Our final weekend in Ethiopia is in the books, and we loved every minute of it.
Friday brought another half day of teaching. The Kindergarten teachers prayed the night before for an extra measure of energy as they have been struggling to make it through the entire school day with the same level of excitement that they start it with. (While all of the other grade levels have a couple off periods throughout the day, the KG teachers teach every period. That combined with the extra energy 200 kindergarteners require, means that they are exhausted by the end of the day). They were happy to report that today was one of their best days yet, and they found themselves able to rally for their last period, encourage each other, and have an extra energetic class for the students.
In the afternoon we were able to return to the youth group where we shared in worship, prayer, and testimonies from both our students and students from the community. We returned in time for dinner, and the smell of fresh bread met us at the door. We were prepared for this, as we had seen the lovely ladies who make our meals bring pans of flour into the kitchen earlier that morning. The loaves were too hot to cut into slices and so were ripped into delightfully large hunks of which we all took multiple. You would have thought we had never seen bread the way we ate that night. Looking back, I may have spent too much of this blog describing the bread, but just let that be an indication of how much joy it brought us. Then, to top it off, Katie walked through the doors with a huge plate of fresh mango that, no exaggeration, caused the team to immediately break out into a chorus of the doxology. Clearly our team likes food, take that as a hint to feed us as soon as we get home. Perhaps bring some pizza to the airport with you?
We had been looking forward to Friday night for the whole trip as it was dubbed, “Fire, Sammies, and S’mores.” We brought supplies with us to teach the house kids to make s’mores, and they had gone to a local bakery to pick up their favorite samosas. It was a beautiful, delicious night of exchanging cultures and foods. The younger house girls love to sing, so we got to learn some more Amharic songs and dance and sing around the fire. One of our favorite images from the night was of the smallest house boy, who we came to find out managed to eat 9 s’mores that night AND not get sick, standing by the fire with his eyes closed, one hand holding a s’more he had already made, the other hand roasting a marshmallow so that he would be ready to go with another the minute he finished.
Most of us woke up *early* Saturday morning for the house kids to lead us on a hike up one of the mountains that we have been watching the sunrise over every morning this trip. Sadly, today also seemed like the day for everyone who hadn’t gotten sick yet to fall, so quite a few of us had to stay back. For those who went, a large portion turned back at various check points. However, a small group decided to climb the mountain, something our Ethiopian friends informed us “Only crazy people do.” With swollen hands, dirty feet, and a huge sense of accomplishment, those crazy people made it down from the top of the mountain in time for a nap before dinner. It was one our team member’s 20th birthday today and we got to surprise her with a cake of a mysterious flavor, and singing and cards from the house kids.
Sunday we went to church, and this week, with the help of a translator, we were able to understand what parts of the sermon were about, which was based on John 15 and the question, “What kind of fruit are you bearing?” Some of our team members also got to share testimonies with the packed church, and were met with a chorus of “amens” and “hallelujahs.” After the service, we strolled back to the compound, soaking in the sun, and saying “salam” to the people we have met since being here and the students that we recognized from school. We spent the afternoon frantically painting, as we are trying to finish all the buildings before we leave, and getting in one last practice for the volleyball tournament tomorrow. (Send up a prayer for us around 8 am Monday as we’ll be starting to play and trying not to put all (foreigners) to shame.
We were really glad for a lot of time to spend with the house kids this weekend. For whatever reason the house kids find themselves at Project Mercy, as we get to know them and hear more of their stories, we are more and more thankful for the chance to get to know them and encourage them for these three weeks. The Lord has taught us so much through their joy, kindness and openness. Leaving them in just three days will not be easy.
Team Member Spotlight:
Andrea Leon, Junior, is on day 18 with no wifi or service and is somehow surviving. She will be coming back much tanner, having loved soaking up as much sun as possible, and is not quite ready to return to the snow. She is so proud to have made it halfway up the mountain on the Saturday hike, and would like to say to her family and friends, “Gente, por fin lograron que me despegara del telefono por unos dias y que experimentara el campo, y sobrevivi! Cuento las horas para poder contarles mi experiencia de bañarme con agua congelada y de pelearme con las moscas… Los amo y extraño”
Sara James, Ryan’s mother, is loving getting to tutor her grandkids and watching Julian get smarter by the day. She has thoroughly loved the people, scenery and animals, and will never quite get over opening her tukul door to a bull staring at her, or hearing a donkey criticize her painting skills. She would like to say the people at home, “Thanks First Baptist for all of the s’mores supplies and the prayer quilt!”
Sara James, Ryan’s wife, has loved the Ethiopian version of spaghetti and meatballs, and having a cup of strong coffee available at every meal. Her highlights have been the children’s smiles, and getting to read the Taylor student’s daily journals. She has not missed social media, the American sense of time, or shaving. To her generous family, friends, and Taylor supporters, “Our team is excited to be 97% fundraised! But that does mean we are still in need of some more donations! Thank you for your generosity already and consider continuing to give – taylor.edu/giving
Taylor University 2019 Lighthouse Blogs 
Praying for a safe return home. What an experience! Knowing you are God’s instruments blessing and being blessed. James’ love and miss you all.
Loved the report as it brought back fond memories. The team’s interactions with the students, staff and families at Project Mercy will be always remembered by them. It was worth all the team’s efforts! Praying that your travels back to the US will be safe. As you unwind and reflect on your 3 weeks in Ethiopia, will you continue to pray for the friends that you made there? Will the love that you have expressed to them continue? I am reminded of Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians. Check out I Thessalonians 1:2 and 2:8. Paul mentioned them in his prayers, was affectionately desirous of them and had shared not only the gospel but himself with them. All this even though Paul had been with them in Thessalonica three weeks.