Settling Into the Routine

This blog was written August 20, if I remember correctly...


Day 2 here at New Hope finds us confused and slightly overwhelmed. After playing with the children for a few hours yesterday afternoon, we spent the evening unpacking. We felt a little rude holing away in our room, but feel much more at home now that everything is settled and organized. Lizzie assured us that the kids are used to it and will not be offended. Thanks for the phone call, Lizzie! Helpful Hint for Future SMs: take Tylenol PM the 2nd night in your mission location, even if you don’t think you need it. Sarah and I took forever falling asleep, and then around 3:30 AM, one of us woke up to the other’s tears. We both found ourselves homesick and unable to sleep. Our morning was spent talking, wishing we could go to sleep, but knowing that Tylenol PM at that point would knock us out for too long. Around 6:30, we finally decided to face the music. Our shower has warm water! Hoorah! Unfortunately, it only comes out in a trickle, so we’re (okay, I’m) going to have to work on showering faster. When we ventured out of our room, everyone was milling around. We offered to help, but no one can understand us and we can’t understand anyone yet. So, we walked around the grounds taking pictures and getting muddy (it’s rainy season), before heading back inside for breakfast. The simple way of life here is definitely enticing and could become addicting. Once we get used to it, that is. Breakfast was better than I had imagined it would be, but it’s plain taste and interesting texture are going to take some getting used to, especially with our currently flimsy stomach conditions. I helped wash the dishes after breakfast, and Sarah helped sweep. I think we are kind of in the way, though. The house mother took the broom from Sarah before she was finished. So, as I type this, we are sitting in our room attempting to figure out how on earth we will teach English in a few weeks, and updating all of you on the goings on here in Guder, Ethiopia. We had hoped to go into town this morning to have some Internet access, but don’t want to offend them by leaving so soon. Also, the boy Lizzie suggested should walk into town with us said he will take us next week. Sigh. I think we are going in Sunday for the Peace Corps camp and should be able to check email and blog then. Let the lessons in patience begin! This pace and lifestyle are very appealing, but are definitely going to take some adjusting. I am not used to having a laid back schedule. We have not figured out where to be and when. How to make them see we do not want to be lazy when our efforts to help are not always understood? Alas, the adventure continues. Our characters are just beginning to be broken and remolded. I believe we have a very interesting journey ahead of us. Stay tuned for more updates from a little town in the middle-of-nowhere Africa!
PS- Thanks to Kate and Allie Wallace for the beautiful pictures you drew for me. Yours was the first “homesick project” letter I opened. The pictures (including the photo of you two) are now hanging on our wall. Thanks for brightening my day!!!