We met for breakfast around 8:00 and I ordered my usual fetira with honey. A fetira looks like a pizza with a layer of cooked egg on top. The eggs typically come with extras like onions, peppers and tomatoes cooked into it. If you’re familiar with my eating habits, you know I always ask them to hold the goodies and just give me egg. Our waiter looked puzzled but wrote it down. I soon learned my request got lost in translation and I ended up with a fetira that was just the crust. We all had a good laugh as I ate my honey and crust for breakfast. (Don’t worry Kelsey, I ate some of Mesfin’s eggs too).
We left around 9:30 for Moloto which is in the mountains near Tita. I call this the beautiful country. If you Google pictures of Ethiopia, you will most likely get views from this region. There are lots of scenic spots overlooking farmland filled with teff (a wheat-like plant), banana trees and much more. However, to get here is long, rough road (I’ll have more to say about that in a minute…)
We were all excited, but the girls (Ayden and Rachele) were especially eager to start the first day. They had a lot of energy, which they used to wave at people along the road. It’s fun watching them experience many things for the first time. They have great attitudes and a natural love for people that makes them a great fit on this trip.
We arrived in Moloto to a tent meeting of about 250 people. In typical Ethiopian fashion, people filtered in the whole time we were there, and by the end there were close to 350. It is obvious the churches in this region are active in spreading the gospel and raising their children to know the Lord. There was a mat full of kids right in the front. They were very spirited in their singing and engaged in the studies.
After some introductory singing, Ryan spoke to the general assembly, and then we split up from the ladies. They went to a meeting room with women and children, and we stayed with the men under the tent. My first lesson this year was from Ephesians 4: Eager to Maintain Unity. Ryan followed that up with a practical lesson from James. We had some extra time waiting on the ladies to finish so I gave another short lesson from the life of David. We came back together, and I spoke once more from Malachi about our worship. This will probably be the last time I list out my lessons because we tend to use them over and over.
After the program we had a meal with some local preachers and a few others. The meal was typical: engera (spongy tortilla-like bread), beefs tibs, shero, avocados, boiled eggs and some other things I don’t eat so I can’t remember the name. They are always gracious to me and my stomach at these meals.
As we walked back to the car, we were swarmed by kids and people. I forget how overwhelming this experience can be. They press in around us and just stand there. Because of the language barrier there is very little talking and a lot of staring. To fight the awkwardness, Ryan and I usually make faces at the kids. We love to interact with as many as possible, but at the same time they’ll keep standing there until we leave. We usually end up escorted into the car like a celebrity running from the paparazzi.
On the way back we decided to go a different way. They told us it is shorter and will get us to the paved road faster. I’m always game for that, but this way was probably the roughest I’ve seen. The road was very narrow and incredibly cleavaged by erosion. Several times I looked out my window and saw a steep drop just beside us. Chiqeryellum (chiker-yell-UM: no problem) I kept telling myself. We made it but I may vote for the longer way next time.
Our evening was low-key and full of good conversations. It was fun getting to hear Rachele’s experience and share her excitement. I’m hoping at some point to share some of her and Ayden’s thoughts on the trip. Ayden crashed early so I’ll have to grill her tomorrow… I think jet-lag finally got to her. Other than minor inconveniences, our trip has been drama free. In my experience, plans and timelines can change quickly. But so far everything has gone smoothly, thanks to God.
There are many private and personal conversations that happen here that time would fail me to share. But I want to mention them because they are critical to this work. We aren’t just here to teach and leave. We are developing relationships in the body of Christ. These Ethiopian workers love and encourage us in so many small ways, I would be remiss to overlook their efforts. They prod and admonish us just as we do them. They accept and bless us just as we try to do for them. When you’re 8,000 miles from home, there is nothing more profound than the wisdom of God seen in the fellowship of his people loving and serving one another.
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