Today our group met for breakfast (this morning: minced meat fried triangles, egg casserole, bananas, papaya and bread with marmalade). The food so far has been wonderful and tasty-we’ve met many people who have remarked that our hotel has “safe” food to eat so some of our group is getting adventurous during mealtime. So far we are all heathy and energetic, although some in our group haven’t been sleeping well!
We went to the Layla House this morning for the official orientation and tour of the compound. Layla House has had a 100% gradution rate--meaning no one has ever left Layla House without a family, which is awesome. After the tour, we headed to the Ritmo Guest House, where families who are adopting from the Layla House stay while in the adoption process. At Ritmo in the back of the compound is where they house the overflow of babies from the Layla House. (Lynn-if you’re reading this, I got fabulous pictures of your baby!!) After we snuggled and loved on the babies and took them to the wall garden to enjoy the outdoors and flowers, we headed to lunch at the Caribou-which is an American-friendly food restaurant with nice views of the city.
After lunch we headed to Opportunity House, which is the special needs facility operated by the Layla House just down the street from Layla. This was the most difficult time for the group, as the incredible needs of the children were seen by all of us: children with cerebral palsy, blindness, autism, downs syndrome and other issues. We got on the floor and just started engaging the children as best we could. Most of all-they want to be touched and held.
Delora got on the floor and held a precious blind boy who wasn’t more than ten-he instantly took to her and snuggled into her. I (Joey) was sitting next to a boy, probably around 7, who had cerebral palsy. I was touching his cheek and stroking his head, and noticed his hand twitching. In the next few moments, he started having a seizure-not a large one--just one that took over his entire body and he shook. I didn’t know what to do except stroke his cheek and wait for it to pass-Rocky, who’s a nurse on our team, helped me understand what was going on. When it ended, the little boy locked eyes with me-it was a precious moment. We spent the rest of the afternoon singing songs with the kids, clapping, and watching a little girl (who was nicknamed Beyonce) dance while the caretakers banged on the cabinets mimicking a drum.
Ivy (the school director) asked Kelly & I to go to AHOPE (which is an orphanage specifically for kids with HIV) to see if we could do crafts, paint or help in someway while we’re here. Cheryl and Natalie went along to see the facilities too. We plan on doing crafts there with the bigger kids, and bringing some toys and hygiene products from our group. It is a tough place to visit-but the children are loved by their housemothers and they do have a home. One baby was found on the side of the road-and was brought to AHOPE to live. She now has been adopted by a family. AHOPE is in great need of everything-literally everything. The visit was difficult and heartbreaking.
Cheryl took time today to volunteer at the Autism Center. She is a travel writer and is helping them get some much needed publicity for the center. I hope she’ll share more about her time there tonight with us so I can write about it! Street scenes we took in today include : cows in the street while little boys in school uniforms held hands walking home from school, teenagers playing foosball in a small area against a concrete wall on the street; walking along the street and smelling the open sewage running through a creek; and men carrying large loads of lumber on their head. The scenes are surreal.
Tonight we’re taking it easy at the hotel, and hopefully getting the sleep we need! Spending the days with so much to take in can be brutally exhausting. I am very impressed with our group and how they’re handling all the sights and scenes at once.
God is good and has shown that many times throughout the days!!
Monday, March 30, 2009
Playground Sunday afternoon
This picture was taken Sunday afternoon on the playground at Layla House. The kids were having a ball with their new visitors!
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Day One
Day One:
As I (Joey) sit here and write this, Kelly and Mardi are sitting next to me in the hotel lobby quite exhausted. We’re watching a torrential downpour outside which is actually quite lovely to see and hear.
After a good night’s sleep and a breakfast buffet that consisted of egg casserole, Chinese egg rolls and injera with goat’s meat, we headed to Layla. It was very hot here today-probably in the 80’s--with no wind. At one point it was painfully hot. Thankfully the clouds rolled in and with it a cool breeze. Somehow the kids never seem to be fazed by the heat. One of our favorite sites were the boys (ages 8-12) playing soccer...and when they got too hot, they went straight to the water hose to pour water all over their head--then headed back to the game, somehow refreshed!
Since there was no school today (Sunday) for the kids, it was quite chaotic. The group of us decided to get the sock puppets out (thank you Kelly for the idea) and tried to make sock puppets with the kids in a controlled (ha ha) manner. Needless to say, the kids went absolutely bonkers. They LOVED it! Best of all, it was something they could play with the rest of the afternoon. Kelly has since named this afternoon craft “The 2009 Sock Puppet Fiasco.” The kids will have school tomorrow so things will be more organized and under control. We also brought nail polish and did a make-shift salon for the girls (and some boys--the little ones loved it).
In the afternoon, most of us decided to help in the baby rooms. Babies are everywhere-it really is amazing--and best of all, the caregivers are so patient and loving, that it’s wonderful to be a part of and watch. It’s nice to be able to give them some encouragement and a break to eat or have tea time. We bathed, sang, rocked, cuddled and walked them outside-there was never an empty arm or someone not crying in the background. When naptime came for the babies, it was time for toddler time! Laurie enjoyed having her hair braided by a 2-yes-2 year old...the rest hugged, chatted with us, and sat on our laps while we enjoyed watching the younger boys play soccer-with a deflated basketball.
Cheryl got a chance to walk down to the Autism Center, which is just a short walk down the street from Layla. We were all thrilled to hear that the center has incredible resources-even a sensory room-where they help kids throughout the day from Monday-Friday. Members of the Ethiopian Parliament are visiting the center this Friday, and they were excited for the exposure. Autism is not well understood here, and the woman that began this program is teaching others what exactly autism is. Most believe it is a possessed spirit in a child, so they often are shunned by others. We plan on going there sometime this week to volunteer. She has a an amazing spirit for helping others learn about children with autism.
Tonight we’re going to have pizza at the hotel. I just want you all to know what a fantastic group of women we have on this trip. Everyone has a different gift, and I am so thankful how God knitted this group together. We are all healthy and energetic for the week ahead. Thank you for your prayers! We will update again soon!
P.S. We do have a peanut butter update: Natalie was able to buy peanut butter at a tiny convenient store-needless to say, it has made Kelly’s day. (She still harbors a bit of resentment toward the guard in Germany that took her peanut butter in security : )...)
As I (Joey) sit here and write this, Kelly and Mardi are sitting next to me in the hotel lobby quite exhausted. We’re watching a torrential downpour outside which is actually quite lovely to see and hear.
After a good night’s sleep and a breakfast buffet that consisted of egg casserole, Chinese egg rolls and injera with goat’s meat, we headed to Layla. It was very hot here today-probably in the 80’s--with no wind. At one point it was painfully hot. Thankfully the clouds rolled in and with it a cool breeze. Somehow the kids never seem to be fazed by the heat. One of our favorite sites were the boys (ages 8-12) playing soccer...and when they got too hot, they went straight to the water hose to pour water all over their head--then headed back to the game, somehow refreshed!
Since there was no school today (Sunday) for the kids, it was quite chaotic. The group of us decided to get the sock puppets out (thank you Kelly for the idea) and tried to make sock puppets with the kids in a controlled (ha ha) manner. Needless to say, the kids went absolutely bonkers. They LOVED it! Best of all, it was something they could play with the rest of the afternoon. Kelly has since named this afternoon craft “The 2009 Sock Puppet Fiasco.” The kids will have school tomorrow so things will be more organized and under control. We also brought nail polish and did a make-shift salon for the girls (and some boys--the little ones loved it).
In the afternoon, most of us decided to help in the baby rooms. Babies are everywhere-it really is amazing--and best of all, the caregivers are so patient and loving, that it’s wonderful to be a part of and watch. It’s nice to be able to give them some encouragement and a break to eat or have tea time. We bathed, sang, rocked, cuddled and walked them outside-there was never an empty arm or someone not crying in the background. When naptime came for the babies, it was time for toddler time! Laurie enjoyed having her hair braided by a 2-yes-2 year old...the rest hugged, chatted with us, and sat on our laps while we enjoyed watching the younger boys play soccer-with a deflated basketball.
Cheryl got a chance to walk down to the Autism Center, which is just a short walk down the street from Layla. We were all thrilled to hear that the center has incredible resources-even a sensory room-where they help kids throughout the day from Monday-Friday. Members of the Ethiopian Parliament are visiting the center this Friday, and they were excited for the exposure. Autism is not well understood here, and the woman that began this program is teaching others what exactly autism is. Most believe it is a possessed spirit in a child, so they often are shunned by others. We plan on going there sometime this week to volunteer. She has a an amazing spirit for helping others learn about children with autism.
Tonight we’re going to have pizza at the hotel. I just want you all to know what a fantastic group of women we have on this trip. Everyone has a different gift, and I am so thankful how God knitted this group together. We are all healthy and energetic for the week ahead. Thank you for your prayers! We will update again soon!
P.S. We do have a peanut butter update: Natalie was able to buy peanut butter at a tiny convenient store-needless to say, it has made Kelly’s day. (She still harbors a bit of resentment toward the guard in Germany that took her peanut butter in security : )...)
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Saturday, March 28, 2009 We have arrived!!
Greetings from Ethiopia!
We have arrived after a (thank you, Jesus) very smooth travel day(s). Everyone on our trip traveled well and except for Kelly having her peanut butter confiscated in Germany, we had no worries. All our luggage arrived and we sailed through customs, getting our visas and arriving at our hotel.
We are going to Layla House tomorrow afternoon and are doing a day of crafts with the kids and hanging out.
We have arrived after a (thank you, Jesus) very smooth travel day(s). Everyone on our trip traveled well and except for Kelly having her peanut butter confiscated in Germany, we had no worries. All our luggage arrived and we sailed through customs, getting our visas and arriving at our hotel.
We are going to Layla House tomorrow afternoon and are doing a day of crafts with the kids and hanging out.
Thanks for all your prayers--especially the ones weeks in advance : )
We will write tomorrow- good night!
Friday, March 27, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
48 Hours to Go!!
I think we're ready!
Let's go! We hope to be able to post and update the blog-they are rationing power right now, but we have faith we'll be able to communicate. Please pray for us, and especially for the children and workers at Layla. Thank you for sending us!
- 10 women ready for an adventure
- More than 30 totes of supplies
- Overwhelming financial support from our church, family and friends
- 200 kids waiting
- 70 babies to hold
- Caregivers to nuture
- Kids to play with
- Field trips to take
- Zone bars to eat
- Prayers to pray
Let's go! We hope to be able to post and update the blog-they are rationing power right now, but we have faith we'll be able to communicate. Please pray for us, and especially for the children and workers at Layla. Thank you for sending us!
Sunday, January 25, 2009
8 Weeks and Counting-Can You Help Us?
January 25, 2009
Dear Friends,
In 8 short weeks (March 28-Apirl 4), I will be traveling with an amazing group of women to volunteer in orphanages in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This will be my second trip to this beautiful yet devastated country, and once again I am asking in advance if you could help in the following areas:
Joey
P.S. You might wonder what my dear friend Jennifer is up to: she will be picking up her three new daughters in Ethiopia in just a few short weeks and will obviously be very busy!! She will be working in advance for us while she is there and will be our prayer warrior here at home when we go. Please pray for their new additions and their expanding family!!
Dear Friends,
In 8 short weeks (March 28-Apirl 4), I will be traveling with an amazing group of women to volunteer in orphanages in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This will be my second trip to this beautiful yet devastated country, and once again I am asking in advance if you could help in the following areas:
First and foremost, we need your prayers. I will be leading a group of 9 women who have never been to Ethiopia before, and for many this is their first international missions trip. I specifically ask for prayer for peace, travel favor and mercies, health, and strength to minister to the women and children we will encounter. Pray God will work through us to do what He needs us to accomplish while we are there. We want to honor Him by being the hands and feet of Jesus…this obviously cannot happen without prayers from all of you.
Financial support. We are collecting supplies and personal hygiene items to transport to Ethiopia. Since there is no shipping/mailing system, it is necessary for us to physically take them with us on the plane. It costs approximately $135/tote to do this. Currently we are expecting to take anywhere from 15-20 totes full of necessary items for the children, if not more. The money we had left over last year (around $600) we donated to Opportunity House (the special needs orphanage). This was enough to cover their budget for the rest of the year! It was amazing to see their joy and relief of this burden lifted.
Infant formula: any kind, including Soy. This year, due to the ravaging famine throughout the country, the Layla House Orphanage is bursting with babies. Last year, there were no more than 10; this year, there are more than 60 in their care. Some of the babies are arriving very small and undernourished, requiring specialized care. There is also a shortage of formula available in the country at the current time. Babies are requiring 8 bottles a day and their supplies are next to nothing.
If you can help with any of the mentioned items, please let me know! I can come pick up items, or feel free to drop them by my house. If you would like to donate money, you may make the check to: Brookdale Church-Ethiopia Fund and send directly to the church: 203 South 31st Street, St. Joseph, MO 64501.
Please let me know if you have any questions! You may reach me at mja@stjoelive.com .
Joey
P.S. You might wonder what my dear friend Jennifer is up to: she will be picking up her three new daughters in Ethiopia in just a few short weeks and will obviously be very busy!! She will be working in advance for us while she is there and will be our prayer warrior here at home when we go. Please pray for their new additions and their expanding family!!
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