reachingHISkids: The Spitting Grandma

I reached out to shake her hand and got a BIG surprise, the Grandma spit on me...

I absolutely love how diverse our world is in regards to culture and customs. I find it fascinating to think about how God understands each and everyone of us as different as we are. I recently shared about some of the difficult aspects of my recent trip to Ethiopia and now it's time to share some of the fun stuff, after all it was a really neat trip.

Of the 8 of us who traveled over, 5 (myself included) were already sponsoring children. I was SO excited to see my girl again and to have the other 4 meet their children for the first time. My cousin, Abby, started sponsoring last year. What I LOVE about Abby is that she is a college student and she is a sponsor, how cool is that?! I figure if a college student can afford $34 a month, anyone can, right?

I promised Abby that we would visit her little guy's home and meet his family. He is almost 8 years old, his mother is deceased and he is being raised by his father with the help of his two Grandmothers. When we arrived at his home his 2 Grandmothers were there to greet us.

What I have observed on my 2 trips to this village in southern Ethiopia is that adults are very reserved. However, not the children, I think children around the world are pretty much the same minus various customs they learn (I'll blog more about that later). However, when the children get around 12 years old those cultural norms begin to set in. So the adults are quieter people, reserved yet caring but once they get much older something changes. I LOVE the elderly Ethiopians I have met, they are super friendly, love to talk and pour out their blessings upon visitors.

After Abby was introduced, gave her gift of bread, the 2 Grandmas began to talk and talk, they spoke of the many years they have prayed, how God had blessed them with a long life and how they were praying for us. Then they each took our hands and spit on them. That's right, they spit on our hands. I immediately thought, "Oh my, this must be REALLY special." I couldn't wait to ask Desalegn, FOVC's director, what the spitting meant.

For these elderly women to spit on our hands meant they were giving us a HUGE blessing. It was an honor and for me it meant so much. I got to spend 6 days in that village but I would love to spend more time, really learn and understand the culture, customs and way of life. It is just fascinating to me.

This sponsorship program is neat, sponsors are given opportunities to travel over each year and meet their child, they can send gifts, they know their sponsorship coordinator (a.k.a. ME!!) will hug their child, what more could you ask for? As of today, 48 children still need a sponsor and if my precious college student cousin can come up with $34 a month, why can't you? You can e-mail me at reachinghiskids@gmail.com for more information on sponsorship or you can sign up right now online by following THIS LINK. On "Status" click the arrow and select "Unsponsored" to see the children who are waiting for a sponsor.