Life In Ethiopia
Life in Ethiopia is interesting to say the least. There are so many things that differ from what we’re used to in the States. For instance, there is no Wal-Mart! I know this sounds trivial, but what I’m talking about here is that there is no one-stop location to get everything you need. Don’t get me wrong, I like the idea of mom and pop businesses thriving, but in the States there is a convenience (you can easily find what you need) to such locations that is not offered here in Ethiopia. For example, we have been here for two months and we just found some hooks to hang in the bathroom for towels and clothes. Again, you may be thinking, trivial, but when you come from a culture where anything you need is readily available, not being able to find a simple wall hook can make you crazy at moments.
Although there are moments of insanity within the Bridges household here in Ethiopia, Karyn, the kids, and I are really doing well. There have been moments of illness (Karyn and I have had our fill of dodging our children’s vomit), marital tension (talk about a marriage boot camp), and disgust (a sure sign of culture shock), but all these things pale in comparison to knowing that we are in God’s will. There is no doubt in our minds that Children’s Home Ethiopia needs us here in this time and that is why God brought us from normal (to us) ole’ Memphis, Tennessee to a crazy place called Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Really, when it all comes down to it, the reason we’re here is to love. Love our children. Love each other. Love the Ethiopian street children. Love our Ethiopian friends. Love the staff of Children’s Home Ethiopia. Please pray that we succeed!
And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3
