Day of Preparation

Well once again it has been another jam packed day.  Our driver and interpreter Markos picked us up at 10am.  Candy and Rob were already in the car.  We stopped at a bakery and ordered the cakes for the good bye party at the orphanage tomorrow.  We then proceeded to the orphanage to meet our boys.  Once again as soon as Ibssa saw us he came running to give us a big hug.  Markos was there so he told Ibssa to call us Mommy and Daddy, he was a little shy but then he said it with a big smile that would melt anyone’s heart.  He really does have the sweetest smile. 



I had brought an interactive book along to read to Ibssa.  He totally enjoyed it.  He loved moving all of the flaps. 

Karen & Ibssa with pop-up book

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Paul started playing cars with him and was getting him to count to 3 before vrooming the car back and forth.  He obviously knows his numbers because one time he said 4!  We took a lot of pictures today so that we would have these for Ibssa to go back and look at when he wants to see his Mammies and his friends.  I am sure it will be a time of loss for him when he doesn’t have his roommates around to play with, Paul is a good substitute, but not the real thing. LOL. I also took pictures of the other children (probably wasn’t supposed to) so that if any of our Canadian friends got referrals, we may have pictures we could share with them.  We had so many people do that for us, I wanted to be able to do it for someone else someday. 

 


We stayed until lunch time. and was able to see Ibssa saying grace - it was so sweet.  We left around 1pm.

 

Ibssa leading grace at lunchtime




Our driver Markos playing with kids

 













Markos took us shopping for some more last minute items.  I have been getting a feel for what Ibssa is eating.  We purchased all kinds of things today like fruits and vegetables, a pasta pot, a step stool so Ibssa can reach the sink, a soccer ball, and soda and cookies for good bye party.  Candy and Rob had to pick up a bunch of baby stuff too.  They will be going through mountains of bottled water because their baby is still on formula and they have to sterilize baby bottles.  It’s kind of crazy because we went to a different place for each of the items.  Markos knows the cheapest places for everything.  We are happy to be supporting the little guy in his little shack selling groceries.  We also exchanged more money today because we have to pay for 20 pizzas tomorrow.  Markos did this to.  He is truly an angel sent to us from all of your prayers.  We finished by 5pm and then decided to go out for dinner.  We ate at a restaurant at the Dreamliner hotel.  It was really good once again.  However, I am learning that it is best to head home after the big meals so we are close to our new best friend, the washroom.  Nothing major but I just don’t want to give up my princess standards just yet.  LOL.  The washrooms outside our hotel are always an adventure I am not always up for.

I am thinking of telling Elisabeth, the orphanage director, that I could bring some of the scarves home to Canada to sell for her.  They are really beautiful woven scarves.  I would sell them for $25 and all of the profits would go to help support the school which she runs for empowering young woman with skills so they can work in the community.  If you are interested in these, just send us a message telling me the colour if you like, by comment on this blog, email – pgresty@sympatico.ca , or by facebook.  It would be a wonderful way of supporting her ministry.

There is so much need here in Addis Ababa.  At every corner there are children wanting to shine your shoes, children begging for money, disabled people hobbling around, and beggers, beggers, beggers. I am praying every day where God will lead me as a servant to His ministry.  If you could pray for this to I would greatly appreciate it. 

A street coffee wagon (donkey in background)

Here is an example of something that another adoptive Canadian mom did while she was here a couple of months ago.  She became friends with a group of young shoe shine boys who were living on the street.  She decided to support them by purchasing a canvass tent for them to sleep in so they now have someplace to call home.  She bought them new clothes, and regularly took them out for dinner.  She will be sending money to continually support these boys from now on with the help of Markos.  She even took them to the Sheraton Hotel for an afternoon swim along with her family.  She also bought two new washing machines for the orphanage and rented a bouncy castle for the children of the orphanage to play in for an afternoon. (Who knew you could rent a bouncy castle in Ethiopia and it was only $75).  She also took a bunch of scarves to sell for Elizabeth and her woman’s ministry.  She is truly an inspiration to me.

Martha called us today to tell us our documents were in for the next step.  We will meet with her on Friday.  I think after this step we will be able to apply for Ibssa’s Ethiopian Passport.  One step closer to coming home.

Well time to sign off.  Once again, another big day tomorrow.  Our son gets to stay with us permanently.

Chow for now

Karen