First, I need to apologize for not finishing my story sooner. At first it was almost in a desire not to... that is my heart wanted to stay there and by not finishing my story in some sense I could stay there. But then as the days passed, life interrupted and got ever so busy with school starting back (remember I'm a teacher). But alas, you deserve the rest of the story, even if the details are somewhat fuzzy now in my mind and I end up abbreviating some of what happened. So, here goes...
The next day was Saturday and we began our day by visiting the bazaar at a local church. There are lots of hand-made crafts and foods, all benefiting local craftsmen. It was a pure pleasure to get to be there and I accomplished nearly all my shopping for my trip. The rest of the team enjoyed themselves as well.
Around lunchtime we headed out toward the Orphanage, with our luggage in tow! We had retrieved it from the airport the evening before and we (the four of us who had our luggage delayed) were SO thankful to have clean clothes, all our toiletries and supplies. Our first stop was at the hotel, to drop off luggage, then it was on to the Orphanage. Much of the rest of Saturday was like Friday. It was a shear blessing to get to be with the kids, but especially to be with my daughter. She is remarkable, She is amazing, and She is Mine by the grace of God.
The next day was Sunday and we attended the church that our kids from the Orphanage attend in the town. It was a beautiful service. They had each of us get up and introduce ourselves. We were also able to take pictures. Watching true worship, worship we couldn't even understand was humbling. These kids... they LOVE GOD.
We were able to have lunch that day with the director of the Orphanage and we were able to bring my daughter with us to lunch as well. The afternoon was spent back at the Orphanage enjoying the kids. I think it was also that day when the team discovered the love the kids have for dancing and their recognition of many pop culture songs from America... so out came the IPhones with speakers and a dance party ensued! So. Much. Fun!
Monday was another beautiful day at the Orphanage, but the day was tainted by the fact that this was the last day. Tuesday we would stop back by only briefly to collect empty luggage and say our final good-byes. Yes, Monday was hard. We had a prayer time with the kids before we left that evening. But even harder was Tuesday.
On Tuesday I had to leave my daughter at an orphanage and later day evening fly out of the country. How do you do that? I mean ... what mother leaves her child half-way around the world with no idea when she will return? She was in tears. I was in tears. This was hard. Too hard. Even now I cling to the promise from My God that I will return and there will be a day when she will come home.
My trip home was uneventful, well almost anyway. There was confusion initially at the airport when I got there about my arrival flight canceling out my return flight. But by the time I was actually there at the airport I was emotionally done. All I wanted was to be home with Abi, Eli and Jeff. Well, that's not quite true, but it was all I knew that I could actually have happen at the moment. Thankfully the airline was able to get things straightened out. I had a 7 hour layover in Turkey but otherwise things went well. I slept a lot on the plane and I read a lot. I was on my way home.
I will update you on all that has happened since I returned home nearly 3 months ago in my next post. I will do my best for that post not to be too far in the future as well.
Having your heart on two different continents is so hard, and so much harder the longer we go. I ache to return to Ethiopia. I try not to dwell on it too much, again another reason not to update my blog. It's too painful to think on for too long. I know I must trust God. He has brought us to this point and only He can bring her home.
