What could be better than waking up to a macchiato. Brought to your room by the sweetest Ethiopian man. His name – we think – is Wadasa. His smile is contagious and lights up the room. When he knocks, you can barely hear it. You have to listen very carefully.

Our day was full today. Shopping, some sight seeing – and we went to the most beautiful park in the hills. Not sure, but it was some sort of plantation and the old house is still on the property. Now they show art in the house and we were able to meet one of the artists. He showed us all of his work including one piece that took him an entire year to make.

The highlight of the day was meeting the director of Bethazata Children’s Home that the boys went to before they went to All God’s Children. It is run by a man named Samuel and we were able to spend about an hour with him. It was a gift to hear him talk about his philosophy on the children of Ethiopia and what he thinks about adoption.

We were grateful that we both believe that if the family can be given assistance, it is better for the children to be with their family. However, circumstances can be such where assistance cannot help and then adoption is the best alternative. He also provides assistance for families and gives them monthly provisions so they are able to keep their family together. He also seeks to get the church involved with the community. He is a leader in his own church, but people aren’t interested in helping the poor. He said that people in Addis don’t even come to the home to provide any help.

He gave up a successful marketing career at the Sheraton (big hotel here) to start this ministry nearly 15 years ago.

We also visited Ethiopia Reads – a Denver Based organization – that started the first children’s library in Ethiopia. Their main goal is to start libraries in schools around Addis Ababa and Awasa. You’d be amazed at all the books. Amanda even found her favorite childhood book on horses. Another part of their ministry is to provide safe jobs for young girls to help at the compound – which also teaches them the skill of reading. We met a young American boy (12) who is spending his summer in Addis to teach other children how to read English.

We were at an art gallery today and ran into a woman that started a bible school in Awasa. They have trained more than 400 pastors to reach out to the muslim community.

So, today has been a day filled with hope for Addis.

The Lord is working here. We are thankful to have seen it with our own eyes and heard with our own ears.

The body of Christ is at work.

Blessings – M & A

Shout out to Abigail…. The doro-wat was too good tonight. We’ll make it when we get home J we thought of you all through dinner.