Today is our second day of countryside work. For those new to the blog, I must note that we do not stay out in the villages as part of our work. Although some of us wouldn’t mind the accommodations, it is not safe for us in most villages after dark. The fact is, we’re the only white people around, so we stick out like a sore thumb. People stop and stare everywhere we go. The Ethiopians are generally friendly, but there is some political unrest throughout the country, and we don’t’ want to take any chances. Instead, we stay in a large city and travel out 1-3 hours to the villages each day. This gives us a chance to rest and regroup each night.
We assembled for breakfast at 8 and I took another chance at ordering my plain-Jane fetira. I am happy to report they got it right today, although it took about 30 min to make it. But really, it takes Ethiopian restaurants that long to make anything. Ethiopian’s concept of time is not based on efficiency or even time constraints. They’ll do it when they can, and they’ll finish when they’re done. It’s always an adjustment the first couple of days but the slower pace grows on you.
Today we headed to Bucha. It is about 1 hour south of Hosanna in the Kombata region. The regions in Ethiopia not only represent different groups of people but also different languages. In Ethiopia, there are more than 85 languages. This complicates our work because it means we must find translators that can operate in the local language. We spend most of our time in the Kombata, Hidea and Sidamo regions because we have men who can translate. Even still there are times we must have two translators to go from Amharic (the national language) to whatever the local language is. It sounds complicated, but our men are skilled and, really, I just have to make sure my English makes sense, and they do the rest.
There were lots of children in Bucha. I would guess more than 2/3 of the crowd was children. When we split up from the girls today, we let them stay in the main meeting house because there were so many more women and children. Just like I mentioned yesterday, it is obvious this church has a commitment to teaching and developing the next generation.
At the end of every program, several older men will stand up and speak to the group. Usually they address us generally, give thanks to God and offer a blessing. But today was different. Jeremiah, one of the local preachers, addressed us one by one. He thanked Ryan for continuing to come back; but more importantly he was grateful he brought Ayden. She not only did a great job, but she represents Ryan’s commitment to faith. Jeremiah emphasized that her ability and willingness to teach is a clear witness to Ryan’s practice of faith both at home and in Ethiopia. He admonished the crowd, and especially the preachers to learn from his example. Don’t just teach others… be sure you teach your family. He looked at me and told me I must do the same with my girls. Whether or not Ayden is able to return to Ethiopia, she represents the efforts of Ryan’s life of faith, and he was very encouraged by that. Jeremiah then thanked Ayden and commended her willingness to come and teach. Jeremiah pointed to her and Misgana as symbols of hope in the future of God’s work, both here and back home. He then thanked Rachele for coming to teach the women. Since Pat Underwood passed, there has not been a consistent teacher for the ladies. Jeremiah expressed many thanks for her willingness and, of course, they encouraged her to come back again and again. Finally, Jeremiah addressed me: “Wondeme Mitiku”. They gave me that nickname last year and it means “replacement brother.” Initially I took it as a joke (which I love) because they knew David brought me into this work as he was stepping out. But this year I’ve come to realize it has deeper significance to the Ethiopian people. David had a significant impact on so many people here. His commitment has developed a generation of preachers and churches to know and walk with Jesus. They were worried what would happen when he was not able to come anymore. Although I am not David, I have been positioned to fill an important need in this fellowship. Today, during his admonition I understood the responsibility not just I, but my fellow workers have to serve these people in the gospel. That is not to say we are indispensable or that we have somehow become the savior of the work. There are still others who have been doing this work and will continue to do the work. It is to say that God has opened doors and equipped us to fulfil a need in the kingdom. Jeremiah gave his thanks to me and the others for choosing to fill this role and be the next generation to serve the kingdom in Ethiopia.
Upon dismissal we had some time to interact with the people. Rachele and Ayden are getting more comfortable in social circumstances and able to do what they do best: love on people. Rachele made a bee-line to the row of ladies and hugged them. I’m sure Ayden has taken 1,000 selfies with children by this point. She passed out handmade bracelets so long I had to make her stop so we could eat lunch. I wasn’t sure what this trip would be like with ladies, but I’m really glad they’re here. We certainly get a lot more smiles from the crowds and whistles from the boys.
We travelled back to the hotel, had dinner and made plans for tomorrow. They planned for all of us to go to Busluga for Sunday services. But after some discussion, I pressed them to let me go somewhere else. I don’t mind splitting teaching time, but Sundays are a good opportunity to reach more people. After a few phone calls, it was decided I would go to Antcha tomorrow. It is near Busluga so it won’t be inconvenient. Also, I haven’t been there since 2020 when I went with David, so I am looking forward to seeing those brethren again.
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