Day 5

This was a difficult day. We spent just 4 days with the kids and then already had to say goodbye. China and Mitike have already experienced so much loss in their life, it seems like this system just causes more fear and a sense of loss in their lives. Anyway, Abebe, the guest house guy, read and explained our letter to them. They didn't cry, but wouldn't look us in the eye. Abebe said that they were holding their feelings in. I cried. It is so hard to wait for two years, have a taste, and then walk away. Some mothers of some of the younger children are even planning to go back and stay for three weeks or so before their visa date. It was tempting to stay!
Afterwards, we went shopping with Abebe and his classmate. We paid him a fee and then he bargained for us and took us where we wanted to go. We went to a local market, a coffee shop, a silver store, and then too lunch. Ana and I share a pizza, Matt had an egg sandwich, and the guys shared a hamburger, ingera, and lamb. It was another great place that we wouldn't have experienced if we didn't have a local guide!
We had a peaceful afternoon packing and then ate dinner with the family at the guest house. Then, it was off to the airport. The airport is quite nice, but you do have to wait in some long lines and be scanned a couple of times! We had to wait for quite a while in a contained seating area. I would have liked it much better if you could go out to the bathroom!
Ethiopia is a fantastic place. The people are warm and friendly and sincere. We hope to spend a lot more time there in the future!