Day 8 - What Day is it?

By Barry Wilson

What day is it? That's the first thought I had this morning. I'm starting to lose track of days, and that's not a bad thing. There is a peace to taking each day one by one. No need to worry about tomorrow. That seems to be a way of life here, and I like it.

We spent the entire day today at the AWAA transition home. It was great to be able to relax, and continue to build relationships. No packed itinerary today.

Beth, our resident expert in counseling and child trauma issues, spent the day with the on-site psychologist. It is indeed a blessing to have a full time psychologist on staff at the home. She is in the trenches on a daily basis, fighting for the emotional well being of these kids. Hats off to her. She is amazing.

The remaining team members with creative minds (all except me and Tyson) worked on colorful paper creations to hang from the ceiling in the special needs room. These kids spend more time in their beds than most. We thought they might like to stare at something other than the ceiling.

The non-creative types (me and Tyson) taught some older boys how to throw a football and run a basic receiver pattern. It takes all types to form an effective mission team!

We broke out bubbles, frisbees, soccer balls, and musical instruments. It was a blast!

But all the fun aside, the highlights of the day for me were:


- arriving at the house and seeing special needs children outside, basking in the sun. This doesn't happen elsewhere. We've seen other orphanages where the kids might not even get out of their bed on a daily basis, much less get outside.


I held a boy earlier this week, who pointed and begged to be taken outside. To feel the sun, the rain, the wind....anything. I thank God for the nannies at the transition home who understand we are all made in God's image, and all have value, no matter how special our needs are.


- taking pictures and recording video of toddlers and babies, each of whom has a family back in the U.S., to send to their families. These families are wading through the various stages of regulatory red tape in order to get these kids home. To be able to send updated information to these families is like a lifeline. I pray that someone will do the same for Shelly and I when we are in the same situation.


- listening to two older boys as they shared photos and stories of their adoptive families. They are so proud! It was obvious the pictures had been handled hundreds of times. They are ready! We talked about which states they were going to, what the weather was like, and most important to them was, what sport was popular in that state. These young men will change the world!

I'm still not exactly sure what day it is. But I know this; it was a great day! We serve a mighty God!



Footnote: after I wrote today's blog, the team visited a cultural restaurant for traditional Ethiopian food and entertainment. Fun was had by all. Video footage of James and Shelly attempting a tribal dance may, or may not, exist!