Wednesday, August 9th

It was a bit drippy in the morning and some confusion about baggage which had been divided into what would be taken to Roggie and what would be left in Dr. Minas’ office. It was decided to leave it all at the Guest House temporarily while we visited Sisters of Charity: Home for the Destitute and Dying.

Upon arrival (after picking up Pastor Matthewos at Hope) we were shown around by a young man who had served there for 3 years in a mix of counselor, social worker and Bible teacher. Those who had visited last year immediately noted new buildings and furnishings and a generally “brighter” appearance. There seemed to be fewer patients and those there seemed to be healthier. As we walked from section to section, we (Adults were grouped by severity of illness.) greeted the patients and offering them a blessing.

There were a number of medical people giving physical therapy, diagnosis and other services. At one point, we joined a group from Malta who were doing a jazzed up version of “Singing in the Rain” in the women’s section. When we stepped into the room for the severely physically and mentally handicapped children they were singing a lively song and hands reached out to be touched and danced with.

Volunteers were there helping them with embroideries. Further on in the shildren’s section, little ones followed us and reached out to be picked up. Susan’s armful proved to be a bit damp which rendered her coat rather “fragrant” for the remainder of the day. Before leaving we spent a few minutes praying in the chapel.

Returning to Hope, Diane D. went to deal with the luggage situation while the rest walked down the street to “Loyals” where we’d eaten before – pizza and pasta being the food of choice with Joanne (although feeling better) sticking to vegetable soup. Sydney stocked up on crackers and chocolate for the ride ahead. During lunch, it poured and we got drenched running back to Hope where Diane was making her daily quota of phone calls. After a few false starts we were finally on the road to Roggie at 2 pm.

We were puzzled why Tomasgin was driving so slowly – much more slowly than on the Dessie road which was much worse. It turned out that Dr. Minas had told him that he couldn’t drive over 60 kph! He stuck to it even though we were frustrated over the possibility of reaching Bishangari Lodge after dark. Bishangari means “good water” – It decidedly did not mean “good road” as we were to discover.

After the turnoff from Addis, Diane D and Joanne became broken records, exclaiming amazing …amazing as a whole different countryside unfolded than the one we had seen last April. Instead of brown, barren earth, it was green, green, everywhere – a sea of corn stretching away in all directions, many more visible animals and people along the roads and tomatoes, potatoes, sugar cane and charcoal for sale at little “stands.”

The road off the main road had seen some grading of sorts but our next turn began with a lurch and went downhill from there, up until then we had been fairly confident of the directions but as it got dark, our confidence got a bit shaky. Besides dodging ruts and puddles and the usual animals, we were accosted on all sides by hoards of children all shouting, holding out hands for money and running so close to the car that we feared a false move would land them under the wheel. Pastor Mathewos alternated between shouting at them and restraining Thomasgin from getting out of the car to chase them away. He was sure that their offers to direct us were not accurate and fortunately he soldiered on taking the right fork even when no sign was in evidence.

The directions said we would come to a “container bridge” and we did – quite literally a metal container from a truck laid across the river – the end closed and obviously impossible to fit through with our pile of luggage on the roof! So nothing to do but unload much of it and stuff it in the back (which already had 4 people in it.) A man appeared to open the far end and feeling like sardines being squeezed into a can, we eased our way across. The directions said we still had 4.5 kms to go – it seemed like 20 especially sandwiched in the luggage. We were fairly successful at viewing this all as just one more adventure, but all breathed a sih of relief when the “gate” appeared.

The lodge is run ecologically and so there were few lights. Hesitantly, we got out as one of the managers approached out of the darkness and urgedus to come up to the restaurant first before finding our sleeping quarters. Flashlights and kerosene lamps lit our way through the brush (we guessed as we could not see much.) Suddenly, a large open air restaurant appeared – like Abercrombe and Kent with their tablecloths and Royal Dolton in the middle of the Serrengetti. Things were looking up and decidedly so after a delicious yogurt lentil soup, rice and beef stew and SURPRISE chocolate cake for Susan’s birthday. The road weariness melted away as we enjoyed this repast and then went around as each of us told something that we appreciated about Susan. (not a difficult task – what a great leader!)

Off with the lanterns again as we returned to the parking area and paired off into our tukles – comfy clean rooms near the shared bathroom. (Some of us wondering what we might encounter, if we got up during the night, but too tired to care.)

But wait! The night was not over yet. Sydney and Kinsey had arranged another surprise for Susan and we all gathered at the Dittmar’s abode and when Susan was summoned on some pretext, we handed out noise makers and barraged her with balloons! Birthdays don’t get any better was Susan’s verdict on the day and despite all the emotions of the day, thankfulness was the final one as we drifted off to sleep to the local animal sounds.

Thursday, August 10th

In the early morning, it became clear that the Bishangari has two sections: both nice, but very different. The main lodge with its open air restaurant, tree bar (literally in a tree) and godjos (beautiful, private, en suite cabins was very “African.” When at the dining room, we even had staring contests with baboons cavorting in the trees nearby. Our team stayed in the tukles (freestanding, round huts) outside the “ecozone.” It was a beautiful area near the lake, and also close to the fence separating the lodge from the local farms. Therefore, we awoke to farm noises rather than the sounds of the wild. Around 6 a.m. in Ethiopia, people and animals need to talk with each other. In the city, you hear the chanting from the mosques or Orthodox churches; in the country, you head horses, cows, donkey, goats and roosters all claiming the day!

We got off to a slow start unintentionally, but we were all tired from the emotions and physical bouncing of our visits and the trip the day before. It took us one hour to reach Roggie Village larfely due to the roughness of the “container bridge” road. Every field was green on the drive up the hill; however, we learned that it is still great hunger as there is still at least 2 weeks before the first corn would be ready to eat.

Roggie Hope school sits on top of a hill which looks out over the Rift Valley with gorgeous views of the lakes below. We were given a quick tour of the new buildings which should be complete by the start of school in September. What a pleasure to see the construction that our church has made possible! The construction workmanship appears good; however, it was a surprise that there are no windows which look out on the view of the lakes because they are oriented to take advantage of the prevailing breezes.

Our team joined the children in KG-1 and KG-2 ( ranging in age from 4 to about 11) who were already sitting at their desks in the 2 existing classrooms to make heart bracelets, whirligigs, and banners. We felt our interactions with the kids was vital to opening up their world and expanding their hearts. Joanne and Diane met their sponsored kids and the Lord was gracious in allowing a beautiful start in a personal relationships. With their personal stories, we were reminded of how difficult life is for these children and families.

With the double translation (English to Amharic to Oromo and back again), communication in Roggie is difficult. Despite this obstacle, we managed to perform our “many parts, one body” skit for the children and their families to their obvious enjoyment and laughter at seeing us with body parts on our heads. Pastor Matthewos talked to the community about the “body” of Christ and then we prayed and gave gifts to Zenebe and the elders. The team felt God’s presence very strongly during this time of sharing. The gratitude of the people was overwhelming and the chief elder, a muslim, offered a very moving blessing for our team and MPPC.

After lunch in the car, and returning on the rough road to Bishangari, we arrived in time to have coffee and “hippo – spotting”. Although we didn’t see any hippos, we did have a brief moment to reflect by the lake on a wonderful day of trusting Gode and seeing his provision. We vowed to carve out more reflection time next trip.

Friday, August 11

Well rested and perky we breakfasted with the birds, baboons,a nd assorted other large and small creatures. After much packing and repacking the Range Rover to try to get through the container bridge, we were finally off. (We didn’t end up successful and had to remove everything from the roof once again to get through! – At least we provided entertainment for the ladies fixing their daily coffee ceremony under a tree nearby) Well, inching through the pasture, anyway, trying to get through the herds of cows, goats, donkeys and children. The previous night’s rain had left us the gift of lake size “puddles” on the road, and as we navigated around them we were greeted by 3 busloads of students headed to SIM’s Young Life camp. Little did we know that Pastor Matthewos’ son was going to meet them for 2 days of teen ministry planning!

Finally, we were off the dirt road, and onto the main highway for our visit to the game park – which we were to rename the “gameless” park. We saw 4 gazelles, visited the ostrich farm near the entrance, encountered a whole bunch of normal, non-working teenage boys, and watched Tomasgin give a small amount of money to one very elderly woman with whom we may have had a “devine” appointment.

After many road weary hours, we reached the Ghion Hotel and Susan headed off to Hope to get the remainder of our bags. Surprise, Hope was closed with no way to get in. Plan B: have dinner with Dr. Minas and 2 of his kids at the Crown Hotel for an evening of traditional Ethiopian food, music and dancing, then get the bags tomorrow.

The fellowship was sweet in spite of the loud music, and we got home late astonished at what God had done through all the ups, downs and surprises of the day.

Saturday, August 12

Our last day in Ethiopia…so we went shopping. Armed with lists and a schedule, we started off early and finished before noon with our bags full of coffee, kolo, silver crosses and Amharic bibles. When Susan was surprised to find a foot washing bowl, our Ethiopian companions were equally surprised to learn that we Americans do not routinely wash the feet of our fellow Christians as part of our worship!

We refreshed, packed and dined at the Ghion before heading to the airport for our “liquid free” journey back to the U.S. Sadly, we said good-bye, or more appropriately “until next time” to our Ethiopian friends, and thanked God that we were going through Frankfurt and not Heathrow.

Sunday, August 13

After many hours, security checks, and lots of airline pasta, our weary group joyfully met our cherished family and friends at the airport. Thanks, God for a wonderful trip!