As we drove up in Korah a band of kids ran beside and behind our bus. They seemed a bit excited to see us. That was the first time, I feel like that that has happened. There would always be kids curiously looking and smiling as we drove through, but not like they did today. They just seemed to be really excited that we were returning. We parked right inside the church yard ( like we always did), got out and headed straight into the church.
The service hadn't started yet but there were people in there praying (mostly women and a few children) like they did that day I could hear them crying out to God. I can't understand them or know what they are saying, but you know and can see their earnestness, passion and desperation for our God. Why have we lost that, or why don't we have more of that in the U.S.? I don't think I will ever... or ever see myself having that much outward passion for my Lord. It's definitely something I admire and love to see, but I think my passion, desperation, and love to God is shown differently... maybe that's an excuse... I don't know. Is that ok? Am I doing enough or showing enough of whatever it is for Him to hear me or know my desperation, passion and love for Him?
As we all sat down children started surrounding us on both sides of each of us. I couldn't find Deborah in the mix and I looked over to the door every time I saw a body walk in hoping to see her face. I asked the little girl sitting next to me if she knew where Deborah was. I don't think she understood what I was saying and had a confused "I don't know what you are saying" look on her face. She was so cute and smiley, loving on me with her arm around my waist and looking up at me every once in awhile with this huge grin on her face. After we were sitting down a little while she informs me (by broken english and me eventually figuring out what she was trying to say.) that she has no mother and no father and no home (showing me with her hands no building to live in). She was a street child. She was probably no older than 10 years old. I can't even describe to anyone how I felt when I heard this besides just complete sorrow and speechlessness. I was just glad to be there to give her the love she so desperately wants and needs, even if it was just for those few minutes. Craving to be loved. She had the love of God for sure. Once when she looked up to me with this look like a kid on Christmas morning shouting to me "Jesus is Lord!" in Amharic. I had to ask Sammy what she was saying. The love of the Lord flourishes in those that crave it.
Finally, a little while later Carrie looks at me and points to the church entrance. I look over and see my little baby deborah peeping in the church service looking at us with a pink jacket on with her hood up trimmed with faux fur. I lean over making myself visible to her waving at her to come over. When she saw me she gave a huge grin and ran over to me with arms wide open. I teared up a little trying to keep the tears from rolling down my face and making a scene in front of my team members. But who cares really.... there were people falling down and vibrating left and right in the church service. Surprisingly none of that seemed to bother or freak me out... in fact I was more intrigued than anything. It just seemed like it was normal. The service was in Amharic so I didn't know a lick what they were saying, but it was just as good to sit there and just worship the same God.
Before we left church they all had us go to the front as a group and be prayed over. That was really a special experience. Poor George though, he was completely freaked out by the service and waited out by the bus until it was all over. I know it must have been a freak show for him and very overwhelming. As we left a lot of the children came with us clinging to our sides and begging to have their picture taken..... or to take pictures. There was a lot to delete after it was all over.
I saw Ebenezer (the older boy who draws) and gave him a big hug. He told me he had something to give me. He had heard it was my birthday yesterday and came back with one of the drawings out of his spiral notebook of drawings. He wrote "Happy Birthday" on it and gave it to me. So sweet! Something that I will definitely treasure. We left the church and went to one last house visit. I said my goodbyes to Deborah one last time, smothering her with kisses and hugs. Ebenezer walked with us Holding mine and Danielle's hands all the way. They are so affectionate here.
We arrived to the home we visited and only about three people plus one translator could fit in there. The rest of us just waited outside and played with all the children and sheep that were standing outside the door. I pretty much played patty cake the whole time with a little girl. Man, those kids sure do love their patty cake.
When the house visit was over we all let and walked back to the bus to head out to get lunch. We opted out of cooking spaghetti at home and went out to eat one last time before Nazret. We went to the Italian restaurant we went to the other night for dinner. I got steak. It was cooked perfectly and was DE-LICOUS! I was SO hungry and ate 6 rolls before the food came out. Everyone's been making fun of me because I'm one of the ones that eats the most on the team yet am one of the smallest people in our group.... after being sick for awhile and not really wanting to eat, a girl can get real hungry after all is well.
After lunch (which ended at like 3:45) we headed back to the house to pack everything up for our trip to Nazret. We left around 6 pm with a bus full of luggage and people. It didn't take as long as I thought it would. We all settled into our hotel rooms to find that our beds are literally hard as rocks. Seriously, I think they only have box springs for the beds. It was a complete joke. I really don't mind it, if it means that we get our own (Christy and I) bathroom that isn't designated as the poop closet anymore.
This is Deborah and I. The girl on the right is the little girl that sat next to me in church without parents or a home.
This is Ebenezer and I with his gift he gave me :)
After our last visit to Korah, as we were all getting ready for our move to Nazret we found my Birthday banner that was never hung up, so they hung it up on me.
