Boys with a Future

Sorry for the delay but my editor went to bed as it was a full day.  She always corrects the little details before I publish.

First of all I am alive.  It’s amazing what a good 12 hour sleep after the 3 hour nap does for you.  Thanks for the prayers and emails.

We started the day with no power.  We were told it went out at about 3:30 this morning.  Power came back on about 10:30 but it really didn’t matter except for conserving the hot water.  All hot water tanks are small and are heated with electricity, so when you use it do it quickly.  The stove is propane so Karen was able to make french toast, coffee and we had fresh mangos.  Ibssa decided that he wanted Nutella instead of maple syrup.  The maple syrup we bought here is imported from USA.  I’m not sure why as it was labelled “2% Real Maple Syrup”.  I think they could import from Canada to get that other 98%.

We relaxed pretty much all morning.  We entertained Ibssa for a couple hours with tablet, flashcards, colouring book and markers and then Karen introduced him to play dough.  I think Karen actually played with it more.  Ibssa decided it was time to go out and kick the soccer ball.  By far, kicking the ball is his favorite thing.

Of course when we got out there, the two boys from the guesthouse was out there so dad really wasn’t needed.  They kick the ball with him, put him on their bike, let him sit in the van, play with the dog etc.  While we were out, the mother of the lady that runs the guesthouse came out.  After a short conversation that I didn’t understand (my 5 or 6 Amharic words didn’t cut it) off they went to have some Enjera.  Ibssa returned about 20 minutes later with a smile and Enjera on his shirt and pants.

A quick lunch and then it was nap time.  I think I can get use to nap time but it was Karen’s turn today.  I think I should talk to Ed at work about alternating days for a nap just like were doing here.

We got picked up at 3:30 by Getcho, a driver that was recommended by Shelley Green from Woodstock.  She’s been here a few times and had adopted a little girl about 3 years ago.  Shelley has been so moved by what she’s seen here, that 3 ladies started a group called “Mothers with a heart for Ethiopia”.  Their main goal is to empower women in Ethiopia.  She also sponsors a boy here called Tilahun, but he is more than a sponsor child, he IS her son in Ethiopia.

 

 

When we talked to her before leaving Woodstock we promised we would visit her boy. This was our mission for today as she gave us a gift for him and the other boys that they sponsor.  We travelled to I believe the outskirts of the city.  It’s hard to tell when there is 8 million people in Addis Ababa.  We have heard different numbers depending on who you talk to. 

 

 

 

 

When we got to Tilahun’s house we were so surprised.  This humble home they have is basically 3 rooms.  A livingroom, and two bedrooms.  One bedroom has 4 bunk beds in it and the other has 2.  The kitchen and food preparation is outside off to the side.  I am pretty sure there is a woman who cooks for them.  One would think that this is nothing but as we sat there hearing about their stories, this is luxury to them.  Truly God is at work in Shelley’s heart.  On one of her trips she stumbled upon these street boys.  All of them living on the street or at the dump.  She decided to sponsor one of them and before she left Ethiopia had found sponsors for the other 5. 

The sponsors pay for their accommodations and their schooling.  A couple of the boys spoke perfect English, and all the boys had very good manners and were very gracious hosts. Last year Shelley and her group of sponsors sent these boys to boarding school, this year they decided they wanted to live together as a family and attend school each day. Getting these boys off the street has given them an opportunity that they didn’t have before.  These 6 young men will make a difference.  They take care of each other. 

 

 

They made us coffee and popcorn while we were there by roasting the beans, grinding them and then making the coffee.  This was all done manually as there are no appliances or stoves. These boys made an impression as soon as we met them.  Of course, Ibssa was entertained all the time we were there.  He just seems to be loved by all.  The boys wanted us a watch a movie (documentary) with them that gave us a real look at what it was like for them before they had a “home”.  It was called “Man Up and Go”.  In short it was about a group of men that went to Uganda and Ethiopia to do missionary work for 2 weeks.  Two of the boys that we met today were actually in the movie.  Movie stars? – far from it.  I believe they were living in Korah, the poorest area of the city. They would sleep in a compound run by an Ethiopian minister for people with leprosy. These people were shunned by society and the others came from the dump.

We didn’t have time to see the entire video but we will surely be tracking it down when we get home.  It so touched our hearts that we started our journey off in Uganda and has now brought us to Ethiopia.  God has been with us every step of our journey and as if we weren’t sure, God says “Here watch this video”.

It was about 7 and the least we could do was take these young men out for supper.  We let them decide where we would eat.  After a short discussion, the warmth and love in their hearts picked an American restaurant called Island Breezes.  They wanted their guests to enjoy what we were used to but at the same time they can order their traditional food.

Tilahun shared his meal with Ibssa – a large plate on Enjera.  I have posted a pic of Tilahun & Ibssa sharing their meal (it’s considered an honour if someone feeds you).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We all finished supper and Getcho dropped us off at the guesthouse.  Hugs all around and a group pic of the boys with Getcho and then one with Karen, Ibssa and I with the boys.  What a truly uplifting visit.  Shelley, we truly see how much you touched these boys.  Their love for you radiates from their hearts.  Like most family, there are pictures on their wall of their mother – YOU.  You and these boys are a fine example of just what a little love and faith can do.  We will pray tonight to see how God wants us to move from here.  Please pray with us, I know our work here isn’t done.

How can this day end any better?  Karen’s parents have been away on vacation since early July so when we got the news, we hadn’t talked to them to say good bye.  We were able to email but they would not get them often, as they were in Northern Ontario, Manitoulin island, and Northern Michigan.  Through email, we were able to setup a call via the internet.  We called them and had an actual conversation.  It was Ibssa’s first time hearing someone talk over the computer although I’m sure he didn’t understand.  After some prodding and careful listening, they were able to hear “Hi Grandma”.  We were trying to get him to talk more but he was shy and quite tired from his day.  I tried to get him to go to bed while Karen and her mom finished but he was having no part of that.  He was waiting until the end.  When the conversation was over, a “Chow” was heard as that is a form of good bye here.  Little Ibssa wanted to have the last word.

And with that I must say Chow and we’ll see what tomorrow brings.