Day 3 - saying goodbye to the care center

Today was such a memorable day. We went back to the Care Center where Sitota spent 5 months of her life. The children were all napping most of the time we were there so we ended up spending a lot of time talking with Yared who is the Director. First we unloaded the three huge suitcases of donations that our church gave... Diapers, shoes, lotion, shampoo, and a digital baby scale. The staff were thrilled.

Next we enjoyed a traditional lunch of injera and different kinds of wat (stew) followed by rich, dark, yummy coffee! Through the meal Yared told us about himself and his dreams of doing more humanitarian things with orphans in Etiopia. He also shared more about Sitota's journey through the adoption process. We probably talked with him for 2 hours. I think a long term friendship was made.

Finally, it was time for us to leave, so stopped by the baby room to see the adorable babies and take pictures to send to their mommies and daddies in the US. Then they woke the kids up and they literally came stumbling out of their rooms rubbing their eyes. They went to the water spout and splashed their faces with water! How cute!! We gathered them around the donations for a group picture. I tried to tell them that their parents love them and are coming soon... I hope they understand.

We said goodbye and all the boys shook our hands and The girls gave us hugs. Some of them said, I love you. They really are such sweet kids. So glad to know they have families coming. Sad to think there are so many like them in the country who don't.

We pulled away with the kids waving and waving until the gate closed. Our hearts were full from the joy of the children and the love of the people who are taking such good care of them, we really are blessed that Sitota was in their care.

Now she sleeps for her last night in the country of her birth. This beautiful place with even more wonderful people. I hope and pray that we can return with her someday.