We woke at 5:00 to get on the road by 6:00. Not enough sleep, but we have a big day ahead. We drove through the city and headed south toward Shone. It is our first orphanage day and it is a long drive.
We saw many amazing sights as we drove. The donkey carts are up and heading for market. People on the road are going to school and work, many people are out and about at this time of day.
Some places we didn't see houses or towns and wondered where they come from and where they are going. Small children, some as young as 4 are as common as adults. As we moved further from the city the homes turn from square to round and the landscape changes from plains to hills. The trees are large and beautiful - giving welcome shade as the day becomes warm.
Animals on the road include donkeys, camels, dogs, goats and sheep.
We stopped for breakfast at a lovely hotel. Firfir for breakfast was a first. Our waitress came out with her roasting coffee beans so we could smell and taste them before she ground them up for us. We sat on the patio and sipped our coffee and reveled in the sunshine. Amazing.
When we got to Shone we came directly to the orphanage. It is a lovely place with a courtyard and yard in back to play in. Only 3 babies live here, now - they came very ill, but are doing well so far. Beruket is 8 months old. He is an adorable, lovey little man. The two girls are younger - 4 and 2 months. Snuggly and warm. The nannies take such good care of them. We can tell they are well loved here.
Soon we needed to get ready for the children. Twenty four sponsored kids come for a Christmas celebration. We have new clothes, hats, stuffed toys and underpants for them. They come in dirty clothes or school uniforms and leave in clean cloths and smiles. They came into the room in groups of 2-3 to get their gifts. It is fun to get to meet them one-on-one like this. Their little personalities come out and we get to know them just a little. It is amazing how we can "communicate" even when we don't speak the same language. Some of them stand out immediately as out-going and confident. The girls are so cute as they see themselves in their new outfits.
We Had a small service in the church room once everyone had received their gifts. The mamas were there and received their own gifts of flour, oil, and money. We learned later that one mama was so happy to have the oil. She cannot afford to buy it so it was a treat for them. She planned to make Kita for her children. I make this at home - it is simply flour and water dough fried in a pan. Not much of a delicacy by our standards. This puts a whole new light on the life they are living here.
There was bread, cookies, and soda for everyone as well. The children pile on our laps and feed us from their piece of bread as we sit together. I cannot fit more in my mouth at some points, but it is an honor here to do this, so I go along with it. Who can refuse these kids?
Once the ceremony is over, we played in the yard outside. The boys enjoy the balls A. bought for them, the girls sing and dance. They are so happy and thankful for the small gifts we have brought, but they mostly seem to just be glad that we are here with them. We love the hugs and laughter. They want to braid our hair and hold our hands. I play volleyball with one boy - I think he could play all day!
Soon they are disappear, one at a time. Called away by their mamas. All but 4. These children will take us to their homes to visit their families. We leave the gated area and are immediately mobbed by dozens of children. Between 50 and 75 children of all ages surround us, vying for our hands and attention. We are a large, loud parade, moving through the street. We kick up dust as we go until it is nearly suffocating. The children want to tough us, hold our hands, and have their pictures taken.
We visit the home of Tesfanesh first. She is around 11 or 12 and has 3 younger siblings. Her mother is so happy to see us and welcome us into her home. She begins pulling chairs and benches from all corners. We squeeze together on this seating as well as we can. We sit and visit a bit, listening to the laughter of the mob outside the house. Chickens wander around the house, one of the few things they own in this one- room house. Mama asks God to bless us over and over, but we want blessings for her and her children. I am heartbroken to see the younger siblings. Only one child can be sponsored in each family so Tesfanesh's brothers, both school-age, are unable to attend with her.
We move on from there to 4 other homes. The children are happy to show us their homes and we are happy to be there. It is hard to believe that they live in these huts and sleep on the floors. Some have thin mats - others just a tarp for a bed.
After leaving our second home the rain begins. It is slow at first and we walk, laughing. As it picks up, we move faster to our next home. This moment is one that will live in me for my whole life. This very moment of being on a dirt road, in a small village, in a remote part of a distant country. It is a "wow, God, you are so amazing, so gracious, so unexpected, so good" kind of moment. This moment. This one. Will not be forgotten.
We can hear the rain beating down on the thatch roof, pit-patting as it falls. I stand in the kitchen, just a half of the round home behind a grass screen. Only a few post on the ground and a fire pit in the center, tell what this space is for.
When we leave, it has begun to pour. We run this time, led by our little leader who is taking us to his home. This is an unscheduled stop, but his home is closer than the next so we duck in for a break from the wet. As we go, it becomes difficult to see. The dust that has begun to coat our skin and hair has made it's way into our eyes, stinging and burning and darkness is quickly approaching, aided by the clouds. Our large group of children is shrinking as they scatter for their own homes. We are a novelty, but cannot compete with the dryness of home.
In this home we find a mama and her 8 children. This boy has stood out to us in the crowd - so handsome and happy. I am glad to meet his family, but shocked that there are so many mouths to feed here. Their bag of flour and jug of oil will not go far.
When we leave there, we must navigate what seems to be a small lake that has collected outside the door. It is amazing that is has not come into the house. There is no escaping without sacrificing our shoes. I cannot imagine not having protection for our feet, but so many of these people go without it on these streets.
It is obvious that our mob has dwindled, but we still have many children with us. The rain still beats down and it is very dark by this time. Our last home is shared by 2 families. There are only 2 rooms. The 2 girls, who have been with us all day and have stolen our hearts, have brought us to their home. Mesilu and Getise, they were first to receive their gifts this afternoon and last to welcome us into their home this evening. Getise lives with her mother and 3 siblings. They were homeless after her father died, until their friend took them in. They share their little room with a cow and sleet together on a mat on the floor. There is no light in this place and it is darker than any place I have ever been. They light an oil lamp for us as we protest. "Don't waste your oil on us." We have flashlights on our phones to help us.
Our other little friend, Mesilu, who has amazed us with her smile and dance moves, lives with her grandmother and 2 brothers. They live in this one room, that is almost bare of any possessions, and lacks even a mat on which to sleep. Her mother died and they now only have grandma. We noticed her earlier in the day, when she brought Mesilu to the gathering. She is blind - or nearly - a complication of a lifetime of poor sanitation and she is bare foot. She is missing some toes on her battered feet and in great need of protective shoes. We have brought her some socks and shoes from our bags. As we look on by the light of our phones, Tez wipes her feet with a piece of flour sack and helps her with her new footwear. A poster of Jesus looks on from the mud wall. We are all amazed by what we see, many of us driven to tears at this beautiful moment.
It is time to leave and say goodbye to these girls who have become our precious friends. The last thing I remember and the best part of this day was Getise wrapping her arms around me in a powerful hug. I squeezed her back and lifted her feet off the dirt floor as I kissed her cheek. She was so happy in her dry pink pajamas and I did not want to leave her, but I hoped she could feel the love that I had for her as I walked out the door and said a silent prayer that I could come visit her again.
When we leave the rain has stopped and we walk carefully down the mud-slick roads back home. We have dry clothes, warm food, and soft beds waiting for us. We now know what that really means to have such luxuries. It has been a day of amazing things, and we try to process as we eat our chicken stew and watch our first coffee ceremony. Only God can take the credit for what I have seen here and for the thunder that came with the rain.
*Learn more about Mesilu on my sister' blog
HERE
*Check out an update on her
HERE
Here, I have put together my travel journal along with some of my best and favorite photos. I would like to give you a picture of my time and though I cannot tell you everything, I hope I can tell you enough to help you appreciate not only the need, but the beauty of this place that has captured my heart.
