Memories from Merkato - Part One

We asked the team who traveled to Merkato to share a story about their time with the children that particularly impacted them. Here is what Dana had to say about a moment that she will never forget:

Dana with one of the kids that she sponsors at Merkato

It took about 15 minutes to get to Merkato from the Wellspring Guest Home where we were staying. First we went into the town hall where the kids would be coming later that week, and we went to the church to see the office. We saw a chart on the wall that showed the tremendous growth of the church since the sponsorship program began. 

Team meeting at the Wellspring Guest Home

Chart on the wall of the church office at Merkato
showing the growth of the sponsorship program
(Note: 2005 in Ethiopia is 2012 in America)

After that we went in to see the children. They were lined up around the inside walls. As we walked in, they began clapping and cheering for us. It was such a touching moment – several us had tears welling up. It was a moment I will never forget! 

Merkato kids at the town hall

God is certainly working there among the church leaders, HopeChest staff, and Merkato. We feel God has placed us there to partner with them. We had confirmation with all the clapping and cheers from the children - they all wanted to hug, shake hands, and get to know us right away. You could see and feel joy in them. It was impressive to see how hard the staff of the church and HopeChest are all working to help the people there.

The streets outside the church in the Merkato neighborhood

Handsome boys - don't you love the ski suit? :)

Day 5

Care package day!!!!!  I have studied every one of these photos, grinning from ear to ear as I take in the expressions on each of the children's faces.  Oh how I wish that I could have been there to be a part of this.

Every one of the 155 children received a care package lovingly prepared by their sponsor.  Each one received his or her care package individually with the help of a translator.

Enjoy the happiness on these sweet faces:

Days 3 & 4

I have more photos from the field to share.  I wish that I could narrate these, but that will have to wait until I can get the stories to go with the pictures after the team is back home.  I did find out from Daniel that several from the team have been experiencing tummy troubles.  Please pray that they heal quickly!

Doesn't this little guy look happy?

View from the Wellsprings Guest House, Addis Ababa

Streets of Merkato

Going to visit this little guy's home and family

Eating dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant.  

Day Two

I got another quick update from Daniel.  They do not have internet access at the guest house, so they have been going to the Children's HopeChest office for about 30 minutes per day so they can all email home.  They actually haven't even had any electricity at the guest house for the past 24 hours.  Things like that come and go in Ethiopia.  Oh the things we take for granted....

The spent the whole day with the kids at Merkato again today, doing Bible stories, games, crafts, etc.  He said that it went great, and the team is working together really well.  Everybody is pretty tired, though.  Ethiopia is 8 hr ahead of home (CST), and they are two days into trying to adjust to that AFTER missing a night's sleep while traveling.

I wish I had more stories to share, but that will have to wait until later.  For now, pictures....