Entry One - Wednesday- January 21st

First day in Ethiopia was a good day!   After 3 flights we arrived at Bahir Dar.   This is my first time here and it is a beautiful city.  

We are staying at Homland Hotel which is one of the nicer hotels I have been at in Ethiopia.

After settling in we went to the group of people that have been marginalized because of their tribal origin.  We have been asked to consider a program that would help feed and educate these children.   In Harrar we provide food for 2 meals a day, school uniforms and utensils for about 300 children. We are trying to develop something similar here.  

Helping each child cost about $100.00 per year per child.   Additionally both the Harrar and the Bahir Dar works would be open for groups to come in and work/play/love with the kids.   These are freedoms we don't have in the Eritrean camps.

Here I am modeling the idiot hat .... Grin. It is always fun to provide joy and laughter to others!  The people were very happy to see us.

Another first for me in Ethiopia.   These are hippos in the Blue Nile.   I took this pic from the van as we were crossing the city.

These are pic of Lake Tana which is part of Bahir Dar.  Lake Tana, the largest lake, in Ethiopia is the source and from where the famed Blue Nile starts its long journey to Khartoum, and on to the Mediterranean. The 37 islands that are scattered about the surface of the Lake shelter fascinating churches and monasteries, some of which have histories dating back to the 13th Century.  I think that tomorrow we may be visiting one of the monasteries.   

This is the Blue Nile.  

Keep us in your prayers as we find more opportunities tomorrow for future efforts here in Bahir Dar.

EntryTwo - Thursday - Bahir Dar

Started this morning with breakfast at the hotel - had a great view and Buna - STRONG Ethiopian Coffee

From there we went to Ethiopia Ammenuel Life and Light Church Bahir Dar Branch.   This is one of the churches we are trying to partner with to feed, clothe and meet the spiritual needs of the children.

On the left is Pastor John, the pastor of Ammenuel Church.  

There are 185,000 people Bahir Dar and only about 3000 believers.  Most of the churches are in the better part of town.  

The children/people we saw yesterday were from the Negede Woyto Tribe of about 20,000.  They have been rejected from the Muslim Community- really from all community.  They are considered inferior in society.  The children are not attending school but are expected to collect garbage, firewood, and shoe shining to help support their family.  On a good day they may bring home 10 birr - about 50 cents.

The program we are trying to develop is providing food, school clothing and school supplies for these Children while working through the local church such as  Life and Life Church.

Here is a group picture of some of the leadership them in Bahir Dar.

We went back to the IHS office in Bahir Dar and reviewed some proposals that will be presented to various National Government Organizations (NGO) we are working to partner with.   Afterwards I was able to talk with 5 students that were about 17 years old.   None of the young men had fathers at home - 2 had died - 1 had left.   The young ladies went to school and provided for their families by doing domestic help.

We talked with them about breaking the cycle of poverty in their tribe.  We talked with them about not only meeting short term needs, but also being a change agent of the culture of their Tribe.

I had the privilege of speaking to the leadership of the Bahir Dar Full Gospel Believer Church on Thursday Evening.   The pastors name is Pastor Lewoyehu Sinshaw.

This is one of the larger, more influential Evangelical Churches in the community.   They are going to be one of the Churches that are going to be involved in helping the Negede Woyto Tribe.  Whenever we can we partner with Churches to reach into their community

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We had a great time speaking to the Pastors and leadership from 4 different churches.   It was a great time of encouragement and instruction.

Tomorrow is a long day of travel.  We will drive to Gonder - about 3 hours, then fly to Axum and from there drive to Shire.   I think we will be there for 3 or 4 days.   At least that was the plan when I went to bed ... but these things change ever so quickly here!  (grin)

Entry Three - long day of travel - Friday January 23rd

One of the unusual aspects of this trip is the amount of travel inside Ethiopia.  Usually we may travel to one destination then drive to another close by but on this trip we are flying to three different locations. 

Today we caught a flight from Bahir Dar to Gonder - then Gonder to Axum - the plan is to drive from Axum to Shire where I am to teach tonight.  Right now I don't see any way we will be there in time.

Here is a pic of the plane we have been flying in today

I must say the sights - sounds - and smells of traveling through Ethiopia canbe quite . . . Uh . . . Shall I say pungent at times???

This flight to Axum does have some beautiful rugged scenery though. 

We made it to Shire just in time is to teach a bit tonight.   We are supposed to start at 9 in the morning and go most of the day.

Afterwards we stopped at Africa Restaraunt for Pizza!   It wasn't half bad!

Entry Four - Shire - Saturday January 24th

We had a great day as we taught at Pastor Timuskins Church.

There were about 15 leaders who represented their church as we taught the Diagnostic Question Bible Studay Method.  

During the break we did have a little bit of fun outside the Church.  

This little girl jumped up in my arms and was as cute and sweet as could be.   I figured Sharon would want me to bring her home.  Grin

I found out that I am going to be giving an exam over my teachings the last two days!   That ought to be fun!   Grin!!

We had an amazing afternoon of study!   We looked at how to handle discouragement based on Isaiah 43:1-3 -  Remember What God Has Done; Remember What God Will Do; and Remember He is God!

On the way back to the hotel I caught a ride in a baja- a 3 wheeled enclose scooter.  There are tons on them here.   The lady I shared a baja with was quite amused!

Now this is a cutie who is selling coffee beans.   Can you say FRESH???  Now wonder this Buna is amazing!!!