What a glorious day!  Words cannot describe the joy we experienced today.  The driver from the KVI orphanage picked us up about 9:45 AM this morning. As Michelle and I talked on the way we could hardly keep from feeling like we were on a first date or something.  There was a giddy excitement accompanied by a bit of uncertainty regarding the unknown of how the day (date) would play out.

It was a long haul across town, up and down many city streets and alleys – whatever it took to avoid the traffic and construction.  I will dedicate an entire post to some of the awesome things we’ve experienced as we have traversed Addis.  As we pulled up to the gate, the driver signified our arrival by a couple of short blasts on the horn.  This not only triggered the gate keeper to let us in, it sang of hope to the children within.  As we entered, they came running – Bethlehem and Theodore on the front lines.

Of course, they were beautiful.  They recognized us with no problems at all.  I quickly embraced Theodore only to feel his heart beating so hard and fast I thought it would burst from his chest.  Bethlehem clinched Michelle as if they had been the closest of kin separated by only time.  In retrospect, it is more of an emotional weight than I realized in the moment.

We were in a sea of children (really, about 30).  Bethlehem and Theodore were so excited to show us around.  They drug us from one corner to the other explaining in seemingly ceaseless talk – with a few English words here and there, but mostly in Amharic.  Michelle and I were very pleased with KVI and the staff.  The kids were all very well cared for and very well behaved.

The children played well together.  They were so excited to play with us.  As Michelle attempted to play some of the old standards, like ring-around-the-rosie, it quickly became obvious that those that had come before us had left a legacy of playful games.  It became kind of fun to keep trying new ones until we found some they didn’t know.  Autumn and Eli will be pleased to know that rock, paper, scissors was a huge hit!  It seems “one potato, two potato” hadn’t made it here either.  They learn very quickly; within minutes they were teaching others the new games.  They also attempted to teach us a few that are original to their culture – you’ll have to see the video to appreciate.

We had the privileged of eating lunch with the children.  They helped with serving each other, especially the older helping with the younger, as well as cleaning up.  Theodore was asked to say the blessing for lunch… not sure what he said, but God was.  Michelle and I ate some ingera and wat – actually pretty tasty stuff.  The children ate until they were full.  They eat four times a day: breakfast, lunch, snack & dinner.  I will probably devote an entire post to Ethiopian food fare as well.  As Divine fate would again have it, we were invited to be a part of a coffee ceremony – we couldn’t refuse.  Not sure, but I believe Michelle might be acquiring a taste – I better double my espresso bean budget for 2009.

There were a couple of children that we really felt drawn to while there. Really smart and joyful children – despite their circumstances.  While we were engaging them, they seemed to be the happiest children on the planet.  As it became obvious our time was growing short, the weight of seeing some of the older children process that yet another family was leaving, and leaving them behind, was almost too much to bear.  It’s almost too much to type as I sit in a room full of people waiting to use this computer.  I’m sure they think I’m losing it.  You see it in movies, like Annie, but the reality of the hopelessness of some is a reality we all need to come to terms with – regularly.

Obviously there is still hope for these children – it just seems to wane as they get older.  Please consider how you might help some of these.  Jesus left us a powerful example to engage the down and out but there is a pureness that is distilled in our worship as we care for orphans and widows – those who cannot care for themselves (James 1:27).  It might mean you need to consider adopting one of these children into your family.  It might mean you need to consider helping someone else through sacrificial financial and prayer support.  It might mean your family could sponsor children in orphanages like KVI until they do find a home.  Maybe it’s loading up your family and adopting a couple of grandparents at a local nursing home.

It might be any number of things but I am sure it is something.  It is putting our actions where our mouths say our faith is.  It is healthy for our worship of God and honors Him more than we can know.  It might be the fatigue setting in or it might be that I’m an emotional basket case, but I’d bring home a couple more today if I could.  Notice I said “I.”  Michelle isn’t here with me but I believe she would share the sentiment.  I was so proud of her today.  She was so concerned about how she would hold up but she was amazing!  She really connects well with children – maybe that’s why she married me.

As we loaded into the car, Bethlehem and Theodore could hardly wait to get in.  On the way back, they were singing a song in Amharic.  Michelle asked our driver what the song was.  He replied that it was a “spiritual song” to which Michelle replied, “What are the words?”  He said, “They are singing about Jesus Christ and praising His name.”  Kind’a sums it all up…

Too much info – I know.  Thanks for listening.  I’ll try to post pics and maybe a video later.  Good night…