On the first day of Ethiopian Christmas...
We loaded up the vans with all the goodies and headed to the countryside. Okay, I didn't really load any of those vans. Some very strong Ethiopian men did that. I just went around looking in the windows of three different vans making sure I had all my people. I did that a lot. At some point during this time someone asked Sumer, "Will we get nauseous on the van ride to the countryside?" Sumer replied, "You will only get nauseous if you are afraid you are going to die." That one sentence sums up a van ride in Africa. :)
On our super, fast, speedy way to the countryside we stopped and took a team picture under an African tree. I thought it would make a cool pic. You can see how cool I look carrying that rainbow bright purse. You too can be that cool if you run into Marshall's the day before you leave for a mission trip.We stopped for a quick bite on the way to the school...
Well, some had a bite to eat. Some were led to believe that there would be another opportunity to eat that day. This right here is a learning point that I would like to impress to future team members...eat when given the opportunity, you don't know when or where your next meal is gonna happen.
We arrived at the school and it was time for meetings and greetings...
This is Candace meeting Buzyeah for the first time. She sponsors her and she now attends school and no longer depends on the local dump for food. This was one of my favorite pictures from our trip.
This is me introducing my Birhane to some of the team. Several team members met their sponsored child for the first time.
After we got settled it was time to hand out the shoes that Soles for Jesus sent with us to give to all the kids.
Missy and one of our happy customers...
The team trying to find sizes and get everyone fitted...
We started in daylight and ended at dark. By the time we left the school it was too late for dinner so we checked into the resort and packed the stockings for Christmas day!
