Ethiopia

My wife and I, accompanies by our two younger daughters, went to Bahir Dar in northern Ethiopia, to serve at the Grace Centre for a bit over two weeks in January 2011. This time, as missions generally are, had as much impact on us as we had on the people we went to serve.

So here's a few pics of Ethiopia, along with a few words. I hope to blog more of this gradually as I sort through it in my mind, and that will go in my general blog instead of this introductory page.

"Kiriftu" resort gives many westerners
a chance to see Ethiopia without
getting their hands dirty, or rattling
their consciences.
There's plenty more where this came from,
most of the housing is built from
eucalypt saplings, second hand tin
for roofing, and mud and straw walls.

The resort at left is where I got massages to keep me going due to my sore neck. It's a stark contrast to the shanty at right.


Modern vehicle
Nice suits.
Way to go!



Centuries old methods of farming
and transport still rule the day
in Ethiopia.

The transport at left, a
modern dual cab, is also a contrast; this time to a fellow riding on a cart behind his donkey.




This happy gaggle of blokes came
walking down the street when
I was out near one of the Grace Centre
 houses. They were quite chuffed
 to have their photo taken.

"Starbacks" is a rip-off of "Starbucks".
They have tried to capture the look,
but to be honest, the coffee is 
not that good!


The prosperity, or lack thereof, of the happy fellows at left is again a stark contrast to the crowd (yes us) who can afford a coffee at "Starbacks".







So if this wets your appetite, perhaps you can read some of my blog entries as I get round to them :)