April 3, 2010

This is such a depressing time for me in Ethiopia. Here we don’t eat any animal products for 40 days. Easter is the breaking of the fast. So the streets are full of goats, sheep, and chickens who are about to be killed. The chickens hang upside down as they are being carried. The shepherds use whips on the sheep and drag them by their front legs. I just so miss the way we celebrate Easter in USA with new dresses, candy, and lunch with friends and family. Mmmmmm… please eat a malted milk egg in my honor.

Things have been UNBELIEVABLE at the Trampled Rose. The new hospital is beautiful. The service is like a dream. But the most important part……….. the women are getting well!!!!! We have been part of completing six surgeries in the last week. I just wish I could describe what it is like to you. The women are so desperate for love and touch. It’s been so long for most of them. They are such good friends to each other. They are genuinely loved and loved back by the employees. But…. they still leak urine even after several surgeries. But because of the level of expertise and excellence of equipment, these Doctors are able to do the very advanced surgeries and they seem to be working. I just wish you could see the wonder on the faces of these women who wake up from surgery with good reports.

Then if you could see our little Mabret. She is about 19 years old and she arrived to us unable to read one letter. Yesterday I saw her borrow a book from someone to read!!!! Our newest arrival, Emiyu, she has never owned shoes. Nan Graber gave her a pair of flip flops and she couldn’t stop taking them off to look at them.

So, at the start of this Saturday morning, I am so grateful that love really does win.