Oh, I can only chuckle at how the day to day activities at Langano play out. Some of the sweetest most random times I’ve had in Ethiopia have occurred during a home visits. Last week I had the pleasure of going out to visit one of the girls who came to a camp we had for girls with physical disabilities in the Langano area.
Typically we take horse out on home visits, but this day we decided to take the camp car which turned out to be a great decision! We drove out to another town to pick up Mustafa, so he could show us the way to Amina's house. Almost 15 km away from our compound we turned off the main road. We followed a donkey cart path for another 15 minutes or so before Mustafa told me to stop the car and continue the rest of the way on foot. After walking for 10 minutes we were greeted by Amina's bright smile. Her mother greeted us and then rushed into her home to make us some coffee and roasted corn. While we waited for the food, we hung out with Amina and her brother, talking about life and playing with the newborn goats.
Typically we take horse out on home visits, but this day we decided to take the camp car which turned out to be a great decision! We drove out to another town to pick up Mustafa, so he could show us the way to Amina's house. Almost 15 km away from our compound we turned off the main road. We followed a donkey cart path for another 15 minutes or so before Mustafa told me to stop the car and continue the rest of the way on foot. After walking for 10 minutes we were greeted by Amina's bright smile. Her mother greeted us and then rushed into her home to make us some coffee and roasted corn. While we waited for the food, we hung out with Amina and her brother, talking about life and playing with the newborn goats.
Hanging out with Amina, her mom, brother & neighbors!
Once we had consumed all of the food to the satisfaction of Amina's mother, we started the trek back home. When we dropped Mustafa off, he insisted that we stop to "drink water only." Before we knew it we were whisked into a wedding tent by. As soon as we sat down, mugs full of kinito (a roasted barley drink) were thrust into our hands. Next a plater full of injera b'wot and other cultural foods was placed in front of us. I entertained everyone in the tent by instructing people to eat and drink in Afaan Oromo. At this point I leaned over to Elias, one of the staff I work alongside, and asked him who's wedding we were at. He responded by shrugging and saying "I don't know." Dumbfounded, I turned my line of questioning to Wako, another one of our staff, and received the same response followed by a giggle. Thankfully, Mustafa was able to answer my question. The wedding ceremony was for one of his older brothers. Only after we were stuffed to the gills were we allowed to leave the wedding tent and continue on our way back home. What a beautiful example of hospitality.
Random. Wonderful. I can't help but smile at the plans the Lord had for us that day.
