On the way back down the mountain we completely forgot about our issue at the embassy earier. They didn't! We got pulled over and asked about who was taking pictures before. Tracy confessed. He didn't have his passport with him (first time travelling internationally, didn't know to keep it on you at all times) but gave them his driver's license. He was taken to the entrance of the embassy and kept there for a few minutes while we all wondered what would happen. We knew it was the US Embassy, that we were registered there as visitors, that they hadn't carted him away, but we waited.... Thankfully they let him go. Interestingly, his last photo was of the guards pointing at the van when they saw us, with the sign that says "no photos" in the background. East Dragon Chinese Restaurant for lunch. Very good food. Chinese are in Ethiopia working on the roads so the food is authentic. Belay, from the Gladney Adoption Agency, met us there to talk about how they have been so successful in Ethiopia. They have a reputation for being helpful and being ethical, which you don't find much. Good insight from him. Back to Kore and the YWAM facility for the girls. Melody's mom was there visiting and did part of a program on having the girls tell the story of their lives and then planning for the future. She would meet one-on-one with them over the coming days. Great idea. She asked the girls to think of the characters in movies -- had they ever seen one? -- and used the example of Little Red Riding Hood -- a story I'm sure they have never heard. Illustrated how important it is to understand the culture as you participate with the people. Helen, my favorite girl, taught me some more Amharic. We played a lot of keep-away with a soccer ball. Most of them have really good foot skills. Blessed to get to spend time with them again. Hard to say goodbye. Here is the big Orthodox Christian Church.
My jacket was not in the car at the end of the day. Must have been stolen out of an open window during lunch. Bummer. Was a birthday gift from my parents in 1991 and I use it when I run! Glad I have a sweatshirt as the mornings and evenings are cool!
Pizza for dinner at Rich & Melissa's and babysitting the kids so Rich & Melissa and Jessie & Levi could have another night out. The kids watched movies. An acquaintance named Karen was there. Long story short, her plans changed once she arrived in the country so she got to make an excursion to the north where her adopted son was from. Followed the records to find the woman who had cared for him for a year after he was abandoned, but who was unable to adopt him because she couldn't support him long term. Again, everyone here has a story. When we got back to our room there was a brand new tub in our bathroom, with the tile work around it not yet complete. Even narrower than the last one, so more water gets on the floor, but at least their isn't a big crack in the bottom!
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