First Thoughts From Addis

I have now spent 3 full days in Addis, and am learning how little I really know and understand about people, life, and God! I've laughed a lot--donkeys and goats in the road next to skyscrapers, business signs ("Mariot", "McBurger"--golden arches and everything!), drivers contantly honking at each other ("get out of my way!", "excuse me!", "sorry!"), a beneficiary saying to another staff member about me "why doesn't she speak Amharic??". Yet I have nearly cried so many times--at an AIDS orphanage where there are 400 kids and so little staff, where babies need to be held and loved; at the thought of being far from home yet at the same time knowing that I can't and shouldn't claim anywhere on this earth as home; at deep spiritual forces that hold people in bondage and compound physical, mental, emotional, and relational issues. Behind the sleep deprivation (I've had time to sleep, just haven't done it well amidst the jetlag, dogs barking, neighbors scrubbing clothes, and early morning calls to prayers), my mind is spinning a bit!
During the past 3 days, I have gotten to do and see a lot. I spent a lot of time at the MTW/SIM HIV/AIDS (want some more letters in there?) project office, where I will be working out of for the next year. The staff there is amazing--both international and indigenous--and is committed to the work at hand. I attended on home visits and sat in on support groups there. I got to visit an AIDS orphanage, which was heartbreaking--you walk in a door and 200+ toddler hands try to grab yours, to get a hug, to just touch you. Today I visited a women's fistula hospital, which was incredible--there is great work being done and lives are being changed--but there is so much left.
And always will be, which leaves me with where I am now! I am here in Addis for the year to hopefully lend my hands to those of a Body reaching out--but know I will learn so much more about love and compassion and giving when you have nothing then I even know.
God has been really gracious to ease this transition thus far--tonight I went to an expat SIM small group, and someone had made Texas Sheet Cake--yes, one of my favorite desserts . . . in Addis. Ok, so it doesn't take much to make me happy. Chocolate goes a long way!!
Thanks for reading this rather long post! I am so grateful for all of you!

From the Other Side of the World

I am really in Addis now! All the flights were fine, except for the whole waving at Rome thing. That would have been an ideal time for a layover:) I had a great dinner with the missionaries here, and am unpacking my "life" right now.
First impressions: green mountains, people everywhere, lots of little ones, no personal space issues, big brown eyes, dirt roads, traffic rules--NOT!, darkness . . . .
I am pretty wiped so am going to go brush my teeth with filtered water and hit the sack . . . my new 4" mattress.
It is so good to finally be here. Thanks for the prayers that God used to get me safely here!

People Watching Should Be A Sport

Hello all! I am in the Washington DC airport and am quickly realizing how much I appreciate cell phones (now that I don't have one:). For an excellent international experience, you should try out this airport. Hmm, maybe they sent me here in route on purpose to start getting me used to customs, clothing, and language far different from mine! The travel thus far has been uneventful, aside from the fact that when I got to DC NO ONE knew where the Ethiopian airlines flew out of. I asked 4 airport employees, and they all said "I don't know". Two were helpful enough to mention that they had seen the Ethiopian Air plane but didn't have a clue where it was:) Oh well, I got my exercise in! I am boarding in about 30 minutes, and should be in Addis around 6pm Tuesday night (9 hours ahead of CST). Then I fully plan to CRASH. Haha. Sleep, not the plane. I will update next from Addis and let you know all about it!
Many, many thanks for all the prayers, hugs, emails, and calls! You are a blessing to me!

Friends & Chocolate

Last night was a sweet reminder of how very blessed I am--thanks to all of you who came to say "till we meet again". I realized about halfway through the evening that ALL of the desserts had some chocolate component. You know me well!! :) I am trying to eat as much chocolate as I can these days . . . my precious bag of Dove dark chocolate "promises" (read "really wierd comments on the inside wrapper") will last 40 days. If I just eat one a day. Which may not happen:)

Not Goodbye

From earth's wide bounds, from ocean's farthest coast,
Through gates of pearl stream in the countless host,
Singing to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Hallelujah!
--William How

5 Days . . .

Wow. 5 days. I don't really know how to process all of this--how do you tie up one life, cram it into two suitcases (2!) and prepare for another life you really don't know much about? I'm not sure yet, but will let you know if I figure it out!! I am leaving Monday morning, and will probably have said enough goodbyes by then to last me awhile:( Hmm, in a way life is often about saying goodbye--funny how we try to hold tight to things or people or places that are only given to us for a season.