Fire pictures

Since we cannot post pictures from Gesses, I thought I would add just a couple of pictures from the day of the fire.  Unfortunately the drama of the day kept me from taking my camera to the front lines nor did I take pictures of my blackened children.  But I did get one of my soot covered niece and our smoke filled compound.  Enjoy!

 The Gumuz were SO impressed with this doogana.  (beautiful girl)

 This picture is actually from last year's fire but it gives you a good idea of what it looked like surrounding our yard.

My warrior boy

My warrior boy.  He may not think like Gumuz boys do.  He may not have a mother who allows him to spend his days in the bush instead of the classroom.  He will never fully integrate into Gumuz culture but he does like hunting.  He is quite proud of his Gumuz bow and arrows and makes sure that our guards help him fix them when they break.  He has his weapons close at hand.

It was a proud day when my warrior boy got his first kill.  It might not be large but it did take precision.  It was dusk when my boy caught sight of this rat.  He ran to get his bow, took aim and was delighted to see that he had not only hit it but killed it.  And on this day, the Gumuz were proud.
A white boy who knows how to shoot as well as their own.

Now Gumuz children love to eat their rat kills and Joel was sorely disappointed when I vetoed the idea.   It was nearly dark.  It involved building a fire, roasting the rat over a fire and worst of all consuming it.  In hindsight, I should have let him had the pleasure of enjoying his first kill.  (But I am sure there are some among you who could understand my lack of enthusiasm).  Maybe by the time, he manages to hit the next one, this momma will be ready to say yes.

Photos with Tippy

It was time to say goodbye.  There is nothing quite like a camera to capture a memory (though a few can do it just as well with words).  Personally, I think the children holding Tippy are worth capturing all alone but this was a unique and special kitten.

We were able to send Tippy with a family travelling from Gesses to Addis Ababa and we were relieved to hear that she was well received by Born Free, an organization that cares for rescued orphan wild animals (and I believe some of the lions and other wild cats were in the homes of certain officials).

 About 24 hours after Tippy arrived in Addis, she crashed physically.   I wondered if it was the shock of leaving a hot climate with 5 doting children but it seems that something had been brewing.  A vet took care of her and she is apparently gaining strength.  So we might even get the chance to see her again:) 

 Although I am not a huge animal lover, I was once a child.  It is not so long ago that I forget my deep affection for animals.  In fact I am quite sure that it equaled my own children's love.  And so I find, that I open my arms and even my heart to God's little creatures and allow my children the experience of loving all things that He has created.

  Can't you just see the love? 

Until Tippy came to our front door, I didn't even know these wild Caracal cats existed in our "backyard".  I am always amazed at God's hand of creativity in each part of the world.