Day 4 - Adoption Journey

 Dear Friends and Family, 

Today was yet another joyous day of time with  Tamir (Saturday).  My theme for this update is the verse 2 Corinthians 8:2-7.  This is the verse for Global Orphan Sunday that is this weekend on Sunday in churches across America and globally across many countries.  

2 Corinthians 8: 2-7  " ² Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. ³ For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, ⁴ they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. ⁵ And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God’s will. ⁶ So we urged Titus, since he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. ⁷ But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving."

Although our visit was brief today, it was an extremely fruitful time of getting to know Tamir.  She is a very friendly little girl.  She was very happy to see us again.  A new family also came along with us from the Guest House from the States to see their two children for the first time.  So we had to share the space a bit.

Tamir, jumped right in with Neha and Jacob.  She started playing ball again with our family, but this time encouraged her friends to come along and play with us.  So we spent most of the morning watching Tamir interact with the kids at the orphanage and Neha pushing the children on the merri-go-round saying funny phrases. The crazy fun on the meri-go-round ended with Tamir getting hurt accidentally from a little kid hitting her in the eye.  So we were able to comfort her and take her off to the side to finally spend some one-on-one time with her.  She loved my sunglasses and wore them the rest of the morning.  Neha showed her where we live in America and started asking her to repeat after her.  They enjoyed playing hopscotch and clapping games together.  It was amazing to the sisters interact together so easily.  

Tamir wanted to see her family book of pictures that we brought for her.  This time she was looking at the book and pointed to us by calling out our names (Mommy, Daddy, Neha and Jacob).  It was amazing to hear those words.  She started taking the book around the orphanage and showing her friends with excitement.   She told us she was coming on a plane to America with us.  Its amazing how much she has already processed in a short week from moving to the WACAP House.  We are so apprehensive as people to try new foods and new cultures, but it is amazing to watch this little one share a bit of herself already.  We know that the road ahead is not an easy one, but look forward to it with Tamir.

We had to leave at lunch time and will now only get to see Tamir on Monday Morning.  This was difficult, but she seemed to be more ok with us leaving today than yesterday.  She was sad when we said we could only come back on Monday; leaving is the hardest part for our family.  

The rest of the day was spent going back and having the same spaghetti the kids seem to like and then to the Market with the WACAP driver.  The drive to the market was interesting and filled with interesting surprises along the way.  Neha had her window open and had several beggars/street people jump into her window and ask for money.  That was a very difficult thing for her to process and led to some great discussions today.  Then at the market the kids were swarmed with children and people.  They handled themselves well and followed our examples.  The market was colorful and filled with some amazing ethiopian goods.  We followed the market up with a visit to a traditional coffee house.  Ethiopia is the place where coffee originally came from.  We are bringing back some for everyone to try at our home.  

We ended the day at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant with singing and dancing performances.  The food was interesting and we attempted to navigate this on our own.  Neha and Kelvin enjoyed most of the food, minus the Tongue.  It is good to see that their food is vey similar to Indian food.   

Long, but fruitful day.  Tomorrow, we are off to a traditional church service (4 hours)... We will probably sneak out a bit early and then off to the crater lakes close by.  The orphanage is closed 

tomorrow.

Love, Elizabeth