6 months ago I walked through the gates of a place that held my 3 beautiful Ethiopian born sons. I was not even 2 steps in when our oldest son appeared out of his room with the biggest, most brightest smile I have ever seen. He knew. He knew he had a family that was coming for him. Our next son stepped out a bit more hesitant but still full of eagerness to meet us…And our youngest held tight to his nanny's hand…shy but peeking every so often to see us…All of their friends hanging back a bit but smiles abounded…for at this time, they were a family and they were happy..so, so happy for our three boys.
The gates we walked through…this place our boys called home for over 4 years…is called Abenezer Orphanage Association (AOA). It is a place that is filled with hope, love and support. Oh, I am sure there are many moments of tears, frustration and sadness but the love that these children have for each other is unbelievable. The nannies work tirelessly and they love the children at AOA. When we were there, we saw one of the nannies playing volleyball with our son. Their were endless tears by adults and children when our boys had their goodbye party….AOA is not only a safe place for children to be when life has been difficult and children are no longer able to be cared for by their first families…it is also a place of love & hope and a new kind of family….
So when we walked away from AOA for the last time with our children in our arms, we had a choice to make. The choice was this- would we walk away forever or would this place be a part of our lives forever…not just in thoughts but in action? The choice was easy but the how seemed a little more vague…
Until I got a call from a friend whose heart was in EXACTLY the same place mine was.
For those of you who shared in our story over the summer, this is the same beautiful woman who ran in support of bringing our boys home…who also has 2 beautiful children that called AOA home for a time. It is also a beautiful story of God's unfailing love and faithfulness as He brought 2 boys together into 2 different families who live just 2 hours apart who called each other best friends and brothers while they were living at Abenezer Orphanage. These beautiful children - we are now blessed to call our sons…..
Out of our conversations and passion to do something came the Serategna project. Serategna means "servant" in Amharic and that is what we want to be… Our organization's primary purpose to serve those that have stepped out in faith and who work each day to care for these children. We want to be able to provide financial support to AOA and in the future possibly some practical support.
It was an easy choice to get involved but there is much to be done. Tomorrow I will post more about how you can get involved - a choice you could make. Thank you for taking the time to hang out here on my blog. Please pray for the Serategna project as we seek to get it off the ground!
head on over to the website if you would like to read more about it -
http://serategna.webs.com
Blessings,
Candra
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