WE HAVE ARRIVED IN WARANCHA

We are no longer in Addis Ababa. We got up early this morning and left at 6:45 for Awassa where Warancha is located. Our hope was to get here before church started but that is not quite what happened. Church started at 10 am and she showed up about 11:30. But I am getting way ahead of the story…

Our Internet access leaves something to be desired. After leaving Korah on Friday after feeding the kids lunch we actually stopped at the offices of Hopechest and had an opportunity to connect to the Internet. The door was opened and in we walked. I think it was the only time we have been silent all trip. The computers, phones, and Ipads were immediately opened and everyone was busy connecting to the outside world. You would think we had been without communication for months! While in Korah we had a chance to visit with a few elder men afflicted with leprosy.  We had met a woman there from Canada, Eve, who helps support this mission. They provide housing, food and medical assistance for those with leprosy in need. Originally Korah was a leper colony. The men in the house were so happy to have visitors and it was an honor to get to spend some time with them. One of the men weaving at the compound I spoke about in my last blog was also afflicted with leprosy. He was in the process of weaving a basket and he was so proud of his work. His hands were gnarled and he was without fingers down to his knuckles. And yet his work was beautiful and he had such pride in the fact that he could still produce such beautiful work. The American woman who works there, Emily, originally came to Ethiopia on a mission trip with her mother and was really called to the people in Korah. She came back three months later and is now married to one of the men that works there as well. In fact, the two of them run the program. Her husband, Birham, is originally from Korah and was a street kid himself before coming to Christ as a young child. He has dedicated his life to helping those in his own community. Emily is an RN to the two of them serve the people together and have no qualms getting their hands dirty in the process. The day we spent with their organization was a blessing to us all. Korah, for those of you who don’t know, is the poorest section of Ethiopia so it is great to see help coming to the people there.

Saturday morning we got up and went to No Ordinary Love sponsored by Jimmy and Rachel Gross, both from San Antonio. Their program is to minister to the community children. Both have had a heart for ministry for years and have been in Ethiopia for approximately two years. They have several children of their own and have just adopted a beautiful baby from San Antonio. We were able to see their organization and see the children and supply them with many donations that they needed thanks to the contributions of many of you. So thank you again for your generosity. They take care, not only of children, but also of young unmarried girls who have given birth. They provide them a place to live and help them to find employment once they get their feet back on the ground. I think the thing that I love the most is the fact that all the places we have visited employ Ethiopians to do the hands on work. They are having the countrymen and women take care of their own and providing employment opportunities. I am also so impressed with the love for the people they are all serving.

In the afternoon we went to Fashionable, a place under the care of Ian and Brittany, both originally from California. This was the coolest place ever. The women who work there make scarfs; and not just any scarfs, but absolutely beautiful scarfs made with care! The women who work there were once prostitutes who have turned their lives around and now have jobs, are earning money and are able to take care of themselves and their families. The women enjoy one another and the sense of family is permeable. We had the chance to work side by side with them dying the thread they use to weave the scarves. We then got to rinse them out – this was no easy process. We rinsed and rung them out and rinsed and rung them out at least five times. When done they were soaked in fabric softener to ensure they were incredibly soft before making. By the time I was done my hands were blue (as were my new white tennis shoes)!  But I got a high five from my Ethiopian partner so I was feeling pretty good. The weavers (all women) were amazing to watch. Their skills were fast and accurate. It was a great day to see these women smiling while working. At the end of the day we asked if it would be appropriate to buy each of the ladies a scarf, or if this would be like buying a chocolate for the woman who works in the chocolate factory, and were told this would be a wonderful surprise. So that is exactly what we did. They were so excited to get to pick out something for themselves. All the women but one picked out the same scarf – the one standout got the scarf named after her! We got a group picture, but not before they all went home and changed into their Sunday best! It was so neat to see them smile! I have to admit; up til now this has been my favorite part. Just seeing the joy on their faces was awesome!!!

For the past several nights we stayed at the Providence House in Addis Ababa. Judy and I shared a room, while the three other ladies stayed together.  Between the seven of us we had two bathrooms, limited hot water, and lots of humor. Our hostess was the sweetest woman ever; not to mention the best cook! Regardless of weather it was breakfast or dinner, the meal consisted of several courses and every one of them was delicious. Not to worry about my losing any weight over here! I told her I wanted to sneak her home in my suitcase! Last night they prepared a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony for us. They actually roasted the raw coffee beans over coals and then ground them. This was poured into small cups into which we all added at least 4 spoonfuls of sugar. It was great to watch and real coffee drinkers would have greatly appreciated the taste! We thanked her with a scarf as well!

Last night we met our driver’s boss just by happenstance. He pokes his head in the window and asks us all a question. In order to get the full humor of this story you have to understand that our guide’s name is Alex. He is NOT our driver. Marie, who was sitting in the back seat and only partially paying attention, responds to the question by saying, “Great, thanks to Alex”.  It’s too bad the question was, “How’s your driver doing?” Needless to say, she got the most inappropriate answer of the day award!

Last night we went to the Post Office (it’s an area of shopping, much like a market area, where there are a lot of Street Kids). We had an opportunity to browse the area and see if there are things we’d like to purchase and get a feel for the area. A young lady, also staying at the Providence House, who is from Tennessee, is working with those kids, and so we wanted to see what that was all about. It was an extremely difficult area for me. The kids are everywhere. Many of them are selling packs of gum to earn money. Rebecca was telling us about 9 year olds living on their own with no adults to help. Then there are many just begging for help. There is no end to those in need of help and they are not only children. There are many adults too. Mothers with young babies. Older men. Everywhere you turn someone is looking at you with pleading eyes! Meanwhile the shop owners are ushering you into their shops so they all know you have money! It was really hard for me. And no does not mean no. You can tell a person no, but it is as if they don’t hear. They continue to ask again and again. Our guide, Alex would bargain for us if there was something we wanted to buy. He had little faith in us Americans (ferje, pronounce feringe, which means white person). So I have made some progress. I am no longer a Mzungu. I am now a Ferje; at least for the next few days!!!

As a group, I’d have to rate us a ten! We really do get along well. The jabbing and jawing at one another started almost immediately, which is always a good sign. We have laughed hard and often and loved much. We thoroughly enjoy one another and seem to compliment one another (though definitely not verbally!) in skills!

We are now beginning to get ready to leave. This is a team that wants to be on the go. Today we went to the church, which is where I started. I love the worship. Everyone standing up and clapping and singing. The volume, the enthusiasm, the praise. It is without words. Then the women came and hugged us and the children loved on us and wanted to play and laugh with us. Sadly, the day came to an end much to quickly. But fortunately we have tomorrow, Tuesday, Wednesday and part of Thursday. I know the time will fly by and I will try to blog again tomorrow. In the meantime know I love you all. And Go Aggies Go!