Ethiopia Mission Update #3

Hello again, everyone! I hope you are doing well. It’s been a much less tumultuous week for us here in Ethiopia. After returning from our stay in Qeja (another two days of driving!), we got some much needed rest time, finished up a few more projects at the Ministry Training Center, and began preparations for the next and final leg of our trip! The first day back we visited Entoto Park for our rest/fun day where we enjoyed a coffee and juice bar and saw some incredible views of the capitol from the mountaintop. We were also able to play at their trampoline park and race go-karts while there, followed by a trip to a gelato shop. All to say, we had a great afternoon!

We returned to the MTC later that week and got to work on our unfinished projects. Camellia set herself once again to the mural, and with each passing moment we saw it become more beautiful as the different elements of the painting sprang into life. Tayt, Caleb, and Kaylee finished cutting and laying terrazzo tiles, a time consuming and dust filled task, completing the floor area of the new patio space. Soon it will be ready for a full coffee ceremony! In addition to these larger tasks, the rest of us helped out with laying concrete forms for a new water basin, cleaning windows, picking up trash, and otherwise lending aid where we could. On Sunday, we worshiped with the church we’ve been serving the past month, and though we could not understand all of what was said, we could tell the Holy Spirit was moving through the joy on the face of each congregant as they greeted us. After church, it was time for our final VBS session in Burayu. We performed and taught Jonah and the Whale for the children. The highlight of this story was easily when Jonah (Caleb) was “eaten” by the whale (Josh’s shirt that he pulled over Caleb's head). Following a short craft session and game time, the children departed and we made our way home for the day. Later that night, Travis took us to try and see some wild hyenas (from the safety of our vehicle). We were not hopeful since they are rare near towns, but after some searching we found a pack of about 20! We caught them gnawing at the corpse of some unfortunate animal, and almost scared them away from dinner. Turns out hyenas are fairly skittish. As soon as we stopped, they gave us some curious looks and began to back away. Proceeding our full day of work and exciting night time adventures, we got packed for an early start the next morning to begin the final week of our stay in Ethiopia, which will involve a trip to Assosa to facilitate two VBS days with huge amounts of children. Please continue to pray for us as we enter the final leg of our journey!

Galata waaqayyoo!