids.  Although I have so much to say and my heart is pounding looking at these amazing kids- I feel this blog post should let the pictures speak for themselves...

 Yemamu- one of the leaders here

 Injera and lentils

 Our church purchased Bibles written in their language for each child...this was the highlight of the day!

 The children were so happy!

 No words.

 'Thank you faith living church' is what I hear right now ringing in my ears...

 Praying over the kids!

 Dinner :)

 Sweet Yitiayal our sponsor child (wearing what we brought him last trip :)

 1st family missions trip w/ the twins...definatly not the last!

 HopeChest staff

I love this man!  He is one of the security guards here.  I was told while he is in his post all night he prays for the children.  He was so joyful and full of smiles.  He was so eager to recieve his own Bible, he asked if we could save him one- he was so greatful.

Oh my word...this is what life is about.

Visa's done :)

 Today was a long day...but the visa's are in our hands!  The embsassy appointment was simple enough and now we just wait for our Friday flights.  THe visa's usually take 2 days to get issued but tomorrow is a holiday in Ethiopia and the embassy is closed so they rushed ours thankfully...

 We did A LOT of driving around today and even though it was pretty tiring bouncy around the roads, we were able to explore a bit more of the city.  I love Ethiopia- there is great beauty here and the people are so warm.  The poverty is undeniable and it got to me today.  It's hard to not feel helpless when looking out and the vast crowds, many just trying to make it another day.  There's very few traffic lights but much traffic- which every time the car would stop in traffic I would get a pit in my stomach because I knew within a matter of seconds there would be a soft rapping on our window.  A sad hungry face would appear- many times a mother with a dirty baby strapped on her and often young children holding the hands of their elderly half blind relatives...all with open hands and weary eyes.  It's at that point were the pit can settle in- passing some bir into their hands does not alleviate the problem...it's so sad.

 getting ready for the orthodox christian holiday- celebration of the cross

 Today was hair day :)  Jerusalem did baby Leah's hair...and then she wanted me to unbraid and wash her hair.  That was pretty special and it didnt take as long as I thought...her hair is supper thick w/ kinky curls...the girl has cool hair.

 Mike picked the girls some flowers from the balcony :)

We had a little holiday celebration at our guest house.

Tuesday

 We all slept in till 8:30- the best sleep we've ever had.  We greeted them with bonked pillows over their heads :)  They make their beds and tidy up like little army people- they remind me of Sova- always tidying and lining their things up on their beds in perfect order.  Last night they wouldnt eat dinner so I was happy they ate breakfast...although today they chose to skip lunch.  Even though we are in Ethiopia, most restaurants cater to English food choices- lesson learned they are not pizza kids yet.  I was told to pick up a spice here called, 'berber.'  It's spicy and ethiopians love it.  Another adoptive family said they would have to sprinkle it on their kids grapes and cherrios to get them to eat!  Tomorrow we go spice hunting! 

 This sweet baby is name Leah. Her mom is traveling alone here and LOVES the twins help.  Whenever we are out together you will find Leah in Helen's arms- including feeding her, burping her and getting her to sleep!

 Wish we brought more games...there's alot of shoots and ladders and bingo going on around here!
Which makes me realize how precious this time is.  With 5 kiddos- this 2 on 2 time is priceless!
Durring lunch the girls looked like they were about to fall asleep in their un-touched pizza.  I recalled that for the past several months in the orphanage they were taking naps along w/ the other kids every afternoon.  I thought I'd give it a try.  I pulled back their covers, put some books on their beds and then we layed down and read ourselves.  They copied us and within minutes they were sleeping!  Mike left the room and when Helen woke up I motioned for her to come join me in my big bed.  A huge smile came across her face and she cuddled right up next to me and layed on my shoulder.  We did an 'Eye Spy' book together, drew pictures and she let me play with her hair.  Im soooooo greatful that they not only enjoy this attention...they crave it.  It's still awkward because they are still so shy which makes us feel like we need to give them space...but as soon as we take them leap and reach out affectionatley they light up.  They love cracking up at Mike but who wouldnt when a 6'2' man is doing head stands on the bed and montioning for them to come join him!  They stare at him w/ huge smiles and I cant imagine what must be going through their brains (yes- really...if they run away I will blame Mike)   

For dinner tonight they ate like champs...I think I need some ethiopian cooking lessons.

Tomorrow morning is our embassy appointment!!!