Meeting the Orphans and Some Home Visits

What an amazing morning!

11.09.12

We spent a couple of hours with the first 150 of 300 children we would be seeing here in Hosanna.  Greeted by the children saying, “Welcome. Welcome. Welcome.” was simply amazing.   I wish you could hear their sweet accents as they spoke the English words! We were all taken back with the love we received from all of these children. 

Words cannot express the awesomeness of God in that place.

Children singing praises to God, so happy and joyful with so little! 

Jesus Loves Me, This Little Light of Mine, and I Will Make You Fishers of Men were among the songs we taught them.

Here is one of the songs they sang and taught us.

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Another amazing morning!

11.10.12

Back in August our church started a sponsorship program with Hope Chest and the children we have been spending time with.  Our family is sponsoring a young girl named Emebet.  And today, Hannah and I met her!!!  We tried not to overwhelm her with too many kisses, but it was difficult to keep from hugging her!  (We will send pictures when we get home.)

We were able to spend another morning with the children at the school.  They just look at you waiting for you to hold out your arms or offer a smile.  When you do, they joyfully accept!  They crawl into your arms excitedly and grin from ear to ear!  Even the older boys and girls LOVED being hugged and loved!  What a gift to be able to be with them!

Later that afternoon, we visited the pastor's sister.  She knows our team leader and had requested prayer from her and our group.  Days before she had fallen off the ladder.  She lifted her bandage to our discomfort to show us her wound.  Her head had a deep gash and eight stitches.   Our team was able to pray a healing prayer with her.  I have never been a part of something like this.  So powerful calling on the name of Jesus to heal this woman.  It was like an account from one of the gospels when the disciples went out healing people in Jesus' name.  

Three days later this woman visited us at our women's retreat.  The stitches gone.  The gash gone.  Barely visible was the scar.  I remember being in our group singing How Great is Our God and singing it with a whole new declaration.  I always thought I believed in miracles...  the power of God, but I am not sure I truly did.  I realized in that moment I have not truly surrendered my all to Him.  I have limited in my thoughts of what God does and His awesome and mighty power.  

I pray I will never forget what God has shown me on this journey!

We then met friends of our leader, Marybeth.  The family met us with such hospitality, humility, and a love for our Lord.  In this moment, I saw in the people of Ethiopia something I have not possessed.  A genuine faith that somehow seems different than my own.  Their faith is their life.  Their ways are simple.  They have so little as far as material possessions yet their ability to depend on God is overwhelming and inspiring!

And they share the love and joy of Jesus with everyone they encounter!

True lights in this world!