Blek

I'm currently laying on the couch, recovering from a stomach bug. Ew. Last night was terrible! Apparently it's going around pretty bad. About twenty people from a get-together we went to on Sunday all have the same thing! G-r-o-s-s. My Mom and Kyle both have it, too. Somehow these things always seem to happen when my Dad is away. When we were younger Kyle and I always seemed to spike a 106 degree fever when he was gone on business, or Kyle would break a finger or bust his head open while Dad's gone. Now 3 out of the 4 of us at home are all sick, and he's in Ethiopia. How does this work?? Beats me. But it sounds like he's having an amazing trip. Please keep him in your prayers. So far they've visited several orphanages and HIV positive clinic type places, and on Friday they are actually going to be having a meeting with the president of Ethiopia! Pretty amazing.

Thanks for your prayers.. Hope you don't catch whatever bug I had! Not fun.

A Miracle In The Making

I'm sitting here next to my 10 year old brother, Minte.

....Did you catch that?

Let me repeat that real quick: I'm siting here, next to my 10 year old brother from Ethiopia, Minte.

Isn't that such a miracle?!?!? How amazing is that?!? A year ago right now this precious little boy was sitting in an orphanage by himself, and now he's sitting in his family's living room. This is a little boy who has been through the unthinkable yet is the cutest, most joyful, and happiest human I know. Isn't God amazing?? Seriously, if I had been through just one of the things he has I'm pretty sure I would be in a mental institution right now. God has preserved this boy's heart for something special.. I can feel it.

Reality Check

It's interesting having an Ethiopian as a brother. Interesting in a good way, of course. There have been so many things to see Minte experience in his new lifestyle. Things that we sometimes take for granted- things like the pulley on the window blinds, escalators, elevators, practically an endless amount of food, and so much more. What has been probably the most interesting though, is seeing him realize how rich and spoiled America, as a country, truly is. This child came from a poverty stricken, famine ridden nation where everything he wore and played with were things others had donated.

One night we had been out to eat with a group of family friends after church, and after the kids had eaten they all got out their cell phones and iPod touches or whatever other technology they had and were playing games and taking pictures. When we got home that night Minte told my Mom, (And realize I'm writing this how he talks!)

"Mommy, in Ethiopia, children no have phones. Mommies and Daddies say, 'Oh my goodness!!!!!!! Look!! I have phone!!!! Wow!!! Thank you!!!!' but children no phones. America, children say, 'Yeah, I have phone. It's no good.' "

Isn't that the truth?? We live in the land where 8 year olds are getting iPhones, and he's coming from a lang where an 8 year old is lucky to have 3 shirts to call their own.

Or one day he said, "In Ethiopia, children have very little toys. One or two toys, no many. In America, everybody many many toys.. too much."

Very very true.

Another time (And I'm sure my Mom won't mind me telling this. ;D ) the sink was piled high in dishes and my Mom was getting ready to put them in the dish washer. She opened it up and realized it still had clean dishes in it. Sighing, she realized she would have to put those away first- this mean't another several minutes until the clean dishes were put away and the dirty dishes were being washed. About that time Minte walked by and said matter-of-factly, "In Ethiopia when mommies wash... ( he bends over, demonstrating washing dishes and riging clothes out) Mommies arms very very hurt.. work hard, make very tired. No have this. (points to the dish washer)"

Yet another thing America takes for granted- appliances! America's excess and all that we are spoiled with is crazy.