Meet the Family

A traditional Ethiopian hut

Sunday July 15 - We woke up early (4AM), which was very early for those of us not adjusted to the time difference yet. Luckily I was still on night shift mode and was functioning pretty well despite the lack of sleep. We had a light breakfast of toast, packed some food for lunch and were out the door by 5AM.
When we stepped out of the gate the street was lined with eight land rover type vehicles. It was still dark and it was damp out. We climbed into the vehicles, one per family and drove off. The countryside was beautiful, very green and full of vegetation. Every once in a while we would come upon a village of huts or shacks. There were a few larger towns, Mostly though it was countryside with huts interspersed here and there.
We reached the city of Hosanna after four hours and made our way through packed mud streets to the care center. There were throngs of children outside the gate begging for candy. Some had learned enough English to ask "What is your name?". When we went inside the gate each family was led to a room where members of their children's' birth family were waiting. E and M's father and uncle greeted me with hugs and handshakes. We were able to talk to these men for about a half hour learning about the family life E and M had left and I was able to promise that the children would grow up being able to attend school and have the opportunity to do whatever they wanted in life. I also promised that our family would spend the rest of our lives learning about Ethiopia, so E and M may have an idea of their heritage. Their father was grateful but also very sad. I gave him pictures of E and M and promised more as they grew as well as letters. One great find was that their father did go to school and can read and write in Amharic. I should be able to find many people here who can interpret a letter for me.
We took pictures then had a candle ceremony, a symbolization of the birth family passing their children to the adoptive family. It was a very emotional day for all involved.
We toured the satellite care center, where the children stay until they are able to go to Addis Ababa. then we were on our way back. The drive back was exciting. All along the highway were people, men, women and children. We were stared at and waved to our whole way back. We stopped at a hut near the highway and were able to see how most of our children had lived prior to the orphanage. We saw people working, guiding their ox to plow the field. Children were the most excited to see us, shouting "ferengi" which means "white people", and waving frantically.
After retuning to the guesthouse Eva, Adam and I walked to the care center to visit with Meretech. She was excited to see us and even more excited when we pulled out a pen and paper for her to scribble. It was almost as if she had been craving the stimulation. She was warming up to us but still not making a peep. We walked back to the guesthouse (about a 15 minute walk) and stayed there for the remainder of the day, visiting with the other families picking up their children.