Monday

Monday:
I’m not sure we could have packed anything more into our first official day at the Layla House. As one Layla employee said, “You guys don’t mess around-you jump right in!”

We started in the baby house where we snuggled and cuddled as many babies as humanly possible...then off to the toddler room where they were doing circle time that included dancing and singing (cue the video!!) Seriously it’s one of my favorite things to do at Layla--Jennifer knows she has to rip me out of the room so we can keep moving...mark my words, we’ll be back : ) My favorite little boy in the group was born with no arms who can eat, drink and run like any other little boy and whose smile was as magnetic as his personality. His father committed suicide when he was born because he felt he was cursed by his birth, and his family shortly relinquished him to Layla House. He has a family waiting and should be on his way soon to his new home...praise the Lord!

Next up was Opportunity House where Tammy was able to show the physical therapist how to use a “body sock” on a child that could help with muscle tone and also has a calming effect. Kids with cerebal palsy, autism and other challenges all can benefit from it. We were pleased to see a lot of improvement at the house from when it opened three years ago--kids were receiving more individual attention and were more alert and active. It is an amazing place where the “least of these” are getting loved and cared for.

There are a few places at Layla House that really need some color and fun...something that makes an adoptive parent who enters the Layla House for the first time smile...and give the kids something to smile about. SO, Kelly got our group together and we decided to paint a welcome mural that’s the first thing you seen when you walk through the gates. (Hopefully pics will be loaded tomorrow). We chose a house...complete with a dog and sunflowers. The children who watch us paint always comment “That’s a house! There’s a dog!” They get so excited about the hope of a “home” one day...so we hope this mural will give them a reason to dream big!

Tammy & Julia got to spend a wild afternoon with the toddler kids...singing, dancing all while they tried to teach her songs in Amharic (along with a few moves only learned in Ethiopia).

Please try to pray for our Opportunity House field trip to the Hilton Hotel tomorrow-we will be taking a large group of 24 special needs kids, with fewer volunteers this time...to swim for the morning in the hot springs. Needless to say, when these children are taken out of their environment (which is very rare)...they can become very agitated and react with sadness, anger or completely withdraw. Pray for calm spirits, weary bodies to recieve relaxation in the water, and safety for all involved.

The last part of our afternoon was spent trying to find bathing suits for the caregivers...and since there is no Wal Mart, Target or “easy” place to shop-we trekked all over Addis and enjoyed the traffic, people watching, and thankfully finding suits for all for the field trip tomorrow.
We are all healthy and so far crazy energetic...thank you for praying for us and the children here.

Thanks you are the best! Miss you guys-write with random updates please!!