Food for Thought

Be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

2 Timothy 2:24-26 KJV

HUMBLE

Let Us Humble Ourselves
Woe to those who call
evil good and good evil,
who put darkness for light
and light for darkness,
who put bitter for sweet
and sweet for bitter.
Woe to those who are wise
in their own eyes
and clever in their own sight.

Issiah 5:20-21

I know I risk being seen as judgemental but really, there are people vying for the nomination who probably should read the above scripture

Poppy

 
 
 

FREGENET SCHOOL

Inside the compound at Fregenet School introductions were made and the Headmaster, Mr. Gehbray Tekeste, led us on a tour of the grounds, classrooms and kitchen.

Mr. Tekeste, slight of build, wore a dark suit, dark shirt, and a white tie. It complimented the curly shock of snowy white hair that framed his forehead. A finely trimmed white mustache complimented his mocha colored face. A seemingly perpetual smile lit his countenance. Not pasted on: warm, genuine, gentle.

His voice was quiet yet passionate. His love for the children and the school was captivating as he described in great detail future plans for his beloved school.

The children are the poorest of the poor in the district yet with thier red over blue uniforms they are the envy of others.

Recently I read about an orginazation that is planning a school in Africa. They were budgeting several hundred thousand dollars for property aquisition, similar for construction, and nearly as much for first year salaries.

I wish those people would visit Fregenet School and learn! There are one hundred five students. They are provided with uniforms, milk at lunch, a safe environment and a good education. The entire budget for year 2007 is $30,000.00 American.

While they scheme and plan children are hurting! Rent a compound, hire staff, and DO IT! The other can come later.

The interior surfaces of the compound walls provide visual aids for the students. There are pictures of animals, birds and objects. Captions underneath each picture name or describe them. The Amharic alphabet and English alphabets are on the interior of the entry gates. There is a picture of a man, captions beside, arrows pointing, "arm," leg," etc.

We brought gift bags containing toys and essential items, enough for one per sudent. A list of all the students was made up. It was documented that each child recieved one. There are no favorites here. They adhere to the biblical princepal: "Avoid the very appearance of evil."

The children began to congregate in an open area in front of the main building. Some of them swarmed around my seventeen-year old grandaughter and she was inadvertantly knocked down. They sat on her and around her and sang: "God is so good, God is so good, God is so good, He's so good to me.

"The persuit of happiness
is a most rediculous phrase. If you persue happiness you'll never find it."
C. P. Snow

"The persuit of happiness is like a dog chasin' it's tail."
Poppy

 

 

This is a photographic attempt to describe a magical moment.
It failed.

Luncheon with the President

Our second visit to Agoheld Orphanage was a luncheon affair under a large tent in a compound across the street and separate from the main campus.

Security was tight because the president of Ethiopia was in attendance.
Everyone was searched upon entering the gate of the “L” shaped compound.
Directly ahead upon entry was a wall of student artwork and some promotional displays. Fabric, draped above, shaded that area. Along the same wall, to the right, was a bazaar where we bought many colorful garments manufactured by the residents.

To the right from there were tables under a tent, set up for the meal. To the left, at the far end of the tent was an area with no tables. A colorful carpet led the way to a portable stage.

Behind the tables was the serving area where there were more tables, laden with an abundance of traditional Ethiopian food. To the right of those was raw beef hanging on hooks.

We enjoyed the food except the raw meat, which we declined. Drinks were mostly soda or home made honey wine, a product of the orphanage.

After the food was served and the seemingly endless awards to current and former students were made, nine-year old Fetelework walked away to visit with friends and was gone a very long time.

Finally the presentations ended, the president and his entourage departed, the crowd thinned out, the tables were cleared, and up on the stage a group of children began playing traditional music on African instruments.

Out of the darkness from behind the musicians she suddenly appeared with several other girls, all wearing traditional costumes. They took position in front of the stage, the music began again and they danced!

The rug on the ground was like the fairy tale carpet whisking her away to a magical place. She was Cinderella at the ball; She was Esther dancing before the king; She was Miriam dancing with her tambourine.

Her black eyes flashed in pools of white. She threw back her head, her shoulders rotated in time with the music, her long black hair was flying. She laughed, reveling in the freedom of it, her teeth, like pearls, glimmering. Arms flowing like the delicate fabric that covered them, our little deaf girl danced.





Ain't God good?

 

My favorite youngest daughter Rebecca and her husband Vernon have adopted two deaf children from Addis Ababa Ethiopia.
The girl is nine-year old Fetelework, the seven-year old boy is Yonaton.

I accompanied them on their journey as did my favorite seventeen-year old granddaughter, Larissa.
Soon I shall Begin to enter posts describing the adventure.
They will not be in chronological order.

Ain't God good?
Charlie