We Are Back!

Dear Judson,

Last week you and I got to spend a 'once-in-a-lifetime' week in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.  It was wonderful!  It far exceeded my expectations.  YOU far exceeded my expectations. 

Your Dad and I wanted to give you this experience.  We wanted to make sure you knew how 97% of the world's population lived.  NINETY-SEVEN percent.  I am not talking about the 'things'  they did not have.  Things are not what makes people happy.  I'm talking about access to clean water and proper medical care, things like that.  You have so much more than most people living on this earth.  We wanted you to know that. We also wanted you to see how happy people are.  They didn't need tv or electronic games or designer clothes.  They were happy.  You were happy living and playing with the people you met. 

I also want you to know about the resistance Dad and I ran into when we announced I was going and taking you.  Many people have preconceived notions and misinformation about Addis.  Many people thought we should not take you.  I want you to know never once while we were in Addis was I fearful for your safety.  You were safe.  The people were nice.  Crime was/is not a factor there.  The most anyone warned me about was pick-pockets at the Mercado.  But since they wouldn't let us out of the van at the Mercado because we were ferengi that was not a problem.  The reason they would not let the ferengi out at the Mercado or anywhere where 'deals' were being made was the merchants would inflate prices to Americans(Or any foreigner) and with us there, they could not make good deals on the prices.  So they parked the van around the corner and went and made the deals on the merchandise we purchased, while we sat in the van.  I want you to remember this because I want you to realize, sometimes you have to do things in spite of being afraid or despite the resistance you come across.  It is okay!

I think you learned a lot while you were away.  You learned it was perfectly safe to play with kids who are HIV+.  You learned about HIV. You learned how it felt to be the only child with your skin color.  So maybe you will be more empathetic to Turner as sometimes he is the only child with brown skin when we go places. You learned about Ethiopian history.  You learned how Ethiopian history ties greatly to Biblical history.  You learned some Ethiopian games and dances. You had your first experience flying, and loved it.

You had great fun and I hope as you grow and mature, you will take what you have learned on this trip and apply it to other things.  Realize that what the news agencies portray is not always the whole truth.  Your eyes saw many things that you will never read or hear about in the news.  I hope your heart will always be open to learning new things and doing things even when you might be afraid or when it goes against what other people are saying. 

I also want you to know how wonderful your father is.  He was very unselfish in letting Me take you.  I think he would have preferred being the one to take you.  But he knew how much I wanted to go so he let me take you.  Of course, he was nervous about us getting on plane and traveling so far.  But he did not let FEAR rule him.  He let us go.  How awesome is that!  Again, I think you can learn from his example of unconditional love.

Thanks for being such a great travel mate and I hope we can go back to Addis Ababa someday and reconnect with our friends and loved ones.

Love,
Mom