Arriving

[Julie]

Tuesday morning we arrived in Addis Ababa earlier than expected. We even made it through customs with a minimal payment to the baggage handler at customs. We loaded two vans and headed to our new home. The streets were busy with cars, pedestrians, peddlers, donkeys, goats and packs of dogs. It was a veritable smorgasbord for our eyes. The constant ebb and flow of traffic, the jerk of the vans navigating through the crowds, and the stench of diesel from a bus just up ahead made my head swim. Eliza started retching in the back. I thought to myself, “What have we gotten into? I don’t know if I can do this.” I was panicking.

But then I remembered that God has promised us He will not give us more than we can bear. “God help me to bear whatever comes my way, “ I whispered.

A moment later we turned into the compound of Mekane Yesus Bethel School.  Our apartment, just completed on the third floor, seemed to be just above the fray of city life. The sun streamed into the windows and balcony where we have a stunning view of the city. We had running water, electricity and beds! More than we had expected.