i don't even know where to start to explain all that i saw, all that we did, all of the feelings i felt while in ethiopia. nothing could have prepared me for it all. the children we beautiful. they were hungry and in rags and nothing to call their own but still had that natural childlike happiness and joy. i loved them! and they LOVED us! starved for love and attention they hung on our hands, arms, legs, clothes, and backpacks. and they knew we had presents for them in those backpacks! :) at all the orphanages and ministries we visited we did crafts with the children. bead necklaces, facepainting, foam visors, painted nails, made hand print murals, paper bag puppets, colored. the kids loved it. we handed out toys, and shoes, and new outfits. they were thrilled and so grateful.
we had amazing guides and translators. they were so fun and sweet and took care of us and were our close friends by the end of our trip. our guest home we stayed in was really nice. i was so grateful for that! minus the barely there internet connections and the power outages...but that's africa. our group was so great! michele and i were nervous, not knowing really at all what we were getting into. the other 20 people on our trip are really amazing people. i had so much fun with them and definitely made some new great friends. we couldn't have asked for a better group, or a better leader! kelly was amazing! she rolled with the punches and she is fearless! i think the world of her and all the good that she does. one of her goals for the trip was to go to places and visit people that no one goes to visit. and we did!
i have some really great stories and pictures and videos (loaded almost 2,000 on my computer! trying to sort through them all.) i'll share more with you soon. i am home though, and so glad i was able to go on this trip! thanks to the group for making it so wonderful! thanks to sean and mom and jodi and amy all who helped keep my kids loved and happy while i was gone. grateful for the experience, happy to be home with my family.
3 comments:
Stacy these pictures are so sweet. I can't wait to hear all about your trip and see more pictures.
Sean was so supportive for you to go and really was "super dad" with the kids! Glad that you experienced it all. I am amazed at how hard you worked for those children in Africa. You all were such a blessing to them. Now get a little rest and be good to yourself! Love you!
You are truly amazing. I can't wait to hear some stories at bunco.
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