Day 23

This week has been a blur and for the most part uneventful. Sunday we attended Beza International church again. The pastor’s mother preached and she was pretty wild. Her message was powerful however I think it could have had the same impact without the shouting into the microphone. No, I hate to be critical because it really was a great message about God’s love for us and His desire to see our purpose fulfilled.

After church the seven of us went to Denver Café for lunch. We had burgers and fries and got to watch CNN! We were glued to the TV. I didn’t realize how much I missed seeing the news on TV. I had been nervous about ordering a burger, but it was good! The rest of the day we lounged around.

Monday, was Gabi and Molly’s last day so Watt and I left Destiny right after class to spend time with them. It was so fun walking around town midday instead of during rush hour traffic. Plus, it was sunny and warm. I graded my kids’ homework and then finally decided to brave the freezing temperatures and bathe outside in a bucket. Since our water has not been on since Wednesday we had to resort to getting a massive tank of water. Everything has to be washed manually – flushing the toilets with buckets, bathing in buckets, washing hands one at a time with bottled water, etc. It can be quite tedious and you don’t feel clean. The tank was an absolute necessity after days of not being able to flush the toilets. Our room smelled as if we were sleeping next to a port-a-potty. It was so horrible; we looked forward to going out just so we could use a facility with running water.

We finally got water back yesterday, but then it went out again. It is so unreliable that we clamor to shower whenever we can. I finally got a hot shower for the first time in over a week today, but the water ran out halfway through. "That’s Africa," as we say now. (Not the most pc thing to say I know.)

Tuesday, I went to Destiny to find out something terrible had happened to Hareg and Tenagne. Their younger brother who had been missing for over a week had killed himself. Obviously, the news was devastating to their family and it affected the whole school. I had a hard time concentrating the rest of the morning knowing the pain and suffering Hareg and her family were experiencing. Yesterday, I got to go with Benjamin and Marcos (a friend and helper at Destiny) to visit Hareg at her parents’ house. It’s the home where she grew up and it is just outside of Tor Highloch where the Cherokee house is. I was worried about how she was holding up, but it was no shock that she was able to greet me with her usual warmth and care. Even in her saddest moments Hareg displays a peace and faith that I have hardly seen in anyone. She and Yunatin took special care to make sure I understood the cultural displays of mourning. I was in awe of love and grief that was shared amongst the visitors. A tent was set up and grass placed on the ground and everyone that came sat and grieved with the family. I ask for prayers for the family as this is going to be a long, difficult journey.

Through all of this, I am thankful that I have Watt here to cheer me up. I laugh constantly when I am with him. He really is one of the most unique characters I have ever met. After less than two weeks he is speaking Amharic with the people! He butchers a lot of it, but the effort goes a long way. We make friends everywhere we go or we’re getting laughed at – either way it’s an adventure. Now, every time we take a taxi he tells them I’m his wife. They get such a rise from it. Today, he casually told the money collector that I handle the money in our marriage and always pay. It had the whole van rolling in laughter. Yesterday, when we were waiting for our taxi I got hit by a van. Not hard, just tapped in the elbow, but now I can proudly say I was electrocuted and hit by a vehicle in Africa.

Today, I got to leave for work later than Watt since I only tutor on Thursdays. I was on my own to catch a taxi in the morning rush. Getting one seemed like a hopeless venture, but a man called to me indicating he was going to get me on one. He actually made the driver of a van stop out of his way to let me on. I did not like getting that kind of special treatment because I basically cut in front of dozens of other people who had been waiting. I felt the awkward sense of white supremacy and was so embarrassed, but it was a kind gesture that I could not refuse. EVERY time we go to catch a taxi there is someone willing to help, someone who will give up his seat, or someone who will walk us to our destination. It is such a sweet moment.

This morning I began teaching English to one of our student’s mothers. She speaks some English, but does not understand much of what I say. I am going to be tutoring her three days a week. I am once again thrust into new territory and just praying I can manage to teach her successfully. I also had a couple students in my class come for some extra help. I realized that one of my boys cannot read English at all. I have no idea how I am going to keep him afloat in my "advanced" English class. Tomorrow is test day. I will get to see how well they comprehend what we learned this week.

This afternoon, Watt and I went to Mother Theresa's Asco orphanage. I spent two hours holding the babies. It is so hard to put them down because they cry as soon as you leave. It breaks my heart being there, but it is also one of the most fulfilling things I can do. Page has been working as a nurse at Asco and has put her all into it. She and another girl led the kids in a light aerobics class. Watt and I joined in. It was so much fun.
Tomorrow after work, the whole house is going on a weekend getaway to Lake Langano. It is about 3 hours away (but we'll see!) We are really looking forward to being out in the countryside. Yunatin showed me pictures of it. They were amazing. The lake has a beach and all kinds of outdoor activities. It is going to be such a great retreat for everyone. Then on Monday four more of the girls are going back home to the States. It's going to be so sad when everyone leaves. By mid-August it is just me for two weeks. I can't believe how fast the time has gone by.