Our last days in Ethiopia...

In some ways it feels like we just arrived, but at times it feels longer than a month and a half. We miss our family and friends and consequently time feels like it is going by very slowly. On the other hand, we have built great relationships and we are sad to go back home. Nonetheless, we have enjoyed the time we've been here, we have been blessed to have met and served the people here in our various ministries and we have also learned a lot in the process.
 
This week is our last VBS, in fact our last day is today. Even though it is our last VBS and we (gina and the other girls in the team) are kind of running low on energy we have been blessed through this ministry. We have been able to train some of the members of IEC (International Evangelical Church) who volunteered to help out with VBS, and we have been able to not only share the Gospel with the kids but also disciple them throughout the week.
 
Additionally, we (gina and girls on the team) have been able to spend more time with the girls from Deborah house (these are the girls that used to live on the street). We shared the gospel with them through Gospel bracelets, and they understood it clearly and that same day using their bracelets, one of the girls shared the Gospel with one of the guards that works at their house. It is evident that these girls love Christ and are grateful for what God has done in their lives. Their testimony is very encouraging and refreshing, and their joy is contagious. It has been a blessing to get to know these girls and to minister to them. [Above is a picture of some of the girls wearing the bracelets. There were about 30 girls total.]

Lastly, we (Mike and Gina) want to thank everyone who has been praying for us from the beginning and also those who have helped us financially to get here to Ethiopia and do what God brought us here to do. We thank God for each of you and pray that He may continue to bless you and that you may be encouraged and blessed knowing that God has done great things here in the Ethiopia through us and in us over the last six weeks. We look forward to sharing with you more details about our adventures!

Blessings!

Gina and Mike

A Good Way to Meet the Locals

Rainy season has arrived. Every day when I leave for class, I ask myself, "Is it going to rain in the next 30 minutes." I'm usually right, but today was the second time that I was dead wrong. While walking to class today (30 min), I rounded the last corner (Sar Bet = Grass House) when it began to rain. I thought to myself, "Well, good thing I brought my umbrella." The wind had been gusting swiftly up until this point, and just then the heavens opened up and waters, reminiscent of the days of Noah's Ark, showered down upon me, which would have been fine if there weren't hurricane force winds and hail.

Just then I spotted two shepherds (yes there are real shepherds walking the streets of Addis Ababa), with their goats, running towards a pretty tall fence on top of a hill. "Why not," I thought to myself. So, I followed them and stood next to the fence sporting, by then, a broken umbrella, wearing khakis and a button down shirt, and carrying a backpack with a laptop computer. Next to me were two shepherds and about four goats. Twenty-first century meets fourth century B.C.

I couldn't help but wonder what they were thinking. I must have looked unusually odd and out of place.

There's a humorous story to brighten your day. I'm wet, but I'm laughing out loud (lol) sitting here grading papers.

Moral of the story--follow the shepherds, there will always be meat, greens, and a source of water :) hehe

[Attached is a picture of the aftermath.]

The Bus Tour Bonus

I almost forgot to mention--Saturday we had the opportunity to tour the
city on an Englishesk Double Decker Bus. As you can imagine from seeing
the picture that I included, we stuck out like a soar thumb... in a hand
model convention. I must say we had mixed reviews over the course of the 2 1/2 hour trip. Some pointed, some snapped pictures of us (I thought I was the tourist!), while others yelled various words and phrases in English (everything from you... you! to four letter expletives... I'm sure glad they're teaching them English! hehe). Others just pointed... some used the pointer finger and others just kept waving their middle finger at us. We just smiled and waved back... with our whole hand of course. It was pretty funny at times. The bus ride gave us an incredible opportunity to see the city from above. It's just not smart to whip out a digital camera in the market... unless you're selling it.... and with a price of your pride.One quick funny story - Gina heard her name being yelled out, which in the US wouldn't be so weird, but in Ethiopia... she's probably the only Gina within miles. So, she kept looking and to her surprise, she saw some of her Ethiopian VBS kids running after the bus. That happened several times. I saw one of my students as well, but he didn't run after the bus. He just waved... using his whole hand :) hehe.