Ethiopia  – Here I Come | May 29, 2009

Leaving for Ethiopia soon – this is a non-World Vision trip.  I am flying to Addis Ababa to work at an orphanage for about 5 plus weeks.  The orphanage is run by the agency Attie came through. They started this work a few years after she came home.  I had always thought I would like to go and volunteer for them and this is the time!  Not quite sure what to expect as things seem a bit loose but I know God walks before, beside, and behind.  My first flight, after the obligatory stop in Seattle, is Washington, DC.  I overnight there so am taking a motel.  Twelve hours, at night in the airport did not seem like a good way to start a long trip!  Thank you for your prayers and traveling with me.

Next day –

It is four in the morning, OR time!  Just finished breakfast and am off to the airport in a few.  So glad I took the motel – the flight here was the first of my adventures.  The good things – it was on time . . .  that’s it!

The bad things – a broken seat in front of me so the man in it reclined into my lap and had no inclination to help – the man next to me was super-sized and lapped over  and also snored – suffice it to say that I switched to a middle next to the back row seat and thought it was great (comparatively speaking!)  Not really a big deal, and it seems funny now but I may never fly United again!

Enough for now – thanks again for your love and support .

So This Is Ethiopia!  | May 31, 2009

Good morning all,

Well, I have arrived – for those few who received my short “I am here” message, that was as good as it got yesterday as there was no power and the dial up laptop I was using didn’t like me at all!

The trip over was as uneventful as these trips usually are, which means a broken seat back in my lap, spilled water (thankfully only water) in my lap, and over 14 hours on the same plane.  Not bad really.  On the long flight my seat was fine and I sat next to a lovely young Ethiopian man and enjoyed our conversation very much.  I saw the lights of Rome – bittersweet.

Arrived in Addis only two hours late (ah- Africa time!), was met by an AAI young man and we waited for a couple whom I had met on the plane.  They are here to pick up their son so very exciting.

Addis is at 8000 feet and warm and sunny right now.  It is a sprawling city of about 6 million (this is me putting on my travel guide voice) and I have seen very little of it so far.  The volunteer house is in a neighborhood of gated big homes – many of them for diplomatic folks.  The road in front is dirt and rocks – Zambian folks will know what I mean but the main roads are all paved.  Driving is the typical developing nation free for all – great fun if one is not driving!  If there is a divided highway and one does not wish to go out of the way, simply turn into oncoming traffic and proceed until there is an opening to get into the correct lane.  Truly this stuff makes me laugh so no worries.

The volunteer house is fine but not luxurious at all – World Vision has me spoiled royally.  Claustrophobia is the word of the day – my bedroom is the twin bed and my suitcases – fortunately there is a cupboard so I can unpack.  The bathroom is a single person only but there is hot water when the power is on.  It was today – praise the Lord.

The Western staff are fine if very casual – “whatever” seems to be the word of the day at the moment.  Of course, these are just first impressions.  I did get to visit Layla House where I will be working.  So many darling kids so that should be great.

I am a bit homesick at the moment and would appreciate your prayers – much of it is due to still not knowing anything – like my way around, what I will be doing, etc. and a less than welcoming environment.  I know these things will improve.

Today is Sunday and no one seems inclined to go to church so I will do that myself.  Hopefully next week I will have that worked out.

Thanks so much to all who are helping Attie – I am forever grateful.  She wrote and said I have the best friends ever and she is so right.  I love you all – you are here with me

Lights Please?  | June 1, 2009

Hello my very dear ones,

Saturday night – no power

Sunday night – no water

Monday night – both out!

I am getting a chance to see how much of the world lives but still with the comparative luxury of a roof over my head and bed to sleep in.

It is now 11 pm here and I have slept for 3 hours.  When the power is out and it is dark, go to bed!  Obviously, I woke up and the power was on so seize the moment!  I will definitely get some more sleep but this seemed more important at the moment.

I hope my contact list is all worked out now so more of you will get this.  Heartfelt thanks to those of you I have heard from – it means the world – and your prayers are the air I breathe, except much cleaner I am sure!

The rest of Sunday improved – one of the young women and I went out for lunch and a walk – it helped a great deal with orientation.  The markers for a couple of the turns are embassy signs – Zambia and Mozambique!  Great.  Lunch was Ethiopian and good.  Then we went to the Starbucks knockoff and that was great fun – Kaldis – but the same type of sign and the baristas wear black clothes and green aprons – good coffee but in tiny cups – I am sure I will be there a great deal!  That evening two other volunteers showed up after a weekend away – they are lovely young women but everyone I have met so far are definitely in the Eat, Pray, Love school of thought – I am feeling rather belligerently Christian – hopefully not obnoxious just clinging firmly to the truth and very grateful for it.  I want to influence them but also must tread cautiously.

Monday was my first full day at Layla House – too many impressions to convey it accurately – so many children – over 150, including babies.  But they are well cared for and kept busy – certainly by this culture’s standards.  They have classes weekdays and frequent field trips.  We are taking some swimming later this week – yes, there are places that have water!

The names are difficult to learn as they are so very different from Western ones but I am working on it and have a few down.  The Ethiopian people are very beautiful, as a group.  The children really pull at me, but they are still kids and have their charm and their acting out.  Attention is craved.  So far, I have played with babies, (and missed my precious Elliott) sat in on an English class, played games and watched some awesome soccer games played in a concrete play yard but haven’t seen any injuries!  Their footwear ranges from bare feet to pink sandals to proper soccer boots but worn with these awesome and outrageous striped socks!  Yes, I have a picture.

Tomorrow (or is it today?) I will start teaching some classes and look forward to that very much.

Well – enough rambling – back to bed but just a couple thoughts that God sweetly shared with me on Sunday – “I will fulfill my vows to the Lord.”  Ps116:18

“Grant that I may think those things that are right” from the Divine Hours.

Blessings on you all and again, your prayers are everything.

Layla House  | June 3, 2009

I am seizing the power and internet moment while it is on.  I will probably be writing as much as I can as this is my journal and there are so many impressions right now (please just delete these if they get too long and/or too frequent!)- paved four lane road with a cow wandering out in the middle – goat corner – obviously where the goats hang out – beautiful Muslim women in their scarves – saw my first full burka – dust and serious air pollution as cars here do not exactly have to pass DEQ – some amazing smells – some great and some not so –  very dry and intense sun but not too hot –

I taught my first two English classes today – great fun – the kids are very quick overall – I introduced myself and the fam and then did a lesson.  Later I did math Bingo with the older kids – fractions – again they were so quick – they had to reduce them or increase to get the correct space – I loved it.  I have learned a couple of names so that is a bit of progress and can say “thank you” which is about a paragraph long over here!  There was a farewell party for a girl going home today – very sweet and touching.  It gives me a bit of appreciation of what At went through.  The young woman from the AAI [Adoption Advocates International] office was over here for a week, and she is accompanying this girl and a baby boy home.  I got to hold the little guy and he cuddled up so that was much enjoyed.

With the dicey power/running water situation, I did a morale thing today – I joined a fitness club for the month – I can go in the morning, work out a bit, TAKE A WARM WONDERFUL SHOWER, grab a coffee and head to the House.  That will be my “friend!”  It is very awesome.

Thank you again, for the notes and especially for those of you helping At.  I’m sorry I can’t respond directly to each of you but please know how much the connections mean to me – rather essential.

A Day In The Life  | June 4, 2009

It’s hard to believe I have been gone from home almost a week – that is a good thing to feel!  Today was quite busy but the routine is starting to emerge.  I am going to teach an English class each day – levels 3-5, the older students.  I will just rotate through them.  I have had an intro class with each of them – but the main thrust of the plan here is grammar – I think their’s is better than American kids – but that is not what I want to do so I will need to get creative – certainly more conversational etc.

Today started splendidly with a good warmup walk to the fitness place – a nice workout and then a beautiful, wonderful, spacious, hot shower!  I had not had a shower since Sunday morning so this was heaven – (I have sponge bathed and washed my hair once in a bucket so never fear – I am not offending anyone, with my odor at least!)  After my delicious shower, I got coffee and headed over to Layla for the day.  The day is divided into 45 minute periods with an hour lunch and the day ends at 3:05.  They study math, science, English, gym, (which mainly involves running around the courtyard – the “PE” teacher is not too impressive – he is being worked on!) activity time, crafts, library, computer – that’s all I can think of right now – oh America class for the older kids.  Obviously these do not all meet everyday but the core classes do.  However, given that lovely organization, this is still Africa.  Today the new volunteer (who people thought might be 30-40 and is really 19 – oh well – I may not see anyone within a decade of me here!) and I were asked to sort piles of shoes by size, large, medium, and the small.  We sorted carefully and found pairs and put them back in the bins.  Later in the day, we handed out shoes to children.  Well – (said with an ironic note) several children were allowed in at a time – please picture this is a small cramped storeroom with no light – (power out) and the only light coming in from the door.  Several older boys were there to help and they really did but their number kept growing.  I was tucked back a bit, given a large bin and told to hand out 2 pairs of undies to each child.  Picture a bin full of underwear with no idea of size or gender – I set about sorting as the children set about trying on shoes – flinging them everywhere and making no attempt to keep pairs together.  One small group would finish and another would come in to continue the mayhem – I was able to sort the undies basically and hopefully no one’s circulation will be cut off or will suffer an embarrassing moment as the undies head to the floor.  Great fun –  however, the neat organization of the shoes is a brief but fond memory.

Status report – the power is still on at the Volunteer House – amazing – it tends to be 24 on and 24 off, roughly.  I do not set my watch by it.  No running water since midday Sunday and who knows when it will come back.  However – no worries as I am a woman with a shower!

God is always faithful and so obviously in these kinds of places.  I am very aware of the need of His presence.  This is not the easiest place I have been but there is much that is good and getting better.  Again, though, World Vision is the group to travel with!  Much TLC.

It is the end of the working day and I am hoping to head into town for a real meal.  I am trying to grab power moments while I can.  Glad to hear the news from the home front.

I Do Actually Work!  | June 4, 2009

The power is out so I am writing this and will send it when possible.  No running water since Sunday morning.  It’s amazing how one can adjust!  (No details necessary!)  Day Four at Layla has ended and each day gets better.  I have a teaching schedule now and love doing my own thing there.

What does a day look like, you may ask.  Well, I am up about 6 and head over to my fitness place. The walk takes about half an hour, up and down hills, much of it on gravel.  After the workout ( which I do only to justify the expense) I earn my heavenly shower.  Then I pack up all my gear for the day and head upstairs to the coffee shop, have coffee and maybe a treat (very dry here!), read my Bible etc. and relax before the day starts at about nine.  For those of you who think (like a son of mine!) that I am only lolling around gyms and coffee shops, this is really what it is like.  As I am typing, I am waging war on some aggressive flies – shooing flies occupies some time each day, as does walking, probably several miles a day, passing black water, beggars (the moms with little ones as young as two or three already running up with a hand out break my heart, but this is as it should be – they get fruit from me), keeping my footing, avoiding cars which would like to run me over( it’s nothing personal – they aim for everyone – I swear they get together after a day and count coup!), passing shacks that are businesses, greeting friendly people and hearing oneself called friengi – foreigner.  Water drinking is essential – at first to help adjust to the altitude and jet lag but now just due to dryness.  Washing hands is another frequent activity – it isn’t the dirt or whatever but just not wanting to get sick.  Thank the Lord (and I mean that literally!) for Purell.   The food quest is a bit more of a challenge than I had imagined – there are great restaurants here but they are at quite a distance.  And yes, I do actually work with kids about 7-8 hours a day in between all those other activities.

I am learning a great deal on this trip – I love World Vision and will probably say that again (I am not here with WV) – food is a real morale issue for me – I am a soft Westerner, not so much physically but in all other ways – God feels closer here as my awareness and need are greater – I love it when the children respond to me, who wouldn’t?! – doing the hokey-pokey is still a hit – children are children the world around and I love them but Elliott is still the best one ever – I am a bit shaky watching especially the babies, who are very well cared for but have no one who thinks they are the best thing in the world, and thinking that this is what Attie experienced – I can’t stay there or I will cry and the babies need someone to laugh and play with them – that said, I really like the older children, at least in bunches – bunches of babies or little ones rather overwhelm me.

Enough – I could ramble on for ages but will spare you.  Tonight I will help with a group which is being taken out to dinner by the parents of a boy who is going home this weekend.  Should be fun.

All Grace  | June 5, 2009

I will seize the day as we have power today and after an initial dicey moment, we also have the internet!  This will probably mean two emails in a row but it’s been a day for me.  And water is now running lightly, after six days.  No real hardship for those of us who get to take hot showers every day!  What a blessing.

It is Friday night here and it seems like the first week has gone quickly.  I really love the teaching and the names are not sounding quite as foreign.  I got my shower and coffee again this morning although I think Kaldis ( the coffee shop) is viewing me with great suspicion.  Twice I started out without paying as I am so used to paying as I buy my coffee at home!  Luckily I have caught myself but I am a real criminal element.

Today we had a BIG party after school for the many children who are going home this weekend.  I think there are 10 children going – 3 with one family and 4 with another – yikes!  But wonderful.  I got a closer look today of what the siblings mean to each other – after the party I went with a few children who have siblings at Ahope – the facility for HIV positive children.  It was very touching to see them hug their sibs and obviously enjoy the time.  The children there seem healthy overall and love attention.  I was a bit mobbed but managed to keep my camera and passport holder out of their sweet grubby little hands!   My bracelet had to be passed around and tried on, even by a baby of about one or so.  He knew what it was for and where it went.

This weekend I am headed out of town with another volunteer – to Ethiopia’s version of Crater Lake – it sounds beautiful and we will just spend the night and be back Sunday.

As I reflect on my first week, God’s oh so generous grace is so very evident – from the fitness center, to finding my way, to sweet responses from children, from smiles, from feeling worthwhile, to even finding an earring I thought a baby had ripped off!

Wenchi or Wenji?  That Is The Question  | June 6, 2009

Catherine, one of the other volunteers, and I are back from our “weekend” in Ambo and Lake Wenchi.  It’s still Saturday.  We left at 9 this morning and headed out with our driver.  We drove for a couple of hours and stopped for coffee – the town we were in, I knew its location and it was definitely not where we wanted to be.  However, when trying to explain to him, he was adamant we were on the right track so we went on.  Soon we hit a dirt road and those of you who have been to Africa know whereof I speak.  After about one and a half hours on that road, we arrived in Wenji and not Wenchi!  We were out in the middle of nowhere but the place we had arrived seemed quite lovely and green – it even had a Rose Garden laid out in an English pattern, although no true English gardner would ever lay claim to it.  Where we had actually landed was the compound of a huge sugar factory.  There were some nice brick homes and an actual “country club,” African style.  A young man came out who spoke English quite well and explained to our driver what went wrong.  However, it all turned out very well – this young man was a teacher and invited us into the garden area for lunch – we ate outside – there was even a nice looking swimming pool!  It was very surreal to have driven so

long over these incredibly bumpy dirt roads and be dropped down into this little oasis.  The teacher bought us lunch – injera and wot – I had to pass on the wot as my first bite brought back shades of Thailand in terms of burning mouth and tearing eyes – only a hint though, thank goodness!  Then we went on a driving tour around the sugar factory complex – saw the “hard workers'” little houses and then ended at his school.  I am seriously ashamed of myself with the first reactions I had here.  He lives in a tiny room, smaller than any American bedroom.  He teaches little ones who are very poor or orphaned – generally the ones no one else will deal with he.  The school is charming – he showed us his lesson materials, all of which he has made.  Just one example is he used the metal bits on used up pencils and glued them to cards to make numbers.  He made puzzles from pictures and made alphabet cards using glued sand so the children could also feel the shapes.  He also tutors older students after school and fundraises for projects!  What an amazing person!  It was humbling and delightful to meet him.  That was really the day saver.  We headed back to Addis then as  getting to Ambo was definitely out.  A crazy day but still an adventure.  We got back and hit the showers as we were so dusty and had been breathing dust and diesel fumes much of the day.  My lungs will need a good cleansing when I return home.

Well, we will try Ambo tomorrow – if at first …  the next installment will be able that trip hopefully.

Looking for Aragorn  | June 7, 2009

A lovely morning in Ambo – yes, we did make it!  We came with our driver from Sat who we had understood would not charge us anymore money for this trip, except petrol.  However, we got here and he wanted payment for the day – after a brief “discussion” we paid him to keep the peace.  I was ticked though.  I am learning that most negotiated prices are changed upon arrival.  A fact of life here – understandable but still frustrating to my Western sensibilities.  Anyway, we got here and checked into a hotel which was fine but makes Motel 6 look like the Hilton.  The grounds were nice – borders and grass – a bit dry and dusty looking but still very nice to see.  We had arranged to meet a young woman who had volunteered at Layla and is now travelling with her parents – they are American/Israelis.  They had also met 3 young Israelis who are backpacking around Africa!  We all shared a minivan and headed out to Lake Wenchi.  All the frustration was worth it – this is a caldera, like Crater Lake.  We hiked down to the floor and then across a long valley until we hit the lake.  There we caught a boat to an island where there is a monastary.  Next was back to the shore and climb up to the top again.  That is the brief run down.  Now for some details.  It was amazing – absolutely beautiful and rugged – pictures can not capture it.  The trek through the valley felt like we were in The Shire and I kept expecting hobbits to come around the corner (I was really hoping for Aragorn!) but there were cows, goats, and horses instead.  There was a small stream which meandered through the valley and marshy ground so we leaped the stream many times – I even took my shoes off and soaked my feet.  The water looked clean and clear – an anomaly here.  There were a couple of jerry rigged water mills for grinding grain, a sulfur hot spring and bubbling water, as the water is mineral and carbonated naturally.  We ate lunch in this green little glen, by the stream, with the valley walls climbing up around us.  Several darling little boys had attached themselves to us and my little friend was very helpful in getting me across the touchier areas.  The boat we took across the lake was a glorified row boat – 11 people in it but it was fine.  I did fill my expensive microfilter water bottle from the lake and so far it seems to be doing its job – I’ll let you know if that changes!  The elevation there was around 10000 feet so we 3 older folks opted to ride horses back to the rim – a very wise and fun choice.  The Abyssian ponies here are small, like ponies, but are built like horses.  It really was a magical day – even bumping over the dirt and stone road there and back for over an hour each way.  Just outside the park, I saw a World Vision sign so that was fun.

Back in Ambo, supper at the hotel and to bed on a lumpy mattress.  But God had decided I needed sleep so I had a great sleep.  Today we head back to Addis and work.  It was been a blessed break.

Holding Babies and The Fort  | June 9, 2009

A quick note before I head off for my workout and shower – the highlight of the day. This morning both the power and the water are on so that is a red letter day!  it’s only the 3rd day, since I have been here that we have had water!

Yesterday was a busy and rather long day at Layla.  I got to teach my class, which I love, and help in the library reading with kids.  Also great.  Other parts are more challenging – working with activities class, which we are to make up.  The kids have definite ideas about what they will and will not do.  Also playing games is a challenge in part due to the language barrier and in part due to their loose idea of rules.  We made it though.  Video class was another challenge.  We have this dear boy who is deaf.  Until he got here, he had no language and it is still difficult.  He can be very sweet but also very willful and angry.  He wanted to watch one video and all the other children wanted another one.  He rather lost it and three of us had a difficult time restraining him.  I need Luke’s restraint training!  It worked out.  I really feel for him being trapped without being able to communicate must be so difficult.

The evening was uneventful and went to bed early as the power was out.  I starting feeling crummy during the night, but I am so grateful it passed.  However, I have been rather nervous about eating over here anyway and now I’m not sure what to eat.  Please pray for my health – being sick here is not my idea of a good thing!

Well, I am off – walk the graveled road – down the hill – out to the highway where one must look both ways even on the divided road, avoid the goats and cows – ache for the beggars – get stared at as a ferenji – get propositioned by the taxi drivers – see the beautiful women in their draped scarves – and arrive at my lovely club.  Later some of us will accompany some children to immigration so that will be interesting.

Later in the day –

Babies were first thing on the agenda today.  A number of us took 7 babies and 2 older children to the Immigration Department.  I have no idea what really happened but I loved holding two consecutive babies.  The first one just snuggled up and went to sleep.  The second one played with me a bit and then she too dozed off.  We drove into a part of town which was a bit cleaner and more modern – not as many corrugated metal shacks and some green grass and trees.  We went into a large room where several hundred people were waiting for various immigration needs, mostly visas.  Luckily, we were on the fast track and were only there about an hour and a half.  The babies were perfect – I love them one on one like this.  Back at Layla, I helped with the ever popular activity period – it is with the younger children, about 6-10, and we attempt games but it can be heavy going (yesterday’s email)  My English class went well and then, after school, we handed out winter coats – shades of the shoe party!  We were in the large dining hall, which helped in one way, but it has two doors and many windows.  We only let a few kids in at a time to find a coat for the rainy season.  Some picked quickly but others really shopped!  Some even left with no coat as there was nothing to their taste.  I manned one of the doors, fighting back the troops and limiting the numbers in.  Kids kept trying to sneak in, even climbing though the windows, but we successfully beat them back!  It got late so we were not able to finish and telling the waiting kids that it was no go until tomorrow gave me great sympathy for the French at the Bastille.  However, we safely made our escape.

Tonight (Wed) Catherine (the young 19 year old volunteer) and I are preparing for a three day two night field with the older  boys.  Two teachers will be along and in charge but I don’t have much info so it should be interesting!  We do get to swim in mineral pools so that will be fun.  Also, I will also get the spend the nights at the orphanage there – Nazaret (yes, named after that other place!)  I will let you know how it all goes.  It should make for a very interesting email!  Stay tuned.

Nazareth Field Trip  | June 13, 2009

We are back from Nazaret and survived our adventure.  The boys had a wonderful time and that is the bottom line.  They loved being away, getting to play soccer on a big field, albeit dirt, going swimming at the mineral pool and just hanging out.

We left Addis about 10 on Thurs and arrived about 11:30 – the driving and roads will be covered in another epistle – we stayed at a small orphanage in Nazaret.  There are only a few children there but that is the stuff of heartbreak.  The three older ones are fine – seem healthy and well.  However the three babies are very tiny, left in a hot room, bottles propped and cries not regularly heeded.  (And for you English teachers out there, I know that was not parallel construction but I really do not care at this point!)  One of them had a onesie on that said “Bright Future.”  Oh how I wish.  There was another little one there, 3 and a half and doesn’t weigh what Elliott does at 6 months.  Her name is Sifen and she has TB and full blown AIDS.  I held her or stayed with her as much as I could which wasn’t much since we were out.  She can barely walk and must be fed for the most part.  I tried to get this high protein peanut butter type stuff down her (Plumpy Nut)but she didn’t like it and gagged a few times.  We will be talking to AAI about getting her transferred to Ahope as soon as possible.   Please pray that that happens very soon.

The first afternoon we just settled in and went around Nazaret some.  We ate at the orphanage and the meals were well prepared but not much I could eat – either too spicy or unsafe.  We had seen a goat in the yard area when we got there.  Shortly after lunch, the goat was tied up and butchered for our supper!   This was not a Mom friendly activity, as my kids call movies I shouldn’t see.  All afternoon I dreaded supper and when it came down to it,  I really couldn’t eat.

It is quite hot in Nazaret so in the evening the building was stifling.  The power was out so I went out on the porch.  One of the boys came and started talking with me and we looked at the stars and talked about them and gravity and the sun and the moon and about his watching hyenas from trees when he was younger.  I said I didn’t think I should do that and he replied, “No, you would be dinner.”  I loved it.  He was wonderful and I cherish that conversation.  We must have leaned on the rail and talked at least a half an hour.

Catherine and I slept in our own spare room with a couple of mats on the floor.  I had opened the windows and we both sprayed ourselves (as malaria mosquitoes are an issue down there) so slept pretty well – yeah for Ambien!

That next day led us into town to a soccer “field” where our boys played some local kids.  I kept thinking of Paul and how he would have loved this, despite the dirt and stone field.  There were some good skills out there.  After lunch, we headed to this mineral hot spring pool at a “resort.”  The boys had a great time – however, the water was very warm so not quite refreshing.  It is so funny as there is a smallish shallow area and a large Olympic sized deep pool.  Most Ethiopians do not swim so they were all crammed into the shallow part and about 6 or us had the big pool to ourselves.  (Attie alert!)  There were also many monkeys around – rather cute and a couple with little ones.  However, they are beggars and are frequently fed by the tourists. At one point our kids had snacks and then went back to swimming.  I went back to check on our stuff and here were all the monkeys!  Catherine had zipped a bag of Kolo (roasted barley snack) into her backpack and the monkeys had gotten it out and were having a feast!  I chased them off and rescued the bag and was holding it, ready to gather up some stuff and head back to to the pool area when the Alpha male leaped at me and grabbed the bag out of my hand and tore off!  Well, I left at that point!  I was not going to argue with him!  No injuries at all-just a little jarring.

Back to the orphanage for supper and bed.  We had a type of spaghetti for supper so that was a huge relief.  Everyone went to bed early as they were exhausted.  The next morning we were up, packed, had breakfast and were on our way back by 8 or so.

The house did not have power or running water, of course so my first order of business was to head to my gym just for a wonderful hot shower and clean up. Then I went to a new (to me) restaurant and had a glass of wine, an order of french fries, and some coffee – my fruit and veggie quota!  I will probably gain 20 pounds when I get home as I will be tempted to eat everything in sight!  Pray for my restraint.

Oh, I got to see a small herd of camels as we were traveling!  I was very excited about that.  And the women at the orphanage had the coffee ceremony for us – another treat.  Green coffee beans are roasted and the aroma is shared with all.  Then the beans are ground in a mortar and pestle and then the coffee was brewed on a little charcoal like fire.  The coffee is served sweetened in small little cups.  The area around the burner is strewn with flowers and greens and popcorn is served with it.  A lovely little ceremony.

Well, I have babbled on long enough – there is so much to reflect on and such an overwhelming feeling of unworthiness for having been born into a culture of such privilege and into the family of faith.  I won the lottery of life.

The Body of Christ  | June 14, 2009

A sunny Sunday morning in Addis.  I plan to head out to seek a church in a little while. It is so lovely and cool in the mornings and nice to walk.  The air has not yet reached its toxic levels for the day and traffic is not as heavy or aggressive so mornings are my favorite time.

A side note – some of you asked about my little deaf friend, Tegenu.  He is being taught sign language and picking it up very quickly.  However, the children only have picked up a few signs so it is still hard for him to communicate – hence the anger at times.  Otherwise, he is very cheerful.

Back again after finding church – what an incredible gift – it is a lovely church -International Evangelical Church – more Western in style and such a wide variety of nationalities there.  The singing went on for awhile, led by an Aussie with more of a British dialect – lovely.  We even sang a verse of “It Is Well With My Soul” – undid me a bit but it was so wonderful.  The sermon was by a Dallas Seminary prof here for a series through June.  The service really was a salve to my soul.  It gave me an entirely new appreciation for the body of Christ and the essential nature of coming together in fellowship, even if it can drive us batty at times.  I have missed this to my core and didn’t even realize how deeply until I was in the service.

I arrived quite early, not knowing the exact time and met a few people who were just getting out of the first service.  As there was still some time, a young Canadian woman and I went for tea and had the best conversation.  It was the best connection I have had since being here – I am very grateful to God for this. I will probably hook up with her again as we exchanged phone numbers.  I am now better prepared to face this week.  It also has given me pause to ponder one’s need for Christian fellowship and support and one’s role in a totally secular environment.  I have no answers – just the knowledge of my need.  Anyway, it was a gift of a morning and I am so grateful.

I will keep this short and get it off before the power is out again.  I may go out with the other crowd to a place to see some Ethiopian dancing tonight.  Should be fun.  Thanks again to all of you who have written and those who are praying.  You are Christ’s hands and feet to me.

The words below are probably familiar to some of you and the song is rather an old chestnut but it hit a chord with me this morning so thought I would share it.

In Christ alone

I place my trust

I find my glory in the power of the cross

In every victory

Let it be said of me

My source of strength

My source of hope

Is Christ alone

My emails will come in clumps as related to power and travel.  Oh got rain today – maybe the rainy season is starting.  It was so cool – in church we were singing all these verses from wonderful old hymns about Christ’s return and just as we finished, the rain poured down, but it sounded more like a mighty wind.  I, at least, started looking around for the Holy Spirit or flames on people’s heads or something.  Unfortunately, it was only the rain but there is hope for another day.

Coming Undone  | June 15, 2009

[The following is not narrative but just some hard thoughts on a hard day.]

This trip is proving to be such an undoing, in so many ways.  I do not know where the boundaries are – when do I do things for myself, like get a decent place to sleep or food to eat and when do I sacrifice that to the needs of the children.  What would Jesus do?  But I also know that I am not Jesus – only His servant.

I feel such a distance between myself and the people I know and love – I have seen enough that I will never be totally with them again – that is difficult to think of.   It is hard to sympathize with a bad day which involves the washing machine breaking!   They do not know what it is like to hold a dying little 3 year old with fullblown AIDS and TB or see the sights, sounds, and smells of abject poverty.  I also find picture taking hard – I feel like it is cultural voyarism.  A picturesque little village of huts is really where people work hard very day of the year to grind out a meager existence.  I should take a photo of that?  Or the beautiful people?  I feel like I am invading their lives.

There is no support here – only the expectation that one will do whatever is asked.  Not a complaint, just a fact.

Well, enough – I just needed a place to talk and you got stuck with the job!  Please do not feel that I expect you to fix it or even respond.  I just needed to get it out.

Dancing and Driving  | June 16, 2009

As not too much unusual has  happened in the last two days, this will be the road and traffic report – but first a word from our sponsor for Sunday evening’s activities.  Several us went to a very good Ethiopian restaurant for food but mainly for the dancing.  Part of our group was the Israeli couple and it was nice to see them again.  The food was very good and the presentation great – huge trays lined with injera and then rolls of it and clumps of food.  I also tried the honey wine – it is rather strong and a little thick but a beautiful golden color.   The dancing is fascinating – the dancers pretty much stay in one place and jump about some but mainly move their shoulders and arms – they jerk them back and forth very rapidly and shake their heads – my description is limited but it was fun to see.

OK – time for the roads etc.  The most important part of the car here is the horn.  I even asked one of our drivers on the way out to Nazaret what would happen if the horn broke and he said he couldn’t drive.  The horn is used to warn people on the side of the road – to honk at various animals making unscheduled crossings, to let other drivers know that one is coming, ready or not!  City driving is quite different than country driving.  In the city, one is always fighting for place and opportunity – pushing the car’s nose into any space – some that these Western eyes can’t really see!  It is really quite funny.  Out in the country the hazards are animals and huge heavy old trucks CRAWLING along the roads, spewing thick black smoke.  Passing these trucks is of paramount importance so any opportunity is taken to pass – although it often seems a bit dicey.  It is so gagging behind the trucks, that passing is a gift even under questionable circumstances.  However, one may be hurtling down the clear road and then a small herd of goats or sheep  or donkeys start to stroll across the road – horns honk and brakes are applied!

Also, city or country there are always people walking beside the road – in the country they are carrying huge bundles of sticks or straw.  Occasionally, there is a darling little boy riding a donkey along the road.  There really are no shoulders.  There are also the ubiquitous yellow jerrycans to collect water being hauled by people or donkey.  I have seen the “usual” awful water spots and men taking advantage of the great outdoors to relieve themselves – one of my least favorite things.

Toyota is the vehicle of choice here – huge trucks and so many cars – all the mini-buses and taxis are Toyota – blue body with white roof.

Well, that’s all I can think of at the moment.  Again – the emails coming this way mean so much.  This weekend Catherine and I are headed to Lalibela – a very famous place of ancient churches carved out of stone.  It should be great.

Something There Is That Doesn’t Love a Wall  | June 18, 2009

A bit more on life here – we live behind walls and gates – each house and compound – like Layla or the embassies is surrounded by high walls – usually of rough concrete blocks.  Some are nicer than others, depending on economic status.  Atop the walls is usually coiled razor wire but some have broken glass (pop bottles!) and I have seen one that looked electrified.  Some have little pointed spears sticking up from the top of the wall.  There is some vegetation growing over some walls to ease the severity of it all but not everywhere.  Walking down our streets is a little tunnel-like.  Each compound has a large metal door – again varying in form but the same in function – large enough to open and admit a car but also with a people door.  The gate is always locked and there is a guard to let one in.  We have two men here each working a 12 hour shift.  There is a little building for him to rest in or sleep at night.  People here are a cheap commodity which is also why we have a lady who cleans and cooks and another who does our laundry by hand each day!   Labor is cheap but stuff is comparatively expensive.

There has been a road project going on since I got here right by the Volunteer House – it has entailed layers of gravel, in ever decreasing size, being spread on the surface.  Huge piles of gravel are dumped by trucks at various locations.  Then the gravel is spread by people carrying tin pallets and hauling the stones from the pile to the proper location, back and forth all day.  The surface is sealed by spreading tar, which is made from melting old tires!  The burner is another well qualified candidate for the Most Noxious Polluter Award.

Additional stories from the road front – one mustn’t forget about the divided roads which are really only divided and one way only if it suits.  It is particularly fun when one side of the divide is being worked on so all that traffic must merge to the other side.  The idea of taking turns here is utterly foreign – it is more a game of chicken.  He who hesitates, is lost.  My personal favorite is the break in the paved sections.  One is going along and all of a sudden the pavement ends.  The “new” section is not nice and flat dirt but the ruttiest, pot holed, stone filled section of road possible.  Travel slows to a crawl and then charges on again.

I will send this off now as the power is on again and then I am off to a morning of taking little ones swimming at the Hilton!  Should be fun – the days continue with a combination of lovely moments and frustrations.  I leave two weeks from today.  More to learn and experience and hopefully more time to serve.

Oh – went to a Women’s Bible Study at the church Tuesday evening – it was again such a worthwhile time.  They rotate the leadership so I will actually lead it on my last  Tues here!  Isn’t God good?

Forever Families  | June 18, 2009

This is another quick note as tomorrow the power will be out and then early Sat morning Catherine and I are flying up to Lalibela.  We will be there until Monday and should get back to Addis about midday.  I am also hoping to hook up with World Vision next week and may do something with them as well.  That will be a real gift – LuAnn communicated with them for me so my call was expected and that was so lovely!  Warmed the heart.

There are a great number of families here this week picking up children so that is such fun to see – a couple are staying at Volunteer House with their baby daughter.  She is one that I had played with quite a bit so it is such a joy to see her going home to a great family.  It is fun to be around a baby since I miss Elliott so.

Anyway, one family wanted to take their son’s class swimming at the Hilton so I got to go along on that today.  It was very weird to walk into this elegant place with our dozen orphans, but we had a very fun time.  All the pools here seem to have hot water, but at least I stayed in the very shallow part playing with kids so it wasn’t too bad.  The family then bought us ice cream and we headed back to the orphanage in time for lunch.  I usually take myself out to lunch each day just to get a break.

The rainy season is starting so we have gotten some showers but today it poured and hailed for a few minutes.  After it was over, the kids were picking up the tiny bits of hail and some were “saving” them in bottles – how disappointing that they will melt.

Today marks two weeks until I head for home – I am trying very hard not to jump ahead and praying that I will not think about going home but think of the children.  I really am grateful for all the experiences I have had in the past which have prepared me for this.  Years ago I would have wanted to bail and maybe would have even done something about that.  However, now I may be discouraged but know I can get through it with God’s help.  Thankfully there are many lovely things like hugs and being call Auntie Jill and giving food to a mother and her children.

It is really the Americans over here who can drive me a bit nuts.  ‘Nuff said!

Well so much for my “quick” note.  This morning, when the power was back on there were 13 emails waiting for me, so thank you, thank you!

Walking Through The Past  | June 22, 2009

Catherine and I are just back from our trip up north and had an amazing time.  We have also come back to the happy combination of both water and power!

We left here very early Sat morning and caught a flight up to Lalibela.  After two quick stops, we arrived.  A couple notes on the plane – a propellor plane but not tiny – like a commuter plane at home.  But the stops were great – we landed, taxiedjust a tiny bit, the few people who needed to, got out.  A few came on, the door was closed and we took off.  None of this standing around in queues or checking with the control tower business here!

A bit of background – Lalibela was an Ethiopian king from the 12th or 13th C.  He is credited with establishing this kingdom and having the churches carved out.  However, much continued after him as these could not be done in his or several lifetimes!   It is a very remote area up in mountains.  The airport is down on flat ground, thankfully, and then we drove about 30 minutes, uphill to the town.  We passed many little groups of round thatched huts, made of sticks just clinging to the sides of the steep hills.  People and animals were scrambling along and we saw several huts on the very edge of a steep drop off!  I sure wouldn’t want to be raising a little one here!  The land is very arid and vegetation is sparse and brown.  Fields have been tilled with an ox and a wooden sticklike plow, and now they wait for the rains, which are very late in coming, to plant.  The clothing is so different out here.  The women all wear simple long dresses but the fabrics are lovely, although often quite dirty.  Their heads are always covered and their shoulders are wrapped in layers of shawls with a fabric “belt” tied around their waits.  The men are equally interesting – some in short pants but with again the layers of shawl like fabrics around their upper bodies.  They were often carrying a stick on their shoulders , held with their hands.  Although we did see one man with an old rifle held that way.  Some wore hats of a type – some wrapped turbans but my favorite was this furry cap that could be in many colors – green was the best.  Again, as I have seen in Zambia, the children are so friendly and precious.

When we arrived in town at our motel, we settled quickly and did a quick walk around town – didn’t take long!  It is a poor area but most of the people have a regal dignity about them.  However, the ones living in town and dressed in Western garb needed to be watched.  We were stared at wherever we went and usually a couple of young men would attach themselves to us as our “guides.”  I stated right upfront that we were not giving them any money but they still accompanied us to the big Saturday Market down the hill a bit.  This is not exactly what we Portlanders think of when we hear those words.  However, it is a gathering of people who need to buy and sell.  Many of the rural villagers walk for hours, each week, to get here.  The market is laid out in a large earthen field and is loosely divided into sections, based on the product.  There were plastic sheet booths selling fabrics where fortunately both Catherine and I each bought a scarf – more on that later.  There were sections for honey, (in jars, flies and all) salt, (in grainy piles on pieces of cloth) shoes, (all made out of plastic) greens of some sort and many other things.  We were the only white people there and it really felt like we had stepped back into Biblical times.  It was very crowded and people were haggling and children were running around.  Old people were gripping their sticks and plodding about.  It was very sobering to look at those ancient wrinkled faces and realize that most, if not all, of them were younger than I am.  The clothing was of ancient design and would easily have fit a shepherd or a woman at a well.

As we needed to get back to begin our tour of one half of the churches, we climbed up the steep hill, leaving the dirt and a few of the flies behind.  Our “guides” continued with us, inviting us to a coffee ceremony in their home and telling us their stories of being gifted students who needed help to buy books etc.  We chose to spend our money elsewhere.

Our real guide took us and another man who joined us to share expenses off to visit the churches.  The churches are divided into two groups, one of five and the other six.  We started with the five.  These churches are carved, not built, of the stone of the mountains.  The first one we came to, named for St. George (yes, that British guy who killed the dragon!).  Imagine standing on a large rather flat stone hilltop.  Then look over and there, in a large pitlike hole is a building.  The roof is level with the surrounding rock and then the church goes down from there. The roof is carved with the cross of St. George – we then walked down into the church.  It is all carved out inside, with elegant windows of varying design.  Inside the church is quite dark but elaborately carved with arches and pillars.  There were mats on the floor and paintings of much more recent vintage.  The paintings are all on goat skins and are of Christ and Mary and various saints.  All the churches are variations on this theme.  In some of the churches there would be an ancient wooden cupboard or chest.  A priest met us at each stop and showed us the crosses particular to that church.  To me, all the priests looked more Arabic in feature than Ethiopian – don’t know why.  As we walked between the churches, we often went through narrow paths deep in the rock or even a couple of dark tunnels, which were quite short!  Jill was praising the Lord!  There was also a great deal of climbing up steps and then down steps.  We also took off our shoes five different times as we needed to honor the place.

I am choosing to stop here and will write more later.  Obviously, it is an amazing place and the next day got even better.

Ancient of Days  | June 22, 2009

To continue where we left off .  . .  we finished the first set of churches, amazed but also hot and dusty.  We returned to the hotel, hoping for hot showers, but as there was no power or water, that didn’t happen!

A quick backtrack – when one gets off the airplane and goes into the airport (loose word choice there) there are tables representing all of the hotels.  You pick one and then get a shuttle ride from that one.  We made our choice and the man who helped us rode with us.  He had assured us there would be hot showers after the church hike.  Well, that didn’t happen.  He had also arranged to meet as later in the evening for a drink.  As both of us were tired, we headed to bed just as our friend Mesfin showed up.  I was a bit miffed with him over the water, but he waffled his way out of it.  I wasn’t too keen on the drink idea, but as Catherine had said she would go, I wasn’t about to let her go off on her own.  Good thing, too.  She told me later that he had put his arm around her before I came out!  Creep.  Anyway we crept through the totally black town to a little hole in the wall place, walking through a row of men drinking their beers.  We sat in the back and I asked for some wine.  No white so a bottle of red came – now this was a bottle which opened like a beer bottle!  A first.  It was very nasty stuff so I didn’t drink it.   We chatted with a couple other men there as Mesfin kept getting up to talk on his phone – he runs a tourist business.  Very important man.  After a bit, I suggested we head back.  He was not happy that I had come along and again I heard later that he had told Catherine that maybe they could go out the next night without me!  It was funny as she had absolutely no intention of going anywhere with him, but I also wanted to wring his neck!  We also found out that he had recommended the beer to her that was highest in alcohol content!   Our least favorite person of the whole time here – hands down.

I must mention the stars that night.  The sky was cloudless and as there was no light whatsoever, it was a splendid show.  It really was a perfect way to end the day, despite sleazy Mesfin.

We slept pretty well and woke the next morning to a lovely day.  We also woke to power and water so reveled in hot showers!  It really set the tone for the day.

Now the hotel we were at was pretty basic as regards the room and the bath, but we did have beds and indoor plumbing and a bath to ourselves so that was good.  However, the rest was great.  The hotel was built up on the hillside with a very good restaurant and a fabulous patio that overlooked the town and across the valley.  They were some trees about and as there were two bird feeders at either end, the variety of the birds was incredible – oranges and yellows and turquoise.  The ugly cawing ravens were also present but couldn’t get into the feeders so they weren’t a problem.

Breakfast was very good and then we set out at 8 with our guide and Jacob, our sightseeing companion.  As it was Sunday, we got to experience the best thing.  These churches, although hundreds of years old, are still living churches!  As we started out on our trek, we had to bypass a huge crowd all gathered to hear the archbishop who was out from Addis.  Everyone was covered with white shawls and scarves.  Our guide had said that Catherine and I should wear our scarves and cover our heads so we were so glad that we had purchased them as nothing had prepared us for this.  Mine was even white.  A couple times Catherine said she looked around for me and couldn’t distinguish me from the crowd at first.  I liked that.

This huge crowd was all squatting on the  ground listening and then rose and chanted and bowed.  Again, it could have been Jesus speaking with a multitude, sans the microphone!  It was very moving.  We continued to see the six other churches, each so different but carved out in the same manner.  In each church there were people worshipping!  It was such a great way to spend a Sunday over here.  It was also Paul’s birthday, so even though that is always hard, it was a worshipful and rich day.  I spread a few of his ashes at the last church and had a few minutes to myself and that meant much to me.

After a good lunch on the patio, we all set out again to see a cave church some 42 kilometres away.  The road there was dirt all the way.  The first 30 K or so were not bad at all and we got to see some more of the incredible countryside.   Then we literally turned into a small village of huts, wound our way through them and came out on a very rough track up into the hills.  I am so grateful that this kind of thing really does not frighten me, but I will spare further description for my mother’s sake!  Obviously we got there and back very safely – not even any close calls.  At the end of the line, we hiked up a bit to this huge cave, almost more like a very deep overhang.  Inside a church had been built of wood, marble and stone.  Supposedly the marble came from Jerusalem but who really knows.  The floor was covered in fine straw and the cave was also the burial place for many pilgrims.  There were actually tops of skulls in the floor – shades of the Killing Fields but as far as we knew, these had died in peace so not nearly as bad.

We got back about 5 and just sat on the patio, reading and having coffee.  Our guide, he was lovely by the way, had told us that the crowd of worshippers would gather again in the afternoon and then end the day at dusk with more prayers and candles.  We trekked back down the hill, scarves in place and worshipped with them.  I know it was meaningful to Catherine, but she is a lapsed believer so we have had some good discussions and I pray for her.  She is a delight though, and I am so grateful for her presence.  Anyway, it was so worthwhile.  However, one hard piece was that someone had mentioned, earlier in the day, about the number of orphans in the area.  Most of them are allowed to tag along with a family but are not a part of it.  While standing with the worshippers, I noticed many children.  Some of them were obviously well cared for but then there were the others – dirty, bare feet, clothes with holes and seemingly just roaming through the crowd.  One came and stood next to us and I got to hold his hand and pat his face and cry.  Oh, how I wish I could do more.   These are the ones God loves the best, I think, but sin is still with us and oh how it shows in those little ones’ circumstances.

After the service, we climbed the hill and had a late (and rather guilty) dinner.   To bed and then up, up, and away, heading back to Addis.

When we got back, it was a bit of a shock to be in a big city again, after the very small rather rural life of the last few days.

Tomorrow is Tuesday and back to Layla House.

God is good – all the time.

Fellowship  | June 24, 2009

Have you all recovered from my lengthy chat about my trip?  Hope so – today’s chapter is just some catching up.  It is early Wed morning here and quiet in the house so I am grateful for the time.  No barking dogs even, just the occasional cry of the muezzin calling the faithful to prayer.

Back to Friday – that morning we took a class to horseback riding.  One of the parents wanted to take her children’s class out.  I really enjoyed it – the horses were in good shape and the grooms walked the children around a very large corral.  They even handled the logistics of who got to ride when.  A few pouts but it really went quite well.  A couple of the kids knew what to do and could ride on their own.  Very fun to watch and at the last, I got to get up on one and trot and canter around a bit – great fun!  The horse was amazingly responsive so that was a pleasant surprise.

This week, back at the ranch, things go on.  We have a new volunteer – a young woman from Seattle – a college senior.  She is Ethiopian/American and can’t speak Amharic so the kids have given her a hard time.  My English classes continue to be such fun to do and I love tutoring kids as well.  Catherine and I continue to push for getting our little Sifen ( the little girl with AIDS) moved to AHOPE.  People are at least aware and talking about it so it would be so lovely if she got moved before we leave.  I am praying.

Yesterday was fellowship day – such a blessing.  I visited the World Vision office in the afternoon and got filled in on their work here in Ethiopia.  As always, they were so gracious and warm.  I was picked up and returned in their cars, given coffee, warmly greeted, introduced to the national director, given materials to take away and just basked in the lovely time.  They are doing such wonderful work here so I hoped we encouraged each other.

After the WV visit, I headed to the Women’s Bible study which again met a need.  Afterwards, I went out for the best pizza with two of the women.  Such a treat to actually pray together before a meal – a first here.  One of the women is Austrian and works for their embassy.  The other is an American long time missionary – Baptist General Conference, Mom!  She has been here a long time and had some amazing stories to tell.  She was over here during the famine in the 80s and stayed out in the bush, tending to the starving and ill – she is a nurse.  She had a wild story of being accused of being CIA and making a night drive alone to Addis for help to explain the situation!  It was such a joy to laugh with them and break pizza.  I realize anew the bond between Christians worldwide.  There is a built in connection already as we share the same foundation of our lives – the most important part of ourselves.  Truly the body of Christ.

The rest of the week appears to be routine but that can change at a moment’s notice – i.e.  yesterday we were asked to take a health class about two minutes before it started!  So much for knowing anything about it and prepping.  There will be a couple of field trips, but I think I will pass on them this time.

This weekend I hope to get shopping in – I really haven’t done much yet – no time or transport but that should work out.

I will be returning to West Linn on July 3 – quite late and can’t wait to see you all.  I continue to learn so much and God continues to be faithful, as always.  Our study last night was on that topic  and it is always good to remember the myriad ways He remains true.

Winding Down  | June 26, 2009

I keep forgetting to mention the impact our president has over here – this is the conversation.

“Where are you from?”

“The United States”

“Obama!!!!  You like Obama?”

“Yes”

I am not sure what would happen if one of us said No!  Catherine has been on a quest to find an Obama T-shirt with Amharic words.  She was successful and also found one with the subject line phrase on it for a friend!  In longer conversations, I am asked what I think about what Obama is doing etc.  He has certainly been a hit over here.

I am increasingly doing my own thing at Layla – helping in the library, teaching my classes, playing with babies, tutoring after school.  The lack of organization and general craziness have caused me to simply find my own way.  Our new volunteer is very popular with the students and a couple of the younger men on staff as she is very outgoing and cute.  I am really trying to cut her some slack as she is new but so far, she has shown no inclination to help at all.  She is here for 3 months so it should be interesting when Catherine and I leave next week.  This is the stuff that drives me a bit batty so I just try to stay out of the fray.

Later –

Well – so much for the good morning – it is now late afternoon and Friday is almost over.  This will be my first weekend in town and I plan to relax a bit and SHOP!  I really haven’t done any here in Addis.  Tomorrow morning the church I have gone to has a monthly bazaar so I will check that out first thing.

I find that it is a little harder to hold on now as the end is so close.  The beggars, for example, are so hard for me.  I begin to feel more like the priest or the Levite rather than the Samaritan as I pass by so many each day.  There is a strong desire to help as mothers with babies look at one pleadingly.  However, there is the other side – the beggars who come along stopped cars and thrust their broken limbs at you or people just sticking hands out and yelling “Money!”  The children who either smile and want to talk with you in English a bit or those that run up, hands outstretched and demand money.  Yesterday such a girl, probably about 12, came up to me with the usual appeal and I told her no.  She pushed me and when I looked around in surprise she made a particularly unattractive face.  That isn’t common but it just felt bad.  Then today an older woman came and walked by me and made some conversation but then her story came out – 4 children, no husband (which I also mentioned was my case – no response to that!) and needing an operation.  She wanted money.  I will be very glad to not stand out so much in a crowd – it gets very wearing to be stared at, yelled at, accosted for money.  Many people are very nice and just smile and say Hello but there are always the others.

Today was fun at school – I had a couple of classes but then the day became soccer day.  The kids play so well  and as I have said, it is on concrete with sandals or bare feet mostly.  The games were very intense – group 4 against group 5 – both girls and boys – group 4 won both games so 5 was rather put out.  But it was a real delight to watch them and also to watch the other kids cheering them on.  Everyone really got into it – very fun and heartwarming.  I just love the older kids and wish I was younger so I could bring a couple home.  They are really amazing!

The weather has also turned – the rainy season has started – however, that is not as bad as it might sound.  The mornings are still lovely – about midday the clouds come in and then a downpour for a little while – then it stops and that is it.  I did walk back to the house in rain today so exchanged mud for dust.

That’s it for this one – I am sure there will be more later.

The Sanctuary of Sunday  | June 28, 2009

Another gift of a Sunday –  started with a hot shower and coffee and then off to church.  I really experienced the shelter of a sanctuary today.  It didn’t matter that I sat by myself and didn’t know another soul in the place.  We were all coming before God to worship and learn.  That was more than enough.

After church, I walked back to the house and then Catherine and I headed out.  We went to the Hilton first to confirm her flight, get some money, buy something for Elliott and have a ferengi lunch down by the pool.  It was very lovely and fun.  Then we headed over to Churchill street to shop for her as she had been out of town yesterday.  As soon as we got there, the skies opened but we were able to hop between places and didn’t get too wet.  She had some serious shopping to do, so after thrilling the hearts of several shop keepers, we decided to head back.  It was still seriously raining so we trudged through the mud to the corner to grab a taxi.  Usually that is a moment’s job but today they were few and far between.  Most had clients already but even the empty ones didn’t seem to see us.  We kept getting damper, despite the umbrella and our feet were seriously wet.  Finally, I just about flung myself in front of an empty cab and he stopped and we got back to the relatively warm and dry house.  Such fun – really!  Riding in the cab in the rain was a kick, too.  The defrost is the driver’s sleeve while the windshield wipers make half-hearted slow motion swipes and then give it all up for a few moments.  There is really no danger as the worst would be a fender bender – very funny.

A brief mention of Catherine.  As I have said before, she is a 19 year old who has just finished her freshman year at the U of Maryland, where she is from.  She has been such a delight and a real gift to me.  We have done all the cool stuff together and have fought through numerous activity periods and all.  We talk well and enjoy each other’s company.  I hope my faith has been evident to her – we have talked at length – as she is unsure of where she is.  I hope we will stay in touch.

I will get this off as the power will go off in a few hours and I am headed to bed soon.  I am starting to organize my purchases and stuff to get ready to leave.  It is a good feeling but sitting in church this morning, I wondered if I have done enough – too much focus on self, as always.  I  am so grateful God loves me better than I do and knows my oh so human limitations.   Have a splendid week, whatever you are doing.  Mine will be good, I know – seizing the last moments with the kids and looking forward to home!  What a great word that is, on so many levels.

Searching for Michael Jackson  | June 30, 2009

Power!  Yeah so I will get off a note.  It is raining this morning – a first for the morning – so I think the rainy season is here in earnest.  That is very good for the country so I will cheerfully put up my umbrella and venture out.

Three more days to go – Monday was fairly uneventful but good.  I am having my last English classes with each group so finished with group 3 yesterday.  I brought some cookies and we played a word search game.  One of the girls was so cute.  I had put Michael Jackson as one of the words and she couldn’t find him.  She told the teacher, “Well he is dead so is not here.”  Good chuckle over that.

It was so wonderful to open my mailbox this morning and hear from a number of you – again, I can’t say enough how much that means.  I wish I could respond to each of you individually.  However, please see these as addressed to you personally!

Today will be good – after giving up on seeing the fistula hospital,  I heard from the young lady I had met at church and we are going this morning.  I am so pleased about that.  Then tonight I will have Bible study and am leading the group so I will really appreciate that.  But first I am off the the gym – a little exercise, shower and coffee.

Oh – the best thing – yesterday we heard that our little Sifen – the little girl with AIDS is coming to AHOPE for sure and should be here before Catherine and I leave!!!!!  We were both so happy – such an answer to prayer.  We really hope to see her too.  Thank you for praying.  I truly believe this will at least lengthen her life, if not save it.  What a God we serve.

Well, I am off and love you all so.  Have a good day.  I will report back in tonight.

God’s Work  | June 30, 2009

On power days you get two notes!  Lucky you!  Actually, this is pretty funny – the power has been off for awhile today and when I got home from Bible study, it was still off.  The minute I got home, it came on – I told Catherine, the power of prayer! because I had been praying about it as I walked home.  Isn’t God cool?

Anyway – good day.  I got to go to the fistula hospital today.  It was so interesting and the work is so complete – the compound is beautiful – very clean, with some beautiful gardens.  We learned more about the work there  – not only do they fix the women’s medical problems but also give counseling, job training, awareness raising – trying to not only put bodies back together but also spirits.  It was such a privilege to get to go there.  The young woman from church, her sister, a friend and another lady from church all came together,  After the tour, Kara invited us all over for lunch.  She lives walking distance so we headed over there.  It was so lovely to be in a house where someone has taken care – furniture that goes together, matching dishes, candles – it was so enjoyable.  We had the best salad – yes – safe salad!  Tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil with some German brown bread and German chocolate for dessert.  What a treat.  I then headed back to Layla to teach my last group 4 class and finish out the day.  After school, Catherine and I headed out for a little last minute shopping.  The skies opened and it poured.  Even with my umbrella, we got rather damp and our feet were soaked as we waded through the stream that the “sidewalk” had become.  It didn’t do to think about what was in all that water.

We headed back to our turf and I hung out at Kaldis until Bible study.  After my lovely and nutritious lunch, I plowed into a huge plate of French fries, washed down with coffee!  Soul food.

It was pouring, with thunder and lightening effects, when I had to walk the couple of blocks to church.  I literally had to wade to get there but small price to pay for the wonderful fellowship.  I led tonight, which was great fun, but had a great deal of help from the women.  What a delightful group they are.  Again – more family from around the world.  One woman was new tonight – from Romania – so fun to talk with her and then another woman who has been there said that she was from Zambia!  so it was almost old home night.

I am off to continue organizing my stuff and beginning to pack.  Only two more days – hard to believe.  I am ready to come home but am also so grateful for all God has and will continue to teach me from this experience.  I truly live a blessed life.

Mixed Thoughts and Feelings  | July 1, 2009

Yes, I can finally say tomorrow I am leaving.  Mixed feelings there as I can’t wait to get home – to all those I love – to regular water and power – to clean places – to not watching every step – to not being stared at – but that said, I am not ready to be an American again or a West Linn soccer mom. As always, I am so challenged to think about how Jesus wants me to live and what I am called to and I don’t want the comforts of home to dilute that.  This has been a hard trip but also very rewarding in the same sense that an arduous climb or trek is – the sense of accomplishment when it is done, even if not done as well as one had hoped.

I am sitting at Kaldis (Starbucks) reading and rather teary as the defenses continue to fall.  Something I was reading reminded me that Paul read me poems in the last months of his life.  I didn’t really appreciate it then as I was so beaten up by what went before that this felt a bit less than genuine to me.  But it was – it truly was.  Oh that I could hear those poems again.  My comfort is that he now knows how much they mean to me.  Enough of that!

Today I finish teaching my last English class – that has been very meaningful and fulfilling.  I love connecting with the kids and enjoy them so.  Tonight some of us will go out to dinner at that lovely pizza place I mentioned and then I will finish packing.

This morning, when I went to my gym, the water was out!  Obviously it is time to come home!  It is also grey and rainy much of the time now – the rainy season is here in full.  Much like an Oregon winter most of the time but there are still a couple of downpours a day, with crashing and flashing all around.  I hope my shoes dry out before I have to pack them!  I try not to think about that too much.

Well, this is almost the end.  I am a bit weary of examining my life so closely and you are probably very ready to not have these long epistles!   Have good days, one and all.

Goodbye Ethiopia – Thank You  | July 2, 2009

This is the end of the journey, dear friends,

Thank you for coming along with me – through it all.  Your notes helped me make it through the tough patches and it was fun to share the good things as well.  Catherine and I leave in less than an hour for the airport.  I know there is still a great deal of time before I actually land in Portland but that really doesn’t seem like a big thing at all.  I am actually looking forward to getting on the plane, getting organized and settling back for the long flight to DC.  I am hoping sleep is a major component of that trip.

It was hard to say good bye to many of the kids.  They have become very dear.  Again, God bless you all for your enormous role in my life.