Settling In

The children have been confusing the onset of death with jet lag. 

Benjamin was convinced his body had forgotten how to fall asleep and that he would never sleep again.  He was very serious and very upset until he fell asleep for 10 hours.  Eliza has discover she is at risk of falling asleep even while in the midst of dressing.  I found her asleep on the floor by the front door with her sweater half way over her head.

I have been out in the markets trying to get the basic household items (dishes, pots, pans, broom, utensils, tp, etc.) – every time I would come back to unload my bundles, Julie, with her hair all tussled would great me at the door denying that she had taken a nap.  The children reported dutifully “Daddy, Mommy slept for 3 hours!” Julie shuffled away muttering denials.

Remarkably, the school has laid claim to all the kids to help in the classroom – their need is to hear native English spoken.  Eliza will read books to the younger children, Lily will be teaching 3^rd and 4^th grade grammar; Sophie, will be teaching 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th and 6^th grades spoken English; Benjamin will be teaching Music to the elementary kids, and Julie has a massive load of teaching Kindergarten, 1^st, 2^nd, 9^th, 11^th grammar, writing and spoken English (all told, just for Julie, 14 different classes).

I have been able to connect with some of the elders from Gambella who happen to be in town to start mapping out timelines for the projects.  They inform me that now is the beginning of the hot weather (110 in the shade) The rains won’t come again until August.  I think I will bring some water.  I still hope to run – there is no running in Addis.

The Mosque begins its calls for morning prayers @ 5am – we are getting to the point where we can sleep through it – it certainly starts the morning with an exotic flair. The streets are full of old Russian taxis, burrows carrying big sacks of grain, people with massive amounts of produce stacked in baskets on their heads, busy shoppers, many street urchins, handicapped beggars, The children all want to touch Eliza’s hair – it doesn’t look real to them.

Our hosts are warm and caring – they have clearly done a lot of work to make sure we are comfortable.  Our apartment is extremely spacious.  When we leave it will be turned into a hostel of sorts with three separate residences – my point being they are really treating us like royalty.    

We all appreciate your prayers.  We are doing fine, likely as a result of them.  When the school returns from break (this Wednesday) and I head off to Gambella (next Sunday) that is when we are going to really need your support.  We miss all of you and the clean air of Central Virginia – but feel this is where we are supposed to be.  I will try to post more pictures later but they take FOREVER to load.

Peace.