Croc delivery!

Here are some of the children wearing their new shoes.

Joy over new shoes!

They just found out they can pick out their own pair.

Woman carrying eucalyptus bundle down from Mr. Entoto

Today was another beautiful day!  We went to Hannah's Hope in the morning carrying 2 huge bags of Crocs that have been given by many families in the Wasco softball program.  Mekdes came running the moment we entered the compound and pounced on Shawn.  She immediately wants to put on his watch and touch his face.  Seeing them together has been such a joy for me!  Of course the children wondered what was in the huge black bags.  When we opened up the bags the kids  went crazy.  They actually got to go through the bags of Crocs and pick the pair they wanted!  Hugs and laughter filled the moment and I couldn't hold back my tears any longer.  Luckily, it wasn't a full on "ugly cry"  just tears of real happiness at seeing what a difference all of our friends had made in these kids lives!    We did some sight seeing with Wass in the afternoon.  Mt. Entoto and some brilliant old Orthodox churches.  We also went to Ethiopia University and went through the Haille Sallaissee museum.  It amazes me at how knowledgeable Ethiopians are about their history and culture.  Wass was able to take us through all of these "stops" and guide us with an amazing amount of information.  I know I wouldn't be nearly as knowledgeable if the rolls were reversed!  The poverty is everywhere.  A woman with no toes was sitting on the side of the road begging for money.  We gave a woman some money who was at one of the Orthodox churches to use the holy water found there as she thought it would cure her HIV.  She was so grateful, you would think we had just given her a million dollars.  Women were climbing the street leading up Mt. Entoto carrying huge bundles of eucalyptus leaves and branches.  They go up and down the mountain every day and sell these bundles for one dollar.  No matter how devastating their circumstances may seem, the smile on their faces remains.  It is a beautiful lesson, really!