World Vision Visit

I have sponsored Freihiwot for around the last 5 years through World Vision. I remember the day that I chose her name and picture, knowing that she lived in Ethiopia and praying that one day I would have the opportunity to see her, and this week that opportunity came! It was one of the most amazing and exciting experiences!
She lives in a town that is 265 km northeast of Addis Ababa, so World Vision picked me up on Sunday morning at 8am and we made the 6 hour drive out of the city. It was so wonderful to get out of the city for a couple days. Fresh air, green countryside, less people, noise and slower pace. As we made our way further and further from the city, first we passed through lush green farmland, then beautiful, windy mountain roads, and finally, drier lowland farms.
I stayed at the World Vision staff compound so I spent the evening eating with and getting to know those who live and work there. There was also a tv so I was able to watch the final World Cup match. Sorry Holland, I was cheering for you!!
Monday was the day I'd been waiting for. After having breakfast and devotions with the staff- where I was asked to share- we were off to meet Freihiwot! The car dropped us off and we had to walk back through a dirt road/path up a hill to get to her house. And when we arrived, she, her family, and half the village was waiting!
We hugged and I was invited into her home for coffee ceremony and popcorn- traditional ways of welcoming people here.
It was hard to believe this was actually real. As many of us sat huddled in the main room of their house, which serves as a bedroom for 5 people and living room, you could feel the heat and the love. We asked each other questions, talked about our families, things we like to do, eat, favorite colors...
Freihiwot is the middle of 5 children. The children range from 9-19, she is 14, and their parents have both died in the last 5-6 years of illness (probably AIDS). The children live by themselves in this home that their mother built and left for them. They are all in school, healthy, and beautiful!
We had such a good time talking and playing together, we played with bubbles, drew pictures for each other, and watched their acrobatic and karate entertainment outside. I was overjoyed as I watched Freihiwot laugh so hard she was crying! We have a lot in common ;)
All too soon, it was time to say good-bye. I cried as I shared with her what a privledge and honor it is to help her and her family in such a small way and to be graciously invited to their home and have the opportunity to meet them.
The afternoon was spent visiting other projects that World Vision has sponsored in the area: a Kindergarten, a health post, water storage, and a small dairy farm which is run by people with HIV/AIDS who aren't able to get other jobs so they are able to raise these cows and sell the milk.
I returned to Addis on Tuesday- back to the cold and rain, but also grateful to be home to my bed, a hot shower, friends, and city life.
I praise God for this opportunity that He has given me- to be able to invest in the life of someone else on the other side of the world is such a blessing and to be able to meet this people and have a relationship is even more incredible. God is so good!