The first Thursday after we arrived I had the opportunity to go with our ministry host, Ralph, and all the kids and house moms on a local mission trip. The idea for the day was to take all the kids at HOPEthiopia to other schools and orphanages to connect with the other kids and share Jesus’ love with them. We all piled into this crazy looking green school bus and drove the scenic Ethiopian roads clapping and singing the whole 2 and a half hour ride.
Throughout the day we went to three places. One was a school/orphanage where they take in the kids and mothers and provide housing and schooling. The second was a kindergarten and the third an orphanage for special needs. At each place Ralph would introduce HOPEthiopia and then our kids would lead songs and have the other kids join in. At the kindergarten, we pulled out our huge parachute and the kids went CRAZY. The loved running underneath the colorful sky it crated for them. We told them the Christmas story and was able to love on them. The hardest part of the whole day was seeing the difference in the HOPEthiopia kids from all the others. Our kids are literal rockstars. They’re healthy and energetic, full of life because love is constantly poured into them. A lot of the other kids were sick, you could just tell that their life isn’t the same. They’re not surrounded by constant love and it’s evident. Thats how impactful a loving vs. and not so loving environment can be.
It was amazing to see of our kids pouring out love onto the other kids.
The last place we went to was an orphanage for special needs kids, most of them were abandoned by their parents. These kids stole my heart, let me tell you. There was one little boy named Roberro and he is 3 years old. He was dropped off at HOPEthiopia’s doorstep about 2 months ago. He was severely neglected his whole life and completely unresponsive. They brought him to this orphanage and when I saw him everyone recognized tremendous growth in him. He doesn’t talk but his eyes could follow you and you could tell he was aware of his surroundings. I got to just sit there and hold him and I’ve never felt the power of love more. I knew just holding him against my chest as I squeezed him super tight giving him plenty of kisses was doing loads for his little brain. He is so loved and I know how he’s going to keep growing and developing is through love.
Another little 3 year old there was named Lullay. He’s a smart little guy but was abandoned by his mother and his father ran away before he was born. One of his hands only has two fingers and neither of his legs are fully developed. Our little 3 year old named Dereja (der-edge-ay) came over and was hitting the beach ball back and forth with Lullay. That was it. The only goal for the whole day. To have our kids make connection with other kids. The Bible says to spread the good news and just as we do that as missionaries, these kids have the same calling. So cool to see. I got to hold Lullay and my heart melted completely, again. I took him to the field where all the kids were playing and it hurt my heart to see him wobbling around on his little stubs. He will never have a normal life where he can do all the things other kids can do. His spirit is strong and you feel that when you’re near him.
The whole day I was on cloud 9. I have never experienced joy like I did that day. Pure joy from the Lord. The faith and belief it requires these people to keep going even if things are hard. I saw people pray like never before. I’ve always believed in the power or prayer, but before this I always struggled with knowing and believing that you’re actually talking to the Father. These people weren’t just talking to their father, they were proclaiming, declaring, and praising Him. It was powerful. These people have a faith like I’ve never experienced before. An unwavering faith and it is all consuming. That whole day was probably the best day of my life and that is what I’m living for. For the immense amount of joy from the Lord. Smiling faces all day and a love like I’ve never seen. The Lord is so good. He is here and moving every second. It’s a feeling you can’t describe. It’s love. Wow. Seeing our kids share God’s love in big ways is impactful and I wish everyone could see it.
