Day 5 we went to another orphanage here in Addis called Bethzatha. AGCI has been working with Bethzatha to improve their facilities, policies, etc. Most of the kids at Hannah's Hope come from one of Bethzatha's nine orphanages scattered throughout the country, and all of the children spend at least a little time in Bethzatha's Addis facility for processing and health checks before heading over to Hannah's Hope (that's how I understand it, at least...) There are some beautiful children at Bethzatha, and it hurt me to see them there. During our time at Hannah's Hope, every child there had already been matched with a family, but all of the children at Bethzatha are still waiting...Made me wish we were bringing a few more kiddos home with us.
We headed back to the hotel for a quick lunch, and then we got to go see Mamush again. I just have to say (again) that he is absolutely ADORABLE! We were there during his bath time today. His special mothers said he doesn't like baths, but I think he did pretty well with it all. No tears anyway!
Tonight, Was and Johannes took us out to an Ethiopian restaurant for a cultural dinner. There was amazing music and dancing, and even some comedic skits (a bit hard to follow since they were all in Amharic :)). Nathan even got up on stage and showed off some of his "moves" - hilarious! And the food was delicious.
Day 6. After breakfast, we went over to Hannah's Hope one last time. It was incredibly difficult to say goodbye, and yet, after burying a stillborn baby boy who I knew I wouldn't get to hold again this side of heaven, I felt peace about letting go, trusting that God would bring Mamush and I back together again in His time. Maybe that sounds cheesy to say, but it's true.
In the afternoon, Solomon took several of us couples to the museum inside of the University of Addis Ababa. Our tour guide there said he's going to send us some information on the region where Mamush was born; I hope he follows through because I'd really like to learn more about Mamush's birth place and the people and traditions there.
We left Ethiopia that night. I cried when our airplane left Ethiopian soil. It hurt something inside of me to leave. I don't know if it's just because we had to leave Mamush behind or because I'm mourning the loss of my new-found love for the culture and people of Ethiopia. But, I hurt.
Us at the cultural dinner
Yummy Ethiopian food!
The museum on the University campus
Trademark Hannah's Hope - colorful, clean laundry drying all over the place; it was a beautiful sight!
1 comment:
i can't believe it's almost time for you to go back! i'm so happy that you didn't have to leave Mamush for too long! (i mean i know every day you had to leave him was one day too long!) i can't wait to see your little guy! i've been hopeful for some more movement soon, but sounds like if all the kiddos were already matched that may not happen :( but you're about to open one more crib, so maybe!!!
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