Ethiopia Trip

 

January 17, 2007- February 6, 2007

 

Wednesday, January 17, 2007

 

Arrived at the airport around 4:00.  Walked right up to the check in desk and have no

problems.  With all we added for Fergusons, both my bags were overweight but they only

charged me for one ( 55.5 and 54.5 lbs.).  Paid the $25.00.  No problem getting through

security so had plenty of time to eat something, we all choose salads of some kind,

knowing they won’t be available in country.  Walked, read, tried to change our seats on

the second flight but no luck.  We will try again in Amsterdam.  Plane loaded on time

with no delays, actually had a few empty seats.  Plane left only 5 minutes late.

 

Thursday, January 18, 2007

 

Arrived in Amsterdam at 8:10 and we taxied for 15 minutes to get to the gate but we are

still 35 minutes early.  Gary lost his jar of peanut butter going through security.  It is

considered a paste. Boarding for the second flight was a little late then we sat on the

plane.  The airport only has one runway open and it is taking two minutes per plane for

take off or landing.  Lots of wind and rain.  We will probably be over 2 hours late

leaving.  Served us juice and a cookie type snack and started up the entertainment system

as we waited.  Finally left the gate at 12:50.  It is 10:40 P.M. and we are on our approach

to Addis Ababa.  It ahs been a long two days.  We still have customs and immigration so

it is going to be a late night.  Hopefully Joel, our driver, is still waiting for us and we are

hoping Getu will be there so we can get organized for tomorrow.  I’ve gotten a lot of

reading and studying done.  I’ve had an aisle seat with no one next to me so lots of room

to spread out and be more relaxed.  Joel was at the airport to meet us.  Tomorrow is a

holiday so I went back into the terminal to change some of our money..  At the guest

house a few minutes after 12:00.

 

Friday, January 19, 2007

 

Slept very little last night so it has been a long day.  I woke up a little after 5:00 and never

really got back to sleep.  Got up at 6:30 and started getting ready for the day.  Breakfast

was at 7:00 – French toast and tea.  The owner of the car company came by to get his

payment.    Greeted us like old friends.  Joel and Getu came a little after 8:00.  loaded the

car and headed for Betty’s store.  Dropped off all the medicine to go to Tanzania and saw

Betty and Tehut.  Tehut has slimmed down and is getting ready to walk (11 months). 

Then drove to meet Adunya near his home to get the projector and cords.   By 9:30 we

were on the road to Arba Minch.  Stopped for lunch before we got to Shesamene.  All had

hamburgers.  They were very spicy but good.  Stopped a couple of other times to stretch. 

Several times we had to stop or detour due to big crowds in the streets.  All are

celebrating Epiphany, the celebration of Jesus’s baptism.  My left leg was cramping

much of the time so it was a long and at times painful ride.  Got into Arba Minch at 7:00.  

Went to the hotel, checked in, had supper, chicken and rice, and met for a prayer time. 

Now relaxing and getting ready to crash.  Random thoughts – most ofhe land north of

Shesamene is dry and brown.  Lots of straw and stubble stacked to use as feed for the

animals.  After Shesamene we started seeing green and you could see around Arba Minch

that they have had a big rain in the last few days.  Didn’t go by the church but we could

see it was lit up, especially the cross as we came up the hill.  Saw baboons on the road at

one point today.

 

Saturday, January 20, 2007

 

 Up at 6:30 – Breakfast at 7:00.  Went back to the rooms for a time of study and devotion. 

Got to the church just before 9:00.  Went to meet with Pastor Samuel and talked about

what we might be doing this weekend……….  During the Pastor’s conference we all

gave a greeting and then Getu did a teaching on being a good and faithful example. 

Session ended about 10:45.  We went back to the hotel, got ready to go to the downtown

hotel for lunch.  Ate outside and had good meals (veal Cordon bleu for me).  We were

told to come back to the church at 3:30 so had time to send e-mails back home and then

stopped to buy tickets to the game park but they were at lunch.  Back to the hotel and

rested until 3:00.  Back to church.  They were just finishing up a session with the

conference people.  Talked to Pastor Samuel about problems with someone coming to

teach the young people, how to distribute bibles, and other questions.  Meeting this

afternoon with the young people, 18-25.  As they are coming in, some of the leaders are

also joining the teaching.  Going into the church, I stepped on a lip of the drainage ditch

and fell.  Hit my leg on the cement and I am sure I’ll have a huge bruise but no major

damage done.  When the teaching time starts, Gary will begin and then I will do some

teaching from James, Chapter 1.  Met the lady who is in charge of their Sunday School. 

They teaching went well and everyone seemed to be following and understanding.  Left

the church after 6:30 and went to the Bekele Mola hotel for supper.  Joel dropped us off. 

Enjoyed the sunset and scenery then ordered meals.  We all had fish of some kind. 

Walked back to the hotel in the dark.  Wasn’t too bad.  Got in about 8:00.  I tried to read

but couldn’t concentrate.  Finally went to bed but never really got into a long deep sleep. 

Lots of flips and flops all night.

 

Sunday, January 21, 2007

 

Up around 7:00.  Shower and dressed.  Took time to catch up the journal and get in some

devotional time.  Sitting out on the porch, we can hear the orthodox call to worship going

strong.  Sitting here reflecting and 4 of the baboons walked by within 8-10 feet.  Left for

church around 9:00 and they were finishing up the adult Sunday School hour.  They had

also just completed baptizing 10-12 people who were introduced in the service.  Gary

preached with Getu translating.  They offered to let us leave after Gary finished but I

suggested we stay for the whole service.  They had a second preacher and we were out by

11:30.  When we decided to stay, Getu went with Joel to check the internet for

something.  They didn’t come back and we finally started walking up the street.  We were

meeting the church leaders for lunch.  About ½ way up the hill, the truck carrying the

pastor and elders stopped and we all rode together.  Stopped Joel just outside the Tourist

Hotel where we were having lunch.  The discussion time was excellent.  Some of the

major points that struck me were:  1.  They were willing to look at other cheaper

alternatives to the Sunday School building they were proposing.  2.  All the churches in

the fellowship would funnel their requests and needs through the Arba Minch church

which is like the mother church.  3.  Our trip to Jinka and the surrounding area will show

us many needs.  4.  Many needs are small, tin for roofs, building supplies, etc.  5.  They

are open to groups coming to do teaching, VBS  programs, constructions, etc.  6.  There

was an excellent spirit of cooperation and trust during our discussion.  7.  We were all

encouraged by the possibilities so we will have much to discuss when we get back.  The

trip to Jinka is going to be very enlightening from what we are hearing so far.  The

meeting broke up around two.  On the way back to the hotel, we stopped at a couple of

shops with wood objects and baskets, mainly for Chip’s wanting to look and buy some. 

He bought some and some clothes.  Went back to the room to rest and also walked down

to the property Ayele would like.  A section of it has been given to the Africa Vacation

Club for a lodge.  It is a membership club with a time share idea included.  Went to the

church at 6:00 and go everything set up for the Jesus film..  Started it about 6:45 when it

was dark enough.  No problems and 6 kids came forward at the end to accept Christ. 

Returned to the hotel and had  a late supper- fish and chips and talked about what may

happen this week.  It keeps changing.  Tomorrow is the game park in the morning.  So it

will be an early morning.

 

Monday, January 22, 2007

 

Breakfast at 6:30 and headed for the game park a little after 7:00.  Stopped to buy our

tickets – 10 bir for nationals, 70 bir for non residents and 80 bir for the vehicle.  Didn’t

see as many animals but more of them were up close.  Biggest problem was the biting

flies that were swarming around the car for the first couple of hours.  It finally got too hot

for them but they were making the trip miserable.  After seeing the first zebras, Gary was

ready to turn around and go home but was glad we didn’t.  He got some excellent

pictures.  Came back to the hotel for lunch (spaghetti) and then rested for awhile.  I fell

asleep which was a mistake.  At 3:00 we went into town.  Stopped at he bank to exchange

money.  They held my camera while I was in the bank.  Then across the street to buy

phone minutes and send e-mails.  I couldn’t get into Juno for some reason and so sent an

email to Dot on Chip’s Yahoo account.  I was very frustrated and very emotional trying

to send the message to Dot and not being able too.  Gary offered to let me buy phone

minutes and call home but I knew I wouldn’t be able to handle it until later.  Had some

snack cakes and drinks then decided to go to Genzebe’s to check on Seid.  He had just

gotten home today sop only stayed for a few minutes.   He was in the hospital with

inflamed tonsils.  We hope to go back for coffee when we are back in town next

weekend.  Decided to walk back to the hotel and had a couple of “God” moments.  

Earlier we had talked about going to a school and offering to talk with students wanting

to practice their English.  We were walking by a school and decided to stop in.  The

administrator was very nice.  The school is mainly for the village kids so they all stay in

homes during the week.  The school gets 13,000 bir per year to run, about $1500 and he

said they depend on the community to help them with the housing and other needs. 

Talked about trying to do something to try and encourage the teachers.  The school goes

through 10th grade then the kids have to go to a different school.  Walking through the

soccer field, I got out a Frisbee and Gary got a group playing.  Got to tak to several of the

kids.  One – Shockley – was 17 and going to trade school to go into construction.  Left

the Frisbee with them and he promised to let the others play with it.  Got back to the hotel

and I am doing this, Chip is reading and I am headed for a shower before we go to

supper.  Feel much better after the shower.   Started repacking everything for tomorrow’s

trip.  There has been trouble finding us housing in Jinka since this is considered the

tourist season.  But we think all is taken care of for Tuesday and Wednesday.  If we come

back to Arba Minch  Thursday, then we will just do more at the school with talking to

students to practice their English.  Also got a call that our reservations at the SIM guest

house have been kidcked out so now we are back at the Baptist guest house using the

servants quarters.  Who knows what other changes are coming in the next couple of days. 

Dinner back at the Tourist Hotel, I had the Hawaiian chicken, Chip had a traditional meal

and really enjoyed it.  Didn’t get back to our rooms until after 9:30.  Finished the

repacking and are close to being ready to go tomorrow.  Leaders are looking for Bible

dictionaries and commentaries.  Good to bring them in the future.  Hope to be in bed by

11:00 as we plan to be on the road by 7:30 in the morning.

 

Tuesday,  January 23, 2007

 

Left a little after 7:30.  Met Pastor Samuel and one of the elders, Mio, at the church in

Seley.  There were several leaders there to meet us and present us with their needs.  The

church has about 80 adults and 40 children.  They run a Sunday School program.  They

own about 1 acre of land and need to enlarge their building.  It is a mud wall

construction.  They have bought some tin for the new roof.  Only use a drum for worship. 

Asked for a guitar.  No sound system.  They do have electricity.  They have a separate

building for an office, classroom and guest house.  They need 7-8000 bir to double the

size of the present building.  The mud walls are good for 10-12 years.  The church was

started about 10 years ago.  They do face some opposition from the Orthodox church

which is trying to drown out their services.  Prayed with the leaders and then went on a

few more km. and stopped at the church in Elego.  Very similar to the first church.  Mio

went with us. The church is run by an evangelist and the elders.  The have 214 adults

attending and 131 children. They do a Sunday school in the church at a different time

than worship. It was an exciting church but a very sad situation.  The ground is very wet

and has no drainage.  The building floods during the rainy season.  They need to put in a

better foundation and a complete drainage system.  Stone and cement would cost 25-

30,000 bir.  They have the tin and wood for the rafters to enlarge.  They have already

enlarged their building twice.  They are waiting for the farmers crops to come in as most

can only give once a year for their tithes and offerings.  No sound system but the biggest

need is the foundation.  They have started a fellowship up in the mountains in

Gontocharmo, which is a Zusa village.  They are presently meeting in a farmer’s home

and need a meeting place to be built.  After praying with them, we drove on to Wezke.We

ahd  little trouble finding the church building but were finally successful.  The church

was started 7 years ago by the Arba Minch church.  They presently have over 100

members with over 40 kids attending.  They have electricity, time roof, stick walls, dirt

floor.  Their first need is to finish the foundation and floor.  There is a shortage of bible

and we left them 4 of the ones we had.  They need new benches.  They have collecte the

stone for the foundation but need the cement.  Looking for a guitar.  Only about 1/3 of the

congregation has a Bible.  They are also a Zusa tribal village.  Pastor’s name is Ayo.  The

pastor and some members of the congregation were in a separate building praying when

we arrived.  Had a good visit.    The spiritual atmosphere of the church was very

impressive.  Stopped at Weita for lunch.  Very interesting as there were 7 camels out. 

They were trying to load them in a truck and having lots of trouble.  The handlers seemed

to be very afraid of them.  Lots of people standing around to get pictures taken for bir. 

Going across the Omo valley was very hot.  Before that in Konso began seeing tribal

people easily identified by their dress.  Konso women were a tiered skirt and some of the

men and boys have on a stripped shorts.  Later you could see the tribes change as we

traveled through their areas.  Getting near Jinka, past the Omo valley, saw boys in body

paint and on stilts working to get pictures taken.  The are a tribe that the Jinka church has

started a fellowship with.   They are doing lots of construction on the road to Jinka.  Near

Jinka it is with lots of big machinery and huge Daewoo trucks.  They are waiting for

explosives from Addis to blow up the huge boulders that need to be moved.  Had to stop

at a check point just outside of town and pay 50 bir for coming in as foreigners.  Got to

the hotel around 5:00, checked in and sat down for supper – chicken and rice for me but

the chicken was too tough to eat.  First bad meal this trip.  As we were finishing, Pastor

Seid came on his motorcycle.  Talked for a few minutes and then he was coming back to

take us to the church at 7:00 to meet with Pastor Seid and the church elders.  They were

prepared with a list of needs and then took us on a tour to show us the problem areas with

their buildings.  We went though a time of introduction and they are telling us about the

church and what they are doing.  Pastor Seid started the work, quitting his job as a

veterinarian.  The people here are very resistant to the gospel.  They saw healings,

demons cast our so people started coming because of the power.  All 21 years ago.  15

years ago they got the land from the government.  It was mainly waste land at the time.  It

is now a totally independent church.  They have started 15 fellowships outside Jinka

which are still under the church.  7 of them speak the same language, the other 8 speak a

variety of languages.  The Arba Minch church helped them in the beginning.  The Jinka

church pays for the evangelists until the fellowship is able to be independent.  Their

present membership includes 634 adults and 111 children.  They have a long term plan

for reaching more unreached people groups or tribes,  the Surmoko or Surma, the

Dassanetch who live down along the Omo river all the way into Kenya and the Bumi. 

Needs:  1.  raise up more evangelist, training, salary and finances.  One evangelist cost

500 bir per month or 6000 bir per year.  2.  Need to renovate the church to put in a new

base foundation..  This is a very wet area.  Money has been put into evangelization rather

than taking care of the property.  3.  Help the fellowships with thei buildings.  Most don’t

have permanent meeting places.  4.  Need money to hire more staff here.  They have

applications for pastors but no money for hiring.  Approximate cost is 5-600 bir per

month.  5.  Training for evangelists, as often as 3 times a year.  Looking for leadership

materials.  A 5 day training, including transportation, food and lodging would be about

7000 bir per session.  6.  Computer for internet access.  They have the phone line into the

church but not a computer that will access the internet.  They have the main building and

two other buildings that are divided into 4 rooms each.  They are sued for Sunday School

room, elder’s office, deacon’s office, Pastor’s office, prayer room, treasurer’s office, etc. 

It was dark by then so walking around was difficult.  God back to the hotel about 9:00 

Gary and Chip are sharing a room with a hot shower, Getu and I have separate rooms but

only a cold shower.  Tomorrow we will move to a room with a hot shower.  Tried to read

but the electricity kept changing the intensity of the light so I gave up and headed for bed

about 10:00.  The electricity goes off and midnight and comes back on at 6:00. Woke up

at 3:15 and again at 5:00.  Never did get back to sleep after that.  

 

Wednesday, January 24, 2007

 

Got up at 6:00 when the electricity came on.  Got ready and to breakfast at 6:30.  Pastor

Seid was to come at 7:00 but it was closer to 7:30 when we left.  Went to the village of

Baneta which is a Maale tribe village.  Pastor said it was a 37 Km trip but it took 2 hours

to get there.  We went back to Koko on the road we were on yesterday.  That was through

some of the worst of the road construction.  Then started down a one lane road.  Lots of

washed out areas and no bridges going across streams.  The Pastor is not here as he has

gone to Jinka to get parts for his motorcycle.  Pastor Seid had told him he was bringing

visitors but did not tell him what day.  The church needs to put in a cement floor and

foundation.  They had mud walls and a tin roof that the Jinka church paid for.  We

covered some rough roads getting here.  We had to take a 6 km detour as the road is

washed out in three places.  Church was built three years ago.  On going problem of

termites in the wood.  While waiting for some of the church leaders to come, talked about

he Kahli Heywet church who in the  area are cesstationalists.  In village, KH taught that

other churches are cults.  This church needs the cement and money to hire workers to do

the cement work.  Estimated that it needs 10-12 yards of cement to do the floor.  Also

needs money for the wood to do forms for the base of the walls.  Cost would be about

$1000 total.  This is a high priority for them to get accomplished.  Went back to Jinka,

getting in just before noon.  Stopped at the hotel for lunch and had Getu and my stuff

moved to our new room.  We had lunch, most had spaghetti but I opted for the steak

Bismark which was basically an egg on top of the steak.  Wasn’t bad compared to last

night’s meal.  Pastor is coming back at 3:00.  Gary and Getu laid down.  I am catching up

on this and the finances and then working on speaking tonight at their service here in

Jinka.  Chip was reading.  Left the table to go back to the room as they needed the space

for people coming in.  Met a man who had just flown in from Addis.  It is a 16 passenger

pland and he said it isn’t bad.  If I remember right it stops in Arba Minch, so it is the

same plane no matter which place you would fly into.  Landing strip here is grass so

when there isn’t a plane coming it is full of cattle, goats, people, soccer games, etc.  Went

to the village of Gaza.  It is a village of about 1000 people.  The church has around 60-70

members.  Secretary came to meet with us.  His brother is an elder in the church.  Lots of

termite damage in the church, walls and floor.  Concerned that there is too much damage. 

Lack of full time Pastor is a problem, present evangelist is only part time.  Needs 500 bir

per month for a pastor.  Spiritual attacks on their prayer power.  Many don’t come to pray

as they should.  Need more spiritual power to meet these attacks.  Church has been in

existence for 13 years.  Very expensive to buy bibles.  Many they have are getting old

and worn out.  Termites are a problem for the whole region.  Ministry of  agriculture tells

them to dig them up.  The only real solution is cement floors and cement on the walls. 

This is probably the most depressed spiritually of the churches we have been in.  The

man we met with just sounded discouraged.  They have a severe termite problem and all

the solutions they have tried  have not worked.  They really need the cement floor as

many of the nests are in the ground.  Passed out some of the little cars I had which of

course caused more kids to come looking for one.  Several tried to get more than one. 

Also gave some of the boys a couple of chocolate bars to share.  Pastor Seid broke them

up and gave them some.  It was a first for them and some didn’t like it at all.  Sp will

keep the bars for someplace else.  Got back to the hotel about 5:20 and ordered dinner  as

we were to leave for church at 6:15.  Didn’t get our meals until it was time to leave so ate

quickly.  I had a cheese burger steak which was a very spicey burger with melted cheese

on it.  Really pretty good but not enough time to enjoy it.  Left for the church at 6:30

when it was to start.  Got there and Pastor was waiting for us.  There is no electricity in

the building.  They were using a portable speaker system but it wasn’t very good.  Great

worship time.  We each gave a word of greeting and then I started speaking on being

made in God’s image.  Getu was translating and I let him have the microphone but after a

few minutes, they told him to forget it and just talk loud.  Seemed strange talking to over

300 people with only a few candles in the place and not being able to see any faces.  They

were a gracious audience and responded well, then the pastor said a blessing for us with

the congregation responding and then we had about 20 more minutes of worship.  Came

back and had something to drink before heading to our rooms.  It seems strange, we are

seeing many of the tour groups that were at the hotel in Arba Minch and were also at the

same restaurant yesterday.  There just aren’t that many choices in the area for

accommodations.  There is a group from Italy, one from Germany, a couple that had been

in Innsbruck, Austria.  I left my camera battery and charger in the office to charge since

my adapter wouldn’t work in any of the plugs in the room.  Have to remember to get it in

the morning.  Tomorrwo we go back to Arba Minch, stopping to see two more churches

and also a market place in Key Afer.  Just remembered, after going to the village this

afternoon, Pastor Seid took us to the South Omo Region Museum.  It is to show the

different tribes living in the area.  Although it is small, it is interesting and worth seeing. 

They have videos playing about the tribes and their ceremonies so we watched some of

one about the Hamer people.  They have a small gift shop but most items was priced

above what you can buy in Arba Minch or even in Addis.  Materials in the museum were

from a lady anthropologist so much is about the females of the tribes.  We hope to be on

the road by 7:30 in the morning.  Now I can’t find the alarm clock in the suitcase and

don’t want to take time to unpack everything.  Getu has been getting up early each

morning so we should be ok. 

 

Thursday, January 25, 2007

 

Woke up at 6:00.  Electricity didn’t come on until 6:20.  Cold showeer as the heater

doesn’t work.  So much for changing rooms.  Breakfast at 7:00.  Left he hotel about 7:45. 

Headed toward Key Afer where Pastor Seid and one of the evangelists were to meet us. 

Got there a little after 9:00, met them and Pastor showed us to the church.  (Pastor Seid

and the evangelists rode the motor cycle starting out at 6;00 to be with us for today.)  We

met the pastor of the church and looked around their building.  This is a village of 3-4000

people.  They have a Wednesday night service, Friday all night prayer and fasting time

and Sunday services, morning and afternoon.  This is the smallest of the fellowships they

have started.  Key Afer is mainly the Banna tribe.  Right now about 25 people are

attending the church.  They are saving wood to build a bigger chapel.  Praying to open a

kindergarten to reach children and then the parents through the children.  Thinking in

terms of servant evangelism.  Preaching directly to the people doesn’t work.  They need

bibles or portions of scriptures to give out to them  people to read and discuss.   Plan to

need 80 sheets of tin for the addition – 4000 bir.  That would build a roof 10X7 meters. 

Small need is for musical instruments, a guitar.  The preacher’s parents were believers,

He accepted Jesus about 15 years ago.  He is a full time evangelist.  He is young and

newly married.  The church has a good location.  They might build to do the kindergarten

or rent space.  Spiritual condition of the church is very good.  People are very committed. 

The stone and sand for building are readily available in the area  but the cement must

come from Jinka.  No estimation of the costs right now.   After praying for the pastor we

went down to the hill to the village market.  Today is market day and people were getting

out all sorts of things.  They had us wait in the car until people had their wares out and

were ready to sell.  We each bought a few items at good prices and finally got in the car

to leave.  People there were selling animals in one area, some had the tourist items,

necklaces, pillows, beaded items, etc.  and several had beads to be used in the beaded

items.  Once we were on the road we headed on the Weita, where Pastor Seid was to

again meet us having gone on ahead while we were at the market.  Got to Weita and ate

lunch (spaghetti) before going on to the church. Pastor told us that during this trip he will

be going to a Sumoko village about 15 km away to visit.  They are an unreached people

group and he will have to get a translator to talk to them.  He indicated the area of the

village is very strong in witchcraft and is full of demonic spirits.  The pastor is full time. 

He worked on the nearby cotton plantation but quit his job to be an evangelist.  (I have a

call.)  They have 35 members and 6 ready for baptism in two days.  He has three young

children and doesn’t have them living here because of the scorpions and biting spiders. 

There are two other weak churches in the area.  Needs include removing the walls due to

rain and termite damage.  He wants to put in iron studs and rattan, bamboo, mats for the

walls.  It is very hot in this area so they would get more ventilation with that type

construction.  Cost is 14,000 bir including the cement.  They have the stone for the floor. 

Have trees for a “plantation” on the property.  They hope to enlarge the building to 2

times its size so they would have a pitched roof.  They have plans for outreach to the

community.  They have areas targeted.  There are a variety of tribal groups in the church

due to the workers at the cotton plantation.  Looking to put up a better fence around the

property.  Most people don’t have bibles.  They have a home cell program rather than a 

mid-week program.  The Friday night service is at the church.  They have a guitar. 

Service is in Amharic.  Village has about 1000 people in it.  Counting the small villages,

there are about 3000 people in the area.  Lots of cults, witchcraft and ancestor worship in

the area.  After a discussion of needs and a prayer time, we left knowing we still had a

long journey.  Stopped in the market at Konso and I bought some cloth that is typical of

that used by the Konso women for their skirts and a heavy Gobi that they use for

sleeping.  Since Konso is in the mountains, it is cooler.  Stopped at the crosssroads for

drinks and Gary wanted to buy a few more of the bracelets.  They had to send out for the

dealers.  Back on the road which has sections of heavy road work.  Got a little rain

shower at one time.   Got into Arba Minch to find out that we didn’t have rooms at the

Swaynes even though they had told me they did.  I was tired and let them know I was

unhappy with that news.  So we got rooms at the Bekele Molla next door.  It isn’t as nice

but they include dinner and breakfast in the price.  The rooms are pretty run down so we

will move to the Swaynes for the next two nights.  We went to try and send e-mails.  I got

logged on but don’t know if my message ever got sent.  Gary tried to get on but it was so

slow, he gave up.  Came back to the hotel for supper (fried fish) and now I am trying to

get this caught up.  Interesting that we ordered chips with the fish and they never came. 

When we asked, they said they didn’t have them tonight so just didn’t bring them or say

anything.  Plan to try and call Dot tonight if I don’t fall asleep.  Made the phone call, got

cut off, had to add minutes to the phone and it took 20 minutes to get through again.  It

was wonderful talking to her.   It is very warm tonight.  Got to bed before 11:00 but had a

hard time getting to sleep.  

 

Friday, January 26, 2007

 

Woke up a little after 4:00 and never got back to sleep.  Finally got up and went out on

the porch for reading and prayer.  Getu got up and got dressed, I took a shower and got

dressed and went to breakfast.  During and after breakfast we talked about how to

proceed and what we should recommend to BCC and how to respond to Pastors Samuel

and Seid.  Getu went to see if we had rooms at he Swaynes hotel.  About 9:45 Joel

showed up to get our bags and take us to the Swaynes.  Once there  we found out we only

have rooms for one night and that is only because I complained last night.  Gary and Chip

have gone into town to try and meet with local officials to see what they tell us about the

land, to change money, and see if we can get reservation’s at the Tourist Hotel for our

last night in Arba Minch.  I am staying back working on a letter we can give to Pastors

Samuel and Seid and their elders.  Trying to be encouraging without promising anything

specific.  I have a rough draft done but will wait for Chip and Gary to redo, reword, etc

before we go to the computer store to work process it.  All in all, the trip has been very

encouraging and we have met most of the objectives of the trip.  Hopefully others will

agree with us when we get back and can share with them.  Gary, Chip, and Getu returned

having gotten much accomplished.  The Mayor told Gary he was just waiting for a

proposal.  Typed the letter into the computer and reworded  sections of it.  Gary talked a

lot about how to use the land.  He see great potential in it from a business stand point. 

After eating lunch, - they didn’t have but two choices ( I had fried veal which was very

good but also very spicy) – we went to buy school supplies as a gift to the school.  At

2:00 we went to the school and met again with the principal and the head English teacher. 

They divided the students up into 3 groups with 60-70 kids in each group and we each

had 30 minutes to share with them and answer questions.  Some of their questions were

deep and others showed how little understanding of the world they have.  What re

Ethiopia’s greatest resources?  How can Ethiopia improve its economy?  What are the

traditions you celebrate?  What foods are for special celebrations?  What is the concept of

beauty in America?   How can I become a powerful person?  We felt the time was well

spent and hope the students learned a little about each of us.  Each had an opportunity to

talk about why we were in the country.  Went to the computer store and printed the letter

for Pastor Samuel.  Decided to go by the church and deliver it to him.  He was there in

shorts and sandals but took time to see us and also shared their list of priorities with us.  

They are all building projects and are the simple construction that  we are not too excited

about.  Tomorrow nights meeting with the leaders should be an interesting discussion. 

Came back to the hotel with plans to eat at 6:00 and then stop at Genzebe and Seid’s for

coffee at 7:30.  The hotel again only had a couple of choices for dinner so got the car and

went to the Tourist Hotel where there were more choices (veal cordon bleu).  Ate and

then to Seids.  He invited us to go on Temesgen’s boat but we didn’t get real excited

about it.  Seid has sent Ayele a proposal for the land and is waiting for a response so that

got Gary going.  Seid is going to get us a meeting to talk about construction costs. 

Coffee, Tea and discussion was good for the evening.  Borrowed a flashlight and walked

back to the hotel about 8:30.  No problems getting back.  The others are watching a

movie but I didn’t feel like watching.  It is 9;00 and it is starting to rain.   Just lost

electricity for about 5 minutes and I couldn’t find the flashlight as it was still in the

suitcase.   Sitting outside on the porch, the smell of rain is great but it is starting to blow

in a little.  Part of our problem of having a reservation but no room is that the hotel is part

of the Green Land Tour company so their rooms go to the tour people first.  Those

reservations are all done in Addis and we have been dealing with the hotel directly.  Not

sure how we will proceed in the future.  I told Chip tonight that I feel I am being pulled in

several directions at eh same time and I know that time is on my side in not making any

decisions until after we get home.  I am feeling the need to meet with all those interested

in a ministry in Ethiopia to get ideas germinating.  I’m not sure how I will write a report

and recommendation for the mission team.  But that problem is another week away. 

Went to get something to drink before trying to get some sleep. 

 

Saturday, January 27, 2007

 

Woke up during the night hearing a tremendous amount of wind.  Up are 7:00.  Slept

most of the night, probably the best night’s sleep of the trip.  Went to breakfast.  The bees

have been terrible this year and this morning they were the worst.  Almost more than I

could stand setting there.  No way you can feel like leisure time for reading or relaxing

around the restaurant.  Back to the room to repack and also read over the proposal from

the church.  Translated birs into dollars to help us evaluate what they were requesting. 

Paid our bill and went back to the room.  The others have gone down to the property, I

think.  Gary is really excited and I am just staying out of the way.  For some reason I

question the permanency that it implies.  So far I can’t really put my feelings into words. 

Joel is to be here around 10:00 and we move to the Tourist Hotel.  I have moved to a new

hotel or room for the last 6 days and it is getting old.  I was wrong, Chip went to the

property to walk it off and get a better idea for size and position.  Gary laid down and

slept.  Moved to the Tourist.   Went down to the stationary store to buy materials for chip

to do a sketch of the property and possible building.  When we got back, Seid was here

and he has an engineer coming to meet with us about the property.  When he arrived, he

was an administrator in the office but not the engineer who could answer questions so he

called the engineer who had worked on Ayele’s project.  They went and got keys and

took us to their office to talk about the project and show us what they had done.  It is a

design for an orphanage on the property.  God lots of answers concerning what is needed

and how to proceed.  Gary stayed aback at the hotel to have lunch with the “Band of

Brothers”, the first time they had ever been out to eat.  After we finished our meeting, we

returned to the hotel and invited all to dinner.  They gave us a copy of the proposal. 

Tried to lie down but it as too hot to sleep and there is no air in the room.  There is a beer

promotion scheduled at the hotel tonight and we decided to find a different place to

entertain the church leaders.  Joel suggested the Soma Restaurant so he went to the

church to tell them of the change in plans.  About 5:30 Gary went to the Internet to send

Becky a note about he orphanage proposal.  He was approached by a man asking if he

was interested in supporting an orphanage.  Turns out his mother started one 18 years ago

out of her home and now has 59 kids, the oldest 17 years and the youngest, one month. 

We decided to go visit it in the 20 minutes we had before going to dinner.  Met the lady

who runs it, saw the nursery, 4 babies, the youngest is a very small preemie if it is one

month old.  Babies are often left on the street and she goes around and collects them.  The

building where the older kids sleep is in poor condition.  Kids and leaders attend the

Kahli Heywet church.  Left to go to dinner arriving just as the church leaders were. 

Many had fish cutlets and others had a traditional meal.  The food was excellent, lots of

fish, bread, chips, tomatoes and cole slaw.  Pastor Samuel tells us that the owner of the

orphanage and Marilyn Mitchell have some type of relationship.  We seem to be in

agreement on setting priorities and we again had a very positive conversation.  They

believe an evangelist needs 650-750 bir per month to live in a village in this area.  They

also reported that Mio is in Wezke working with the church for 10 days.  Biggest

problem of the evening was the mosquitoes.  Came back to the hotel to relax and rest. 

The noise level is very high.  They are suppose to be done at 10:00 but I’m not sure it

will happen.  We have had students from the school yesterday greet us at different times

during the day.  I left out our 4:00 appointment.  Gezel and his brothers invited us to their

home.  It is very modest but adequate.  The mother had built it before she died.  The

father has moved away and has a new family.  They served us tea and popcorn.  What a

sad story but encouraging at the same time.  Now to try and study.  I will do the teaching

that I did on Wednesday evening.  It will be interesting to be able to see my notes.

 

Sunday, January 28, 2007

 

Had trouble getting to sleep.  The room is hot and the window has no screens and won’t

open anyway.  We are at the back of the property to try and get away from some of the

sound but it also means no breeze gets to our rooms.  Woke up when the Orthodox started

on their speakers and then dozed after that.  Up a little after 6:00 to study and get this

caught up.  Breakfast was porridge.   Interesting that they served a natural honey with it

rather than the jelly we are used to in other places.  Checked out, paid the bill, etc.  Ready

for Joel.  Chanting stopped a little after 8:00 and it is very peaceful now. Getting nervous

about speaking this morning.  Joel came about 8:45 and we loaded the car and headed for

the church.  I was quickly greeted by Beneyam wanting the metal car I ahd promised him

the other evening.  Worship time was excellent.  A great service.  After saying our good

byes, we took off.  Stopped at the Tourist hotel to pickup cheeseburgers to go to eat in the

car.  They are the classic spicy meat that you get if you can order a hamburger steak but

on the bun they were great.  Getu and Joel seemed to be in a great hurry for us to get to

Sheshamene which is where we thought we were going to spend the night.  Turns out

they wanted to go another hour north and stop at a resort at Lake Langona.  Agreed since

it is only an hour but when we got to their choice it was a Bekele Molla resort, the rooms

were small and looked run down.  Decided to go some place else and we are now at the

Wenny Lodge.  It is pricey but it is new – 8 months old  and it has atmosphere.  It is on a

lake beach and is in a beautiful setting.  The 20 km road getting to it gets worse and

worse as you get closer.  Dinner was in a very nice restaurant setting near the beach. 

Looks like it is part of a game park.  We had fish or steak and the meals were very good. 

The ride today was long since we didn’t stop any place but tomorrow should be a shorter

ride and the worst roads are behind us. 

 

Monday, January 29, 2007 

 

The good room went down hill as we became more aware.  Gary and Chip were worried

as their door was very flimsy and thought animals might get in.  This morning the water

coming from the tap was brown and they finally admitted they pump it directly from the

lake.  As we were going to breakfast, they hit all of us because they had quoted a price of

370 bir per room but had only charged us 305 bir when I paid the bill.  However, the

meal was over 400 bir.  They wanted us to pay the original price and we refused since

there was so much wrong with the rooms.  Drove to Addis.  It was sprinkling when we

left but didn’t really rain and it is badly needed.  Got into Addis about 12:00.  On the

road, past a herd of camels, maybe 150-200 of them.  Also saw men thrashing by walking

their cattle over the grain.  Also saw men winnowing the grain by throwing it in the air. 

Stopped once for a drink and to walk.  We met Todd at the guest house.  He had arrived

and been picked up with no problem.  Went to lunch and had stroganoff.  It was very

good.  Then went to the bank, stopped to do a little shopping, Gary went to check

messages but it was too slow for him to send.  Stopped to buy a box for Chip to pack

things in and then back to the guest house to shower and clean up.  Joel is coming to take

us to Getu’s for dinner.  Henok joined us while shopping and it was great to see him. 

Left the guest house about 5:45 to drive to Getu’s home.  Stopped  on the way to buy

flowers for Betty.  Nice bouquet of roses for 45 bir.  Their home is very nice.  Tehut

wouldn’t warm up to any of us.  Too many strangers.  Two of Betty’s sisters and a friend

who was an English teacher and has excellent English joined us for the evening.  Ate

about 7:00.  They had a chicken dish, a salad, lasagna, the traditional egg dish, cheese,

etc., a very good traditional meal.  Gary ahs transferred all his pictures to his laptop so he

was showing them to the others.  Meal was eaten with the men in one room and the

women in another.  Left a little after 8:30 to get Chip to the airport.  Dropped him off a

bout 9:00 and hope he has a good trip home.  We returned to the guest house and turned

in fairly soon after getting back. 

 

Tuesday, January 30, 2007 

 

Up one time during the night but awake often.  Finally got up about 7:00.  They large

group staying here was leaving at 6:30 but their cars didn’t come until 7:00 so it was 7:15

before they left.  Waited until then to start moving around to stay ut of their way.  Asked

last night about breakfast and was told to plan on 8:00 but not sure how or if it was

communicated to the staff.  Joel is to come at 9:00 and we will start trying to track down

the Kahli Heywet water people.  Good morning for quiet time.  Ann called last night and

asked about one of us speaking at Have of Peace on Sunday.  Gary told her I would so

will be giving that “sermon” one more time.  I don’t think it is much but Gary likes it

better than what he had prepared and he said he was the one who loved to preach on

mission trips.  The kitchen worker just came in and asked if we wanted breakfast so not

sure what we will get.  It was cereal and toast.  It has been a day, certainly not good in

many ways.  Joel came at 9:00 and took us to the Kahli Heywet offices.  And we were

able to meet with the manager in charge of the filtration program.  He only had  few

minutes as the CEDA is here to do a evaluation of the project as they have completed the

project that we saw last summer.  He is to call us after 6;00 tonight to let us know what

he can set up for tomorrow.  The Canada people are going to Debre Zeit today.  He

thought the project manager could meet with us tomorrow and show us around and get us

into a village project.  Picked up Henok and then stopped at some different souvenir

shops.  Bought welcome mats.  Getu called and told us to meet him at the Blue Drops

restaurant.  We were about ½ way though the meal when Gary asked Joel if the car was

safe as he and Todd had left their cameras in the car.  Joel went to check and sure enough

both had been stolen out of the car.  The restaurant called the police, the arrested the kid

who was watching the car.  We all ended up at the police station trying to get a police

report.  Nothing is simple.  They took lots of information and filled out forms without

much success in us getting anything.  Left the station and went o buy the books that Gary

had promised Gezel.  Getu didn’t have the list but said he remembered.  Left there with

the intent to buy Bibles for Pastor Seid and Getu called to say he couldn’t find anyone

who had them.  Joel brought us back to the guest house so we could repack and he went

back to try and get the police report.  Joel’s boss called and he isn’t trying to be very

helpful and doesn’t want any financial responsibility.  So, so far it has not been a good

day.  Hoped to get some laundry done but the house help isn’t feeling well and didn’t

think she could do any until tomorrow.  Gary had downloaded over 600 pictures to his

computer and had sent the memory card home with Chip.  So what he lost in pictures was

the last 4 days, about 120 pictures.  Feel bad for Todd and we are trying to figure out if

we can do anything to help him get a new one.  Maybe we can have Fergusons bring one

when they leave on Sunday.  Getu just came in to get copies of some of the pictures from

Gary and e will get ready to go t supper.  In so many ways this trip is getting very

expensive but it is still giving us lots of answers.  I can tell I am on overload as I try to

read this and see I have left out words all over the place.  Stopped at an internet place on

the way to supper so got to send Dot a note.  The lack of two way communication has

taken its toll.  May need to look at the Yahoo account if we are going to be separated

again like this.   Supper was at a very nice restaurant but none of us was in the mood for a

big dinner with all the trimmings that was expected but we had a nice meal and then went

downstairs to the Khaldi Coffee for ice cream.   Joel was very quiet.  Gary called the

owner of the transportation company and tried to put pressure on him to help compensate

for the loss.  He tried to blame us for inviting Joel into the restaurant.  Now he ahs told

Joel he has to pay and of course, Joel doesn’t have the money to pay anything.  Got back

to the guest house just as it started to rain.  Got a good down pour for about an hour so

maybe that will clean the air of some of the pollution.  

 

Wednesday, January 31, 2007

 

Up by 6:00, showered and dressed and ready for the day.  It still looks pretty cloudy so

hope it doesn’t rain again.  Breakfast isn’t until 8:00 so lots of time to relax and read and

have a quiet time.  It is such a nice cool morning.  Tomorrow we head to Dar where it is

20 degrees hotter and then in a few days home where it is 50 degrees colder.  So I want to

soak up as much of the pleasant weather as possible.  We still haven’t heard from the

water filtration man so tried to call but his phone is off.  May go to Debre Ziet without a

contact.  But we have a couple of hours before making that decision.  The police report is

first on the agenda.  Things finally started falling into place but it has been a rough

morning.  Tsegaye finally called back and asked what time we could be at Drebre Zeit. 

Agreed on 10:00 but hey were having trouble at the police station.  Finally Joel and

Henok left the police station  to come pick us up and Getu stayed to get the report.  Then

Joel got tied up in traffic so it was almost 11:00 when we finally got there.  Met one of

the men working on the project and he took us to the village to see the filters in action

and we were able to talk to the people using them.  Very educational to see in their

homes.  In 2 of the 3 homes we visited, it was the man who talked to us about the filters. 

Left the village , the same one we had tried to get to in July, and went back to Debre Zeit

for lunch – chicken cutlet.  After lunch decided to go back to the property and met one of

the field managers for the project.  Todd was able to get a lot of answers, they showed us

their molds and also talked about techniques.  I think it was very good.  Left eh property

and passed Tsegaye going toward the property so stopped and answered a few more of

the technical and financial questions Todd had.  So it was a good day.  Got back around

5:00 and Getu was here with the police reports.  Not very good but they are something. 

Relaxed and went to supper.  As we ate it started to pour rain.  It finally let up a little

after 8:00 enough we could get to the car and back to the guest house.  The electricity is

off in our rooms and I am finishing this with the flashlight.  It looks like there is

electricity in the main house and may go there to write.  Lights are back on so I may just

get ready for bed and read as long as I have light.  Todd is in the main house writing up

his thoughts on the day.  So at this point in our trip, it appears we have met most of our

goals for the trip.  Tomorrow we head for Tanzania but there is time for packing in the

morning.  Lights kept going off and on so I finally went to bed.  Woke up a couple of

times during the night and had trouble getting back to sleep.

 

Thursday, February 1, 2007

 

Up before 7:00 showered, cleaned up, packed and ready to go.  There are many people

here at the guest house, all from the American Baptist.  They have come from all over the

world and several are involved in water projects so Todd is getting a lot of attention.  One

couple was here before the communist and have been coming back for short tem work

since the communist fell.  Gary is getting very involved with the young man who is

involved in hand drilled wells.  Breakfast was an interesting experience with such a

diverse group of people.  Todd and Gary spent most of the morning talking to Joe, the

water driller from Indiana.  The finally bought a drill bit for Todd to use as a prototype

(175 bir)  Also met Mike Mann who is from Thailand and knows Walter Ridgley.  Mike

is in water irrigation and drilling if I got the information correctly.  Joel and Henok got

there about 11:10 and we packed up the car.  Left the guest house and had been gone for

about 20 minutes when Todd realized he hadn’t picked up the drill bit and his notebook

that had all his information in it.  So we turned around and went back to get it.  Made it to

the airport and it was fairly empty.  Checked in and exchanged bir for dollars and then

got a hamburger for lunch.  My stomach is acting up today for the first time.  I have no

idea what has set it off.  No real problems, just uncomfortable.  Went through

immigration and upstairs to the gate.  The trip to Nairobi was uneventful, a smooth flight

for the most part.  Served us a meal but it wasn’t real great so didn’t eat much.  My

stomach seemed to settle down and that is good. First flight was two hours, the second

will be shorter.  Nairobi was fairly cool since it is still at a higher elevation.  Bought

Todd’s girls gummi bears, mainly to get a few Kenyan schillings.  Once we get to Dar we

have to buy visas so that will slow us down some.  Once we were on the plane, they were

having problems with the number of passengers so they are chercking all boarding

passes.   They seem to be sure someone is on the wrong plane but so far no one has

gotten off.  No one ever got off and they finally decided we were ok to go.  Left about 15

minutes late.  Got into Dar a few minutes before 7:00.  Bought the visas ($50) and got a

large taxi and headed to the house.  Ann had supper ready, teriyaki chicken and tuna.  It

was great.  Sat around talking for a while then headed to bed.  Gary is on the bed, I’m on

the floor on a mattress.  Asleep by 10:30.

 

Friday, February 2, 2007

 

Got up at 6:00 and had breakfast.  Went to the property so Todd could see the well pump

that isn’t working right.  Decided there is too much sand getting into the pump and it isn’t

able to pump it out.  So Todd is going to have the well developed again and then they

may need a bigger pump but it isn’t looking good .  you can see there is a lot of potential

in the property.  Left there about 9:45 and went to wood carvers village.  Gary bought a

few pieces and ordered a shelf.  Didn’t find anything that I wanted for the price and we

will be back on Monday so I will try again.  At about 10”:30 started out for Nyamsati. 

Traffic was slow in town but nothing major.  Got into Nyamsati about 1:30.  Sat in the

banya talking.  Had lunch about 3:00.  Met a couple of men from the local Barrabit tribe. 

About 4:00 got ini the car to go and visit them.  They call themselves Manyeti.  They are

a nomadic tribe with lots of cattle, sheep, goats and donkeys to carry things when they

move.  There are 7 or 8 family groups here.  Each man has a couple of wives so they have

enough children to do the herding.  They are related to the Massaai someplace in the past. 

The two leaders have expressed an interest in Jesus and are open to more discussions. 

They are very animistic.  It was a great experience being in the village but then one of

them said they had killed a wild pig but didn’t want it as they don’t eat pork.  So off we

went to get the pig as Erica and Victor will eat it.  Carried it be the car and brought it

back to the house so Nixon could butcher it.  Gary, Victor and I stopped in town to visit

the village square, the duka Victor built and to give me a sense of the village.  Victor also

showed us the property for the community center and talked about other plans for the

property.  Still trying to work out who should own the property and control it.  Right now

it is all a mess with Gateway CDI.  Victor thinks Jeff will be here next month to resolve

some of the problems.  Otherwise a new organization needs to be registered to own the

property but that will require a Tanzanian board of directors.  All the meet from the pig

needs to be cooked before it spoils so most of it is given away.  Victor has the generator

going so there is electricity in the house.  Victor, Gary, Todd and I played Euchre. 

Supper was after 10:00.  It was good and headed to bed around 11:30.  It was so hot I laid

in bed and the sweat just rolled for at least an hour.   Woke up at 5:30 with Gary moving

around.  It was a very significant day but this account hardly begins to express all that

happened.

 

Saturday, February 3, 2007

 

Finally got up at 6:00, took a cold shower, got dressed and covered myself with sun

screen.  Have been working on this for over an hour.  Gary and Victor took the motor and

fuel to the boat.  We are going out this morning to visit a village that Victor has been

working in.  The ink is smearing on the pages due to the sun screen.  We are using the

boat the BCC bought.  Spent a couple of hours in the village.  They are building a school

room.  The government has built 2 rooms and the village built a third and Victor is

building the fourth.  Came back by going out to the ocean and then coming back to the

dock due to the tide being out and too much low water.  The village ahs changed little

since we were there 5 years ago.  We also went by one of the other villages we visited on

that trip but didn’t stop.   Got back around 11:15.  Sat and talked to Victor about

Fergusons coming and what they could be doing to help the transition.  Conversation

seemed to go well.  Had lunch around 2:30.  Ate part of the wild boar we had brought in

yesterday.  Good meat.  Erica had fixed shish kabobs and ribs on the grill.  Left close to

3:00 and had no problems getting back to the house in Dar by 6:15.  Showered and

changed clothes.  Getting ready to go out to dinner tonight.  Went to the Mediterrano for

an excellent meal.  Back to the house and to bed about 11:15.

 

Sunday, February 4, 2007

 

Gary got up early.  I laid and dozed until 7:15.  Got dressed and we had breakfast.  Ann

had fixed pancakes- wonderful.  Church went very well at Haven of Peace.  Had a good

service and a good time of ministry as well.  Pastor Alphonso seemed to be pleased with

the message.   Had rice and beans afterwards.  They bought us cold drinks.  Left about

1:15 and stopped at the new shopping mall.  A very nice grocery store, a GAME store

which is like a Walmart and a movie theater are the anchor stores for the mall.  Came

back to the house and I helped Ann clean shrimp and now relaxing a bit.  Todd has taken

the camera to try and download all the pictures.  Gary is going to try and get them on his

computer.   George Kassa and his family are coming for supper so Ann is trying to get

the meal ready.  Todd just got back from the property and the well pump isn’t working

right.  We’re not sure what their nest step will be.  Another problem for tomorrow.  In

many ways it has been a relaxing afternoon.  Seems strange after so many full days.  Still

haven’t been able to put anything in writing for the mission team as a report.  The

evening with George and his family was very nice.  Grilled hotdogs and hamburgers

which were very good.   Ann also introduced the kids to S’mores and that was fun.  Lost

one phase of their electricity so everything is a bit dark and hot.  Gary was showing some

of the pictures from Ethiopia.  The boys, ages 8 and 11, were impressed that we had seen

zebras in the wild.  It was like a documentary for them.  We forget that most Tanzanians

don’t do the tourist things we do.  It was a good visit and a special tie for them.  

 

 

 

Monday, February 5, 2007

 

Got up around 7:00 and got dressed and moving.  Breakfast was granola cereal.  Started

for the property about 8:00.  God to the main road and traffic stopped to let Todd out

when a motorcycle charged straight into his front fender.  He didn’t seem to be hurt, was

more concerned for his bike that wasn’t hurt bad.  He needed to straighten the front

fender and that was it.  Tried to get Todd to pay him but Todd refused and then tried to

call the police but their line was busy.  The motorcycle guy finally moved his bike to the

side of the road and eventually took off.  We left then but when Todd saw a policeman,

he stopped to report the incident and give them the motorcycle’s license number.  At least

they are covered and it won’t look like their fault since they reported it.  The policeman

didn’t take any information for a report or anything but he will remember the incident if

there is ever a question, which is doubtful.  We believe he was working for a courier

service and the bike probably belongs to the company.  Got to the property for Bible

Study (Luke 2) and prayer time.  Todd tried to get the pump running but no luck so it will

need more work later this week.  Left there to do some shopping.  Stopped first at Oyster

Bay where Ann had bought some of her hippos.  Then to Slipway to look in their shops. 

I bought a small boat and Gary bought a couple of things but the prices were high. 

Stopped at Subway for lunch and also went to the bakery.  Next stop was at wood carvers

village.  I bought elephants for the kids at school and Gary got his shelf and several other

animals for gifts.  Back to the house and packed suitcases.  Talked to Ann about the high

school trip and possible problem areas.  The water pump seems to be working today and

the electricity is finally back on.  The refrigerator is cooler but still not working correctly. 

A typical day in Africa.  I need to shower and change clothes and pack the last few items. 

Super will be spaghetti.  It is 4:00 and Gary is ready to go and we have 3 hours before we

head to the airport.  Supper was relaxed and then the 4 of us played a few hands of euchre

before heading to the airport.  No problem getting to the airport or checking in except

they wanted to check one of Gary’s bags.  As a result, I got through the security check

and boarding passes before he did.  Must be a first for the trip.  Looked at the shops and

bought a couple of bags that I have been looking for.  It is 10:00 and we are all checked

in but have two hours before the plane leaves.  Just glad it was simple and easy tonight. 

Flight loaded on time and  took off a few minutes early.  Expect to be in Amsterdam a

few minutes early.  Have an aisle seat with an empty seat beside me so I was able to sleep

for about 3 hours.  

 

Tuesday, February 6, 2007

 

Arrived in Amsterdam at 6:40, ahead of schedule.  Walked around a little and then sat

down to wait.  They started loading the plane on time.  The person Gary and I had for

check in was a trainee so it took a little longer than necessary but it was fine.  I have a

bulkhead seat at the front of the plane with an empty seat beside me.  They haven’t shut

the door yet but the captain is saying we are leaving early and anticipating getting in 30

minutes early.  Hope it happens.  Actually got in 45 minutes early and the luggage all

arrived with no problems and going through customs was no problem.  A good ending to

an excellent trip. 

 

 

 

 

Jim Gregory