Dreams with no Boundaries: Happenings.

Where to start with recent happenings?

Probably the best thing that has happened has been the arrival of Alyssa, finally! Thank goodness to not be a parent. Hallelujah!

We were able to have a great Halloween! Having to explain the holiday to people who have never heard of it made it seem a lot weirder. The kids couldn't understand why we were carving our food and dressing up, talk about odd. Carving our pumpkins was a definite success. Mine is the happy faced pumpkin with the great big smile, I was still feeling over joyed to have Alyssa back. The international Embassy school put on a big Halloween carnival we got to go too. It was just like the good ol' days complete with face painting, fortune telling, and a haunted house! Before the event, we were able to gather up costumes for the kids from some of our American friends and me and Alyssa dressed as pirates! It seemed fitting with dreads. It was funny leaving the party and walking the streets all in costumes. I'm sure people thought we were absolutely crazy. Here are some pictures from the event...

Fun Halloween Celebrations!

.......................................................................

And these next pictures are just kind of a mixture of things that have gone on....

I took the kids swimming for Tofik's 11th birthday.

This was one of his cakes. Pretty cool candles eh?

Chowing down the grub!

Birthday cake #2 at a friends house.

Sleep over outside!! After we did it once the kids slept out for the next week. It's pretty sweet that it's November and it's still plenty warm to sleep out.

Gutama and Tofik being silly.

This is something we see on a daily basis. The kids are SO good at marbles. I've lost all mine to them.

..........................................................................

Now that you've seen some random pictures in the middle of this post...This past week we were able to visit the farm. It was strange being back but was so happy to be able to see everyone again. It was crazy how much things have changed in just 2 months. Everyone was so happy to see Alyssa and Me again but pleaded with us to get Wes back. In honor of us they coked Tibs (Goat), injara, bread, and cokes. It was a short 3 hr visit before we had to fly back to Addis. However, the flight back was awful. It was so turbulent and we all tossed our cookies or came close. I hope I can visit everyone again.

Eating goat with everyone.

Some of our friends and workers on the farm. Miss you all!!

Umare, Me, and Nati

This is the meal of tibs and injara. Good thing I'm habashaw.

This is looking down from the plane on some of the fields and land clearing on the farm.

An abstract shot from the plane too that I'm sure Mr. Prescott will love. Am I right, Larry?

.......................................................

Today Alyssa and I visited the Alert Hospital. It specializes in leprosy, TP, and HIV. We were able to tour the facility. It was very impressive. They had a training center, research Lab, Testing lab, physical therapy center, and on and on. They are doing a lot of good there and helping at least 12,000 patients a day! The best part of the hospital was their gift shop though. Many the patients have lost fingers, hands, and have sever deformities- They are given the chance to work. The gift shop is filled only with the crafts, creations, and sewing of the patients. How amazing these people are. I'm so grateful to be healthy and have hands.