A story from Kelly

It is a million stories, all similar, all heartbreaking, all totally unbelievable... but today it was only one story told to me (kelly) by a beautiful 14 year old girl, Meg (not her real name).

As we sat on the steps by the playground she began to open up to me. I’m not sure why, maybe because it was our last day, maybe she felt safe with me, maybe she just needed to talk. The story begins with all of the children receiving mail from their “new” families. Meg did not have a letter, but we all know she has a family... which she has been oddly shy about... almost mad or bitter. She has only been at the orphanage for 3 or 4 weeks. She has a family waiting for her in America...here is her story. Her mother is dying of AIDS. Her brother is grown and gone. For as long as she can remember it has been Meg and her mom. I’m not sure how long her mom has been sick, but here is what she told me:

“it has been my business, and only my business to care for my mother. I love my mother. When she is thirsty I give her drink. When she needs food I give her food. I am the only one. When she needs I give her medicine. Who will care for her now? Who? When I was nine, I was on street to find birr. This is my only business. This is how I work for my mother. This is all I do. When I was nine I was hit by a car while I was begging for birr (she has a large scar on her ankle). I never knew of my father. My grandfather wanted my mother to take me out of her stomach, or to leave me in the garbage. She would not! I hate my grandfather. I do not talk to him. Who will care for my mother now? I am the only one. I am the only one.”

So, Meg is going to the United States to be with her new family within a year... and she is heart broken. Her Mother has given her away, and she doesn't want a “new” family. I think I just assumed that is all these kids wanted... a new family, a good life, but there is so much more... the picture is so much bigger than I thought. My heart is broken. All of our hearts should be broken for these children... a “new” mom and an ipod is not going to make things, better is it?

Mardi in the pool with her new friend

Joey during field trip to the pool

Day 5 Thursday - Carnival Day!

** Disclaimer** Long day, short blog!!!!

In a nutshell, the day was absolutely fantastic!!! We held a carnival for the kids, and to give you an idea, here’s what we did:

Kelly & Rocky-face painting
Mardi-Lollipop tree
Joey-punch balloon station
Hannah & Natalie: bowling (a kickball knocking over water bottles!)
Grace-football toss in a basket
Cheryl-Basketball station-shooting hoops
Laurie-Ring toss
Delora-Noah’s Ark duck pond

We brought all the supplies over we needed for the carnival and more than 2000 prizes for the kids! The classes were brought in (no more than 30 at a time) and even the kids from Opportunity House (the special needs section) got to take part in this fun event. It went so well, we were shocked-the kids were well behaved and respectful, and even the caregivers and workers took part!

Here are a few quotes:
"What a day, what a carnival!"--caregiver
“Today is a happy day for everyone”--Jamal, teacher and driver
"Is this a holiday??" -- child

Everyone had a smile on their face, the sun was shining and God is good. Everyone had a ball and we are all absolutely exhausted to the BONE.

Just a sidenote: Laurie and I (Joey) were able to travel to an orphanage where both us sponsor a child. The adoption coordinator for Layla was able to "talk" us in the door of the agency, which is run by the government and “closed” to outsiders.

We were able to go in and meet our boys--Laurie’s, who is 11, and my boy, who is 8 were shy at first, but then they clung to us when they heard we sponsored them. We brought some soccer balls, crayons and coloring books, watercolors and toys for the kids--which they readily shared with the mass of children that surrounded us.

This orphanage is by far much poorer than Layla, with dusty play areas, 30 kids to a room with only 2 caregivers, and cramped quarters. My precious boy inched his way towards me slowly, then put his arm around my waist and snuggled in. I could feel his heart beating and prayed over him-a privilege that I will never forget.

The rest of the group for the afternoon played with babies, tutored the kids, and then headed back to our hotel. We are tired, hot and dusty, but you’ve never seen a group with bigger smiles on their faces--except, maybe, for the kids at Layla today.

Field Trip to the Pool

Day Four: Wednesday

The prayers were felt today; it was as if a covering was on an entire group from the moment we left our hotel for Opportunity House until the moment we arrived back with the children. I’ll try and explain our field trip with the special needs kids, but honestly, no words will give it justice.

Most of our group was terrified at the thought of taking 17 special needs kids swimming in a hotel; most have no “training” in dealing with these children with VERY difficult issues. I am very proud of the group for putting their personal feelings aside and jumping in (literally!!)

We knew we were in for a special time when we pulled up to the gate at the Opportunity House and the children screamed and jumped up and down with excitement. Some of the children hopped immediately into the car and put their faces out the window in anticipation--think children running down the stairs on Christmas morning multiplied by a thousand! These children live in a very small space most of their lives and to take them out of their environment can be wonderful--or scary!!

We got to the Hilton, which from the poor street of Addis, was a green garden of eden with large black wrought iron gates. As we walked through the marbled lobby, we got some strange stares--but also many kind smiles and words.

Here are Kelly’s words about the swimming:
“I can't give each detail of what happened over the next three hours because there are too many.... but it was precious... and we found that God gave each of us exactly what we could handle... I got a spunky downs syndrome boy (3) who splashed me non-stop, Mardi had a beautiful little girl (brain trauma) with a sweet face and a peaceful spirit, and Delora had a precious paralyzed boy (brain cyst) who sat quietly with her and did not splash at all... she had dry hair!!!! Joey, of course had a wild man who lost his pants numerous times and hit her over and over. Joey was soaked and nearly drowned within the first second! GOD is good... amen... we did it!”

For some caregivers it was the first trip to a pool and they loved it. It felt so good to watch them relax and play games with each other and take a break from the kids. For those of you who donated to this trip, we were able to pay for this “field trip”, and it was priceless.

After returning to shower and catching a quick bite to eat, some of the group headed back to Layla to finish the mural, hang out with the kids and make crafts. Delora and Mardi did a “Salvation Bracelet” with the kids, and were able to share Jesus with many of them. Delora said they hung on to every word as she explained what each bead meant: black for sin, white for a clean heart, red for the blood of Jesus, blue for water to wash away our sins, green for growth, clear-God is pure and holy, and yellow for heaven. Rocky was even able to share the love of Jesus with a caregiver. This craft was a precious time for us and the kids.

Cheryl and I got a chance to visit with the founder of the Children’s Home Family Services of Ethiopia-he has helped more than 100,000 people through this organization which includes adoptions, sponsoring AHOPE & other orphanages, clinics, schools, nurses training school and so much more. His quote to us today was, "How can you eat three times a day; relax and sit still-you have to give back.” He certainly has, and his dream is to break the poverty cycle in Ethiopia. He was amazing.

Lastly:Last night was PHENOMENAL!!! Yo Abysinnia is an Ethiopian Cultural Restaurant with traditional food and crazy dancing! I can’t even explain how they contort their bodies to the tribal music. The costumes, hair and dancing were wild to watch. Our food arrived on a large platter, buffet style: one vegetarian (non fasting!) with six different sauces served with injera (the spongy bread). We also ordered meat which was served with garlic and butter-it was wonderful.

Tomorrow we are holding a “carnival” for the kids-it should be an exhausting day, but fun!

Grace Dahlgren painting murals