The Gorge.

Today we all woke up about 4am Ethiopian time. We were wide awake! Awan and I layed in bed and talked and Jeremy took the time to read. Awan was still feeling homesick so we decided to read a little. We had gotten her "Jesus Calling for Kids" before we left. We opened it to today, and long in behold, it was talking about Christ, and how he is never changing. He is constant. That what changes around us may make us upset, or anxious or even afraid. Our God, is the same today, yesterday and tomorrow. This was huge for her. And gave her peace. I think she needed reminded that even though nothing is familar God is still the same and she can trust him through this journey. It has been harder on her than I had expected, but her heart hurts for every child she sees, and every experience that is outside of her norm. Life in Ethiopia is nothing like home.

We took a 2 hour trip outside the city today, on bummpy roads, but the landscape is like nothing I have ever scene. It is breath taking. We went to an area called the gorge. It is a smaller version of our Grand Cannyon. Which I have never seen. So this was spectacular! The beauty was beyond words. I just kept saying, WOW! We also took a tour of an Ethiopian Orthadox Church.

We finished the tour and came to the side of the mountain where they pointed to the top, and said, there was a cave church up there. Of course Jeremy had to go! And I wasn't about to stay alone. So we hiked up the mountain. Keep in mind my lungs are not sufficent! LOL I have struggled with asthma and this was like signing up for a torture session. But Jeremy so lovingly insisted we climb! I told him I didn't know how I could hate him and love him all at the same time. LOL After about a 20 minute climb up a rather steep incline, on a pathway of large and small rocks, I am so proud to annouce. I didn't pass out! I made it. And Awan was super proud of me too! It was a lesson for me. I realized that this climb is not much different than what we have asked of Awan on this trip. She has been thrown into a new cluture, and nothing is familar, and she at times can't breathe. But there are glimpes of this wearing off. She looked at me on our way back from the gorge, and said, " Mom I think I will be a photographer, and travel to new countries." We are both taking baby steps and we will both overcome our weaknesses. Funny, enough. Sunday before leaving a friend, prayed a simular prayer on me. She reminded me that God would be sufficent in my weaknesses. A message from the Lord. Honestly I was puzzled by the meaning but now seeing how homesick Awan has been I understand that being a Mom to a daughter that is homesick is hard. We will overcome this together. I thought for a second. Maybe she shouldn't have come. But now I see that Awan must rely on her faith to pull her through this week. I will be hard for her. She doesn't have her Nana. But the great thing is that she can now learn to lean on the Savior who never changes even if our circumstances do. She will get that by next Thursday!

She just came running back in the guest house. Smiling ear to ear.... Mom I met a boy on the road and he wanted my light up sticks, and I gave them to him. He was so excited!!! She is understanding the moments and glimpes of the Kingdom of Heaven. Now that is a trip worth working through.

Tomorrow is a huge day. We get to meet Samiah for the first time. We are so excited and can't wait to hold her!   We love you all and appreciate the prayers.