Be Love Boldly: Ethiopia Day 4: Kidane Mehret Children's Home

Today we visited a Catholic orphanage called Kidane Meheret Children's Home. The orphanage is directed by Sister Lutgarda, a small and disciplined woman. Now put all your thoughts about a Catholic orphanage or school aside. There were no nuns swatting hands with rulers, but there was order and discipline. The children here are well taken care of. The orphanage is clean. They attend Mass every morning before school and everyone has a job to do. Sister Lutgarda makes sure that the children learn life skills to be self reliant, she teaches them to love and to be loved, and she knows each child's name and health and social history. She is a sweet lady with a beautiful Godly heart for these orphans. She loves these children and works very hard to find families for them. She is an advocate for forever families and even had a family upstairs bonding with their 8 month old son.

I had the privilege to talk to the new momma from Ireland... Her struggle over 5 years to be matched. Then she met Sister Lutgarda during a visit to the orphanage. 3 months later, Sister called her and told her that her son had arrived! A newborn boy was placed at Kidane and Sister knew the perfect family to call. God's timing is perfect. The lady said she was surprised because she didn't think anything would come from the visit and know she has a perfect son, so she was still trying to take it all in.

Sister Lutgarda kept smiling and hugging, and holding the boys' hands. I'm not sure what her connection to them was, but she was thrilled to have them and she loved on them and shared stories with them. It was a beautiful site. James too was fond of Sister and they actually sat for an hour and visited.

James and the boys spent the day with the kids, just sitting on the steps talking, playing basketball and soccer, and visiting with Sister. James took a tour to see the Church, while I spent my day upstairs.

I spent most of my day with a boy they called Baby. Baby has severe CP, I sat and sang to him and rubbed his feet. I held his hand and his head. It took him a while to warm up to me, but then a little light started to shine in his eyes, then came his smile. His body locked up tight. Lunchtime and time to wheel Baby to his bed to be fed. Many of us fed children, I could see the relief of the nannies as they were able to get other daily tasks done while we tended to the children. It was difficult to feed Baby while he lied down, but I managed. I managed to make a mess! As I fed him, I lost it. Literally lost it! At one point in the feeding, I looked into his eyes and saw him running! I saw him running into the arms of Jesus. A glimpse of Heaven in this child's eyes. The beauty of this child's life, a perfect creation, free from his CP in Jesus. I struggled to finish feeding him. I could not hold back tears and a nanny had to come and console me. This entire trip... And this child broke me, not because of his CP, not because he was still waiting for a family, but he broke me because God chose him to show me Heaven. The nanny's arms around me, she whispered... "Your touch is enough." After cleaning him up, it was his nap time, so I got up to leave. As I got up, Baby's locked up arm was freed and he reached up for me, smiling and humming! Okay, I lost it again. The nanny gently grabbed my hand and again whispered, "your touch is enough. He wants you to stay." So there I sat, sobbing and singing, Baby smiling, humming and reaching for my face. I stayed until Baby was relaxed and drifting to sleep. I quietly slipped out of the room and went to be alone with God before joining the rest of the team downstairs.

We finished up our visit with worship and the story of the Candy Cane. The children took some final pictures with us. I received a letter from a young lady that I had only met briefly when we got there. It had I love you written across the top and side of the paper. It reads: "Dear Elaina How are you. I love you sow much. I was happy because when I meet you you are sow good and amazing women. I love you. from. {her name}" I spent all day with Baby, so I wasn't sure who the letter was from. Talking with another team member she said the older girls watch you. They see your heart. Before leaving a young lady, visually impaired came up and asked, "Did you get my letter", hugging her back I replied, "Yes, I love you too." She walked me to the steps. You see, people are looking to us to be an example of God's grace, forgiveness, and love.

"In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:16 ESV.

After spending the day with the children, we took some time to do some shopping at the market. It was a new experience, but not at all uncomfortable. It was like a swap meet. Our translator was helpful in James' negotiations and James went to town... You know shopping is his thing. LOL. We came home with some great handmade Ethiopian items.

Tomorrow is our last day in Africa. I know everyone is excited to go home, but I just want to go back to Rwanda one last time. But, it's time...