Rich in History and Culture

After a week of humbling work at the orphanages, our team was eager to embrace the culture of the people of Addis Ababa. As we rode in our trusty vans up Entoto mountain, around us were people preparing to feast and give thanks to God with their families and friends. Donkeys carried bags and packages full of produce, while goats and chickens were being purchased. At the top of the mountain was the location of Addis's very first church, as well as a museum that housed the most treasured items of previous emperors. I was delighted to hear more about the country in which I have prayed for in the months leading up to our trip. This experience gave me the desire to return as soon as God allows me to now that I have more knowledge of the city's background and culture.


 After our time at the church, we were told that we would be taken to a market where many vendors sold traditional Ethiopian items. Little did I know, we would be taken to a much deeper level of love and appreciation for this beautiful and simple life that almost seems to contradict itself. Watching my team run from makeshift hut to any sort of covering to escape the heavy rains, all I could think of was how happy people seem to be with so little. From somebody who proclaims to know the Lord so well, this convicted my heart to a desire to change the way I perceive the world from the comfort of my easy life back in North Carolina.

At the market, beautiful textiles were made on a simple sewing machine right beside where they were sold. We then drove to the "post office" where more souvenir-type items could be purchased. Our team had a great time searching for the perfect gifts to bring back to our family or something for our home that would remind us of the moving experience we shared. Our time in Addis was so impactful and we are very grateful for it.

Our day ended at a small pizza joint close to the post office. We all have loved the Ethiopian dinners we have had, we were excited to have a meal that touched closer to home. Our conversations all around the table varied from God-moving experiences during our week to the hilarious times we have had as a group just trying to figure it all out. Out of everything, I am struggling with the fact that tomorrow I will get on a plane and leave the children that have impacted my life so permanently. I can't wait to see what God does through this trip in the lives of the children we met with the help from all of the donors that made this life-changing journey possible.

Written by: Shannon Mathis

Meet Lillyanna

We had the special privilege of meeting a beautiful girl named Lillyanna. She is so precious and her smile lights up her face. She enjoys listening to music and loves to hold toys in her hands. Lillyanna enjoys physical touch and interaction. She thrives on close up and personal connection with others. A highlight of the visit was hearing her laugh in response to our laughter from playing with her. Despite her medical needs, joy is easily found in her eyes.

She is a beautiful girl and made in God's image. She needs a home that will provide the unique and abounding love and care she deserves. I believe she would blossom with a family willing to invest in her life and future, giving her the love and attention all children crave. Help us find her 'forever family". You may request more information at http://www.awaa.org/wc/default.aspx

Written by: Janelle Kennedy & Keri Bosch

Girls Dream

We began our day by driving to a local orphanage, and were greeted by excited girls, all with big smiles and enthusiastic waves. We were equally as delighted...today was the day the mattresses we fundraised for leading up to the trip were delivered!

We stepped out of our vans and received warm hugs and handshakes. The team began to break into small groups with the girls to do crafts, music, finger nail painting and all things girly! The girls were so eager to do every activity we brought. Unfortunately, it began to rain very hard, and we all quickly moved inside.

Our team was taken on a tour around the orphanage. The girls were so proud to show us their rooms and the thing that struck me the most was how similar the older girls were to American teenagers! They had posters on their walls of pop stars, as well as drawings and sayings. Of course, the conversations turned towards their favorite singers, and Rihanna and Shakira were at the tops of their list. Some girls even showed off their best moves to us, and we were impressed!
Speaking of dancing, my favorite part of the day was learning about a group of older girls who make up a dance team called "Girls Dream." They showed our team one of their routines, and let me tell you, Rihanna better watch out...she's got some stiff competition! But in all seriousness, it was great to see this group of young women channel their talents and aspirations into "Girls Dream" and use the gift of song and dance to fellowship and have some fun!

At last, we heard a big truck come up the path to the orphanage...the mattresses had arrived! The excitement was palatable for both the girls and us! The mattresses were loaded off the truck and working together with the girls at the orphanage, we were privileged to physically put fresh sheets on the new mattresses and hand deliver them to some of the girls' rooms. Watching the girls make their beds "just so" with their new blankets with such pride was quite emotional. To God be ALL the glory!

The rooms were prayed over and then it was time to go. There were many hugs exchanged and even some tears shed as we said our goodbyes.

The second orphanage we visited was smaller in size, but not in spirit! We had a wonderful time playing balloon games and sidewalk chalk with the children. We also had meaningful discussions with the orphanage director on how we can all make a difference in an orphan's life.

I would be remiss if I didn't share two final thoughts. First, I have grown to love and cherish the friendships I have made with my fellow team members. There has been much laughter, tears, life stories told and passions shared. I feel so grateful God has allowed me to serve alongside such amazing people.

Lastly, I am so very humbled by all of you back home who have prayed for us, encouraged us, supported us and loved on us this week. We have felt your prayers from many thousand miles away.

Philippians 1:3 "I thank my God every time I remember you."

Written by: Suzanne Ward

Red, Brown, Yellow, Black and White they are precious in His sight

"Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world. Red, brown, yellow, black, and white, they are precious in His sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world."

I must have sung this song a dozen times today. Regardless of the circumstances the children here find themselves in, there is a Father in heaven that loves them more than we can fathom. Even though we were overwhelmed by the number of orphans we loved on today, the truth is that God knows each child by name. He knows every hair on their head and that each child is fearfully and wonderfully made in His image.

We had the opportunity to take diapers and formula with us at our first stop this morning and also provided a few electric heaters for the nursery. We were able to snuggle the babies, change their diapers, play and sing with them. One little guy was particularly fond of playing peek-a-boo and his smile lit up the whole room! We met a cutie in the special needs room who insisted on shaking each one of our hands. She would squeal with delight at our touch! We played games and got to hang out with the older ones before leaving for lunch. These kids are no different in what they want most. To be loved and held and we are so thankful we were able to do that this morning.





After a quick stop to eat our lunches we briefly visited a privately run orphanage and then scooted off to the Marketplace run by Hope for Korah. This amazing program teaches women a trade to help them become self reliant and be able to provide an income for their families. There may have been a little shopping done and then we had the awesome experience of visiting the Elder's Home for Lepers (also funded in part by Hope for Korah). This home was built for elderly lepers in the Korah community that have been outcast because of their disease. Here they are cared for and loved on by many! It was very emotional to think that these were the very people that Jesus himself sought out. They were so full of joy that it couldn't help but bubble over in song and spill out onto the rest of us! It was truly an honor to share space with these men. After our visit we drove through Korah where people make their homes next to the city's garbage dump.Their days are spent rummaging through the trash on hopes of finding food for the day or discarded metal or plastic they can salvage and sell.



It was a busy and exhausting day but God's grace was evident. Even in the dark places you can find the Light. You just have to look for it. Whether it be in the nannies that patiently care for the babies or the laughter of a child. God is there.

Written by: Courtney Rowe

Celebrations

Today was a day of many celebrations!  August 19th is an Ethiopian holiday called Behu. On this day the Christian Orthodox Church celebrates the Transfiguration of Jesus. The local boys go around town singing rhythmic chant-type songs of praise. We experienced this first thing this morning when a group of boys came to the gate of Ember House and sang for us. They played homemade instruments while they sang. It was a great way to start our day!

Then we were off to the America World transition home. This is where children live who are already in the midst of the adoption process. Most of them already have a "forever family" but are still in Ethiopia waiting for all of the proper paperwork to go through. While we were there the celebrations continued!  Two of our team members were able to bring care packages to a few of the children who already have parents in the United States and are just waiting on the final stages if their process. What a joy it was to watch these children open their packages!  The smiles on their faces were precious as they opened their gifts to find clothing, stickers, candy, jewelry, toys, pictures, and special notes from Mom and Dad. Our team members who were sent with these packages were honored to be able to deliver them. 

We also got to experience another joyous celebration while we were at the transition home. After a two year process, two brothers finally got to go home with their dad today. What a privilege it was for our team to witness this!  A few of our team members are in the midst of the adoption process. They watched with hope and anticipation that it will be their turn to do the very same thing one day soon. 

Before leaving the transition home, the staff made a beautiful traditional Ethiopian coffee service for us. The boys sang for us in celebration of Behu. We were honored and blessed by their loving kindness toward us. 

This afternoon we traveled to another orphanage where we were able to love on more children. We spent time with the older children making friendship bracelets. We also visited the babies and the special needs nursery. It was there that we met Elsa. She is a precious little girl with some serious medical challenges. I, along with a couple of other teammates, spent some time with her and loved on her. She was a blessing to us for sure!  Please join us in praying specifically for Elsa, her medical needs, and that she might find her "forever family". 

We ended the day with more celebration!  We went out for a traditional Ethiopian meal. While we ate delicious food, we were entertained by an Ethiopian band and a group of dancers. A few of our team members even did a bit of dancing themselves!

All in all it was a great day!  A day full of celebrations!

Written by : Angie Hudgins 

Beautiful Big Eyes

Today was our first official trip to an orphanage and it was a great day. I think we were all very anxious to get going this morning! The morning was spent at a private orphanage and we began our visit with sweet little babies. And oh how precious they were! What beautiful big eyes that stared back into ours. Some of us were a bit rusty at the baby thing, but we all quickly found one, two or three of them to cuddle and play with. It was such a joy to get a giggle and a smile and to be able to provide them with the warmth of human touch. It was beautiful to see their innocence and openness to the love and affection of others.

After we visited with the babies, we took a short tour of the older children's rooms and stopped in to see the children with special needs. Again, the beauty of simple love and affection and the effects of that on each of these children was overwhelming. We got to share with one boy his enthusiasm for music and celebration as we broke into impromptu singing and clapping. Human touch is a powerful thing, make no mistake. So much can pass between people even when there is no voice, or when there is no hearing or visible understanding.

Next we played and sang and danced with the other children at the orphanage and what a great time we had! We played football (soccer for us Americans), basketball, we taught them songs and dance and they taught us a few songs and games too. It was like the best recess ever! They really loved the new soccer balls we brought. One little boy just would not let go of the one he held in his tiny little hands. The older girls were very interested in us and I enjoyed talking about school with them. Some of them spoke English quite well. Even with the older children it is still quite clear that human touch is craved and needed. They were quite curious about us too and of course loved to get their picture taken but don't forget to show them the picture after you have taken it! What a wonderful time of play and music and talking with these children.


After eating a quick lunch of peanut butter sandwiches and bananas we headed over to another private orphanage in what seemed to be the opposite side of the city. Upon arrival we were greeted by a beautiful welcome song in English that the children had obviously practiced many times. My heart was definitely filled with joy at this sweet gesture. We then went to see the baby room where the little ones were just finishing up their naps. Anyone who has children knows that they are most precious when consumed in slumber. But alas, that was quickly interrupted when one got up and almost all the rest were awakened! Only two little boys sleeping in the same crib would not let the noise deter them from their sleep. As in the morning, the eyes of these babies and their tiny fingers and toes were captivating to me and held my heart if only for a few minutes. We quickly had to move downstairs to join back up with the children who had so lovingly greeted us with song. They surprised us with even more songs including "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" sung in both English and Ahmaric (language of Ethiopia). How beautiful to hear those little voices! We then passed out rhythm sticks and bells, which they loved, and taught them "This Little Light of Mine." Music is so powerful and beautiful to communicate so much in such a short period of time. We all hated to leave so quickly but time passed more quickly than we liked. In all of the places we visited saying goodbye was very hard. It is difficult to feel as if you really loved well when time is so short.

The last stop of the day was at a youth center in a small community facilitated by a group of private sponsors. This is a sponsorship program that allows parents to continue to keep their own children in their home by giving them the opportunity to make a living while their children are well-cared for, receive three meals a day and learn life skills. It is the rainy season break here, which is like our summer break in the US, and this center bridges the gap and gives the kids a place to come and learn and have meals they may not otherwise have. These children are not orphans but to support them is a way to support the local community and the families living in them. The youth again greeted us with the same beautiful welcome song. We stayed only briefly but enjoyed meeting them and seeing what they are doing there. The English spoken by the children there was very good and they were all extremely polite. It was a privilege to meet them.

It was a wonderful first day and there were so many examples of God's grace and mercy interwoven into it all. It is so amazing to see God's image in the people I meet here. He is a beautiful God that has made beautiful people. He loves them all and sent His son for them all. If you keep that at the forefront of your mind, loving them comes easy as His love flows through.

Written by: Keri Bosch

Stepping outside our box

Our first day in Ethiopia has been great and exhausting! We are very tired and trying to adjust to the time difference. We have been experiencing local food at most of our meals which has been a great treat but also a lot for our American tummies to process! In the spirit of keeping it real friends, I will tell you that the biggest adjustment for me so far is not being able to flush toilet paper. This requires a whole new mindset of thinking and method and it's been hard! I'll leave it at that :)

We spent the majority of our time unloading and sorting the thirty-one, 50 pound bags of donations we brought with us. We are looking forward to being able to start delivering the needed items to the different orphanages starting Monday.

We also met with our Ethiopian liaison. Her name is Israel and she is lovely! She will accompany us on most of our journeys while here. Her husband has been in the states going to school in Tulsa, OK for over a year. Wish we could trade places with him for a bit so he could see his 10 month old baby in person!

The highlight of our trip so far has been attending church at International Evangelical Church. It actually felt a lot like church at home. The preacher was from Eritrea and his main topic was getting outside of your own box and telling others the gospel. How appropriate! I love how the message here was about missions and emphasised for everyone to be out spreading the gospel. I was also really amazed because they had a Korean service as well and they were just starting a Chinese and French small group. We took time to greet our neighbors and the couple behind us was from Zimbabwe and the music minister was from North Carolina! Crazy! Such a small world especially when you realize we are all brothers and sisters in the kingdom of God.

After church we made a trip to lunch and coffee at Kaldi's coffee, the local Starbucks knockoff. Then off to Safeway to buy diapers and formula! The local grocery store was very interesting. We got patted down and our bags searched before we could even enter! I know we must very comical to the locals. It takes almost all 12 of us to determine how far our dollars are going in birr, the local currency. Barry has now become the team expert for all our purchases! We also came across some washing machines at the grocery store and we are hoping we can buy a few of these for several of the locations we will be visiting. Originally in the states we thought this was going to be out of the question but we realize now they were quoting us the price in birr, not dollars. Please pray that we can meet this very great need and be able to buy these machines and get them installed.


We anticipate receiving the mattresses later this week. Please continue to pray that we will be able to see this project through to fruition. We brought 362 sheets and blankets with us and do hope we will be able to bless these girls with new beds and bedding while we are here.

Our message in church today was on Barnabas and how he was the great encourager. He noted that by being an encouragement, we can change someone's life. This made me think of all of you. I know every one of us have received encouragement from all of you and believe our lives are being changed. We hope to spread this encouragement to everyone we encounter. Thank you again for your prayers and encouragement as we move through this week.

Written by : Shelly Wilson