On completion of a 8 week stint in OT consultation in Ethiopia, I once again stand in awe of the grace of God - giving physical strength for very strenuous work, health in a culture not one's own, guidance and wisdom by His wonderful Holy Spirit ... where does one stop? His mercies are truly new every morning.
 
Ethiopia is a fascinating country - Huge, her people hospitable and hard working, a God fearing people whose influence on society is felt in the low crime rate. I find working with the teams absolutely invigorating. They have a commitment and perseverance that astonishes. Chatting to one of the teams about the obstacles they face in certain areas, and sort of wondering aloud how they will be able to do it, the only remark was "We will never give up!" - God bless them.
 
Coming from a culture where we name our children after parents or movie idols, I find their names intriguing:

Adani - Save
Andinet - Unity
Degu - He is cheerful
Gizadchew - Let him rule
Miskana - Praise
Salaam - Peace
Tesfaye - He is my hope
Tessema - He is heard                                        
 
In working on Proverbs the Aari team came up with the following dynamic equivalent for Prov 5.15 - 18. The Aari's do not have individual cisterns. These verses mean nothing to them, as everyone drinks from communal springs. In Aariland however, each man has a specific tree where he is the only one allowed to put his beehives, it is a criminal offense to take honey from another man's tree or to put his beehive in that tree.

15. As you put the beehive on your own tree, and as you eat and enjoy the honey, let it be your own tree.
16. Can it be that you can put your beehive on another person's tree?
17. No one should put his beehive on your tree, it should be yours alone.
 
Nel Claassen