Ordinary Hero - Church and Streets - Day 3

  

It is easy to get overwhelmed when at every turn there is such need and you don't see how you can make a difference.  That is how I felt before I went to bed on Day 2 - just overwhelmed and insignificant.  Not-adoptable, child-headed households...how do I do anything of lasting impact?

As I'm getting dressed the next morning, I put on my "Change the World for One" shirt.  The weight of it all slowly evaporates, and God gently reminds me to be "present" with the children - to focus on one day at a time - one child at a time.  I think the devil uses "the problem is too big, and I can't make a difference, so I don't do anything" tactic ALL the time.  It creates inaction, and while "I" can't change the world for every child I see, "I" CAN bring a little hope and love to the children I meet.  And, if we all do that, then the world WILL change.

We all head to a local church, Beza International, to worship.  This is my second time to worship in another country, and I love it!  I love seeing people from all over the world worshipping Jesus in the same place.  It's how I envision heaven.

  

What do you think the minister spoke about...about feeling overwhelmed with all the orphan numbers, all the poverty, all the injustice.  He went on to say that the battle is with the devil - that it is spiritual.  And with a spiritual battle, we need to use spiritual tools - praise and thanksgiving.  When we go out with praise and thanksgiving, God's army will take care of the physical battles.  I always find it amazing how God speaks.

After we left church, we did a little shopping and then headed over to the post office area.  The post office area is where many street children hang out and live.  These children are "tough", but our guys immediately got a game of soccer going to break the ice with these children.

     

    

Christian, another amazing youth on our trip, easily makes friends.  The little boy behind Christian is one who just broke my heart - no shoes, shirt barely hanging on and obviously out of it - maybe he is around 13.  His name is Abraham, and he was probably high on glue. 

  

      

  

This was really the only place that we didn't hand out any donations.  It was not a place where we could control the crowd.  As a result, we just hung out with the kids.

  

We later went out to eat at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant where they have dancing.  It was a little tricky getting to it, because the President of South Korea and his entourage was eating there.  I'm actually a little surprised that our group was even allowed in.  A few nights earlier, we had to wait in our van with snipers on roofs and roads and roads closed as he passed by in front of us.

I LOVE watching the dancing!

  

I LOVE the food!  

  

      

LeAnne, Christy, Amy and I

  

  

Kelli, Ashley, Becky, Ashley and Clay

  

We all had a great time!

  

To Be Continued...

Ordinary Hero - A Day in the City - Day 2

  

I got up after a good nights rest, thank you Ambien, ready to go.  We started our day off at a local orphanage.  We didn't see their actual facility, but I was impressed with their approach.  There are approximately 5 to 6 million orphans and street children in Ethiopia.  It is a crisis.  This particular place was attacking the issues from several angles.  However, one of the approaches that made my stomach drop is called "Child-Headed Households".  (It's actually on the bulletin board behind the girls in yellow.) It's basically children taking care of children where the local village looks in on the household, but the head of the household is a child at least 13 years old (not typo - 13 years old). 

  

Another one of the programs supported by this orphanage is sponsorship.  Here is Zak meeting his family's sponsored child.  Zak was one of the amazing youth on our trip.

After we left the orphanage, we headed over to their weekend feeding program.  Here the children are playing a game similar to duck-to-goose while they waited for their food. 

  

The children were all so sweet.  At every place we went, I met at least one special child.  This little girl was so sweet and my special friend.  She taught me how to do a new hand game - just like the ones my daughter and her friends do.  Just another example of how these kids are just like our kids.  And, as she was leaving, she ran back, found me, and gave me the necklace she had been wearing that said "friends".  Melt my heart!

Before I left for my trip, my girls had a bracelet party.  They had some friends over and made about 150 bracelets to hand out to the children in Ethiopia.

  

 The bracelets were a big hit with both girls and boys.  As fast as I could get one tied, I'd have another wrist waiting.

This is their water supply.  The water goes into the basin, and then the children dip their cup into the basin, get their drink, then return their cup into the basin, and then the next child gets the cup and repeats the cycle.  

After we left the feeding program, we headed to another orphanage.  This orphanage is the one that dropped into Ashli (Ordinary Hero Blog) lap.  It was on the brink of shutting down, and she has  been relentlessly trying to keep it open.   

  

This is the playroom room where the children hang out.  I didn't see any toys and it isn't very inviting, and the carpet is....  In spite of the environment, the children were awesome!  (I wish I could post the pictures, but I can't.)   Before we left, the older children gathered in here and sung us songs about Jesus.  Melt my heart!!

This is the toddler room with about 14 toddlers.  Each bed (BTW - most of them were purchased with OH donations) has a picture above it giving the child's brief story.  Two of the children are labeled "Not Adoptable".  This isn't because their parents are in their lives.  It is because paperwork and proper techniques were not exactly followed when the children were found.  As a result, these children will live out their lives "in the system".  Heart-wrenching!

Little Elijah update...  God is good, and miracles happen every day... he got his surgery, and as of latest, he was recovering well.  He still needs prayers as he still has a long recovery road with medical and financial obstacles.  Please continue praying.  If you would like to donate to his medical care, please go to the Ordinary Hero website.  And, my friend, Amy, at filledwithpraise.blogspot.com is having a giveaway to benefit Elijah.

To Be Continued...

  

Ordinary Hero - Arriving in ET

Some people just have a way with words.  I am not one of them.  I haven't written about my trip, because I am having trouble finding the appropriate words to express just how wonderful my trip was.  I just loved it, which kinda sounds weird when you are talking about a missions trip focused on children in extreme poverty.  The children both tear at your soul and bring you great joy.   It's really a holy experience.  One that words could never do justice...

With that, I will at least chronicle my journey for my memory purposes :)

  

My "buddy", Amy, and I eagerly waiting to board ET airlines.  Both of us have adopted children from Ethiopia, so the country and people have a special place in our heart. 

  

Ahhhhh!!! After a long flight, we finally arrive in Addis around 8 am.  It is their rainy season, and the temperature is just perfect, especially since it has been a scorcher at home.  I'm beyond excited to be back in Ethiopia.  

   

  

Here we are waiting for some of our 3,000+ lbs. of donations.  The airport officials thought we had brought much of the stuff into the country to sell, so they held us up for some 5 hours while they searched, researched and re-researched our donation luggage.  It was frustrating, and I really feel like it was spiritual warfare.  The devil wants the children to suffer and remain hopeless, and we were bringing a message of love and hope - all in the name of Jesus.

  

There were 28 people on our team from all over the country, and I must say, everyone was great!  Because of our size, we had 3 vans.  We finally got all of our donations, and they were loaded on top with the rest of our luggage.

     

We turn off the main road to get to our home for the next 7 days.  Most of the roads in the city seem to be like this.  The main road is paved, and all side roads are dirt.  They all seem to look like alleys, because there are gates around everything.  You never know what is behind the gate.

  We arrive at the Ethiopian Guest House.  EGH was started by an adoptive family that wanted to do more, so they started opening up guest houses as non-profits.  They cater to mission groups and adopting families, and the proceeds go back into orphanages and other related programs.  

  

Each day outside our gates, we were met by a group of local children.  When we'd leave in the morning, they would be there to hang out with us, and when we got home in the evening, they would be waiting for us.  They just wanted to hang out.  Sometimes, we'd bring them into our little compound and give them something that they needed.  This little boy needed some shoes.  He was thrilled with his new rain boots we found for him.

  

These 3 boys stayed with us most of the week.  They live at Korah (local trash dump), and each have a sponsor that was on the trip.  It was fun to watch them experience new things and develop a life long bond with their sponsor.  I can tell you firsthand that sponsoring a child CHANGES their world.  These boys lives are forever changed because 3 families stepped up and said yes to sponsorship.  To learn more about sponsoring a child in Korah, you can visit the Project 61 website.

They are so proud of their new clothes.

 TO BE CONTINUED...

ET - Day 7 & 8 - Headed Home

 

We're packed and ready to go.

There are 4 other families with us on the same flight out of Addis.  It is such a blessing to have them with us.  We'll need all hands on deck to help in case G plays "chase me".

We leave at 6:00 p.m.  All of the other couples have babies, except for us and Markos (22 months), so they need to get there early in hopes of securing a bassinet on the flight.  Even though I am not looking forward to the 17 hour plane ride, I'm even more dreading the 4 hour wait at the airport.

We make it to the airport and through all the security and checks pretty easily.  As we check in, the man at the desk hands us our "Cloud Nine Lounge" card.  I had totally forgotten about this little perk of business class.  It proved to be a God send.  We hated to leave the group, but it was a necessity.  The lounge was very nice and more importantly very empty.  It was the perfect spot to contain G for 3 1/2 hours. 

 

Right before we were set to get on the plane, G was rubbing his eyes.  He was soooo tired.  This was going to be perfect.  He's tired, we'll give him some Benedryl, the plane will lull him to sleep, and he'll sleep for the 1st leg of the trip.  Right?!?!

We get on the plane, and all is good.

 

G has his very own seat in business class where he can stretch out and go to sleep.

 

The LeFebers and Kristen are just several rows back.  I'm not sure where the other 2 families ended up sitting.

Well...I think the Benedryl must have had an opposite effect, because he was WIRED.  He wasn't mad or sad - just absolutely bouncing off the walls - for HOURS!!!  It took everything I had to keep him from breaking his neck, because he would just jump in all directions without any thought to where he was going.  (S got a little snipit of this on his phone, but I cannot figure out how to download it here.)  And, I am pulling out everything from my bag of tricks.  Now, during all of this, S was having a 4 course meal across the aisle and chatting with his seat neighbor. 

During this time, I just kept thinking...well...at least he isn't screaming and crying.  After about 5ish hours (not typo) of bouncing off the walls, then comes the crying.  LOUD crying.  One of the flight attendants brings over a coloring book suggesting that maybe he would like to color.  It's about 4 am.  I'm telling you the Holy Spirit was in me, because I really wanted to say Coloring?  Really?  The child has just had his world turned upside down; he's scared; and he is exhausted; and you think coloring is going to help.  But, I just smiled and let her try.  Then, several others "help out".  It actually is very nice, but all I wanted to do was to let him cry and get it all out.  Not being mean...my thoughts were that it was like a pressure valve, and he just needed to get out those emotions. 

Finally, after about 2 hours or so (not typo), he stops and falls asleep.  Thank you Sweet Jesus!  I hurry up and take an Ambien.  I need to get some rest too.  I am emotionally exhausted.  I'm up after about 4 hours, and G is up right after me.  He has slept right around 5 hours.  He has recharged his battery and is back bouncing off the walls.  Only about 5 more hours to go!  And, I look over at S, and he is asleep.

When we land in DC, I am BEYOND ready to get OFF that plane.  Our group is still together, and we are all glad to check off that leg of the trip. 

We get through the million security checks.  Then, I can finally go to the bathroom and freshen up.  I at least feel human again.  We all eat at Five Guys.  It is soooo good.  G eats some fries, 2 bananas and some gold fish.  He is still going full steam.

We make it to our next flight and get a spot by the window.  YEAH!!!  We can sit and watch the airplanes take off and land.

 

We also got bumped up to first class, but the seats aren't together.  That's fine, because it is S's turn to manage G on the airplane.

G did much better on this leg - no crying but still somewhat energized and hard to contain in a seat.  I had given him the last toy from my bag of tricks prior to boarding the plane - a play cell phone.  Up until this point, I hadn't given him anything electronic.  He was all into the sounds.  I was a couple of seats over, and we were just starting our flight, when I heard the flight attendant ask, "Does that thing have a battery?"  S's reply, "Do you have a screwdriver?"  I could have busted out laughing. 

Later, when S was up with G for a potty break.  The flight attendant told S, "You really shouldn't be up."  S's response, "Do you want to clean it up?"

We finally landed in Atlanta.  The flight was only an hour or so, but I am sure the flight attendant was ready for us to leave.

We're killing a little time before our NEXT flight takes off, when they come over the loud speaker and say that the plane is delayed, because the flight crew hasn't arrived yet.  NO!!  Not delayed!  We ended up only being delayed about 20 minutes.

This flight is only 45 minutes long, and G is just awesome.  He is finally starting to run out of steam.  I mean the poor boy has only slept a total of 7 hours over the last 40ish hours.  Given that, he has done awesome!

When the plane lands, I think I am the first person up with bags in hand.  I am so ready to see my girls and get G home.

  

ET - Day 7 - Part I

 
(Thursday, August 26)

This is our last day in Ethiopia.  On one hand, I am sad to see it all come to an end, but on the other hand, I can't wait to be home.  We've been on the mountain top and down in the valley.

I'm excited about this morning.  Us and the LeFebers get to visit the Bethzatha Children's Home and love on some orphans.  (The rest of the group is going to Entoto Mountain.)  Many of the children that HH receives come from Bethzatha.  (Bethzatha has several branches, but the one in Addis is the main one.)  Children cannot leave Bethzatha to come to HH until all of their relinquishment paperwork is complete. Depending upon how much is completed before the child arrives, a child might be there for a couple of days or a couple months.

Danny and Seegay pick us up around 9.  It is fun just to get out of the hotel and go for a ride.  We turn off a main road, and it is bumpy - like I can't believe we don't need 4 wheel drive.  It's hard to believe that we are even on a road.  Most of the side roads are like this.  

 

When we get there, the director gives us a tour of the place.  We start in the room where all the toddlers are.  They are all sitting down coloring.  They are all so sweet, and one little girl just grabs my hand.  I get several pictures of her.  She loves seeing her picture as do all of the children.  I'm just hanging out when Seegay comes and gets me.  Everyone else has left the room, and the director wants me to come so he can give us all a tour. 

 

We start in the baby/toddler house.  Just like at HH, you have to take off your shoes when you enter.  They have these croc-like shoes to put on to walk through the house.  There are several rooms for the babies and younger toddlers.  (An AGCI mission team painted murals on all of the walls.)  Some babies are in their cribs, and some are sunning out on the balcony.   Another room is called the isolation room.  When babies first arrive, they stay in this room until the staff can evaulate their health.  There is another room for 2 special needs children.  One was sleeping, and the other one was just lying there.  I'm told that she is deaf and blind, but I think there's more due to the way she was just lying there.  I just stroke her cheeks.  She has been there since she was a baby, and I'm guessing she is at least 6ish.  Even though it is so sad, I know that one day, she will be in heaven dancing and singing and just having the best time ever.

 

Then, we head to see the older children. 

 

  

They are in the middle of their studies.  I am stuck by their gentle spirits.  I kinda squeeze into the room.  There are about 10 of them each at their own desk surrounded by bunk beds.  The room doubles as school room and their bedroom.  And, it is a tight squeeze.  I so want to acknowledge each one of them and shake their hand.  They are working on multiplication.  I tell them what a great job they are doing.  They are just so grateful and hungry for acknowledgement.

Next, we hit the laundry area and kitchen area. 

G is doing so well on the tour.  Of course, one of us is holding him the whole time.

After the tour, I asked the director if I could give the kids a snack - granola bars.  He says yes.  S heads to the older children, and I take the toddlers.  They are all still sitting around the tables quietly coloring.  The TV is on, but none of them are watching it.  I can tell it is about Jesus, and just about that time, I see Jesus being nailed to the cross - pretty heavy for toddlers.  Julie and I start openning up granola bars.  We make sure that everyone gets one including the staff.

Once they are done eating, I'm ready to hand out the bouncy balls that I brought.  I ask the director if it is okay.  He says yes.  The children were so excited to get the balls.  They all patiently sit and wait their turn.   And within mere minutes, the children go from calmly sitting to going crazy with balls bouncing every direction.  It was awesome!

Of course, G got several balls.  He was having fun bouncing them back and forth with Danny.  He didn't seem the least little bit interested in the other children and stayed outside the toddler room.

 

Now, that there was fun chaos with the toddlers, it was time to give balls to the older children.  I didn't want to distrub them again, but I know that they don't get visitors everyday.   They were actually in the middle of a test.  I handed a ball to each one, and they all just grinned from ear to ear and said the sincerest thank you ever.  I just wanted to love on them all. 

  

We went back to the toddler room, and they were still having a blast. I gave the remainder of the granola bars and balls to the director.  He was so appreciative.  I just wish I had more to give them.

 

Even though Bethzatha is a far cry from Hannah's Hope, it is still pretty clean and organized, and you can tell that the staff truly care about the children.  They are doing the best they can with what they have. 

I went there thinking I was going to bless the children, but THEY were the ones who BLESSED me!  They are all so precious and full of potential.  I pray that they all are placed in loving homes where they can experience healing and live out their God-given potential.  It was awesome being there!

After a couple hours there, it was time to leave.  Since we had a little extra time, we decided to go shopping.  Julie had a couple of things she still wanted to get, and I just wanted to look around.  I quickly got an appreciation of how hard it was for S to get all the items he had bought earlier.  I am not used to barginning.  I am glad Seegay was there to hold my hand.  We didn't have too much time.  G was quickly getting tired of hanging out in the van.  I did get a couple more things checked off the list.  It was fun!

We head back.  We need to give G a bath since he didn't get one last night.  It is at this point that you start to celebrate the small steps.  On the first night, he wasn't having anything to do with the bath; on the second try, he was reluctant, and now, it is hard to get him out of the bath.  Baby steps!!  We're feeling pretty good, and we're going to try to get G down for a nap too.  We've got a late night.  Our plane doesn't leave until 10:15 p.m.  It is important that he get one.

As luck would have it, I need to go check on Henry and see what he found for us :), so I can't stay and help S.  Henry is walking into the lobby right as I get there.  Jackpot.  He found most of everything on my list.  It was awesome!

When I get back to the room, S is all smiles.  G went down without too much trouble.  Now, it is time to pack up.