A glimpse into our ET sons...

It has been a long time since

I have posted about anything

 other than the pillow project.

So, just to make sure you don't

 disappear on me... here's a fun one.

 We have been absolutely blessed

 with our two oldest sons.

They are such a joy to know, and love...

 here are a few of the reasons why

I think they are pretty great kids:

Emnatu John

Emnatu sent an email 2 weeks ago.

He knows that I have been
working endlessly to try to raise
the money for our next trip.
He knows it will eat away at
our "rainy day money",
and his heart is just big enough
 to want to help....

"Mom I want to share my money
for that my family coming
and how much money can I share for you?"
~ Emnatu (age 20)

Now, of course, I reminded him

 that WE are supposed to be

 providing for him,

not the other way around, but...

How great is this kid??? 

I love to get messages from people

 who either know Emnatu or have met him.

  This week, I got a message from

 a Gladney worker in Ethiopia.

  He wanted me to know this...

"Do you know Emnetu is kind'f

"Representative" for all Kolfe boys?

they usually will have a meeting

and money will be contributed

or donated for

 "Emergency Medical Expenses"

 and Emnetu is the one who's always

 elected to handel such funds"

I actually had heard this story from

a Gladney V.P. a few months ago,

 but getting a refresher is great! 

 He is a great kid, and highly viewed

 by the other boys.

One boy in particular refuses to let me

talk about Emnatu moving

out of the orphanage.

G. doesn't cry often,

so this is an off limits subject around him.

He will miss Emnatu like crazy.   

The boys nicknamed him Pastor,

 because he sometimes reads to

 them from the Bible at night before bed.

  Love that!!!!!

I have told him that our hope

and prayer for him is that someday

 he would actually BE a pastor

 to the boys at Kolfe.

I would do everything I could

 to fund that career!

Ayal John 

photo courtesy of C. Gingerich

Two of my favorite posts about

our oldest son, Ayal John, 

can be found here and here.

This is a remarkable young man.

He has been a Kolfe "graduate"

for about 4 years.

  Living on his own in the city,

 struggling to eek out money

 for his rent and food.

  He is a testament to just

how difficult life is in Ethiopia.

 His current rent payment

 requires 100% of his salary.

  No, that's not a typo...
I said 100%. of his salary.

  So, my sweet son works overtime

 as much as possible so that he

can eat, and earn money to pay

for his transportation back to Kolfe for visits,

 and the occasional stop into the

Internet cafe to email John and I. 

I sent both of our boys a letter a few weeks ago

 with some strong motherly advice about dating.

Neither has time for that now,

but with their ages climbing,

and their lovable personalities...

 the girls won't stay away long.

  I worried a bit that he might become angry

 with me putting in my two cents worth,

 as I covered ALL the bases in this topic.

Remember he hasn't had a mom

 since he was 3,

 and now he has been blessed??

 with one who sticks her nose in everything!

 I adore his second response.

This came weeks after he had already told me

 he appreciated my advice,

 and would keep it handy for when he needed it...

 so this second one was completely unsolicited....

"I read that you write by
Amharic about girl friend.

 (A friend translated it into Amharic

 so they would understand it better.)

And I understand it is good.

 It is not making (me) Worry.

 Mom you can tell me any thing
 you wont (want) 

and advise me
whatever you won’t (want)

 because you Are my sweet mom."
 ~ Ayal (age 21)

  Aww... so sweet...

does he know the floodgate of advice

 he just opened?? :o)  

My last few hours in ET, Ayal pulled me aside.

He had purchased gifts for his family...

This was mine.  It means so much,

because I KNOW

he doesn't have the

money to buy this,

no matter how inexpensive

it might be.

He sacrificed to show

us just how much

having a family to call his own

 means to him.

Wow...

I couldn't wear it then,

because it was too small.

I have since had it lengthened.

I will wear this at the airport

in just a couple of months, so

that it is the first thing he sees.