Day 3 (Part 2-Gotcha Day still!)

After meeting our Juniper Tesfanesh, we loaded on a bus to go shopping. It was a strange experience; I wanted to stay at Hannah's Hope so much to see everything and take it all in, but because Junie's reaction was so scared and afraid, I thought it was okay to give her a break for a little bit!

We drove through the city to a small shopping area. This was probably the first time we were out in the city in the daylight. I've read of the poverty. I've seen pictures and videos. NOTHING can do it justice other than being there. Being surrounded by it. As we drove, my eyes darted from scene to scene, trying to remember everything I saw and process the situations that so many people are living in. There were tons of people everywhere; people in business suits walking alongside people in rags.


The worst was seeing people on the sidewalk stepping over piles of blankets. I thought this was weird until I realized that a person, a human being, someone created in God's image, was lying under those blankets. I caught a glimpse of some of their faces; hollow, sunken faces. Tired faces. And I'm on a bus with two cameras in my bag and 3600 Birr in an envelope to go shopping (side note: way too much shopping money, but the left over can be paid toward the hotel fee for those of you traveling soon!) all while texting my wife on a Blackberry the news that I met our daughter. What on Earth? Why such a difference in the world? I have NO reason to complain about anything. My heart was moved for these people. But I still struggle with how to help...


We went shopping for a short time. I don't know how long we were there because it was crazy busy. It was like using Monopoly money for things....a scarf was 40 birr...but I had no idea how much that was in US currency. (Later I figured out 40 birr is $3.30 or so, but the math in my head was just too much!) The AGCI staff encouraged bargaining with the shopkeepers, as most sales are negotiated, but I felt so bad trying to get something cheaper, I didn't do much negotiating. I had made a list of what I wanted to get for Jana, the girls, parents, nieces, etc. I had grand ideas of buying something for Junie's birthdays each year, for her wedding, etc. but I wasn't that organized. I did get several dresses of various sizes for the girls to wear, jewelry for everyone, candlesticks, a tablecloth, and some other things.

We went to an Italian restaurant/art gallery for lunch. It was great to sit down and talk with other families on such an important day. We had great pizza and my first Ethiopian Coke; it was good time.



We went back to Hannah's Hope where I saw Junie's room, met more of her special moms, and finally got to take her back to the hotel! She was finishing a bottle when I got there, so she was fairly happy until I picked her up. She started screaming and Almaz said..."You, go..." and, um, "escorted" me to the door of her room. I asked a few quick questions, things that I thought may come in handy, such as "is she on regular or soy formula?" and "how much does she eat?". Given the fact Jana nursed both our girls, I had NEVER given a bottle, nor did I know how to mix one. They said, "Yes, soy. Um...about 4 or 6 or 8 ounces, sometimes more..." and that was it. I had intended on talking with the special moms (even though they don't speak much English) about how to calm her down, likes, dislikes, etc. but this was cut short because of the constant shrieking that my little princess had started.

I tried to calm her down outside, but she showed how tough she could be. Most families walked their kids back to the hotel, but because our little lady was making such a commotion, Almaz came out and put me in a van! She couldn't keep this screaming up for long, right?

Yep. She sure could. 2 hours and 20 minutes to be exact. Once back at the hotel, I put her on the floor on a blanket and tried to play with her, change her, feed her, soothe her. Nope. No go. This crazy guy was staring at her and she wanted nothing to do with it! Finally, she would stop for a second, then look up at me and start crying again. These pauses were longer and longer until she finally fell asleep on me in our Ergo baby carrier. In true Dad form, I thought I'd just lay her on the bed and we'd all get some rest. Ha ha...yeah right, it started all over again!

After awhile, we went downstairs for some dinner and the walking around and the commotion of the restaurant entertained her until she fell asleep again at about 7:30 her time. That night, she got up 4 times and started her fearful cry again, but I would take her into the bathroom (we left the light on) and she'd look at me in the mirror, lay her head back down, drink a little more formula, and go back to sleep. I was so enamored with her, I didn't sleep between the 2nd and 3rd wakings. I just stared at her, amazed that I was laying next to our baby!



So glad you're home sweetheart!