One of the things I cherish most about Ethiopia is the community life that I experience daily. For those of you who don’t know, I live on the compound of the school that I am teaching. Thirteen teachers and their families along with twelve single teachers live here on the compound as well. It is a situation in which you actually know the neighbors that live next door. And not just know them, share life with them.
During the month that I have lived here in Addis, I have only eaten dinner by myself 4 nights, and all of those were by choice. There is almost always a dinner invitation at someone’s apartment or a group of teachers that make a plan to go out for dinner. As you share a meal with these people and their families, you get to know their stories- how they got here. It’s wonderful to be surrounded by people who have shared interests, but very unique experiences.
I’m surrounded by men and women my age that have too, left everything behind to come here by themselves. They have come to answer a calling that God has placed on their lives whether it be for a year or a lifetime. I’m also surrounded by couples and families that have submitted to a life dedicated to the mission of God. The wisdom and life many of them have lived is amazing and inspiring.
Not only do you share meals with the people that live here, but you share your heart and your love for God, people, tea and pastries. Every morning, we start the day by having a devotion and prayer time before school. Each teacher is assigned a week during the school year, and he or she prepares a 5-10 minute devotion to start the day. Then we share prayer requests, and break into small groups to lift up the day, our students, and the burdens on our colleagues’ hearts. It’s hard not to be reminded daily why you are here, and what you are called to do: invest in the lives of these children.
One of my absolute favorite parts of the day that I look forward to is 10:20am, morning tea! Every day, the faculty meets together for morning tea from 10:20-10:45 for a spot of tea or coffee and a really yummy treat! It’s a break from the morning, and time to re-energize and check in with others to see how their day is going. The students also get a break for a snack and morning recess. It’s good for both the students and their teacher!!
Every Monday night, I meet with a group of single female teachers for a Bible study. It’s the perfect way to start our week. It is a time where we get into God’s word and talk about the struggles that we face as singles, women, teaching, and living in a foreign country. We go into detail about the burdens that are weighing us down, and we individually lift each other up in prayer.
You also never have to sit at home on the weekend, unless you want to, which is treasured at times. However, there is always something to do with others. The group of single teachers that live here are always getting into some kind of mischief. From Nacho Libre Mexican dinner night, to the Harry Potter premier, birthday bowling, movie night in the staff lounge (almost always a chick flick, poor guys, we out number them), dinner either Ethiopian style or at an American food restaurant, and almost always by tradition, ending the night with a cup of coffee at Kaldi’s. I can’t think of a better way to spend my first year teaching!
I’m truly having the time of my life. That is not to say that I don’t miss others at home, because I do, but living in a community is the best medicine, in my opinion, to treat the hardest obstacle of leaving home, missing others. That and surprise letters and care packages from loved ones!
;-)
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