On the Ground in Ethiopia

What an amazing last two days this has been. Internet access is less available that I originally thought so these blogs may be sparse, I will try to type the next one in advance so that you will have a more complete grasp as to how it has all been going. We visited AHOPE today which is an organization that takes in kids with HIV and gives them medicine and allows them to live a normal life. It was such a precious and unforgettable time. When I first walked into the room with all the kids I was standing near the back of the group and a young boy walked through the crowd of ten people straight to me, just ti hold my hand and admire my bracelets. It was such and incredible experience playing on the swings with kids and running after them in a game of duck duck goose. So many priceless moments. We also went to the early teen version of the same ministry, so the kids were older and more able to talk with us in English. One boy's name was Elias who immediately took a liking to me as we played around with a soccer ball and I showed him a few new tricks. We played some basketball and I taught him four square and a version of rock paper scissors called Gorilla Ninja Gun. Such a great time, we even have secret handshake that in my opinion is pretty awesome. Come time to leave he wanted to know if I would come tomorrow, I honestly didn't know if we would be able to come back, I told him to remember the games I taught him and that I would hopefully be back soon. My heart aches for him, but I am grateful that he is at such a great place. Turns out we will be able to go back to see them at least one more time before we leave.

Looks like I have a little more time than I thought to write so I will also include my night last night. First of all it is crazy to think that it was only 24 hours ago that we were waiting for our Visas in the airport. Funny story, the customs agent had no clue what frisbees were and I had my bags searched because of it, it was pretty interesting trying to explain to them that it is something that you throw, is I tossed a high release into the air... haha. I spent the night last night in an open air bunk house and it was had to get used to the noises of the night in an unfamiliar city. From dogs to hyaenas, people and street noises to the occasional thunk as a large tree would shed its large seeds. I woke before sunrise to the muslim prayer call, I woke to read my Bible pray and then spend the rest of the morning talking with Grema who is the man renting us the guesthouse for the church. He showed me pictures of is girlfriend so I in turn showed him the only 3 pictures I managed to bring. :)

Driving in Addis was insane even worse than driving in Paris and that is saying something. The people here tho are genuine to the core going to market today was an interesting experience, I will definitely need to learn a few things before shopping there, like the follow and in this order... How much is it? that's too much... can you lower the price... that's too much... walk away... and wait for a shout of the prince I wanted.

I have really enjoyed getting to know people out here in Addis, more specifically the people on my team and our translators. Surafel is involved in Young Life out here in Ethiopia I look forward to talking with him some more about how it has been going with camps and such this summer. It is getting late, but the trip is young, we will be going to Ambo tomorrow and I really look forward to spending some time with the boys there, mostly because I know that we will have multiple opportunities to reach out to them. Thank you all for your continued prayers, not sure if it is going to be possible with this slow connection but I will at some point get a couple of pictures up to show you some of what I am experiencing here in Ethiopia.