As I volunteered to write about today in last night’s debrief meeting, I did not realize how hard it would be to write today’s update. The team is currently all huddled in the living room due to the rain outside, we’ve finished saying our goodbyes to our students and we have begun packing up our goods. Tomorrow we will be back on the road from Dessie to Addis Ababa.

The day started with all of the team eating with the students of Hope. We lined up outside the cafeteria, and the students were surprised to see that we would be eating with them. We were given a cup of sweet tea and a huge bread roll and saw how the students’ dipped their rolls into the tea. It was a great experience eating alongside them and I was glad to see that the students’ were given a hearty breakfast to start their morning.

We finished breakfast and then for some reason, the courtyard exploded into dancing. The students were teaching us how to dance with their shoulders shaking, and they were delighted to see the Americans attempt to dance as well as them. I still do not know how they move their shoulders like that! There was laughter, jumping, cameras flashing, smiles all around. Bonnie, Emily and I moved to the basketball court and taught line dancing to the students, and later the students circled up and taught us an Ethiopian dance and song that involved skipping around the circle and singing. It was a great celebration and just a fun note to finish on with the students.

The day followed the similar pattern of huddles, class, pep rally and crafts. But the mood was different. Students continually asked us “Tomorrow, you…California?” I would nod my head yes, and then they would motion tears and crying. Several students asked me “You and me go to California?” I would answer each time “You live in Dessie. You stay here.” Answering in this manner pulled on my heartstrings to see their responses to my answer. I just wish I could do more for them.

If I could, I would take each of these students’ home with me, give them a meal, a bath, and love. They have opened my heart and have made me feel real compassion. The first step in being compassionate is exposure. I have been exposed to these students’ lives and have a new perspective on my life in California and my faith. Although challenging and difficult at many times, I know this time spent here will forever change my life. I will never forget my time in Dessie or the beautiful faces that have crossed my path.