We headed out this morning to a small region named Korah, about a 20 minute drive from our Guest House. This is one of the most (if not THE most) impoverished area in the Addis area. We had been hoping to visit the Alert Hospital, the lepracy hospital, and shop in their gift store. The patients make all of the items there and we have heard it is a trip worth making. What we didn't realize is that today is Victory Day, all schools are closed, many businesses are closed..including the gift shop. We also wanted to meet the lady running Project 61, her name is Summer and she is from Thompson Station, TN. She met us around 10:30 and took us on a tour of the village. My mind is still reeling from what I saw, and I don't think I can do it justice at this point. This is poverty like you image you are going to see in third world countries..but you can never prepare yourself for it. 10 people live in an room the size of my bathroom. The dump is nearby, and it is the main reason this village exists. The village is built ON a cemetary. When the gov't created the dump, the people followed so that they could sort through the trash for food, and items that they could resale to make money..very little money. One of our translators from our guest house grew up there and has a phenomenol testimony..he is very close with everyone there and was very instrumental in our experience. Summer is an angel! She and her husband just took over this ministry..Project 61...and they find American families who are willing to support an Ethiopian child from the Karah region and send them to a private boarding school in another region. It is a ministry worth knowing about my Tennessee friends! For $600 a child can be housed, clothed and fed for an entire school year....with a top knotch education. Right now they have over 700 kids in the program, many still needing sponsorship. As we walked through the area the kids just flocked around us. If your hand was available it wouldn't be for long..they are very loving children. They were sooo excited to see us with Ty and my friend Sabrina had her daughter too. Frequently the babies would be admired with a touch on their feet, hands or backs. One teen girl walked straight up to me and before I knew it she had leaned in and kissed Ty on his cheek. Amazing. It will be something I pray over tonight and night's to come in hopes of understanding how to process that experience.
Ty is continuing to open up to us and really bless us with his sweet self! He interacts with me mainly and isn't afraid to explore my face with his fingers. We are so glad that he is not a picky eater and has not had any difficulty transitioning to our Gerber products and formula. He has a nasty cold, but other than that he is super healthy. Tonight we went to a very nice Italian restaurant and art museum, Makush. Ty was a polite baby, sat in my lap while i fed him and allowed me to eat too. I know those days won't last long, so I'll brag about them while they last. Brian is the 'closer', and seems to have the magic touch with walking Ty and putting him to sleep, though tonight he just walked him through the art gallery and entertained him as much as Ty was willing. It was dark out on our way home, the first time we've ever been out in the evening. There were many people out and about. Ty loved the lights and fought sleep the entire way home. He went to sleep within 10 minutes of laying down, tired boy!
Tomorrow is our Embassy appointment. Our friends had their appointment on Tuesday and have assured it looks like the DMV with rows of windows and an illuminated number sign. We don't anticipate any surprises and look forward to this last step in this long journey!
This is a bunk room that P61 allows orphans
and women a safe place to sleep.
The welcoming committee in Korah is comprised
of little people with big smiles and a
precious way of winning your heart!
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