Mike and I have put out a request to many of our Columbus area friends and believers for help for a refugee family that he knows.  They told him of a young girl in their family who is to have her baby any time now, and they have nothing (NOTHING) for the baby.  They are sleeping on the floor and have no table.  They recently moved to Columbus with few personal possessions.  Mike and I have been moved by the compassion of our friends and the brothers in Christ who responded so generously to these needs.  In the matter of a few short days, we had collected a crib, mattress, sheet, clothes, cups, wipes, diapers, creams/lotions, highchair, baby swing, stroller, car seat, lamp, kitchen supplies, cleaning supplies, personal care items, and many many other things!  We crammed it all into the back of the ol' CRV and drove 15 minutes to Somalia.  

Mike and I pulled into an apartment complex and were met by Mike's friend, Mohammed.  We unloaded the car as the whole neighborhood (it seemed) helped us carry this up to the apartment (including some super cute kids!).  We were met by the family with giant hugs and "Thank you!  Thank you!"  Their apartment was sparsely furnished, but decorated with fabric wall hangings and party decorations (kind of like you'd see at a graduation) that were brought from Somalia.  It was as if we made the flight to Somalia in a 15 minute drive!  Mike and Mohammed set out to put the crib together (or the baby-bed, as the women called it) while I visited with the women.  The older women spoke little English, but we tried!

Dinnertime came around, and we shared Somali rice with goat (yum!) in traditional style. We all sat on the floor in two groups (men and women) with a platter of rice and meat.  We washed our right hands in a bowl of water, and then dug in!  Literally, we ate with our hands- but only the right one (apparently, it is custom, as the left is used in hygiene).  I got rice everywhere and all over me until Hawo taught me how to ball the rice up so I could eat a little easier.  Then the guys finished the crib, after a few calls to our friend, Dan, for expert engineering advice.  We all thanked each other, and they walked us out to the car with many promises to let us know when the baby is born and to visit soon.  

This was THE coolest thing Mike and I have had a chance to do in a long time.  We LOVED it!  It was amazing to see a different way of life, and to become acquainted with a Somali family in their home.  Sharing the meal was incredible.  We have eaten in a restaurant, but a dinner meal in a home is unsurpassed.  Our God is a great God, and we thank Him for the opportunity to make new friends and have Him use us to bless people.