Adjusting

This was written August 21
“You reed e-story an kees goo-nie? Like Lee-sie?” Kiyaa requested. My heart leapt at those words. I’d been hoping to start reading to the kids and spending more time with them, but since I am still adjusting to the schedule and cannot communicate very well yet, I had not known how to suggest this. Needless to say, Sarah and I were more than happy to oblige. Friday was a delightful day, full of new experiences. Only our second day in Ethiopia, it started out a little rough (note my previous blog entry), but kept getting better and better. Sarah pulled out our Amharic dictionary and conveyed the message that we want to help. “Come,” replied Sinbatu, whose English is nearly non-existant. “Market,” she told us. So Sarah and I followed Sinbatu and four others (I know how to say their names, but not how to spell them) off the compound, down the road, and into the tiny town of Guder. The scenery here is BEAUTIFUL and our walk was delightful. Nothing, however, could have prepared us for what awaited us at the market. All eyes were on us the entire time. Children swarmed us, trying the very few (and I mean very few) English words they knew, touching us, and laughing at us. There were many vendors sitting around on the ground--some under branch structures, others in the open air--selling their various goods. It was a very unique, fantastic experience, but more than a little overwhelming. We met the Kindergarten teacher while we were there, and she kept an eye on us. At one point, we lost track of everyone except her due to the flock of children surrounding us. Thankfully, she was super helpful and protective, otherwise I’m afraid we would have panicked.
Everyone here is so helpful. They are very protective of Sarah and I and take care of us. When we first got here, our shoes got very muddy. It is rainy season and it is nearly impossible to step outside without getting your shoes coated in mud. I wanted to rinse my foot off because it had gotten drenched and was squishy. I attempted to turn the spicket on and rinse my foot off. Before I could get my foot out of my shoe and under the stream of water, two little hands were holding it and rubbing the dirt off. I began to protest, but she smiled at me and told me “Yes, okay.” By the time she was finished, both my feet and my shoes had been relieved of all of their mud. The people here thrive on being helpful. It is quite humbling. Sarah and I are trying to find ways to help them, but we find ourselves being helped more often than not.
After the market, it was time for lunch. Injera and wat. We couldn’t do it. I had been praying that God would help me to be able to eat it, but after two bites my stomach was turning more than I could ignore. Sarah was already feeling iffy and did not even attempt to eat it. More on the injera issue in a minute… The afternoon was spent playing with the kids. Around 4:00, the kids led us to the school (which also serves as the church) for vespers. Dinner was our first yummy meal. Rice! Yay! Following dinner, the kids turned on the TV and watched some Sabbath programs, while Sarah and I got ready for bed and chilled in our room. As they were turning on the TV, we got the request for the story and kisses. “After TV?” they asked. We were wiped out and were afraid we’d fall asleep before they finished watching their program, but thankfully we made it. It was a priceless experience!! We went into one of the girls’ rooms (the one Kiyaa is in) and read a chapter out of a book to them. When we were finished, we made the rounds, kissing all of the girls goodnight. Priceless. We’ve only been here two days, and I am dreading the day I will not be able to make my nightly rounds.
And that brings me to today. We slept like rocks—much different from the night before, thankfully. Breakfast was a delight! Bread and tea. In the states I’m not a big fan of tea unless it contains more honey than water. Here? Delicious! We savored the tea and ate as much of the bread as we could. It is good, but there is a lot of it. Sabbath school and church were fun to watch, but sitting for three hours on rough wooden pews and listening to a language you don’t understand make staying awake a bit difficult.
And now I come to my exciting Injera story. This morning during devotions, I read about the time Moses held up his rod and the Israelites one their battle since Moses was praying and kept his rod in the air. Patriarchs and Prophets commented that the reason Moses was successful was because he relied on the Holy Spirit, but also did his part. My specific prayer this morning was that God would do His part and help me not be repulsed by injera. I promised to do mine and eat my obligatory two bites. Also, Sarah and I prayed together this morning that God would help us to like the food, or at least be able to eat it. Lunch was served and we dove right in. While we didn’t like it, we were able to handle it! The wat was spicy lentil mush instead of the sweet cabbage from the day before, and the spice helped lessen the repulsive sour taste. Praise the Lord! We were only able to down about half of it, but felt victorious none-the-less.
More church programs followed after a few hour break. This evening was filled with more laughing, playing, eating, and cuddling. The kids are watching a musical show right now. Sarah and I are not big fans of the TV, so while we snuggled for a few minutes at the beginning, I decided to come in here and blog before heading back out to read them a story and make my nightly tuck-in rounds. Sigh. Yes, I’m falling in love. I’m still anxious to learn the language, which we’ve been practicing constantly, and nervous about teaching English, but in the meantime I’m falling deeper and deeper in love with these beautiful children. Hugs to you all!!!
PS- Ms. Leasa, I opened your letter today. It made my day! It warmed my heart and made me laugh out loud. Such wonderful memories and kind words! I love and miss you!!! Hugs!