Mehaber is Amharic for "gathering of friends and family." Our family thoroughly enjoyed a great afternoon yesterday at an Ethiopian Mehaber!! This was a new event for us, and we have already decided that we want to make this event, as well as other Ethiopian community gatherings a "tradition" for our family.
Ryan and I feel so thankful that the area in which we live has a very strong Ethiopian community. It was awesome to be a part of it yesterday and to see so many adoptive families, transracial families, strong Ethiopian culture and traditions, and strong support of various causes that support Ethiopia.
The day was hot hot hot but loads of fun! We enjoyed Ethiopian music and dancing (by adults and kids -- completely adorable kids!) story-telling, Ethiopian food, many vendors selling Ethiopian crafts/ art/books/spices, etc., huge bounce houses, soccer games, and more. I read somewhere that this Ethiopian Kids event usually draws in around 1000 families!
Beyond a time of celebration, Mehaber also gathers to contribute to real and meaningful change in Ethiopia. This year Mehaber supported World Vision's clean water projects in Ethiopia. Love it!
Johnathan and Tenleigh loved everything about the day too. I think that it helped to bring something tangible to their minds about Ethiopia. At dinner last night we talked about the Mehaber. We kind of go through the 5 senses when we're asking the kids to share about things: What did you see, hear, what did your hands make (or in this case What did you see other hands make), what did you eat, etc.
I was thrilled with what they shared! Tenleigh liked the pink and silver dress (a beautiful traditional Ethiopian dress hanging behind a vendor's table)... and she reminded us that she really really wanted that dress!, Johnathan told us about the Ethiopian flag and the music, and how Tenleigh almost went to dance up on the stage with the Ethiopian kids! (She nodded her head in agreement.) Their favorite part of the day though was playing with all the other kids in the bounce houses and the giant bounce slide. :) I think that for Ryan and I, our favorite part of the day was feeling such a spark in our hearts for a country, a culture, a people... that we know will become such a special part of our family.
We are really looking forward to a New Year's celebration coming up in September and becoming a part of what seems to be a great organization, Ethiopia Kids Community!
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