Loving Ethiopia

This morning I opened our most recent newsletter from IOCC, the charitable arm of the Orthodox Church. Besides numerous stories of lives transformed from the aid provided by this agency, there were two in particular which caught my attention. One story was from Addis Ababa and one from Wolayta, the town in which my daughter was born and where her birth family continues to live; both from the land where less than a week ago my feet were grounded. For others, these will just be inspiring stories, but for me, they are everything. And so the ache and the tears begin anew.

When you adopt a child internationally something mysterious transpires between you and land from whose womb your child was born. A sacred covenant is formed as the mother land sacrificially offers up one of her children to be raised in a place and culture not her own. As a mother, you will swear your allegiance to this country, pledging to identify with her in such a way that your children will revere the place of their birth, knowing all the while your efforts will likely be inadequate. Despite the magnitude of this bond, it is usually forged quite unexpectedly as a pang sears your heart and from that pain love begins to grow. From this gift of love, you will receive deep joy but also tremendous sorrow as you mourn the loss and hunger to return.

Day Two: Around Addis

I thought at one point I would write a post entitled, "The Sounds Outside My Room." Perhaps I still will. This picture was taken from our bathroom window. Each day I would listen to sounds of the children in the Holt Care Center intermixed with roosters crowing, and the general hubbub of a city beginning a new day. 

Doing two of the things we love best: reading and drinking coffee.

Our second day was packed full of activities. First was the tour of the Institute of Ethiopian Studies by a young, vibrant man wearing jeans embossed with Bob Marley and Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie.

A painting of St George slaying the dragon in the museum's entrance. Of course we loved that. St. George is especially revered in Ethiopia. On St. George's Day in 1896 the Ethiopian Army, carrying an alter containing the relics of St. George before them, defeated the invading Italians and consequently remain the only African country never to be colonized.

Lunch outside the National Museum which houses the oldest known human skeleton affectionately named Lucy (after the Beatles tune Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds which was popular at the time of her discovery.) We unfortunately did not get to visit the museum. 

Lots of soda drinking for Thomas while in Ethiopia.

The traditional coffee ceremony. Lovely every time.

Coffee served with sweetened popcorn.

Next back to the Care center to visit Little Lu. 

And finally a trip to the Crown Hotel for an evening of traditional Ethiopian food and dancing. Prior to eating, a woman went around with a basin, soap, and water for us to wash our hands. I love ceremony. 

Yummy, yummy food. 

We were so blessed that Simon and Mandy, who were also adopting a little girl, brought their three children too. Thomas with his new friends. 

Not really sure what that face is all about. Perhaps time to go "home" for the night.