It seems that I have had some serious difficulty with writing, saving and posting on my blog since Thursday. So, I will try to update now that we are home. Yes, we returned to the USA on Sat, Nov. 19, but we both feel like we left our hearts back in Ethiopia. It was such a life-changing experience and so difficult to share it with you all so that perhaps you might catch our vision. But, we are going to try.
Friday, our last day in Ethiopia was full of more challenges to help the dear people of Ethiopia. Our dear friend, Corinne Gokcen, whose husband is the orthopedic surgeon at Cure Hospital, took us there for clinic day. It was AMAZING. We met children, teens and adults who had already had surgery or were there to see the medical staff and determine if they could be helped. We first met some precious little children who were waiting to see Eric (Corinne's husband) and they were so responsive to us and communicative by their facial expressions.
We also met, Ababa, a 16-year-old girl who had had surgery at the hospital months ago, but they had lost track of her after she was discharged. She just returned to the hospital yesterday (Thursday) and shared with us, via an interpreter, the terrible saga of where she has been. She was there in a wheelchair, accompanied by her blind cousin, and in need of a place to live, food to eat and a visit with the clinic staff to determine her future plans for more surgery. She smiled with all of her face when she first saw Corinne, but then tears began to fall as she shared where she has been. Her story is such a miracle to date and we are awaiting an update from Corinne as to her future. We walked through the hospital and met some of the patients. The expressions of hope and joy on their faces, in spite of their stitches (cleft palate surgeries) or casts (ortho surgeries, such as club feet, etc) was so thrilling to view. Corinne shared their desire to hopefully provide a facility on the property where the patients can stay after surgery for rehab, since many of them have no place to go except back to the street. Before we left Cure, we handed out pillowcase dresses to the young girls and the look of joy on their faces was so exciting. This is definitely a ministry available to anyone.
We left here and went to the American Embassy to do some last minute shopping and then to lunch to share what we had experienced. Even as overwhelming as the patients' conditions seemed, we were encouraged that God is at work through Eric and his staff to change lives in Ethiopia, one patient at a time, just as many others have been challenged to change the lives of orphans, one adoption at a time.
After lunch at a very nice little restaurant that was hidden back in off the beaten path, we returned to the Guest House to finish packing and get a nice hot shower before our LONG flight back to the US.
We very sadly said our farewells to Kidist and Alayu, hosts of the Guest House, as well as our newfound friend, Emilie, from Berlin. We have made friends with some of the greatest people on earth and hopefully, we will all meet back in Ethiopia in the future.
We had dinner that evening at Glenda's (one of our team members who is a Nurse Practitioner at the Embassy). It was a delicious meal, but the fellowship with all of our team around the table was extra special.
Pastor Gary Threatt took us the airport, where we worked our way through checkin and customs and all the various stages of the boarding process. We left Ethiopia at 10:15 and arrived in Wahington,DC at 7:45 am on Saturday. Thankfully, it was a very good flight, albeit a LONG flight.
At noon, we flew on to Phila where we were met by Jon and Brieanna. It was so good to see them and then to drive on to Norristown to meet up with Derek and Beth and the boys for pizza at a Brick Oven restaurant. Our time of sharing was full of tales of Ethiopia and all that they had been doing, including Jon preparing to run the Phila marahon the next day.
We went on to Derek and Beth's and stayed overnight so that we could be present for Noah's dedication the next morning at their church. It was good to be able to spend some time with them and their sweet boys.
We returned home to Mansfield Sunday evening and now the next phase of our lives begins. Jillane and Chip and the boys are coming in tonight for Thanksgiving, as well as Brieanna and Jon on Wed and then Brandon's family will come down from Elmira on Thanksgiving day. Jon's parents and Emily's parents will also join us for dinner and Derek and Beth and boys are coming Fri for some quick family time. We will miss Galen's family who are in the OBX for a special family week and Tye, who is spending Thanksgiving with the Travis family in Edinboro.
So, I will end our saga for now, but will send more updates as the Lord directs our steps and confirms possible plans He gave us in Ethiopia. As Doc says, now that we both have seen and know the situation in Ethiopia, we cannot pretend we don't know and we cannot sit back and do nothing. We are awaiting news from our friends in Ethiopia as to the progress in getting clean water to Zimero with the funds donated by ALL of you.
Thank you again for all your love, support and prayers. We and our dear friends in Ethiopia will be forever grateful!!
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