Ethiopia 2015 - Day 4 - Delivering a Gift, Church in Korah, Catholic Orphanage, Ethiopian Restaurant

Today was our first full day in Ethiopia.  After a good night's sleep, we were ready!

Our morning began with a visit from one of the first "Kolfe boys".  Let me explain.  When our friends, the Mestas', went to Ethiopia eight years ago to adopt their three youngest, they visited Kolfe Orphanage.  Habtamu was one of the boys who walked around the orphanage with them and translated for them since he spoke some English.  They have kept in touch with him all these years.  Habtamu graduated from university earlier this year so the Mestas' sent him a graduation gift with me.  I had the honor of meeting Habtamu and delivering his gift.  Since he was at the guest house, we invited him to spend the day with us.  He did and we are so glad!


Habtamu showing off his unofficial degree.  The real one arrives later this year.

 

My team wanted to go to "a real Ethiopian church".  I heard that my friend Hirchie from Tennessee was preaching at a church in Korah.  We had an easy decision of deciding where to attend church. It was the first time for some of my team members to hear a service with an interpreter.  Interestingly enough, the service was held in the building where I did my first mission trip to Ethiopia.  I saw some familiar faces and got some hugs.

 

My friend, Stacy, arrived in Korah just as we were leaving church.  While Stacy, Hirchie and I were trying to have a photo together, the kids were making certain we would remember them as well.  :)

 

One of the church leaders finally ran the kids off long enough for us to get a photo.

 

After lunch we went to an orphanage run by two Catholic nuns.  Jimmy had lots of "baby time" while we were there.

 Emily, Jimmy and I chatted with one of the nuns for a bit.  She is from the island of Malta.  She has been serving in this orphanage for over 40 years.  She has adults come back years later to thank her for the care they received as children before they were adopted.  I talked with one young man who had been there until he was 13 years old.  He and his sister were adopted by an American family six years ago.  He decided to return to the orphanage for six weeks during the summer to serve as a volunteer.  The nun said this is very normal to have adopted kids return years later to serve.  She said they make the best volunteers because they know how the current children feel.  "They only want a family.  All of them.  They just want a family."

 

 

Brock passed out some treats to the older kids who were watching a movie.

 

We took the opportunity to experience some Ethiopian culture for dinner.

 

 

Two of the boys Kim's family sponsors were able to join us.  It was their first time at the restaurant so we had fun watching them watch the performers.  :)

 

Our team: Emily, Temeche, Sabrina, Jimmy, Brock, Ethan, Kim and her boys