The Joy of Kids- Blog Update, August 3, 2007
For those of you that don’t know me, you should know that I love kids. I am passionate about being around children, taking care of them, playing with them, teaching them, and learning from them. One of the main reasons I came to Ethiopia was to be around and impact kids. My desire was to teach them and share God’s love with them. As it turns out, I have learned far more from them than I could ever have taught them. They have shown me God’s love in so many different ways and I see the joy of Christ daily in their smiling faces.
Day after day we see the familiar faces of the children at the feeding center. They always are smiling despite their cold hands and their ragged clothes. It has been such an encouragement to be able to play with them and serve them a warm meal each day. It is a wonderful feeling to be recognized and greeted with delight by these children whose love is contagious.
The Ethiopian children have taught me how to cherish life and find joy in the midst of suffering. While their pasts and circumstances are often more difficult than I could ever imagine, they still have fun playing and just being kids. I especially think of the girls at the girls’ home, who find joy whether it is braiding my hair, drawing with sidewalk chalk, learning how to make cookies, doing cartwheels and dancing, or just simply being close to me. Every time I leave the girls (with a new hairstyle, of course), I am hugged and kissed goodbye with sincerity. Their calls to me of “odashalo (I love you)” are so genuine; I have come to love and cherish each of these girls.
I also think of the 4th graders I teach at HOPE school. We have so much fun playing skipping games and jumping rope at recess. The kids greet us warmly with “teacher, teacher” each morning and it is nearly impossible to tear myself away from their embraces at the end of class. When I reflect on some of the struggles these children face, I realize that God has blessed them with a gift of joy and the ability to love life no matter what.
Another unique gift from God I have witnessed in these children is their gift of service. There are several children that come to the breakfast program and then stay and serve at the lunchtime feeding center. They volunteer to help serve the food and clean up afterward. They are fun to watch and play with and are always so giving of their time and of themselves. They consistently offer me some of their food, fully knowing that they will only receive that one meal for each day. After the feeding center today, Meseret and Yerus took us to their house- (one mud-walled room) and their mother served us hot sweet milk and bread. It was humbling to be served in such a way and be shown so much hospitality from those that have so little to give. The mother, Werekesh, prayed and thanked God for the food and for our presence, and I was filled with gratitude as I was able to witness the servanthood of Christ exemplified in this family.
The other afternoon we had a chance to do some hiking and exploring in Ayer Tena, the mountains near our house. On our walk we passed by a house where 4 kids ran out to greet us. The two girls, Mekedes and Tzita, held my hands and walked with me during our hike. The joy on Mekedes’ face was contagious, and I felt like Jesus was smiling at me through her face. These spontaneous moments with kids remind me of God’s love for his people and his care for his children, blessing them with a joy that I see in their faces and in their lives.
One of the unique opportunities we have had has been living in the guest house. For 2 weeks we had 2 families staying with us that adopted 4 children from Ethiopia. It was so neat to be a part of their lives and witness God’s blessings showered upon these children. Although it was not always easy (it’s not everyday I get a wakeup call from a 5-year old “Katie? Katie?”), I learned a lot about God’s provision for his people. I saw Jesus daily in the faces of the children at the guest house and know that God has provided amazing new families to welcome these orphans that have known so much hardship in such a short life span. I had the opportunity to go to the goodbye party for two of the children, Nafkot and Habtamu, at the orphanage. The party was full of joy and laughter (and a few cookies and some balloons for a treat). At the same time, I was struck by the thought that there are probably many of these parties that Nafkot and Habtamu had witnessed in which they said goodbye to their friends. Finally, it was their turn to be in the spotlight, and it must have been a wonderful feeling to know that they were finally going home to a family that loves them and will care for them.
More than anything, the kids here in Ethiopia have shown me Jesus. Their smiles, laughter, and playfulness remind me of Jesus’ love. Their joyful service and giving demonstrate Jesus’ compassion. I know that Jesus provides for his children that are unloved, forgotten and suffering and he has blessed them and provided for them in numerous ways. I am reminded of the passage in Matthew 19:13-14, in which little children are brought to Jesus for him to bless them, but the disciples try to send them away. Jesus says, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” I have been blessed to see God’s kingdom in the faces and lives of the children I have come to know and love here in Ethiopia. Please pray for these children and for us- that we will continue to see Jesus in the faces and lives of the children here. We send our best to all of you and hope that God has been blessing your summers!
With Love,
Katie (and JOESH-get it, Joe and Josh…hehe)
