Ambo, Ethiopia, our 2nd trip, includes photos

We arrived in Ethiopia in July of 2003, armed with 2-year "work" visas, having made contact with the Baptist Evangelical Association of Ethiopia to work in their children's program. We were picked up at the airport by a man who said he was a "pastor" of an International church in Addis Ababa. We later found out that he was in administration, and was not a pastor at the church.  Right away the Lord warned me that their intentions were not genuine, and that these people wanted to use us. The next day he took us to his office where we met the president of the BEA.  It was there we were told that we could not work in Ethiopia!  When we explained that we had "work" visas, we were informed that we still needed a "work permit" on top of that!  And they told us that we were responsible for designing a "project" towards submitting paperwork with the proper authorities, with their sponsorship, in order to get a work permit.  Without their sponsorship, and without a "project" which they would not help us with, then we could not get a work permit. They also told us to keep a low profile, not to tell people that we were working.  And they said therefore that it was better for us to stay outside of Addis in Ambo.

We made the move to Ambo, a good 3 to 4 hour trip down a poor road from Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia. There we rented a house, fixed it up, and set to work on the project. Soon in that month of July I was given the opportunity to minister at a local church.  There I challenged the people to help me interview street children in Addis to find out what was going on in the country, and why they were in that situation. One lady in the congregation teared up, and she volunteered, as did others.

But church leadership did not like my plan.  They vehemently opposed the idea.  A "prophetess" walked into town from another town.  She had never seen me, but she began to prophesy about me.  Excitedly, church members told me about her, and said that i must come to a meeting that very night where she would be. There at that meeting, with boldness she began to prophesy about how somehow had tried to use witchcraft against my leg in another country (Peru!), and how God had made the words in my mouth "sweet" while i was preaching on Sunday, and how I was surrounded by my enemies.  She gave me a great word - the path was clear to interview in Addis.  Still, church leadership opposed, threatening that I would end up in jail.  I told them that I would go to Addis, and that I would bring back a good report!  And it happened!  Even though it was the rainy season, the Lord even held back the rain, and we were able to get the interviews!

Then one Sunday, while talking to church leaders after service about talking to a lady to find out what her need was so that we could together find a way to help her, they said that "all the poor in the town was following me to their church".  I exclaimed, "Allelujah!  God is opening up a big door for you!"  But they replied, "No! They're going to make us all poor!"  With arms crossed, they would not even talk to the lady, though she was standing right there with them!  It was at that point that I clearly saw they had no intention whatsoever of helping the poor - their own country people!  As the Lord had indicated, they only wanted to help themselves and line their own pockets, but not help their own fellow Ethiopians!  How sad.  Such greed and lack of love even in people who outwardly were "religious".

And indeed, they were not interested in the "project" I came up with - an orphanage.  But yes they did want to open up a "joint" bank account!  When I declined, they were outraged.  As the prophetess had said, I was surrounded by my enemies. The Lord even told me that the people of Ambo were already "talking" about me, even about the way I dress (simply)!  That was phenomenal; they did not even know me yet!  It was obvious; we could not stay in Ambo.  Meheret (Mercy), who had worked with us, found us another home to rent near her family in Burayu Mariam - which was close to the outskirts of Addis Ababa.  No longer working with the BEA, and with no work permit, we moved to Burayu Mariam.  Once again, not by design, as in Egypt and in Nigeria, we were "on our own" - just us and the Lord!

From left and right sides of the road on the way to Ambo,we'd observe  homes made of Eucalyptus wood trees covered with tin roofing, or huts and fences. 

Further out to Ambo observe open land countryside - breathtaking sights.

Homes in the countryside.

We see Ethiopian people of all ages

Road out of Ambo in the countryside.  Ambo - population of about 45,000.

Ambo's main road, local food stores, meat market, cafe's, hardware, and  the Post Office.

 

One of many local stores - two sisters tending local food store. 

  And Meheret,   in a white shirt, our helper and guide/ interpreter purchases our veggie, fruit and food.

 

  Front of the Post office to get our mail.

 

Hardware store. 

 Ambo's main road

 Various type of food shops.  Notice the slumbering goats.

Young girl tending store

More views of the countryside

Evelyn outside front of home & Ambo stone

We were able to plant flowers and herbs. Inside living room

 Back yard from the kitchen while Meheret & Berhane preparing meal.  See the chicken? I had to cover my eyes when they snap it neck. 

More countryside views

People ride on their donkey.

 Donkeys everywhere! 

This donkey carries Eucalyptus firewood.

  

Adaberga school

Adaberga school classroom - they sit on wooden "benches".

 

Mud and bare feet 

Children in Ambo 

Traditional dress.  Both are prophetesses.  Exceptional women!

 Our 1st Christmas away from home (America) Dec. 25, 2003

This is the first time I ever made  Cinnamon buns! Yum!

And when we have guests, Meheret prepares coffee - "Coffee ceremony".  When it is a special occasion, the Ethiopians will place fresh tall grass on the floor. 

 

First, the coffee bean has to be roasted, ground, and then pour the ground coffee into clay coffee pot (jabana), and place it on top of the charcoal "cooker".  When ready, she pours into the small coffee cups.

More children live in  homes made of Eucalyptus wood trees covered with tin roofing, or huts.

Children, roadside water (West Shoa or Shewa Zone) Aug. 2003

Evelyn & puppy Blondie - we took many walks and took photos along the countryside.

 "Garri" - horse driven carriage within the countryside.

 
Young girl helper making "injera"from their kitchen hut.  "injera" is made out of fermented "teff" flour.  Aug. 2003

Rocking milk to make cheese or butter beside her hut near Ambo stone quarry area.

People with their donkey

 

    

AMBO STONE QUARRY

 

Near Ambo are the stone quarries, where the very decorative "Ambo Stone" is quarried.  There they chisel these stones to use for home and/or stone walls for  fences.

 

 

        

We found a secluded area in the elevation where, along with our lunch & plenty of water, we could spend quiet time, run, and enjoy the exquisite, scenic,and  serene beauty of our surroundings.  Our little "mountain" became one of our most popular places to get away to!  The sun seem to be touching our body, while there was also a nice windy breeze.

  What a awesome sight!

Very common sight to see women bearing heavy load of Eucalyptus fire wood, but would hardly see men carry loads like this!  Notice the clothing and surroundings.

 

Gender specialist from Uganda, Thelma A. even noted how women of Ethiopia are treated like "donkeys".  Much gender  discrimination and exploitation.

Often see young women working at  construction sites.