March 6, 2011 - A Wedding and Teaching English

Dear Family and Friends,

I could write a novel! So much has gone on since my last update. But before the stories, I want to express my sincere thanks again for your love, prayers and support! I am truly thankful and know that I am loved because of the love of Jesus in your lives. The kids here bring me so much joy and laughter and I know the Lord alone sustains and provides for me! I trust and hope you as well are blessed.

Highlights: I went to an Ethiopian wedding, I am teaching English at a girl’s orphanage. I am more in touch with the world here. We got to buy and take books to the Ethiopian school next door.

Just this morning on our way to church there was a crazy naked man and two dead dogs in the median of the freeway type road. And a different crazy man stood right near our table outside as we were sipping our macchiato’s and he saluted to us started singing before he was escorted away by the parking lot attendant. The picture below is a standard car wash. =)

Well, here is another random story: my roommate Moinca and I had the opportunity to go to a SUPER nice Ethiopian wedding. Monica made friends with a girl whose sister was getting married on her flight back to Ethiopia after Christmas. The girl’s dad took Monica home from the airport and invited her to the wedding. Apparently that’s a normal thing to do in Ethiopia – invite basically strangers to a wedding! But we took the opportunity and there were many very important diplomatic, governmental and rich Ethiopian men – including the richest black man in the world, and his brother (sitting right behind me)! It was fun to experience the food, dancing and culture of an Ethiopian wedding celebration!

Three weeks ago my roommate Monica, Malisa and I started teaching English at a Christian girls orphanage. We were introduced to Tersit, a passionate Ethiopian lady who now lives in Los Angeles and runs a satellite Christian radio station in Africa, the Middle East, Europe and India. She started this orphanage about 5 years ago and was inspired by a young street girl who was raped and had a child. There are 19 girls super sweet girls who live there. They are taught the gospel, go to local government schools and are loved by Tersit like they are her own daughters. Her website and ministry is http://www.hosannabroadcasting.com/ and she is hoping to purchase the home that the girls live in within the next few months. Pray for me as I have never taught English before and do not have the best grammar or explanations as to why we talk like we do!

I had the opportunity to go with the grade 4 class to deliver math, Amharic and English books to the Ethiopian school next door. The fourth graders made goodies and had a bake sale to raise money in order to buy the books for the school. The kids were very appreciative and thankful to our students. It was an eye-opening experience for our kids and a lesson that it is more blessed to give than to receive. The middle school had a beach party last Saturday and we built a pool with a blue tarp and stacks of hay for the kids to play in. I was mobbed by a group of about 8 students who proceeded to carry me with my dry clothes on and dump me in the pool. We also had a water slide and water balloons to add to a great day in the sun.

I have been way more in touch with the world since being here and aware of big events such as Sudan spitting, the New Zealand earthquake, the turmoil in Egypt, Libya, Yemen, etc. I feel so much more connected to the world, being closer I suppose, and working with people from many different countries. I also have realized how the rest of the world is obsessed with football (soccer). It’s crazy how tons of men will pile into coffee shops and watch the European teams play. I often am asked which team is my favorite, and I’ve learned to respond with the most popular teams amongst our students (Arsenal, Chelsea or Manchester United)! Our JV boys soccer season, which I had been helping coach, has just ended with a first place win for the first time in Bingham history!

And to finish off with a fun quote from a 2^nd grader last week: “Miss Valliere I’m so excited, guess what?! I’m not gonna lie to you anymore!” He is a handful but I love him!

Take care and I always love to hear updates from you all as well!

“No guilt in life, no fear in death, this is the power of Christ in me. From life’s first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny.”

For Christ,

Rachel

Praises and Prayer Requests:

-The opportunity to see so many humble Christian brothers and sisters who have a vision from God and are faithfully carrying it out here in Ethiopia. (The longer I am here the more I am getting to know the families and parents of my students and see their work here.)

-Thanks for your prayers with the miss-communication with the administration. Things have smoothed out and apologies have been made. God is working in my life and honestly is my faithful source of joy.

-Direction and guidance for what to do next year (next fall). Where and what to do for work and where to live!

-For Monica, Malisa and I as we teach English and get to know these 19 girls. (Ages 8-16)