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Leaving Addis...
And so after 4 weeks, I've finished my time in Addis Ababa. My last three days here have been really great, I've managed to squeeze in the rest of the people that I needed to see.
Friday was the last day of school and the graduation day for Bingham Academy. I often think that graduation from secondary school is something that the UK could take from America, without having to go so far as the madness that is graduation from pre-school or whatever. But it is good for those pupils who are not going to University for example, to have some recognition of the hard work and effort that they've put into getting to the end of school. The day began with all school chapel, then a lunch for the teachers and the formal graduation service at 5pm which was followed by dinner at one of the major hotels in the city. I really enjoyed seeing the proceedings, as well as filling in on the drums during worship. Everyone keeps commenting how easily I fit into things around here, the hinting going on is crazy :-) It was nice to see two of the kids who I taught 5 years ago now graduating.
The backdrop
The Graduates
The traditional graduation cake...
On Saturday I began catching up with a few people who I'd still to see. I went for lunch with Dundee and had a chat with him about the Strong Hearts organisation, and what I'd observed over the past week. Mainly, I wanted to suggest that he was taking on too much to be in charge of himself, and that perhaps he should appoint others to head up the individual programs, while he worked as overseer. He informed me that he has a number of people coming to do just that, which is great to hear. There is only so long that he could run the ministry as it is, before burning out, or before parts would start to suffer. We also talked about the ministry aspects of the program, and about the potential ministry of having non-Christian volunteers come to see and help out. He informed me that 4 volunteers have become Christians though helping out at the organisation. He definitely sees the organisation as a ministry, not just to change the lives of those who they help, but also the staff themselves, both foreign and national. I asked him about the street ministry which seemed to have stopped for the moment, he said that it was something that he hoped to get going again, but I guess he'd been busy. His concern is to begin a program again to help provide for their physical need; some sort of housing program or something. I suggested that even while that was being set up that there still is a need for ministering to their spiritual needs. He agreed, hopefully it will get started again, because it really was a fantastic ministry. Overall, it was a great time just to see that Dundee has plans to ensure that things keep running smoothly in Strong Hearts, and has leadership being put in place; something that is definitely needed given how much the organisation is growing. It will be interesting to see what happens in a year, but I would definitely be interested in getting involved somehow.
Saturday evening, Brian rang and told me that he was still in Addis, so we went to see a movie in the local cinema. It was packed, we had to sit in VIP section as there were no normal seats left. This cost 20 birr more which proved to be a complete rip off, the only difference in seats was that they were higher up. Anyway, the film was good, "The Interns". Would recommend it. They dropped me off at my old houseworker's house. Shiberay was of course very happy to see me, though neither she nor her daughter have great English, and every time I visited her house before, Brian would help with the Amharic. So it was a good test for the Amharic being there alone. Anyway, we got by. She seems to be doing well.
Today I attended the Bethel church again. I've really enjoyed it the 3 weeks I've attended, and am really impressed by the overall service. Solid teaching, friendly family like atmosphere, and inclusion of the Ethiopian people who attend is really great to be a part of. Perhaps I'll return there in a year or so...
I'm sitting at the airport typing this, about to get on my flight to Mekelle, though there is no internet that I can use so who knows when I'll get to post it. (turns out, not until Monday night :) Anyway, more to come!!
Pictures updated, as before!
Niall
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