Busy Week

1/22
It has been a busy week.  A new group of volunteers, G12, have arrived in Ethiopia.  I was asked to come help give them some training on life in Ethiopia.  It was a fun getting to know them.  I was able to show some of them around the fun places in Addis, and others I introduced to T'ej (locally brewed honey wine), and Arake (local moonshine).   Others volunteers and  I  took the newbies to see Timket (Epiphany).  Here it is celebrated by the churches taking their model ark of the covenants to be blessed.  People parade with them to the locations, then after the blessing with holy water, they are taken back to the churches.  Addis is the second largest celebration site in Ethiopia. The roads were closed and thousands of people came out to see the procession.  Along with all the work, dental, and things I had to do in Addis, I barely even slept.  It was really fun getting to know the new volunteers. I am excited to see who I get at my site. 
The GAD comittee is preparing for the AGE summit, that's the Action For Gender Equality summit.  It is a run in Addis to promote equality for women.  GAD is bringing a group of ten volunteers and twenty of the kids they work with at site to Addis.  While there, we will teach gender-related lessons, promote good health, etc, as well as of course running in the event.  We have already booked people like the US ambassador to Ethiopia, and one of the girls empowerment groups working in Ethiopia to speak to the girls.  The idea is that the girls and boys will take what they learn in Addis and become change agents in their towns promoting equality and working with their volunteers in the clubs.  Since this is such a big event it is taking a lot of planning and work, we are having another meeting this coming week to finish the major planning.  That means I am travelling BACK to Addis.  It is a lot of traveling to go from Addis on Tuesday, arrive at site on Wednesday, going to Robe to say goodbye to friends on Saturday, then back to Addis on Tuesday.  Still I am going to make the most of it, and since my programs are on hold at the moment it is a good time to get out and about. 
Last but certainly not least.  I found out this week that some of my best friends got engaged!  I am so excited for them, not only that though, but I have been asked to officiate the wedding when I get back from Ethiopia!  I can't wait to do it, right after I get some Krispy Kreme doughnuts of course.  ;)