While visiting the picturesque countryside we were taken on a tour of another local orphanage. This place is operated by Catholic priest and given the resources they have, I am sure they are doing the best they can. Children, elderly and mentally ill all live here together.
The conditions were very poor. The rooms where the orphans slept were a mess. The elderly were sitting or lying on their rusty metal beds. They looked so lonely, but some managed a weak smile and wave as we walked by.
The children were lined up and accepted the gift of a lollipop. These children didn't have the same joy and energy of the children at the transition home in Addis. The children in the transition home have hope that they will have a family, even if the wait is long, they have hope. I don't think the children here have that hope. They were very somber and respectfully bowed as they received their lollipop as if they were receiving some great and meaningful gift.
At the orphanage, ladies spin their own yarn and weave handmade blankets to sell. We all bought something to take home with us and remind us of this place.
Our time here was short, no time for a game of London Bridges with the children. No time to hug the necks of the elderly people. It was a place where we didn't do much to help, but a place where our eyes were opened to the harsh reality of being an orphan child or an elderly person in rural Ethiopia. And as bad as this place seemed, the truth is they have a bed to sleep on and food to eat. For others, all over the world, these basic needs are not being met.
These are photos of my kids rooms in our former home in Texas and a photo of the children's bedroom in this orphanage. It is hard for me to look at them side by side. But, the awesome thing is God is calling me out of this crazy, selfish existence of striving to live a perfect, comfortable life. I hope he is calling you out, too. It was never his plan for Christians to live wrapped up in a cocoon of luxury and comfort. Am I saying having nice things is bad? No, I don't think so. I am saying that if our lives are spent getting more and more for ourselves and turning our back on hurting, hungry, and thirsty children and adults...that is bad. We are his hands and feet on this earth. There is something we all can do.
...once our eyes are opened we can't pretend we don't know what to do. God, who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls, knows that we know, and holds us responsible to act. (Proverbs 24:12)
