It’s true that
we missionaries do sacrifice much to come to the mission field. But in return we get to experience and have
things that we never would otherwise.
Those of you who stay home are sacrificing things as well; you just
don’t know what you’re missing. I’ve put
together a list of the things that tend to over-shadow my sacrifices. It’s all about perspective……
Who wouldn’t love…..
being told you’re beautiful all the time?
I
think the Ethiopian race as a whole is made up of beautiful faces, but
Ethiopians tend to think the same about us.
The Ethiopian people are often fascinated with ferengees
(foreigners). When I go outside the
gates, I almost always hear the phrase betam konjo (very beautiful). People often want to touch my hair or skin;
kids want to shake or hold my hand. It’s
not abnormal for some stranger to tell me that they love me or even ask if I am
married. I have had to turn down a
proposal or two in passing... no big deal.
These things would be out of the ordinary for me at home, but here they
happen all the time. Although it could
make you uncomfortable at times, you still have to admit that being
acknowledged and told you’re beautiful all the time would never get old!
Grocery shopping
is one of my least favorite things to do, especially here in Addis since I have
to go to numerous places to get everything I need. But one thing that makes shopping fun is the
personal relationship I have with Hennock, the guy who sells DVDs in front of
the grocery store. I love the DVD guy, and
we are both mutually excited to see each other.
If I’m not with my friends, he asks about me. If I go to Fantu (a local grocery store) and
he’s not there, I ask about him. Buying
a new DVD is the last thing I need, but I always take the time to look through
his DVDs. And I feel guilty to buy from
anyone else, like I’m betraying him.
Often I do not want any new DVDs, but because I like him so much I
always buy at least a couple from him; it’s my way of supporting a friend. There is something to be said about getting
to know your customers because it does ensure that they will continue to
support you, whether they need your product or not!
Another person
that makes shopping more bearable is my veggie man. When I pull up to buy vegetables, he always
looks very excited to see me! He greets
me with “Denanish konjo? Tefash!” (How are you beautiful? It’s been so long since I’ve seen you! paraphrased) The reality is that there are several people
that I could buy my fruits and vegetables from, but because I have a
relationship with this guy, I keep coming back.
And in return, he brightens up my shopping experience!
cheap produce?
Speaking of
fruits and vegetables, where else could you get such cheap produce? I mean let’s face it, in America one reason
it’s so hard to eat healthy is because all of the fattening stuff is cheap
while the healthy stuff is expensive - especially when you want to get all ultra-healthy
and only buy organic produce. Here in Ethiopia though, fruits and veggies
are CHEAP! I eat way more fruits and
vegetables here because it’s so cheap to buy it. What I spend on a month of produce here would
be equivalent to paying for one big salad and a few apples at home. With prices like that, all of us would eat
better. And guess what, it’s all organic
here!
perfect weather?
Other than the 4
month rainy season from June-September, the weather here in Addis is pretty
much….perfect. The weather is not too
hot or cold. It’s warm in the day with
no humidity, but then cools off at night. You never need more than a light jacket, and
I’m almost always in a pair of flip flops. If the temperature wasn’t enough to
make you happy, then the shining sun is.
The sunshine is so bright that it can make anyone’s day better; all you
need is 10 minutes in the sun, and it can turn any bad mood around. I’ve never been a fan of cold weather, and it
seems that’s because I was made to live here.
Swimming in December? Yes,
please! I could actually have a swimming
party for my birthday….fun!
bunna/machiatos?
I used to be
content with a good ‘ol cup of Folgers coffee, but not anymore. I like coffee enough that I could probably
drink any kind, but you haven’t really tried coffee until you try Ethiopian
bunna. This country is known for its
coffee, and let me tell you, you’re missing out! I’ve never really been a fan of coffee
without cream, but this country has won me over. Cream or not!
I’m a fan of the
coffee in general, but nothing compares to Ethiopian machiatos. You haven’t lived until you’ve drank one of
these! All I have to do is go to the
souq (store) at Bingham, put in an order, and they will deliver one to my
classroom all for the low price of about $.5o.
Spoiled, I know! If I ever have
to leave, these I will miss…
having a house helper?
Anyone that
truly knows me knows that I am not a Suzie homemaker. I mean, I can cook a few meals, (more now
than before I came) but it’s not my favorite thing to do. I’m also quite capable of keeping my house
clean and doing my own laundry, but here it’s not necessary. Since living here in Ethiopia, I’ve employed
a house helper that I love dearly. There
is nothing better than coming home to a clean apartment with an unbelievable
dinner waiting for me! Meseret, my house
helper, is wonderful, and she takes care of me!
I’m so grateful for her and everything she does to make my life
better. Although I could do these things
myself, I don’t have to and for this I am thankful.
You see life is all
about perspective. Yes, I do have to
sacrifice some things that I love in order to follow God’s will, but He has
also blessed me with much here. I would
never know what I was missing if I didn’t listen to Him….thank God I did! Who knows what you are sacrificing by not
listening…
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