I LOVE BAHIR DAR

When Murray, Abeba, Matilda and I were living here in Ethiopia for 5 months - 4 of them were here at the Grace Centre and we made such special friends with Asmare who did our washing so faithfully each day.  She came around for a visit today with her little girl Kidist who was not even walking when we were living here.  They are both such a joy to be around and such an inspiration to us all.  The staff here at the Grace Centre amaze us everyday.  They are so generous with their time, so dedicated to their work and so joyful in their spirit.  We have a lot to learn from them and I wish I had more time to do that.  Already sad about leaving... This photo is of Kidist and her beaming, delicious, round, beautiful little face!!!  Em

PS: love you Mum - love you Dad xox

Two babies born today!!!!

An exciting day for babies in the Grace family today as two of the ladies who have been receiving care gave birth this morning. Unfortunately they had gone off to the hospital before we knew they were in labour. They both had healthy babies, the first a girl, followed by a beautiful boy. It was such a priviledge to be able to go with Sister Abu to check on the post partum ladies who were in the labour ward and another ward.

This was an experience I will never forget. The paint chipped iron beds were blood stained, rusty and the mattresses were only covered by a dirty looking vinyl cover. No sheets, pillows, water jugs, pads, cots nappies etc to be seen. The ladies were lying in their very soilded clothes they wore in, which was probably their only set of clothes, so were more like rags.
It was such a joy to be able to provide a bundle of new clothes for both mother and baby and some basic necessities ie sheet, soap, baby wrap, paw paw cream, water bottle and some vitamins to help these poor ladies manage their newborns in their simple one room mud huts.

Grace not only paid for the deliveries, items used ie gloves and medicines, but for the transport home- a bajaj (tuk tuk), only hours after delivery. I accompainied one lady home, and it was a very painful expeerience for her bumping over all the pot holes and rocks enroute.

Aaron with the Kids!

Here is a photo of Aaron playing with the kids in the Negede village. So cute! :D

Our trip to Gondar

Hey Everyone,

Well today was a big day. It's a holiday here so we were all off work and into a van for a 3 hour drive North of Bahir Dar to Gondar. We got there and Meskel was in full swing, 100's of people in the street celebrating. Our historical tour started with the Monastery, very interesting history, lots of artwork on the walls and floor that told all the stories in the bible, because many of the people couldn't read.

We then continued on to the 6 castles of the Ethiopian kings, all built in the same block of land. So many amazing ruins and many of them were quite advanced, including a sauna and swimming pool in one of the castles.

By the time we got though the castles we were all a little weary and ready for some lunch and the drive home so that's what we did! So a 3 hour drive home, a flat tyre just inside the Bahir Dar borders which was quickly changed and then finally home. Emma had dinner on the table for us when we got home and it was nice to be off the van.

We are all doing well and enjoying our time here but of course we are missing you all! Love Andrea.

One very proud owner of an Aussie Tee Shirt... This little boy was so proud of his new wears... Such and awesome privilege to be apart of delivering these kits.  We met with this village last trip and it is so great to again spend time with them building relationships even with the language barrier.   Also feel so grateful to be able to enter this village under the Grace Centre covering doing all of this with a hope that this village will come to know the real and only God who we are representing here.

Delivering house kits.

Aaron in his element :)