Here a “small” selection out of the 3740 pictures taken by my team members and our guide from our time in Zeway, Ethiopia.

Did I already mentioned that Ethiopians are absolutely beautiful?! And if you thought Americans are huggers, you haven’t met an Ethiopian yet… Their coffee is also pretty good (understatement). In Ethiopia there are over 80 languages spoken. One of the larger once is Amharic. Which my friend K. could speak within in no time. Or at least a few words. Enough to impress me. On Monday, just after sunrise, we went to the lake side, where fishermen were selling their catch of the day. Boaz and Zarah, who have been talking about catching and eating fish for ages, were very intrigued by those pictures. On which Zarah suggested we could all go to Ethiopia to get some fish, after all, mama does know the way…

During our time in Ethiopia we visited the houses of the families in our program. During those visits we got to know some of them, hear their stories, get a rapport of what the programs does for them. We gave them photo pages made by families in Austin who are praying for them. On #3 I gave the pic Boaz made for friend M. It was special to discover how God orchestrated that, a boy like him, with an overflowing love for God and the bible (also pic 10). Some visits were slow and conversation difficult as with M on pic 2, but we bonded with him over a game of tennis at the play date the next day. Some visits were pure joy and fun (pic 8), those three brothers were really interested in us and we got to share about our lives and families. The visit with A. and her family (pic 9) and J. and his dad N. (pic 5 and 7) where hard. Real hard. But I will never forget their thankfulness, theirs hugs, their love and joy. Even in the midst of dying and living in the open air. Look at the smile of A. on #9!! On pic 4 you see how all the neighbors want to see what those whites come for 🙂 We got to pray for the families and take pictures of and with them. And where waved goodbye by the whole neighborhood.

Through those pics you get an idea on how the houses we visited are build. A structure from wooden poles finished with stucco from mud and straw. Inside sometimes paint on the wall and the floor covered with linens, vinyl or sometimes not even covered. A little light bulb to light up the room. The metal roof covered (on inside) with some tarp which functioned as isolation. Their belongings in boxed, bags and baskets. Most of the houses where on a lot with others, Livestock all around. Some house are made from blocks of concrete, but I didn’t visit one of those.

(Never did I see shame, always hospitality. I never discovered greed -you would expect that the white people, who have come with backpacks filled more than your home has to offer, would bring you stuff-, I often received a cup of coffee, popcorn or roasted barley. We never were buried under grumbling, we were often greeted with huge hugs and I came face-to-face with sincere gratitude. I truly am blessed and humbled by being welcomed in their houses!)

Well, I was there also. On the second picture you can see the entire team that had traveled from Austin. Photo 3 was taken on top of an island in Lake Zeway, included are the social workers, our drivers and our guide. Pic 4 is with two teenage girls from the program. The girl on pic 5 is a sweet little hugger, a climb monkey, just like Zarah, who made a photo page for this friend. And well, if you give me enough time away from the kids, it turns out I am inclined again to do a handstand. Luckily, some things never change…

The airplane which brought us over the ocean. As soon as I landed I realized I was home. Not a home I will ever life (most likely) but as in: it is the same world. The same God. The same earth. It might be an long flight, culture might be different, but in the end it is the same. It is the same air we breath. Pic 2: The car we were transported in most of the week. Pic 3 is the Zeway version of a schoolbus. #4 is the street our hotel was at. While on the road we did pass other cars -first honk, no need to use mirrors-, lots of ‘bajaj’ (taxi), pedestrians, some bikes, a monkey, donkeys, goats, herds of cows and well, some camels. Since we are living in 2015, a lot of our days are summarized in hashtags. Pic 6 was the winner: #Chick-fil-A

A lot of the kids in our program came to the play date on Tuesday afternoon. It was priceless to see those kids (and some of the parents) enjoy those moments. Just being a kid, getting jewelry made from pipe-cleaners, blowing bubbles, playing tennis, catching a frisbee. And of course making a picture with silly faces. Although it seems that it’s even more for the those big, loud, white, Americans… 😉

We saw birds in all shapes, sizes and colors. The birder would have a great time in Ethiopia. The same with the flower lover. On Wednesday we went with the boat on Lake Zeway and saw hippos (#4). This decent size tree (pic5) was on one of the islands. The bananas we bought on the street for 2birr each where complete meals and clearly extremely funny. On Thursday I enjoyed swimming in Langano Lake. P. is teaching me all about the geographic location, seeing the look at my face it seems that is was pretty complicated 😉 On Saturday we went to see another program, in Addis Ababa. This program save teenagers from sex trafficking and child labor and teaches them a skill (like weaving) to be able to sustain themselves.

Not in the picture:

• The moment we waved from our palace size, gold colored hotel room in Addis, to the neighbors living in a metal shed. They look up to this building everyday. I can imagine them wondering what kind of people make it into that hotel. For them the palace which they’ll never reach, even though its only a few steps away from their home. Who am I that I get to stay in a palace?
• The early morning prayers. The quietness and the joy of those intimate moments. The answers from God.
• The awesome Ethiopian meals. Btw, do you ever travel there and order a meal different then there traditional meals, be so smart to share. Texas size is small compare to theirs!
• My thankfulness for this change. To see more of God’s world and His work in it. To meet beautiful people. To grow in knowledge about myself, the world, my team members, God, my family, traveling, food and so much more. And that all while being a mom of three pre-schoolers.

And so much more… But I guess I kept you away from your life long enough now. Thank you for your interest and that you gave me a change to share.