Well, it was another poor night of little sleep for Doc, but he was able to get some rest this morning and we are both believing for total healing before we head off to Menz on Monday morning.
This afternoon, Corinne Gokcen, wife of orthopedic surgeon, Eric Gokcen stopped by the Guest House to meet us and take us out for bunna (Ethiopian coffee). SO we went to their version of Starbucks and while Corinne and I enjoyed our caramel macchiato, Doc enjoyed his strawberry milkshake (delicious!!). We talked for a couple of hours and were so enthralled, that we decided to ask Emilie to join us and Eric and all go out to dinner. We ate a delicious meal at Arkabalano and shared even more of all our stories and how we each ended up in Ethiopia. What an evening.
Eric and Corinne are from Yardley (very near Doylestown) and Corinne's sister actually lives there and sends her 4 children to Plumstead Christian Academy. Their daughter attends Houghton College (2 hours from us) and we hope to host her in our home once we return. Their son is currently living in California. They have been here 3 years and before that were in Kenya. Their initial orthopedic practice was in Doylestown, which is a far cry from Addis Ababa. We have been blessed and challenged beyond words, just from hearing their story. We will share more when we return. They showed us before and after pictures of some of their patients and it is amazing the gift God has blessed Eric with to give these children new life, both physically and spiritually. There are 3 main staff at the hospital: Eric, a plastic surgeon and a pastor who shares Jesus Christ and eternal life with these patients and their families. So, they leave the hospital, healed physically and spiritually. AMAZING!!
Tomorrow, we are being picked up in the morning by Acer Heye, who is taking us to a craft bazaar at a ministry that works with orphaned teenage girls. They are going to be selling handmade crafts to raise funds for their ministry.
Then, in the afternoon, Becky (Pastor's wife) is going to show us more of Addis and take us to a couple of places for special crafts. We are hoping to bring home many items to be able to share with people for donations (that money will come back here to bless these ministries). There is so much good happening here, but there is also so much need.
Doc and I are being blessed and challenged beyond belief, but we are having the God experience of a lifetime as we hear and view Him at work in others' lives, as well as our own. We cannot begin to express to all of you how life changing this time has been. I knew I left my heart here in August 2010, but I think Doc is losing his to the people here now too.
Continue to pray for us. Sunday we will be at church in the morning and then spending the afternoon in preparation for the eye clinics and packing our vehicles for the long, interesting trip to Menz on Monday.
Thank you all again. Keep praying. We love you all and are thankful for the support of all.
No comments:
Post a Comment