Little Miss In-Charge

Last night Colin told me that Kali had started a club and was president.  Colin added, "All seven of us are in it - not that we were given a choice." Kali told me that the club was about boys following rules.  While I was cooking dinner, all seven kids headed back to the girls' room for a meeting.  I heard some people muttering about a dictator under their breath. In the picture you can see Kali in her president's chair, her sisters not paying attention and her older brothers' feet. The meeting didn't last long - the boys were laughing and Kali sounded frustrated:)  Keep going  Kali - leadership is hard work!

Feeding the troops

I forgot what it is like feeding the kids lunch during the summer.  My seven, plus there is always at least one or two extra friends around.  I made grilled cheese and used the whole loaf of bread I bought this morning and all of the sliced cheese - they asked for more.  They finished up the watermelon, some apples, a can of chicken noodle soup and some enchilada soup. This was after the large popcorn and refill at the movie theatre. (It is $2 Tuesday for movie tickets.  We saw Rio and it was cute:)

Does anyone have some good large quantity lunch suggestions?!

Great first meeting with our new little guy

Last Saturday Brad and I met T. in Adama, Ethiopia.  He was scared of us at first, but we gave him some anaimal crackers and a new ball and he warmed up to us quickly:)  He is 3 years old and just adorable.  He loves kicking and passing balls - I think we have a eighth soccer player for our family.

The YWAM orphanage where he is, is holy ground. It is a widows and orphan home run by an amazing woman of Christ, Tezera. While we were visiting T. we heard singing.  I looked around and realized it was coming from the babies’ room.  I asked Tezera and she opened the door to the babies room where each nanny was holding a baby and singing and clapping.  Tezera explained it was shift change. She then lead them in prayer.  It was in Amharic but we recognized each babies name.  I believe they were praying over each child.

After the orphanages I have seen in Russia, the sweetness of this “shift change” brought tears to my eyes. It was wonderful t to see the widows and children living together under the precious care of Tezera and the nannies.

We attended court on Tuesday, but our case did not pass because the MOWA approval letter was not there. Hopefully, it will arrive in the next three weeks and the judge will pass the case. At any rate, our part is done and we do not need to appear in court again. Our job is again to wait:)

Another highlight of the trip was meeting three other YWAM families - I liked them immediately and hope we will see each other again sometime.

We stayed at the Ethio Comfort Guest House, where I stayed last year.  Seeing Tsebay, who runs the guest house, was like seeing a dear friend again.  I love her and it was great meeting her new husband when he came to pick her up to go to a Bible study.

Graduation

Luke graduated from high school yesterday.  It was a wonderful ceremony and we all cheered when he received his diploma!

Luke and his buddy, Tim.  They were co-MVP's of the varsity soccer team.

We had a delicious lunch with family back at home.  Then last night they had an all night grad party at school.  I picked him up at 6am and now he is sleeping:)