Time Flies

It’s crazy to think I've been here as long as I have. And Sunday was a really amazing day. I was able to attend an Ethiopian church service where the worship took me back to the days I spent at LU in Convocation, surrounded by people singing their hearts out in praise.(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsHsdgjm5n8&feature=youtu.be)
I came away feeling extremely blessed. Afterwards, we were taken out to lunch by a friend of my fathers—to a Chinese restaurant I might add—and then back to his mother’s house where I took up the attention of two precious little girls. They climbed all over me, we sang “Do you want to Build a Snowman,” they painted my thumbnail pink and we giggled. I hope they will remember me as much as I will remember them.

If there is one thing I’ve learned so far, it’s that if you have something to accomplish in Africa, you better have an entire day or two free to do it. Something as simple as getting a driver’s license renewed in America can be done by simply going online, clicking a few yes or no boxes and possibly standing in line at the DMV for an hour. Now I know an hour may seem like a lot, and of course we all have other things to do; but, imagine being stuck in traffic for an hour, then having to go to the US Embassy for an appointment, spending another hour there, being stuck in traffic for another hour because of a four car accident with one turned completely upside down.

Once you’re through, you have to sit in line at Foreign Affairs for another forty minutes only to be told the Embassy didn't put a raised stamp on your form. So once again you’re back in traffic to get the stamp, then back to foreign affairs to get clearance and by the time you’re done, you have to drive to the US equivalent of the DMV only to be told there closed and to come back in the morning.  Patience is something quickly learned.

Amongst all the chaos, I've been able to connect with some of the local boys the past several nights and play Fùtbol until the head lights from passing cars are the only source to see the ball. They have no fields; only slanted, uneven hills occupied by thorny vegetation, goats and small boulders. The goals are simply stones placed three paces apart. Before I arrived, they were playing with a children’s sized, semi-flat rubber basketball, but thanks to the kind hearts of Sherburne-Earlville Central School, I was able to bring several soccer balls with me.  They were an extremely grateful group of kids. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzmhuQj4ogg&feature=youtu.be) As many sports enthusiasts know, even when there is a major language barrier, something like soccer, is universal. Having only learned a few words so far, making eye contact with a teammate can be enough to score the winning goal. Some of the relationships I have built allowed me to invite a handful over to watch a World Cup match and for those that know me well; know that chocolate is not something I normally share with others. But, it was a treat watching them devour an entire bag of Peanut M&Ms.

Another thing I learned is that even thousands of miles from home, back yard competition can still lead to heated arguments. One in particular resulted in me having to break up a fist fight. I can’t be sure what the problem was, but it was bad enough that they each ended up grabbing softball sized rocks to bash each other with. Luckily, we were able to calm them down and continue playing; and as I write this I have to laugh because there is a part of me that wishes I had my camera rolling while the fight was going on. I guess that’s just the boy in me.

On Tuesday we leave for Wolaita Sodo, which is another town about four hours from Addis where my parents have connected with some group homes. I hope to donate some of my no longer worn shoes and clothes as well as the rest of the soccer balls. Upon my return, I will have roughly one day before I’m back on a plane to the US. I, as I’m sure many of you as well, have a number of things you regret in your life; I for one still carry some of those heavy regrets around to this day. But there is one thing I will never regret, and that’s taking this trip. No matter how much my back hurt from being in a car for five hours, or how inconvenient I feel it can be at times to not have internet access; being able to change someone’s life in even the simplest way is extremely fulfilling. Not everyone is meant for Africa, or a third world country for that matter; but my encouragement is that you step out of your comfort zone and embrace the joy of putting a smile on someone’s face.