I have a friend here whose company I treasure. I look forward to meeting with her weekly for language tutoring. If I have a question about something I’ve observed culturally, she is a wealth of knowledge. We read together, she asks me comprehension questions, she tells me Bible stories, and we pray together. In exchange … [Read More]

Everywhere I look, people are burdened, literally burdened by the many things they carry. Donkeys, too, carry yellow “jonias” (water jugs) piled so high they begin to look like walking, plastic dahlia flowers that just happen to have donkeys attached to them. I’ve even seen them carrying cinderblocks stacked on v-shaped pallets. Women carry firewood, … [Read More]

One of my constant fears is that I might fail at learning the language. I feel like so much is at stake. If I am to have an effective ministry here, I have to learn it well. But it is a “category four” language, meaning it is especially hard. And going to language school every … [Read More]

Our trainers at Mission Training International taught us about “living in paradox.” I didn’t know how well this concept would apply to my initial experiences in Ethiopia.  There are things that I love, and things that I despise. To not force myself to reconcile the two lets me accept what is difficult, while not losing … [Read More]

  The Israelites were given detailed instructions for building the temple (Ex. 26-30). The Israelites must have wondered how they could possibly take on such a task, and so do I.  So many exact measurements are provided for the tabernacle and its various parts—the table for bread, the golden lampstand, the bronze altar, even the … [Read More]

I thought it was very timely that shortly after our arrival in Ethiopia, we got to witness the celebration of Timket on the weekend of January 19-21. I was outside with Adeline when I overheard our neighbor boy shouting, “They’re coming! They’re coming! I hear the bugles!,” as he led an entourage of children up … [Read More]

In grad school, we studied the “border figures,” those who found themselves in the middle of two places, not really belonging to either of them. (You know, like Rudyard Kipling’s “Kim,” not really British and not Indian but a mix of both. Or, you have the figure of Jane Eyre, floating somewhere in between middle … [Read More]

For us, the move marked the beginning of our next four months as nomads. A friend graciously opened his home to us as we waited for baby #2 to arrive. Then, we would spend a few weeks with Adam’s parents, a few weeks with my parents in Wisconsin, a month in Colorado for training, and a few weeks with … [Read More]

Well, we did it! (Or I should say, God did it). We have officially sold our house. We are leaving one place and stepping out into the unknown. I have a lot of mixed feelings about the sale-it’s the one place our daughter Adeline has known. It feels safe, familiar. I love the hardwood floors … [Read More]

  Allison, Adam and 19 month old Adeline arrived in Addis on Thursday, November 17th and got through customs without any issues. We were carrying quite a bit of baggage for teammates (including two 20 lb. frozen turkeys!) so that was a huge answer to prayer. The trip was such a blessing–it gave us a clearer picture of … [Read More]