Ethiopian Wedding--inside tent

It is quite warm inside the tent where the reception dinner is served. I believe that the children peering inside are much more comfortable.

Ethiopian Wedding-tent

A tent is set up at the Groom's family home for a reception with the elders. Many curious village people peep inside.

Ethiopian Wedding--in car

I take the bride and groom to his village. Groom is a pastor. He has tribal marks that were put on his face when he was very young.

Ethiopian Wedding--groom arrives

The groom arrives to collect his bride. He has flowers in hand to give to her. The groom and friends march slowly forward until he finds his bride inside the house as she waits for him. He is carrying a small bouquet of silk flowers to present to her. The group is clapping and singing praises as they enter.

Ethiopian Wedding-car

When I left Yetebon in May of 2007 my team of eight teachers were single. Four of them have married since. The one decorating my car for the bride and groom I chauffeured all day Sunday got married in January.

Yoked Together

The fields next to the guest house are being plowed. These creatures are work animals and they seem contented and proud to be yoked together to labor for their master. He doesn't hit them with his whip; only makes a loud noice by cracking it. I guess it is a way to get their attention.

children

The youngest child froze and screamed the first time she saw a white person (that was me)until her mother came to pick her up. Hopefully, the older girl will be coming to the KG with the children she takes care of. She wants so much to learn to read and write.

Work can be fun

These girls had rather be in school but what fun they have working together!

Pumping well water

Much effort is put into pumping water from the well by this 12 year old girl who had rather be in school and learning to read. I watch the daily community gathering at the well from my kitchen window (in background),

How Beautiful!

Yes, How Beautiful! When God sends the rains after the long dusty drought that parched the Ethiopian soil until the brown grass crunched under foot and the red soil became cracked and bare of any living thing. Now, the miracle is happening, daily, as the landscape is coming alive with green and the birds fill the air with wings and songs. Then, His people lift their own songs of praise.

Also, How Beautiful is the Body of Christ! Those who take our prayer requests and spend time asking our Father to take care of each one's needs; those who knit caps for the little children and new born babies, those who make crafts, cakes, beautiful things to sell so the funds can go to missions; those who give financial help; those who work hard in the organizations that support the Great Commission; those who commit to missions at home and abroad; those who use their gifts of administration, management, technology, teaching, preaching, counseling, evangelism, healing, advocating for good, translating, writing/publishing, and the arts as well as many other gifts to spread The Word.

We lift our songs and praises in gratitude to be included in the Body of Christ that works together to make the poor rich and the weak strong; giving hope where there seemed to be no hope; joy where there was distress, assistive technology (like wheelchairs, eye glasses) where there was no support, water where there was draught, and food where there was famine. How beautiful, even in the midst of conflict and fighting, disasters and destruction is the hope given through Christ who laid down His life. That is constant and cannot be destroyed.

None of us feel worthy to be called the sons and daughters of Christ. Yet, how beautiful are "the tender eyes that choose to forgive instead of despise;" " how beautiful is the One who laid down His life we offer this sacrifice that we will live just as He died, willing to pay the price"

I was inspired to write the above in the middle of this night, May 5th, 2008 in Hosanna, Ethiopia while listening to "How Beautiful" from the album: "I Love You Lord Praise and Worship."

Dee Donalson dee.ethiopia@gmail.com