Let me start by wishing Mike a Happy Valentine's Day. I know you probably aren't even awake yet, but I miss you.
Today we started by going to an Ethiopian church service. Although the whole service was done in their language, Amharic, it translated over in their emotion. Especially when the choir began to sing. This was my favorite part. The singing was just gorgeous and the passion they has was just great. I took videos, so I will be attaching them ASAP. On our walk back to the Widow's Home from church, we saw a camel eating in the middle of the road. CRAZY!!
We had lunch at the Widow's Home and I played catch with my FAVORITE 2 year old boy, Amir is his name. He is the most precious child I have ever met. He has the most amazing blue eyes that I'm sure will keep me wrapped around his fingers and the cutest dimples when he smiles his genuine smile. Amir was abandoned at the hospital a few months ago, so his back story is yet to be determined and probably never will be. It is unfortunate that someone would leave such a loving child behind.
For lunch, the women cooked the goat that had been killed yesterday. They were serving the stomach for lunch. I am not so sure I can handle that. The children are so polite here. They help serve the food and get out the chairs.
After lunch, we drove over to where they are building the new Widow's Home. Let me tell you, driving here is something I could NEVER do- it is worse than the driving in New York City! In the taxi, "Yeah" by Usher was blasting. The taxi driver laughed as we danced and sang along. We were able to see the start of what will be a brand new 4 level home for the widows and orphans.
Now, the moment I have been waiting for. We pulled up in our taxi to The Josef Home. The children came in a swarm and were excited to see us. They were even more excited to see the familiar faces in our group that had come to visit them two years ago. The whole trip here I had heard many stories about a special girl named Jerusalem and walking through the doors, I finally got the chance to meet her. She is the sweetest little thing and has an adorable little face. I was told right away that she has a family and will be adopted to America. Oregon to be exact. This is surely a lucky family that will be taking her.
We got a tour of the orphanage and the conditions were not exactly ideal, but the alternative is much worse. The children do not each have their own beds and the bathroom situation is one that would take some getting used to. Each children has only enough belongings to fill a plastic bag, and that is all. The orphanage did have beautiful gardens though where they grow the majority of the food they eat. The people of the orphanage treated our group like royalty. Hanging out with the children for a little bit before the week really started was great... they are ecstatic to have us there and could not stop saying "Welcome!"
We returned to the hotel and had cheeseburgers for dinner! Different than the cheeseburgers at home, but still good. There is no diet soda here, but the soda is served in the old fashioned glass bottles, which is cool!
Thank you to our host, Abebe. He has already been wonderful and let me use his computer to check my email and contact my parents at home!
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