April 13: Layla House- Blog by Kaylee Duvall and Mollie Siemens

After an early morning wake up call from the unfamiliar noises outside and our not-yet-adjusted sleeping schedules, we (Mollie & Kaylee) had the opportunity to hang out on the roof of our guest house and read in the sun. As we read, and talked about the week we had ahead of us, we came to this conclusion:  We probably aren't going to make THAT big of a difference here in the lives of these people with the few, short, seven, days we have.  But maybe we can make a small difference. All we can really do is love on people, no matter where we are in life - Africa or St. Joseph. And hope that we can bring a little more heaven to this earth with that love.

It was a beautiful morning accompanied by delicious pancakes. Only a day into the trip, we are all having the best time and enjoying each other's company. This is a great team with tons of amazing people!

We picked up our missing totes from the airport and went to church at Beza. Our bus arrived fashionably late but "Africa time" is not the same as "U.S. time" and no one seemed to mind. The service was wonderful. Afterwards, we talked about how awesome it is that the message of Jesus is so universal...and equally as powerful on the other side of the world. and it was incredible to observe the different people in attendance and their cultures (Beza is an international church).

After a quick stop back at the guest house for lunch, we packed up again and headed to The Layla House. This is an orphanage for babies and special needs children.

One of our favorite things about going out to different places is the car ride. There is so much to take in and see.

Throughout the city of Addis Ababa there are little "Americanized" parts that are so out of place. We'll be driving along and amongst the homeless people laying on the side of the street there will be a man walking around them in a suit. There is no middle class here. You either have, or you have not. And each one is extreme.

The Layla House was incredible. The kids, desperate for love and attention, just cling to you. Their hugs and giggles are infectious. They never seem to stop smiling or laughing. What an awesome thing it is that smiles and laughter are a universal sign for joy. And their joy is endless. It's safe to say we didn't want to leave.

- Mollie and Kaylee