Gotcha Day

We loaded up the van with our donations for the Transition House then headed to the post office district to do a little shopping before lunch. It was quite a time. We are not good at bartering!

After shopping, we drove to our lunch spot which was an Italian restaurant with Ethiopian art hanging all over the walls. It was awesome! The food was great but the conversation we had with Robel (AWAA Travel Coordinator) was extraordinary. He has an amazing testimony and a big heart for street kids. We had already sat down and the waiter had squeezed a chair in between Sarita and me for Robel. It was rather strange…but okay. Apparently, God wanted us to hear what he had to say because he blessed our socks off. Our minds are already turning as to help his ministry here.

Next, we headed to the Transition Home to pick up our little ones for good. They will be with us the rest of the week so Sarita and I deemed September 1, 2009 as Gotcha Day. Some of the people in the group took pictures for other families waiting to travel and also give the kids care packages from their moms and dads in the States. It was really cool to see how much joy these kids experienced when receiving the gifts. They just lit up with excitement and thankfulness; a good reminder to take pleasure in the small things in life.

We then talked with the head nurse about Silas’ medical history along with his eating and sleeping schedule. The nanny brought Silas to us and he was groggy because they woke him up from his nap. His main nanny’s name is Shinti. She hugged and kissed all over him and said bye several times. You could tell she really loved and cared for him.
Sarita just lost it!

At the hotel, we got out the beach ball and Silas started going to town kicking it around the room. We grabbed some dinner at the restaurant and cleaned Silas up a little bit. We put him to bed and he was out in about 20 minutes hugging the monkey that Cale gave him.
Thanks Buddy!

Our Wednesday and Thursday schedule have been switched so we will be visiting orphanages tomorrow then the Embassy on Thursday. Pray for us as we visit the orphanages. It is emotional enough seeing the kids at the Transition Home so I can’t imagine how it will be visiting a place with kids that have not been placed with a family.

Cale and Mya, we hope you are doing well and we miss you guys a ton.
We showed Silas a picture of you guys and he grinned from ear to ear.I think he will be excited to see you guys. We love you!