Simply Amazing!!!

I take 2 minibus taxi's to reach my house when I stay in Addis Ababa. They're both pretty short with the first one being maybe 3 minutes (depending on traffic) and the other one being about 10. I have a small change purse that I use for quick access to money when I'm using public transportation. Well, yesterday it wasn't in the pocket I thought I put it in, it was at the bottom of my stuffed bag.

When I got on the first taxi, I realized the little change purse wasn't where I thought it was so I pulled out my wallet- I had one birr in there (for the fare of 65cents). Whew. Then I realized I needed to find some change for the next taxi. I started digging around- and put my wallet, phone and some other stuff on my lap (the taxi was nearly empty). I found some change in a pocket but a 50birr note flew out of my bag and went under the seat in front of me. So I climbed down and reached and reached and finally got the birr.

By the time I found it, we were at the bridge which was my stop. I quickly shoved all of my stuff back into my bag. By the time I my 2nd taxi arrived at our destination, I had this sinking feeling that I left my wallet on the other bus. After I got out I checked and I did forget it. I sped walked all the way home-- brewing over my stupidity, forgetfulness and my keen ability to do things too fast.

I shamefully told Mimo, Mulu, and Aynalem what happened. And was told I was careless. I agreed. I knew I would never see my wallet or money again. The bad thing was I had a credit card and my new debit card for an Ethiopian bank in the wallet. I prayed that the cards would be safe until I could report them missing.

This morning I recieved a phone call from my Ethiopian bank. They had recieved a call from a girl who had found my bank card. They gave me her number and told me to call her. She spoke only in Amharic, but I understood that she had my wallet and possibly everything that was in it. We agreed to meet in the afternoon. I traveled to an area called Arat Kilo- which is where the Universities are in town. She said to meet me at the post office there. I began to get worried that this was some sort of a set up or something, but it wasn't. I called her when I arrived and she was there the moment I hung up. She asked me for my passport, and I gave her my Ethiopian ID--so she could varify that I was who I said I was. And she handed me my wallet with EVERYTHING in it!!! I gave her some Thank-you money, took her to tea and she asked to be my friend. I thanked her and thanked her and thanked her.

Now just think to yourself how difficult it can be to find a lost wallet or purse in the US. You never know if you will get it back, or what will be there. Now, here lost stuff is simply that lost-- something that you will never see again. In fact in some ways once you've lost it, it is no longer considered yours but now belongs to the one who found it.... something only belongs to the person who has possession of it.

So many people here, have such a great need for money- my wallet was brand new and could have been sold as well as my cards. I had nearly 200birr (about $21) in the wallet- which would be a nice find for anyone. So really and truly, the fact that my wallet was returned "untouched" is an absolute miracle in itself. I am blessed beyond words.

Where Am I??

Yesterday, I was getting ready for church and was grabbing some last minute things off my bed and saw my recent package from my mom. It said my name and my address. I had this momentary flash in my brain... where in the world am I? Am I really in Ethiopia.... that is what the package says, isn't it? Life is normal here, not some big exotic thrill like is seems that it should be. In reality, for many people this life might seem surreal, but it is real. I walk outside and am greeted by the noise and hustle and bustle of the big city of Addis. I am in Africa, I am in Ethiopia, and it is normal.

Happy Turkey Day!!

Well, I didn't actually eat any turkey or meat on one of the best days of the year. But it really was a fabulous day. I made my way from Zeway yesterday afternoon by bus to Addis and found my way to my friend Corrie's by the evening. There we had somewhere around 18 people gathered for a meal of stuffing, mashed potatoes, rolls, cranberry sauce and rice. it was great and the house was filled with some people I knew and some people I didn't. When you're in a room full of people from all over the US (and even other parts of the world) it's incredible what thing draw people to Ethiopia. Some people found official jobs, teaching at private schools, working in medical programs, veterinarian programs, research, teaching English or law. But there are also many people like me who could be termed "missionaries" doing all sorts of different types of work. it's really an adventure getting all those people together.

The finally of the evening though, was the key lime pie, chocolate pie, pumpkin pie, and apple pie. OOOOOh I think the visions of those yummy desserts are etched forever in my mind!!

(sorry no pictures of the pretty pies)

A Weekend Trip

It's incredible how just two nights away from anywhere can feel like a vacation. I went to Awassa, a lake about 2 hours from Zeway) 2 weekends ago and it was absolutely phenomenal. I went with an Kiwi friend and a Brit on this little adventure. This place was just simply relaxing. Lush and green, located on a hill at the edge of the lake. The first time I went to Awassa I didn't really think it was all that beautiful - I only saw the lake for maybe 30 minutes but it was brown and looked like thick mud. This time it was different. I don't know if it was simply a different perspective of the lake or what it was but I felt like I was back at lake Victoria- looking over a purple blue lake at sunset with hippos in the distance and birds filling the air with their chirping and hollering. Simply relaxing. We stayed at a retreat place owned my the Norwegian Lutheran Mission. Our cottage that we had a screened in porch. We sat on it for hours chatting, reading and simply gazing out at the incredible view.

We also went out to dinner and lunch every day. There are a few restarants in the place which have foreign type food. So I ate LOTS of pizza and had a rather disappointing lasagna. There was a supermarket there (which is smaller than the size of a US mini mart) that we went to at least 5 or 6 times. i think that the people who worked there must have thought that we were absolutely crazy. My friend Broni has a truck, so I was able to bring a box full of food home with me... so the remains of my trip will last for months. I now feel relaxed and ready for whatever will come my way over the next few weeks.

Future Pilot in Zeway

When leaving a school the other day, hundreds of children chased the truck and tried to hitch a ride. But I feel lucky to have captured this shot.... he looks like he's going to take off!

OH MY GOSH!!!

That was all that went through my mind at that moment! I was sitting on the curb waiting to see the doctor with one of my co-workers. We thought that I was exhibiting signs of malaria-- but it turned out just to be the flu. While I was sitting and waiting ever so patiently, I saw the strangest thing happen. A mother with her small child on her lap were sitting on a bench. This woman is Oromo (a tribe) and not from the town of Zeway. She is from the countryside which was evidenced by her clothing, hairstyle, and the belongings she had with her. A woman walked out of the clinic and when they saw eachother they began the traditional greetings of kissing each others cheeks multiple times. But in the middle of this the standing woman spit on the child's head and continued greeting. Now, this spit seemed like it just fell from her mouth like an accident... in fact I almost didn't see it happen.. but no it did! The mother smiled and happily smeared the spit into the child's head. Then the standing woman made noises and landed a huge loogie on the childs head. With that the mother was even happier as she rubbed this onto her baby's head.

My co-worker didn't see it happen and when I explained what I saw he laughed and almost couldn't believe it either as he had never seen something like that happen. He thought that it must be that she was spitting on the child because of the all seeing eye. It's a spiritual belief out in the countryside: neither Muslim or Orthodox-- just a belief. By spitting on the child she was saying that the had no part in the sickness and was showing good will toward the child getting better.

The ironic part is this happened in a doctor's office!

Been A While

Wow!! I'm so thankful for the great internet connection of Addis Ababa! I don't think that I ever thought that I'd say that (that it's great) but it really is true. I've been trying to access blogspot for the past few weeks but to no avail. I bet you thought that I didn't like writing. Well that's partly true, because I have a heck of a time coming up with things to write about-- but I do love to keep you connected and informed about life here.

Last Monday (10/29) we had another group of visitors come. Unfortunately, the day they arrived I began to feel a bit under the weather with a scratchy throat and a balloon head. I was able to get the last minute preparations in order. The team that came represented LifeLight- a wonderful Christian ministry based in South Dakota. Alan & Vicki Green (the founders of this ministry) were actually the first people that I went with to see Zeway over a year ago. It was great to see them and meet the other people of their team. It is always great to have new life and energy come through the placer.

Having Vicki and Alan return reminded me of how much has changed since I first went to Zeway as a stranger and a visitor. Simply put, it is now my home. I have seen so many changes in the project since that first visit. We have doubled the number of children involved in our child sponsorship program in Zeway to nearly 2,000 children. People from Lifelight are responsible for sponsoring over 850 of these children!

There are other changes as well. Our favor has increased with the government and as you know we were given a new building and grounds for our offices. Then over this last summer the government gave us the other half of the compound, even further expanding our offices (and allowing for me to have my own).

In July we began food support through the Canadian Food Bank for the families in the program who have the greatest need. Currently 800 children are receiving support and we are praying that it will increase to include even more children in the future.

We have started a savings group which is now its own entity outside of Food for the Hungry. Many people (primarily women) are now able to better provide for themselves through the small businesses they were able to start through these small loans.

The HIV/AIDS program was fazed out at the end of September. If you remember this program was the reason I came to Ethiopia in the first place. We are praying that the proposal for the next phase (focusing primarily on rural prevention) will be approved to begin in January.

There are simply so many changes that could be mentioned. It is simply through the grace of God and the faithfulness of those serving with Food for the Hungry which has allowed these changes to take place. Thank you for being a witness to it!!