Post Africa...

Well....as I write this post {Dec. 27, 2010}, a bit of time has passed since I went to Ethiopia. A lot has changed and happened. One exciting thing was that Ramato and Yubo were finally able to be adopted by a loving family (the Coopers..Darren & Shelly} from Utah in Oct. 2009. So when we were in Utah for Christmas 2009, we went to their house in Salem for dinner. DeAnna and her husband Lon and grandson Hakeem were able to come too. That was my first time actually meeting Lon and Hakeem. It was a fun reunion. Yubo had to show me her room and she was totally into Princesses...it was cute. It's fun to see how far they've come. I'm so happy for them and their family! P.S. I hear they are still doing great...they were sealed to their family in Nov. 2010 and my parents were able to attend. Happy times.

Shelly & Yubo {Dec. 2009}
Yubo, Shelly, Lucy
Ramato, Tyler {one of their new brothers} & Yubo.
Ramato & Yubo at VOH in April 2009.

Shelly & Yubo at VOH in April 2009.

As I mentioned above, since my trip a lot has happened. Village of Hope transitioned into new leadership and Lon was arrested in March 2010 for years of sexual child abuse and is currently awaiting trial. DeAnna and family has had to endure all of this. It's heartbreaking and I feel so much anger that so much deceit and lies could occur. I only wish the best for DeAnna, her family and the children/adults involved. I have grown to love DeAnna, VOH, and Ethiopia and hope that VOH and the people of Ethiopia can continue to benefit and grow from the good that VOH has done and will continue to do. Love to all. And maybe, hopefully someday I can go again to AFRICA...I place I really do love.

PS: Other random interesting things post-Africa

*Carolyn married an Ethiopian and still lives there.

*Miriam is currently serving a mission in Dominican Republic

*Celina moved to Ethiopia and worked for VOH...

met and married a guy there and now lives in Utah.