God is Good

Today once again started like any other, but we had to speed it up a bit because we knew we had to go to Abenezer this morning to meet with Ibssa’s mother.  I didn’t hear from Elizabeth, so I assumed they were not coming here.  When I tried her cell, I got no answer.  We are calling today’s blog God is good because everything just seemed to go so smoothly today.  I called Markos at 8:45 and asked if he could pick us up at 9:30.  If he couldn’t then I knew I still had time to arrange another driver.  He said his car was ready and that he would gladly pick us up.  We also had plans to do our tour of interesting shopping spots today.  Low and behold, he actually showed up at 9:30, he had to wait a couple of minutes for me for a change. LOL.  I make fun, but we love Markos to pieces.  He has a really kind heart. 

As we walked into the gates of Abenezer, the staff came rushing over to see Ibssa. They all seemed so genuinely happy to see him and they smothered him with kisses and hugs.  In no time at all Ibssa’s mother came down the side walk.  She had a huge smile on her face and hugged Ibssa for a long time.  That was so nice to see.  A short time later, Elizabeth came in with her driver.  Apparently she was coming to pick up Ibssa’s mother to bring her to our guesthouse.  That would have been good to know, but I really believe this is where God wanted Ibssa to be here today.  There were very few children around today….that seemed odd.  Elizabeth told me they had gone to the Edna mall today.  They have an indoor playground and all kinds of cool things for kids.  I was glad to hear that the children do get out from time to time.  The ones that were still there came to play with Ibssa.  He was thrilled to have some familiar faces to play with.  There was no signs of emotional confusion whatsoever.  I had Markos tell him that he was only visiting today and that we weren’t trying to give him back. LOL.  Ibssa’s mother seemed far more relaxed today.  She was beginning to see that we were really good people and that Ibssa was very happy with us.  Our translators …English to Amharic was Elizabeth and from Amharic to Oromo was the cook from the kitchen.  I was so glad it was a woman this time.  Woman will get all of the details.  We were able to find out that in fact Ibssa does have two siblings.  A sister who is 8 and a brother who is 6.  They have a different father, but they are siblings nonetheless.  She told us their names and said their grandmother was watching them while she traveled to Addis.  Wow!  Elizabeth immediately told her that, had she had known Ibssa had siblings, Abenezer would have sponsored them to go to school, and now they would start.  I immediately jumped in and said that our church would gladly sponsor Ibssa’s siblings to go to school.  I didn’t even think about it, it just jumped out of my mouth.  I guess I'll have to ask first.  If not Paul and I will sponsor them.  His mother was sooooo thankful.  You could see her wall coming down and she became much less guarded.  I asked her if she had married again and she laughed and said no no no! 

 

I told Elizabeth that I wanted to videotape or take pictures of the scarves being woven so the people that ordered them could see and get a good idea of what they had purchased.  She was more than accommodating.  Away we went.  I am certain no one will be disappointed with what they are purchasing.  I could see that they tried their best to accommodate the colours that I had requested. 

 

 She had me take pictures of the rest of the school.  She seemed so proud of what they were accomplishing and rightfully so.  At the end of our tour of the school she handed me the scarf that I saw on our very first day that I said I loved because it was red and white….Canada colours.  She said here, this is a gift for you.  Awwwwww. 
 

 

Before we knew it it was 11am and Markos was picking us up.  Elizabeth took Ibssa to see all of the staff one by one to say goodbye.  They truly love him.  Then it was time to say goodbye to Nurye, Ibssa’s mom, I finally learned how to spell her name.  I told Ibssa to go up to her and give her a hug and a kiss and he did!  Nurye started to cry.  It was such a warm moment and was worth all the effort even though Ibssa really didn’t know who she was.  Thank you Shelley for strongly suggesting that we do this.  I know now that this is a time for closure for his mother, and now her life will be better because her other two children will be going to school.  God is good!  Paul gave her a hug and thanked her for Ibssa.  When she held my hand and hugged me this time, I knew it was genuine and not just her being polite.  What a great feeling.

In case anyone is wondering why there are no pictures of Nurye (Ibssa's mother).  We feel it is to personal and important to share on a blog at this time.  We will share photos when appropriate.  

It was now time for part two of our day.  Markos had lined up many places for us to go to today.  I was hoping Ibssa would last because a nap in the afternoon seems to be an important part of his day.  The first stop was for us to trade in some money US to birr.  Now we were off to the scarf weavers.  I didn’t have the heart to tell Markos that I already had a pretty good supply.  This place was fantastic.  There was a whole room full of weaving machines.  Only a few were working because most had gone for lunch.  We videotaped them weaving.  Our church sewers will be delighted to watch this.  These scarves had way more detail than the other ones.  I purchased several scarves as gifts for me and my friends and family.  They are so beautiful. 

The next stop was to the traditional market.  There was just so much I was overwhelmed.  It takes a lot to overwhelm me when it comes to shopping, but I just didn’t really know what I wanted.  Markos brought me to a stand that sold bedding and tablecloths.  They were all so beautiful and well made.  I ended up purchasing a tablecloth with 12 napkins for 400 birr ($20).  I knew I would kick myself later if I didn’t splurge.  I also bought a purse….surprise.  For those who know me well, it is a weakness of mine.  However, I did buy it as a gift.  I also bought a Ethiopian coloured scarf like thing for Paul to wear when we do talks out our journey.  It was 2pm and Ibssa was starting to fade.  I told Markos, Ibssa needed something to nibble on so we stopped at a bakery and grabbed him a muffin.  Away we went again. 

 This time he brought us to the place where people with HIV are employed to design and make jewellery.  They make it from coffee beans and scrap metal.  A lot of the scrap metal comes from old bullet casings that farmers find and have donated.  The casings were from years ago when Ethiopia experienced more troubled times.  The items here seemed a little more expensive than elsewhere but were very well made.  I had to keep reminding myself that his was more of a donation. 

 

 

 

 

They were also learning to make baskets but they were not for sale yet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 The next stop was to the store where all of the items made were from blind people.  I couldn’t believe how well crafted these items were.  Any everything was very inexpensive.  We bought a couple of wooden toys for Ibssa and a backpack for him to put them in.  He is so proud of his little backpack.  This is definitely a place where I will be coming back to before I leave. 

By this point we were pretty beat so we told Markos to take us home.  Ibssa fell asleep in the car.  We were just about home when I remembered I wanted to purchase a chicken.  There was no where within walking distance to do this.  I said if there is a store close by I would like to go.  He said sure, and half an hour of driving later we arrived at the grocery store.  I came out with 4 bags full of groceries and Paul just laughed at me.  I thought you were just getting chicken. LOL. 

We got back to the guest house and Rob and Candy invited us for dinner.  That was awesome because I no longer had the energy to cook.  Ibssa was so cute.  He put his toys into his backpack and headed on over to Candy’s suite.  His English is starting to pop up here and there.  He actually walked into the kitchen and called Candy by her name with no coaxing. I am sure we are not going to have a problem teaching him English.  He is already starting to pick it up so fast.  Love him to pieces!  We ended the evening by all go to Dave and Heather’s place for some play time for the kids.  What a blessing it is all being under one roof.  We share everything from pots to make spaghetti in to the crazy Ethiopian spices that we all started to pick up.  The other two moms went to the meat guy where I had gone the other day.  I guess they saw that Paul and I didn’t drop dead so it must be okay.  What a difference in culture that is….buying your meat from a guy on the street in one of those little huts.  Who knew we would be this brave…but the meat is absolutely delicious. 

Well I think I have bored you far too much, so I think I will sign off now.  I just wanted to say that God blessed us in every part of our day today.  We must have some real prayer warriors out there praying their hearts out for us.  Thank you so much for that.  We are living proof that praying really works.

God Bless, and chow for now

Karen