Reflection

It has already been 3 and a half weeks that we have been home with Kidest. I think Chris and I are just finally finding time to talk through and really refect on our time in Ethiopia. I think the question I am struggling with right now is what do I do with what I know now? I used to know of the millions of orphans in Africa, because I have read alot of books on the subject. I know alot of staggering, sad statistics of these children. Now I have seen them, touched them and hugged them. They have faces, faces that I can't get out of my head. Eyes of hope and smiles that you can't believe. They find Joy in the simple. We keep trying to find it........in places we won't. Oh, in so many ways they seem to have it right, where we seem to have it wrong. So what do you do when you know there is a 17 year old, that you have hugged...who is now out of a job because she needed to travel to the city in order to appear in court for the adoption of her daughter. What about all the children, hungry, sick, and just needing love. What about the verse from Matthew 25 where the righteous ask Jesus " When did we see you hungry and feed you , or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' Verse 40: The King will reply, ' I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the lease of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' This verse then goes to Jesus speaking to those on His left and says that when He was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat..........and then at the end they ask ;Lord when did we see you hungry or thirsy or needing clothes or sick or in prison (orphanage) or needing clothes or sick or in prison and did not help you? He will reply; 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did NOT do for one of the leaset of these, you did NOT do for me.'
What does this look like? Is it different for everyone? If we deny ourselves and live fully for Him....I don't think we would be quite as comfortable as we are now. Anyway, these are the struggles going on in my head right now.

Kidest is doing great! She continues to be full of joy, smiles,a little sass and energy! All of the kids are starting to adjust to having her around...not as whiny as the last few weeks. Each week gets a little easier. Things like making it to the grocery store AND getting all the groceries is a big accomplishment! The first time we got 2 things on the list and had to get out of there due the the fact she wanted to eat everything and didn't understand why she couldn't! Everything is a first!

Sarah in Ethiopia

Sarah Zuidema, a social worker at Bethany Christian Services is in Ethiopia right now. She is an awesome writer ( and hilarious). Her posts are very descriptive of Ethiopia, so you really get a feel for how it is there. She also is at alot of the places we visited. There are some children she also talks about who desperately need a home. Maybe someone who reads this will feel called to make them part of their family. Check it out!! You can find her blog, by going to my blog list on the side of my blog and click on Sarah Zuidema.

Pictures at Home!

JOY

Really, Joy is what Kidest has brought to our household. Joy amidst the juggling of 4 children now...all of whom are also adjusting....and amidst the atempts of trying to figure out what an Amharic speaking 4 year old needs, and in keeping up with her (literally) as she discovers new things every day! No, it has not been easy by any means, but those moments of joy make you forget all the difficult ones. I am really not kidding about her being busy, which is why I have not posted anymore pics on here....hopefully later this week....An example, the kids were all home from school and I was helping Chloe with her homework. Kidest was in her bedroom dressing a stuffed cat. Only a couple minutes later Chloe walk in her room and says Kidest isn't there. Well, she likes to hide sometimes and scare us...so this is what we figured she was doing. We couldn't find her.... and then there is a knock on the front door and there she is with her face against the window, grinning big as ever. We let her in and she is laughing..ha ha and she points to the basement. Sure enough, she had unlocked the doors, deadbolt and all and went in her socks around the whole house to the front door! I was glad she came to the front door and didn't visit any of the neighbors. In Ethiopia, she was a runner...give her little space and she would run...usually the other way from us, laughing as she went thinking it was hilarious. Could be something to do with the big gate she was locked behind for 7 months at the orphanage? Needless to say, we called my father in law who owns a lock company and said we need some kind of childproof locks or something!! I need an extra set of eyes on her. Anyway, pictures will come, hopefully soon...we are just busy doing life right now!!