Chowin' Down in Huts

When moving here, we had heard in a training that, as much as possible, accept every invite (providing it wouldn't be a compromising situation).

I wondered how we would navigate what The Littles could eat in the homes. 

However, when we walk in, there is no way to graciously refuse the food and The Littles would not stand for me not allowing them to experience the new foods in front of them.

So, they chow down. The Littles love coffee and I am glad. It's a boiled drink so safe to drink. 

I prep them before we go into a new house. "Girls, it is probably a mud house. Don't make any rude comments about anything. Say thank you, be friendly, and Little A, NO COMMENTS ABOUT HOW HUNGRY YOU ARE. Heavens Child, you JUST ate. We can eat again as soon as we get home!" 

Little A is always hungry. If it is understood here (like at coffee time at the SIM project), food is piled in front of her while everyone else takes meager portions. 

I remind them to shake hands. "It's okay if the hand is dirty, Mama can wash yours when we get home."

There are some things unforeseen, that I can't prepare them for because I didn't know to expect it. Like the welcome into the home by laying down a fresh sheep skin to sit on. "Mama, what is that?" I answer with a calm smile, while trying not to sit on the head of it, "Wow, it is sheep skin! I bet it is warm! I have never sat on a sheep before, have you?" They smile and sit down. 

The baby screams when he realizes a white woman is holding him. (No joke, he studied my face about 10 seconds before screaming). His parent's apologized and pointed to my skin.

They really wanted to bless us with holding him though, so The Littles were asked to hold him.  

"Mama, he's not wearing unders!" 

I tried to convince Little A into holding him. She obliged for a quick moment. I love this picture and know I already put it on instagram but in this picture, she is figuring out anatomy and is not impressed.

 Thanks for praying flexibility into my kids. By the grace of God, they are rockin' this scene. 

 

We are at Cherie's in Bahir Dar, Jon flew in and The Littles and I took a minibus here.  Bahir Dar has internet (four bars!), cell phone signal, juice and tomatoes. Sigh. Even though it's rainy, we will take these blessings. :)