Orphanage Tour, New Friends

Thursday morning we got up and walked to Layla House. Heather and Michele had heard all about the different homes that AAI has for their children, but had never seen them. We decided it would be good for them to take a tour since we were in the neighborhood. We toured Layla, Wanna, Opportunity House, and AHOPE. We had lunch at Layla. There were a few familiar faces of children I had met in the spring, but many of them had gone to families in America.

Opportunity House is a newer facility. They are working with developmentally disabled children. They are providing therapy and day care for children living with family in neighborhood as well as orphaned children with special needs. The children were amazing, so happy, and playful. When Ivy came in there were screams of joy, which quickly turned to tears of emotion they just couldn't contain. These children are truly special and are now receiving therapy that will allow them to reach their potential. One adoptive mom came back to the guesthouse, and said this was her dream come true. She was an occupational therapist and had some really great ideas of things to send along with future traveling parents.

AHOPE had moved their facilities since I was there last. They have a beautiful new play area, with lots of flowers, and even a few sheep. It is a larger facility with a lovely sitting area that allows children to meet with their families in a comfortable setting. There were a few more children here as well. They were a lot of fun to play with. Jubilee snatched up the baby and carried her around the entire time. Honeybee was a special guest. Everywhere we went people called out her name and came running with open arms. She did not always love this attention, but it had to do her heart good to know that so many people loved her.

We ended our tour with walk to the Yilma Hotel. There was a woman from the US in town doing some work with local Ethiopians. Meeting her was a wonderful treat. She introduced us to Royal Tonic, which you cannot find in the US, at least not in Idaho or Indiana. We heard about great things God is doing in Ethiopia with His people there. She had some really great stories about business practices. The solution to too many phone calls, throw away your phone and get a new number. The banking system are not clearly understood (or maybe they have been reading about the current banking issues in the US), so many people just carry their huge amounts of money with them, always. I guess it beats some of our practices of burying it in the backyard, or stuffing it in our mattresses. It was a very interesting visit, and I am anxious to see how God uses the seeds that were planted in that hour.

Jubilee and Honeybee feasted on Doro Wat, which made them very happy. I did attempt to make Doro Wat the other night. I think Jubilee appreciated the effort, but the results left something to be desired.