Not knowing where to begin regarding our recent trip to Ethiopia with FOVC, I thought I'd update my sidebar. Unfortunately I can't even do that. Guess I'll write a post then...
Okay, I think I'll start with a general over view of our trip and then do follow up posts to break down specifics that will surprise you, encourage you, and make you thankful for the richness in your life.
We left home on Monday the 30th of May. Met up with Ingrid from Reaching His Kids for a short visit where we got some awesome pics and gifts to take to FOVC. Our hotel was in the middle of no-where with only one option of a place to eat. Guess we're not having a nice meal out before heading to Ethiopia.
Tuesday morning we were on the shuttle by 4am. Waited in the Minneapolis airport for 3 hours. There was no one down in our neck of the airport as we waited. Except one security guard who walked through. Left a little before 8am and flew to DC. Met up with some familiar faces I now call friends. Jumped on a big fancy new plane together. Unfortunately the entertainment (tv's, USB ports) didn't work on our section of the plane. We also missed the message that was supposed to inform us to get up and ask if you wanted something to drink. It was a long flight. Twelve hours later it was now Wednesday morning in Addis and we finally landed. One annoying little mishap occured with customs and all the meds Ryan took into the country. Two hours and $45 later, we were leaving the airport.
Thursday morning we drove to Soddo, Ethiopia where we stayed in a hotel. Though we were eager to get to Shanto and get work done, we stopped at two places on the way. One was a cool open air and outdoor museum and the other was the Ethiopian version of Stone Henge. Both were interesting and a good break for the hind end. We arrived at the hotel and checked in. That went well but the "well" dried up quickly. We walked over to the government building to meet with the local rotary. There was some confusion and that meeting didn't occur but that allowed us time to go for a walk with Desalegn, the director, and about half of our team. It was good to get a tiny taste of Ethiopian culture. Supper at the neigboring restaraunt before we headed back to our hotel.
Friday was our first day in Shanto. A wonderful welcome followed by lots of ceremony. Honestly, at this point, it all gets a little fuzzy as to when what happens. Thanks to pictures, I have a clue when things happened. But, basically, each day that we were there we were welcomed and had some sorts of welcome ceremony. Amazing traditional singing and dancing, coffee ceremony, skits, etc. Then down to business. Lunch at 130 or 2 which was a welcome break from chasing kids around. We did this for 4 days and accomplished LOTS of things because of God's hand in it all. On the 5th day, Tuesday, we left Shanto/Soddo and went to the other two villages that FOVC has reached into. It was a hike to get there. After those two visits we arrived at Sabana Lodge on Lake Langano for a chance to decompress as a team. The next morning some team members headed back to Addis to catch their flight while the rest of us decided to stay one more night. It was actually cheaper. Without giving too much detail and not wanting to belittle the situation, I'll share that our last night was hell on earth for some on our team. And hell on earth for everyone on our team the next morning.
On Thursday part of the remaining team began our journey home. A 4-hour drive back to Addis Ababa, then relaxed a few hours before heading to the airport. Really early is better than last minute chaos. We know from experience. We began our 17 hour flight home. I slept through the landing and hanging out on the tarmac in Italy. With that long of a flight, Thursday turned to Friday. Eventually we landed in DC. It is so good to here "welcome to the United States!" Had a brief run-in with customs again and then gathered as a team for lunch/breakfast. Though it was only 6 of us, it was great to gather one last time. We left DC and flew to Minneapolis, got our bags, grabbed the shuttle ride to our van, and headed HOME. So, so good to be going home.
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