Heading West

We arose before dawn this morning to head west to the Wolega region of Ethiopia. We were filled with anticipation of seeing the village of Gimbie, where our daughter was abandoned, as well as to meet the soon to be son and daughter of dear friends of ours who are also adopting through YWAM.

Abebe arranged a driver for us and his brother, Joseph, to translate for us. Tezerra, the director of the orphan and widows homes also accompanied us. We loaded the van with needed supplies of medicines and formula we had brought for the orphanage in Gimbie and Nekemte . We were on our way. We enjoyed seeing parts of Addis we had not seen before on the way out of the city. We drove through several towns on the way. Markets were held along the road and the towns people would gather in large numbers to buy necessities for the week. It never ceases to amaze me in, seeing these large numbers of people, that God knows each one by name and cares about each and every need and each desire of their heart.

The roads were good for the first part of the trip but soon gave way to those that had significantly deteriorated and were filled with huge pot holes. Our driver had to zig-zag around the pot holes as well as many animals in the road…cows, donkeys, goats, etc. This went on for hours. The windy roads combined with the zigzagging made for a queasy stomach. I so enjoyed the distraction of talking with and getting to know Tezerra. She is a dear woman who is walking in obedience to God’s calling and caring for the orphans and widows of Ethiopia. She shared her amazing story of God giving her a vision over 7 years ago that she would have a home where the orphans and widows live together. She persevered in prayer for over 7 years and God brought her Joy Casey and the YWAM ministry in Ethiopia. Her participation with YWAM was confirmed when the YWAM team gave her a gift of an apron…the same one she saw herself wearing in her dream. Since then she has grown the ministry and now directs orphanages in 4 Ethiopian towns. She has gained the respect of MOWA, the Ministry Of Women’s Affairs in Ethiopia. She is a blessing to all who know her.

While traveling, Tezerra was listening to her iPod, which she saved up for, and Joy sent to her from the States. When a song in English would come on, she would allow me to listen and we took turns listening to the music throughout the trip. One song was a praise song by Phillips , Craig, and Dean….Pour My Love On You. As I listened to the words and overlooked the countryside of this country and continent that I have come to love, I couldn’t hold back the joy in my heart and the praise I wanted to give my Amazing, Almighty God for putting Africa on our hearts many years ago and orchestrating His plan to bring us to this moment in time. To God be the Glory!!!

Like oil upon your feet, like wine for you to drink,

like water from my heart, I pour my love on you….

We were relieved to arrive in Nekemte, where we would stay the night before heading to Gimbie early the next morn. In Nekemte, we visited the orphanage there. Currently there were four babies. One only days old which had been abandoned in the jungle and by God’s grace was found before the hyenas found it. Another who was saved by the police after the mother attempted to drown it after birth. Many of the babies have teenage single birth mothers who would be outcast from society with no hope for the future as a single mother.

I enjoyed playing with 2 of the babies. I gave them some tummy time on the floor where they could work on head and upper body control. The babies are typically malnourished and require formula to give them needed nutrition. The formula is very expensive in Ethiopia. They consider it liquid gold. It is truly amazing to see the difference it makes. Tezerra showed us a picture of one of the babies who was just skin and bones and on the verge of death on arrival to the orphanage. Now this baby has rolls on his thighs and is thriving. I have pictures of the babies but am not free to post at this time.

After returning from the orphanage, we settled into our room for the night. We slept under a mosquito net for the first time. That was the only thing romantic about our room, but it had electricity and running water so we were happy. We went to sleep knowing we would soon be in the village where our daughter was from…Ahhh…sweet dreams!