In the morning we went to the TH. When you arrive, the driver blows the horn to get the gate opened. The vans FULL of parents pull in and unload. The kids that were waiting on their families were on the playground. She was so happy to see us. She grabbed her Daddy by the hand before he even made it out of the van.
Our daughter is a very active child, but on this day....I got her to sit on my lap for just a little while. For the first time, I planted little kisses on her cheek and her neck. She giggled in delight! She colored with her big sister and then without waring we were off and running again.
On this morning, some families were saying goodbye to their children and tree families were at court. One of our daughter's little friends had been sent out to wait on her family, but they were at court so we added her to our play that day. At recess, ALL the big kids come out from school and they ALL want a little of your attention. They are all so precious. I bet everyone of you reading this would consider adopting an older child if you spent one morning with these kids.
That morning when the parents loaded back into the van, our daughter hovered at the open sliding door until she realized we were sticking out hands out the window to her. She took our hands....and I got my first kiss from her! (freely offered, not even asked for). At that moment, my heart was SO FULL! (tears are streaming as I think about it) I am so in love with this child!
We met up with the court families for lunch and then we visited two local orphanages. These are well run and well maintained orphanages in the capital city. The kids were so sweet as they sang and played games. The girls and I, along with one of my friends and her two daughters, made 75 silk hair clip flowers to distribute to the girls in the orphanage. They looked so pretty with them in their short hair, but the surprise was the joy they brought to the workers. Some of the workers put them in their own hair, but most wanted them for their daughters at home.
We had our first coffee ceremony at the first orphanage we visited. It is Ethiopian custom to roast coffee beans and make fresh coffee for your guests. It is wonderfully strong coffee that leaves "mud" in the bottom of your tiny little cup.
At the second orphanage we visited, the older kids were in one large classroom for school. We interrupted them with an art project. It was organized chaos as we painted their hands and then cleaned them. The result was beautiful! I wish I could show you all of their smiling little faces.
Every one of these hand prints represents a child who is waiting for a forever family. Just think about it.
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