Angelyn did not get sick from the fruit last night! Yay! After devotions and breakfast, we drove the beautiful, bumpy road to Samre, which takes about 2 hours one way. I loved waving at all the people we passed, and hearing the kids yell, "China!" as we went by. Apparently, they thought we were from China...do we look Chinese?
Stopping along the way to check out the aloe vera growing everywhere.
We passed so many people carrying large loads of sticks, branches, or yellow water jugs.
When we got to Samre, we participated in another sponsorship distribution day.
This is Tsadal, who is featured in AGCI's video series "A Path to Hope." (click to watch) This is an amazing short series that I encourage you to watch. It includes so many scenes that we see every year in Ethiopia. Tsadal was given the gift of hope when someone stepped forward to sponsor her education.
It was so good to see Berhe, one of our sponsored children, again.We visited with him, took photos, and were even in his sponsorship update video.
So many kids have these cheap, plastic shoes, and have to walk several hours one way just to receive their sponsorship funds so they can get an education.
Such adorable kiddos! I love their bright smiles!
After distribution, we walked to the home of one of the sponsored children.
We passed this young girl carrying jerry cans of water for her family. Some children have to walk several miles each day just to find water, which is not even safe for their families to drink. Many children have no hope of going to school, because daily household chores take them all day.
The sponsored child we visited is 17 years old, and lives with her 12-year-old brother in a one-room home. Besides going to school, she is the homemaker and caregiver for her brother, since their parents are deceased.
I was so impressed with how neat she kept her home!
We had Ethiopian bread and honey as a late lunch while driving back to Mekele. It was so yummy!
Along the way, we met some sponsored kiddos walking the several hours home after receiving their funds. We gave them a ride to save them some time. Included in the group was Tsadal, who I mentioned above.
Back in Mekele, most of the team caught a quick nap (something about the trip to Samre is SO tiring!) while I talked to the boys and sent messages home. For dinner, we walked to the same traditional restaurant at which we had lunch yesterday.
Such a great group of human beings right here!
