Day 2 - The Sweet Taste of Home

Awoke early today to head to the airport. My first laugh came when the airport employee asked about the Rubbermaid Actionpacker box I set on the security scanning belt. “Is it a Dog?” she asked. “No, not a dog,” I replied. I held my laughter in until I got away from the belt and machine so she wouldn’t be embarrassed. I was thankful I had not brought my dog in that airtight box…wow would that have been an ugly mess! I then made it through the check-in process without paying ANY excess baggage fees despite being 43kilos overweight. Again, I sensed the power of so many prayers covering my trip. I realized the sweetness of being “alone” on this trip was that I had time to reflect and think on all the times that I really am not “alone” at all. One of my friends had reminded me before I left that I was to have a wonderful time with my travelling companion (unseen)…and so far, we are having a blast. God is good, and I am more aware of His presence on this trip than ever before.

Arriving in Mekelle is always sweet for me – like a homecoming. The smells, the faces, and the sights are always refreshing. ORE director greeted me at the airport and we processed the trip as we rode towards the new guest house. As I pulled up, I saw a wonderful home with familiar faces. Our new guest house where I am staying is part of the larger compound created for the older girls to live in safety. We have 9 beautiful, wonderful blind females who threw their arms around me in welcome as I popped my head into one of their 2 bunk rooms. One of them boasted about her university results, saying she is headed to register today. The house is really comfortable, and I was humbled to realize the ORE staff had already moved all the furniture and my personal belongings into the new house and had it ready for me. They had prepared a coffee ceremony in the parlor and I enjoyed taking coffee with them. I had the privilege of giving Hiwot, the head housemother for the kids, a framed poster print I had arranged that had all 12 kids that have gone to the US for adoption from Operation Rescue so far. She cried and they were so thrilled to see the beautiful children so healthy and happy in their new families. We had a nice visit about the condition of the programs. It was fun to learn that 7 students tested for university this year and ALL SEVEN were admitted! Praise God.

One of our blind students, who has always been very very smart, just finished his first year at university studying Law. He approached Getachew and asked if he could have all of his 100 birr per month in advance so he could buy a law textbook in Braille to help him compete with the other students. Already, for his first year, he stood number 1 out of his class among the sighted students, but he said he needs this to succeed. Getachew told him that of course we would buy it for him, but not from his money but as an extra bonus, as a reward for his good work. I am so proud of him! Another student who is 29 years old and has 3 children and also a disabled husband scored high enough on her entrance exam to be accepted to Mekelle University to study English. Her oldest daughter who is almost 15 can help watch the two younger ones during the week and she can be home on weekends, but she cannot continue to provide for a niece who was dropped at their home and abandoned awhile back. ORE told her she has to take this opportunity for an education and offered to take custody of the girl, age 7, to welcome her into the House of Promise #1. She enrolled today and came by with her niece and the social affairs paperwork to give her to ORE. Not only will this family’s situation be changed forever by our student continuing her university training, but this young girl will likely find her way into an adoptive family in the next year. The student hugged me and said, “I thank God for this program and ORE as really they have saved my life!” Testimonies like this make it all worthwhile!

I learned then that one of our boys from House of Promise #1 is in the hospital so I went immediately to see the doctor. He was hot with fever and hooked up to an I.V. They told me the diagnosis was pneumonia but when I asked the symptoms, they said there is no cough and no congestion, only fever and vomiting. I talked with the doctor, who appeared to be about 27 years old. He confirmed pneumonia but then said he didn’t know if they had an xray yet. I asked him more questions, telling him my other concerns and that perhaps they need to search more. He returned an hour later to say maybe he needs TB treatment and asking if he has ever had it. I asked if they had tested him for TB or if there was indication on his xray and the doctor said, “no – but with high fever and some discomfort these may be indications of TB”. Now I am really longing for a well-trained doctor. The little guy sat up and ate some donut and some rice and drank some water with me and his fever began to go down. By dinnertime, he was feeling somewhat better. The doctor then came in and said “you are right – the xray is clear and so there is no pneumonia and there is no TB and also the malaria test is negative.” They continued him on the broad spectrum antibiotics for infection and noticed how he seemed to have improved, so maybe he just has a regular virus or bacterial infection. They are often so quick to diagnose here that unnecessary treatments or completely wrong ones are recommended. I was so thankful to be here to wipe his forehead and play with him. It was amazing to see how many workers from ORE and older kids from our homes came by to visit him, seeing that they all really do function like a family…it is wonderful to watch!

In the afternoon I spent more time at ORE meeting discussing program ideas and being reminded of why I really do love these guys and their commitment to children. They are serving the blind, meeting real needs, and providing the safety net that was desperately needed for the most vulnerable. I learned of our latest admission to House of Promise #3, the HIV Care home. His mother passed away, then his father sent an uncle to deliver him to the hospital for his sickness. After some time, the uncle was advised by the father to leave him and return to the countryside. The boy languished at the hospital for a month before someone told them about ORE and their work, and when they heard of him, immediately he was admitted. His name is Hagoose…which means “happy”. Thankfully, he will soon be all that and more, as he experiences the love of a mother and good food and medicine. Thank you Lord for providing so that these homes can be in place, and this group of people can be helped to serve the most needy in this place.

On my way home at 6:40pm, exhausted and hungry, I was wondering what I would eat. I arrived at home to find a plate sitting next to a pot with fresh pasta and homemade pasta sauce waiting for me. Then I opened my kitchen window to greet my girls and one of the blind ones whom I adore came to the window and said, “Pom…pleez….come play with us!” She pointed to their dorm room and how could I refuse? I told her I would come after dinner in my pajamas. I joined them later and they all gathered in one room to talk and “play”. We talked about dating and marriage and school and I helped them with their English homework and vocabulary. Finally, I told them I had to go to bed as it was 9:15 and I was exhausted. They asked, “are you afraid sleeping alone” just to make sure I was okay going to my room. I love it. I love being here with them at this moment. My heart overflows! Thank you for your prayers!