Day 9

Day 9 I can not believe we have been gone for 9 days! This morning was a fun morning to just play with the kids and enjoy them. I had the worst upset stomach day yet but tried to move past it. We of course started with songs and the flag ceremony.  Then we wee challenged to a soccer game. It was Americans vs Ethiopian staff. Thankfully they went easy on us and it was a close game. We all looked silly because of the dehydration and exhaustion factor. All in all it was a lot of fun.  We had the privilege of feeding the kids lunch today. Thankfully Christine warned us about how they would politely inhale the food and completely clean their plates. As we prepared for the 300 kids we would be feeding, we got to help wash their hands. It felt a bit like what the bible talks about when Mary washes Jesus feet. Very special.  Then the kids walked  in and sat on the benches in the church. They waited so patiently while the aromas of food filled the air. They were so gracious as they accepted a plate of food and a soda. You cannot help but get emotional when you know this is probably it for them for the day. Trying to hold it together we served all the school children. There was still some left and plenty of kids outside to eat it. We invited in some of the siblings to partake. We ran out about half way through the serving. I cannot explain the look of disappointment in the kids eyes when we said no more.  Nothing that I will soon forget.  They were very gracious and forgiving.  There were so many to feed.  When there were but scraps left the staff put together large platters to hand out to the neighborhood  kids.  It was gone in seconds. After all of this we called it a day. We returned to our hotel and have been trying to regroup for tomorrow. I am excited to experience their church service tomorrow but broken hearted to say good bye to these precious kids!