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Orphanage Visit
By sandi | December 11, 2008
*Written on 12/6/2008
We were scheduled to go to the orphanage yesterday but because of two children being ill and in the hospital it was rescheduled for today. I am so glad that we were able to go today. The experience is hard to write into words. The emotions felt are ones that only someone who has experienced this kind of gratitude for another human can relate to.
As we drove out of Addis into the city of Sebeta we noticed immediately the beautiful scenery. I have written before about the difference between the city and the country. The countryside looks unreal and like paintings in the distance. 
People were busy around the town. People were driving cattle and goats down from the mountains so that they could be slaughtered and sold. 
On foot the journey will take about a week. They were bartering with each other food goods and playing. Little huts and houses line the roads and there were actual fields where animals were, not just in the middle of the road.
When we arrived at the orphanage we were greeted by Sunite. 
Sunite was the director and she had just opened up her orphanage when Paul needed it, in fact he was the first child she took in. She is the woman who named him Teferi. She chose it because it is a royal name and a strong name. I found that so fitting and amazing, we had always called him our prince, and now to know that she knew it too. That he was completely meant for us, there are not words to describe this. (*insert me bawling my eyes out here.) The love she had for my son was amazing. She and I couldn’t be more different but we both cared for this little boy more than either of us could say. She asked us to forward pictures on to her as he grows which we are more than happy to do.
Of course I was a crying fool. They asked if I was happy, of course I was happy. Bill and I tried to explain that I cry whenever I am overwhelmed with any sort of heightened emotion, be it happiness, sadness, or anger. As I looked in her eyes and saw the love she had for my son I could not control myself. These people were there for my son when I could not be, that is worth more than I can say.
The compound was beautiful and the children were well loved. They had a beautiful garden for the children to play in and the Nannies were teaching the older children English when we came in. It was such a warm and gentle place.
Since we were honored guests there was a coffee ceremony for us. They had pine shavings that they sprinkled over hot coals to enhance the experience. It was wonderful and we were very thankful.
Topics: Adoption, Paul | No Comments »