Ethiopia 2013 Part 1

So I've been home for a few days and had some time to process and think about our trip. I would definitely say this was the best trip yet.  I don't think I've ever been this emotional in my life. My poor husband was very understanding, but I bet he wondered if I would ever stop crying!

Our week started off at church at Beza and it was awesome worshiping with other believers from half way across the world, serving the same God! And the kiddos around were a bonus!:) The pastor at Beza is great. He gave a wonderful Palm Sunday service. How cool that we were in Ethiopia on Palm Sunday? So cool.

Monday we heading to Trees of Glory. Last year I met a amazing little girl named Tigist whom I fell in love with. It always amazes me how you can meet a person 1 time see them once and year and love them with all your heart. You see we looked into adopting Tigist because the children in the Trees of Glory area are in a tough situation and some of them do not have families. But she had a family who loves her, so that is right where she belongs. But I love her like she is mine.

So we get to the school and I had been talking talking talking about how excited I was to see her and guess what, she wasn't there:(. I was heartbroken. But my awesome friend Fikre called her father and he promised she would be there on Tuesday. So I enjoyed the rest of my day handing out care packets to the kiddos from their American sponsors. One thing that broke my heart during the care packages were that we had so many sponsors that didn't send their children a packet. It made me angry to see the 50+ children without a package. These kids have NOTHING and this one of 2 times they get a bag. It literally takes 30 minutes to go to Target fill a small ziploc, write a note and send it to the representative.  I don't understand. So the looks on the kids faces was unforgettable. Thankfully we had extra things so they all got something.

The thing about the kids there is that the instant they get their bags, they start SHARING it. I always find myself wondering about my own children. No way would they start sharing their Christmas/Birthday presents right when they get him. And that always makes me sad.

So on Tuesday we headed back to Trees of Glory and guess who was there? My baby girl!!! Tigist was there. I took one look at her dropped my stuff and ran and picked her up. Pretty sure I barely let her out of my sight for 8 hours! I held her loved on her, kissed her, prayed over her. So much fun. Also we got to paint her nails! And she was so precious blowing them for 30 minutes. When I sat her down for lunch she patted her bench because she wanted me to sit with her. And if I was away from her I would randomly find her and kiss her so she had no doubt that I loved her. But my heart melted and I will never forget her little voice look up at me and say "I love you Ali!" Talk about emotional.

It came time to leave and I was dreading this part of the day. I hugged her and she buried her little lips into my cheek with the biggest kisses ever for about 5 minutes. We kept hugging each other and kissing each other. I told her I loved her and would always pray for her and sent her with the older child to walk her home. About 2 minutes later I feel a little tug at my shirt and I look down and it is Tigist with her arms up for me to hold her. Again, melting my heart. So I kissed my hand and had her kiss hers and we put them together and I told her I would always love her. I walked her out to the street and prayed for her all the way. And that was my day with Tigist.

But the thing that made me the most sad was that she didn't look as healthy as she did last year. She was so skinny and her teeth had gotten must worse. Her hair was turning red and brittle. That is the first sign that she is malnourished. Please pray for my girl that she would be healthy and well taken care of.