The week for our return to Dungora Buna has finally come. Sandy and I have been looking forward to this trip for so many reasons. First because we fell in love with the people there, second because it is the most beautiful place we have seen in Ethiopia and also because we need a break.
Monday was a difficult day for us. Ababa had another attack and when I found her she was rigid and face down in her own vomit. Afraid she might suffocate I lifted her by myself instead of getting help first. I threw my neck out and have been out of commission since. Sandy has had to bear the bulk of our work load ever since and God Bless her for doing so.
Wednesday morning she and Tigist left very early to shop at a used clothes market in Asco. The objective, to buy as many children’s clothes as we could get for 4oo birr{$29.80 US dollars. They were able to buy a suitcase full of assorted sizes . With that mission accomplished Sandy and I hopped in a car with Amanuel and went to Addis to buy food and supplies for our journey. We had to look at a potential car and interview a driver, and we also needed to stop at a Christian book supplier for teaching materials for the church in Dungora Buna. It is such a blessing for Sandy and I to be able to use the money we are given each month for the spreading of the Gospel. Our free rent situation at Kifley’s allows us to spend so much more in our ministry.
Oops - It started raining!
It was very full day and by the time we got back to Burayu I was ‘finished’ as we say here. As I am writing this blog Sandy is putting the finishing touches on her final exams for Bereket school , thankfully I had mine done before I put my neck out, and Tigist and Ababa are in the bathroom washing all the clothes and hanging them out . I just Pray it doesn’t rain today so that they will dry quickly. Our plans are to depart very early tomorrow, before the sun rises. It will take about 14 hours to reach Nedjo. On our last trip through the Wellega region we saw olive baboons and colobus monkeys. It is a very unspoiled part of Ethiopia. There are still wild animals and life is primitive for most of its inhabitants.
I really feel like I’m in Africa when we are at Dungora Buna. Sometimes here in Burayu it is easy to miss that feeling. Cars and trucks every where and a sort of urban hustle to the street. When we have the opportunity to get off the main road we are back to the rustic agricultural pace of much of Ethiopia. I have to say I like that pace much better having lived my whole life in a rural environment .
On the down side of our trip we will have no internet access and no phone service either. I am writing to all of you today because I will not make my usual weekend post. Upon our return I will post lots of photos and tell you all about our adventure. Time now for me to lay down and get some rest. Tigist and Ababa are nearly finished with the washing and Sandy has taken her exams to the school to be copied.
I am happy to report that Ababa is doing really well for 3 days now with out any attacks. I am praying she will be all right while we are away. You may wonder why she is able to be up doing laundry but she is really fine between attacks and her and Tigist need the money we are paying them. It is a blessing to me to have their help. Stooping over the bathtub to wash out all those clothes is a bit beyond me right now. To Sandy also, so that she can run the many errands necessary before our departure. Please Pray for a safe journey for us. In Christ’s love ,Carole
Reading your blog is so refreshing. Your lives there are so very filled with purpose. Makes life here at home seem mundane. Even so, God is where we are; and is glorified both in the mundane and the meaningful. As we purpose in our heart to serve one another unto Him, all becomes meaning filled.
I do so love reading of all your ventures and seeing the photos of your family.
Thank you Carole and Sandra for sharing your talents, time, and treasures with us
God Bless you.
In His Love Judith