July 12, 2008

We awoke Saturday morning to a rainy, dreary day.  Breakfast was again an exercise in trying to eat, discuss our day, and fight off the monkeys that were intent on sharing or stealing our breakfast.  We would be leaving Awassa just after breakfast to journey back to Addis Ababa.  Some were already packed and ready to go but I still had a few things to tuck into pockets of my backpack and luggage. The morning was going rather normal for a “moving” day until Mary came by to give us news—Ethiopia was in a fuel shortage.  And, our vans needed gas.  Worst case scenario was that we may be in Awassa until Monday which is the day we fly to Uganda. 

Serious though the situation sounds, we have learned on this trip to stay calm and be flexible.  Some took naps, some sat under the protection of the porches and talked, and some listened to music—we all enjoyed this unexpected downtime.  The wait turned out not to be too long but still at great cost.  The gas, liquid gold, was found but at 16 dollars a gallon!  Yes, that is in US dollars not Ethiopian Birr. 

The drive from Awassa back to Addis turned out to be another lesson.  As we passed cows in various stages of decomposition, we also passed long, long lines of trucks and cars waiting for the precious fuel that their lives depend so heavily on.  It seems there is a precarious dependency on modes of transportation regardless whether it is mechanical or biological.  It struck me how spoiled I am by the capacity (at least at present) to just drive into a gas station and fill up.  I have heard my parents talk about the rationing of gas in the 70’s. And, I personally know how the price has affected my purse but to drive to a station and there be no gas has been beyond my comprehension—until now.  I live in a rural area and need a car to go to work, to go to school, to go to town for groceries, so what would I do if I could not get the needed gas?  I don’t know.  I watched as drivers leaned against their vehicles as if with infinite patience.  I saw how the cattle and donkeys lay in ditches on the side of the road.  What would I do if I had no means to buy another animal (or vehicle), if I had not the money to buy gas, if there was no gas available—probably what these people are doing—hoping for the best.

July 13, 2008

We went to a Pentecostal Church today.  It was a new and refreshing experience.  We worshiped with a multi-cultural mix of Children of God.  That in itself was wonderful.  But, for me, something else jumped to the foreground of my contemplations and this whole learning experience.

For the third time on the trip, we heard a lesson from Genesis 32.  In this passage, Jacob wrestles with a messenger of God and is crippled by this visitors touch to his hip.  He is given a new name, Israel. And, he is reconciled with his brother.  There is more to the story and I urge you to read the account yourself.

It is important to point out that we have two guys named Jacob on the trip. 

In Washington, DC, we met a man with great insight.  He pointed out the importance of our names.  But for our two Jacobs, he was especially excited.  He said they should go by the name, Israel, and that when telling their names to be bold, to proclaim the blessings of God, and to march proudly into their futures.  We were all encouraged to live Godly lives, proclaiming our faith, and to be witnesses to All we encounter, especially the least of God’s Kingdom.

Our first Sunday in Addis Ababa at the interdenominational Church, we heard a sermon from Genesis 32.  This young man focused on the fear-factor and reminded us that God is always with us in those moments.  He said that even in fear we should forge ahead because God is with us.

And, then today we heard again from Genesis 32, this time the focus was on the shift from being Jacob to being Israel.  This preacher said that there are two people within all of us and that depending on the situation we are in, we allow the pre-faith person or the renewed-faith person to act.

It is incredible that three times now we have heard from Genesis 32.  We discussed this tonight with various “takes” on this occurrence but what I come away with is this:

We have all been struggling to make sense of all the information we have been presented with, to understand what we are seeing, and to have faith that God will show us what we should do.  I think God is providing an answer:  Be bold!  Know that he is with us in this fear and uncertainty and our faith will lead us where our hearts and heads are fearful to go.  And, remember that we are renewed by our God and like Jacob can get through even the most difficult of situations because we are a new and wonderful creation.

Blessings,

Karen Taylor