We meet Again

Today, August 27, was the day we met again.  We were picked up at our guest house at 9:30 am by our agency and off we went through the city roads then some pretty bumpy back road terrain until we arrived at her orphanage.  We are not permitted to take pictures at the orphanage, but our agency sends along a camera man to capture it for us.  We walked into the toddler room and said hello to all the little bumpkins in the room.  Most of them slowly moved closer to their caretaker until they had her cornered between two beds.  The caretaker eventually scooted out and sat on the floor next to me to encourage Makeda to come sit by me.  Makeda was VERY VERY unsure and was in tears a few times as the caretakers tried to make her sit on my lap.  We just played with all the other little ones that wanted to play and patiently waited on Keda.  I quietly cried at one point hurting for her little heart, knowing how much she has had to endure in her short little life.  This just doesn't seem right, as it is so very painful, but the alternative of living a life without a family and in an orphanage is certainly much much worse.  So finally, as our time there was getting closer to ending, with the encouragement of the caretakers, I scooped her up as she flailed and fought and screamed and cried.  We went to another room where I held her and rocked her and whispered "ishee, ishee" in her ear (ahmaric for "okay") and said "wadeshelo" to her ("I love you").  Within time, her sweet little spirit surrendered and she melded into me.  We then headed to the van for the ride back to our guest house together.  She did cling to me thereafter.

We were at the guest house together from about 11am until 4pm.  She watched as we explored some of her new toys and books. We put her new sandals on her feet and she took to her bottle of "wahoo" (water) .  She also really liked the popcorn cakes we have.  She had spaghetti for lunch and when I said "shintabait" (toilet) she would shake her head yes if she had to go.  We successfully had two trips today.  Phew!  We even took a good nap together.We sat outside and watched Zoie play with the guest home workers and Keda sat quietly in my lap, continuing to take it all in, just not so sure what to do with it all.  We were picked up around 4pm to make the trip back to the orphanage.  She would look out the window with overwhelmed eyes at the world as it quickly passed by on our trip.  Her life has mainly consisted of living behind a gated orphanage and these sights on the street are something most children her age have been exposed to years ago.  So very much to absorb all at one time.

(oops, trouble with underline and text...oh well...)  She seemed to be a bit more at peace as she saw her caretakers at the orphanage again, but I must share I am pleased she did not JUMP back into their arms and was happy to share hugs goodbye with us.  Another encouraging moment today occurred today at the guest house.  One of the house workers (a very sweet girl) called Makeda by her birth name "Birtukan"and spoke sweetly to her in ahmaric and put out her hands to see if she would come to her.  Though I gently encouraged her, she clung to me.  That spoke to my heart that God is creating the bond necessary for us in her little heart.  Praise His Name!
So, tomorrow morning at 9am we go back again.  We will talk to the caretakers to get as much info as we can on Makeda and her routines and they are to have a farewell ceremony for her.  Then we will head back to the guest house, this time for good.  Our embassy appointment is at noon.  Getting all our ducks in order for our Thursday evening departure.

Your prayers for Keda's little heart and wisdom from beyond for both Tim and myself would be greatly appreciated.  She is quiet and certainly overwhelmed.  God bless her with peace, the kind of peace only He can give.
So, it's off to bed.  We will post more tomorrow night!  Blessings to all!