Anchi, tefash!

I hear this quite often around here…. And not just to me.  It’s a general greeting that literally means “Did you get lost?”, but translates better to “long time, no see!”.  I find it adorable and use it frequently.  If you say it first, I feel, it's the other person's fault you haven't seen them in a while. 

Here’s some highlights from the past few months:

Quick visit to the US to witness two very good friends get married in Philadelphia! 

Five day stopover in Amsterdam and Belgium with my good friend (and roommate) Eden! 

Witnessing a cleft lip surgery while volunteering with Operation Smile (my third mission!) 

Hiking to see a cliff-side church in Tigray, the northern region of Ethiopia 

Hosting friends when they come to visit

Dancing eskista (local Ethiopian dance) on various occasions with a bride and groom, friends, locals and even the women who graduated from the Entoto program last month

I don't have pictures for these highlights but they are just as exciting!
*A team of us presented to Beza Church leadership about the need and benefits of long-term foster care.  We hope this really takes off within the church to care long-term for the Change boys, but also vulnerable children around the city.
*We introduced the concept of daycare to the women of the Entoto community.  It was great to hear how excited they are that there will be a safe, educational place to leave their children while they work or search for work.  Many currently leave their children with neighbors or older children.
*One of our women from the Entoto community was highlighted in the Wall Street Journal!  

So needless to say, it’s been wonderful.  This list certainly does not include the hugs and smiles from the kids of Entoto or when I hear “anchi tefash!” from the Change boys. J

Love,

Lisa