Harbu visit- the site of burned church

Thursday, August 27

Our travels today took us to the village of Harbu which is a few miles up the road from the Yerer Preaching center and the market place. Today was market day so it was full of food, animals and people. They were butchering meat by the roadside waiting for people to buy the cut they wanted. What they were butchering? Beef, lamb and goats. 

Again we left the van and took off over the hill and down the valley. It was a 2 mile walk there. We meet with the congregation members for 1 hour. We had a great talk about differences between cultures. The parents only asked us to pray for two things: the church would grow and the kids do well in school. Like all parents they wanted their children to be successful and have it better than they have it. 

Many of the single families are sponsored by HMCHA. 

This church and community experiences daily opposition from the witch doctor and the Copic Christians. The church has a guard that locks the church and sleeps in it at night to protect it. Three years ago the original church was set a fire while a service was going on and everyone escaped. We visited this village on our last visit. 

We prayed for these people and played with the kids. We were told by the social worker/evangelist that these kids have no toys to play with. So we gave them all our toys- balls and flying saucers. 

It was a very satisfying day! 

Holes dug and an airport run

Wednesday, August 26

This morning we headed back to the community center to supervise our hole digging! The holes were dug well and quickly with a pick axe and shovel by 5 Ethiopians.  It was amazing to see them dig in the heavy wet soil.  

While they were digging, we played with the kids.  All of them loved the balls and running. The area is large enough to so we can divide up into sections so all can play. At times we had to break up a fight over something. Then we broke out the crayons and paper. It was surprising how they sat on the grass and colored for 30 minutes. There was some excellent drawers. Each child was so proud of their masterpiece and wanted their pic taken.  They love it when you take a pic of them and they want to see it. 

At noon we left the site and headed to Addis.  We had couple of stops to make- a Christian bible bookstore for Bibles and a coffee run. We had an excellent dinner at a sports bar and then left a team member at the airport to return to the USA. We will miss Micah! 

Visiting Dire

Tuesday, August 25

We started out for our journey to Dire . Dire is on the northwest corner of Addis in the Turkish Industrial park. But to avoid traffic of the big city we took the "back roads there. Because everyone has the right-a-away to the roads traveling is challenging to say the least! The roads are full of cows, horses, goats, sheep and donkeys. So one is always honking the horns, weaving in the road and trying to avoid the bumps in the roads. At times it is like a three ring circus trying to drive. The animals graze the sides of the roads so they are always see something looks greener on the other side! It takes time to drive here.

Once we got to Dire, we visited some sponsored children and their parent. We had another coffee ceremony and they popped popcorn for us. They added a little sugar to it went it was hot. It tasted great! We were blessed by our visit with the families. We were able to see how valuable a sponsorship is to a family. 

It was a long day- we spend 11 hours in the van or with the families. 

Visiting the new community center

Monday, August 24

Our morning was spend at this site where we walked it with the blueprints for the buildings. It is about 3 miles from the bridge site. It is a sloping piece of land overlooking the river and hills. A beautiful site. 

So we divided up in groups . Some played with the kids and others marked the sites for digging to be done the next day. While the negotiations too a while and the locals refused to do it for no less than 200 dollars. To make a long story short, we found someone else to do it but not until Wedesday 

We played with the kids, painted fingernails, and had a soccer game. Right before we left we did the drama .  

From this site we walked to the bridge for our lunch- peanut butter sandwiches and trail mixture. After a peaceful lunch, we did a baptism of a team member. It was neat because there was animals all around us. 

Yerer preaching Center and Sunday services

Saturday, August 22

It was our mission today was to teach teenagers about making healthy choices. So we went to the Yerer Preaching Center which is very hard to get to in the rainy season. We drove for an hour then got out of the van and walked to it. The natives say it is a 45 min walk while it took us Americans 1 hour 45 minutes. It was a very taxing walk which was up and down hills, valleys and over little streams. We had mud all over our shoes and pants! As we walked there our group grow large because we had kids join us. They helped us and practiced their English. We heard all about their schooling and dreams.

The walk was hard but very beautiful. The countryside is very green and lush with all the rain. The soil is  very heavy and sticks to our shoes. The farmers are planting their wheat, teff, tomatoes, cabbage and chickpeas. Their methods are very similar to biblical times- oxen, one shovel plow, hand seeding and spraying. It is not the productive ways of the American farmers! We have seen two tractors here but nothing to do with people. It was used for hauling people in Addis. 

We were greeted at the preaching center with drums and kids singing for us. We listened to their program and did ours. We were amazed who attended- young to old! The topics were:

Good Godly decision making

Sharing Gods love

Financial decisions

The talks were well received and they even asked a question or two. 

After play time with the kids and giving our drama play, we headed back to the van. Yes it was over the hill and down the valley. It was not as wet because the sun dried up some water. We found out it was a 8 mile hike for us!  We celebrated with pizza!

Sunday 

We visited a Lutheran church in town. It was a wonderful service which was 3 1/2 hours. It was a service with lots of singing, praying, two offerings and a very loud sermon. The preacher had the speakers on loud and kept everyone awake. The theme of the sermon wS the church need to be cleansed of their sin and to be holy. He spoke with passion and energy. There was 300 people there. Afterwards we had lunch at a local restaurant which served traditional dishes. All of us had a"sheep" dish which was excellent. We think we had goat.

Revisited the completed bridge

Friday, August 21, 2015

All of those that had there luggage were given the morning off to rest and get our bodies on the time zone! The others went to the airport to get the "lost" bags. All bags got here and everyone was pleased that they could change clothes! 

In the afternoon we drove to the bridge site to visit the completed bridge. It was a very muddy walk since it had rained the night before. Once we got to the bridge we walked across the suspension bridge which was full of mud and rocks left by the animals and shoes. I was very moved with gratitude that the bridge was available for animals and people so they have an alternative way to school and the market. No lives have been lost in the last year. Praise the Lord!

On our way back to the bus we played games with kids and adults that live by where we parked it. I am amazed on who the kids and adults love to throw a ball, football, or play soccer with us..normally they don't have play things and kids work in the fields and tend to the grazing of the animals. 

Once we got back to the hotel we walked next door to the shoeshine vendors for them to clean our shoes. It cost us 7 bier to get the cleaned which is 40 cents. 

After a good supper we headed to bed for a good night sleep.

Ethiopia here we are!

August 20, 2015

We arrived in Ethiopia yesterday morning. Our flight was a good one and we processed though customs and received our visa's without much work except for standing in line to allow them time to hand process the visas. It is very hard as an American to understand a cash and limited technology society. We are so used to everything fast. We went to pick up our bags and found out that most of our luggage did not make our flight from Toronto due to our being late. We got three out of four bags but it was Mike's with his clothes. The luggage is in Toronto and to be here tomorrow morning. Time to be graceful that we have clothes and shoes to wear! 

We visited the HMCHA office and were treated to the traditional coffee ceremony and popcorn! This is my favorite and the coffee is wonderful. They roast the beans over an open fire then grind the beans very fine and place it in boiling ceramic pot. The allow it to sit for 10 minutes and u have espresso coffee. Mmmmmmmm...... Then back to the hotel for dinner and early bed call.

After a good night sleep, we were off to visit the community building site that will be build later this year. We were able to meet the neighbors and played with the kids. We had balls and frisbees with us. Most of the time the kids don't play or have toys. They were fascinated with digital cameras and phones. They got great enjoyment our of having their photo taken and then seeing it right away. We performed a Christian drama for them. After this we walked to two homes that were the Christian leaders for the area where we had coffee again and we were able to pray for them. It was a super day. 

Above are two photos from the coffee ceremony.  

What a busy week! School is over!

Saturday, March 21, 2015
It has been a wild and busy week. Last Thursday ( March 12) we received 25 Canadian youth from Winsdor, Canada. They have been delightful kids but the work load has doubled. It seems like I have laundry all the time. Mike is always fixing something because our classes and class project. Cheryl, Mike and I are usually up at 5 am so we can have a hot shower! I have not been around a more polite group of high school seniors. Today they were off to the beach for the day. They leave on Monday morning.
Our classes this week was on applied technology. We each had a project to do and make a class presentation. I made a recycled food dehydrator from a pizza box and sheet of glass. Mine was 100% recycled.  Mike was on ferrous clay water jars and he made a small one. It was fun and learned a lot.
We also found time to work on other projects like sewing curtains, go downtown for an afternoon of shopping and cleaning out the shop.
Today we went to the La Paz waterfall gardens which was great and very relaxing. It is very beautiful and shows the beauty of God's creation! There is so much to see and the weather was great. It never clouded up until we got done with the waterfalls and the ride back up to the lodge.
On the way back to the lodge we stopped by the roadside for fresh strawberries which was sweet and wonderful. Can't wait to have them for breakfast tomorrow.
It has been a wonderful week and hard to believe we have been here five weeks! My oh my where has the time gone?

Where oh where has the time gone?

Saturday, March 14,2015
Where has the last two weeks gone? It has been busy and much has happened. This older body gets tired from the work and classes and many nights I'm in bed by 830 pm and up at 5 am.
These two weeks I have had breakfast prep so days started early. Then one adds laundry and goat care it sums up to a busy morning. We usually have workshops in the morning and classes in the afternoon.
The class two weeks ago was aquaponics taught by our friend, Curtis, from Colorado. We learned lots and got the large beds done for the base. Mike did all the plumbing for the system. Now all they need is fish and a caretaker for the system.
This week our class was on water. We learned a lot about community development and how to be successful with implementing safe water systems for a community.
The instructor was great and had tons of experience to learn from, it was a very partical class for us and we know that it will help us in the future.
Last weekend Mike and I went to the Paz Waterfall Gardens which was beautiful and very educational. The gardens has many different areas ( butterfly house, monkey house, large cats, trout lake, bird house, snake house, frog house) and  four waterfalls with viewing areas. It is in the rain forest and has a mixed bag of weather. Mainly sun and rain. It was one of the best exhibits I have seen of animals.
My college roommate came on Tuesday to spend the last two weeks here with us it is great to serve with her. She is sewing curtains for the new cabin.
This morning I took her and two YWAMers to the coffee plantation. We had a great time and meal. It was a beautiful day.
On Thursday a near by volcano blew its top! So that was the excitement in this area. We have some minor ash on tables and cars but nothing like San Jose.  Being up in a mountain helps us. We are not in the valley. Behinds it is usually very windy here. The day of the eruption we had a strong wind and rain so it cleaned up the air a lot . We are fortunate not to be bothered by this.
The other excitment was on Wednesday night Cheryl and I made a German meal and apple pie for the staff and students. It was tons of work but very good.
That was a recap of the two weeks.  A great weeks  

Saturday, February 27,2015

Coffee Plantation tour
This morning we went on a Cafe Britt tour. It was very good tour and we had a wonderful lunch. The plantation is in Heredia which is near our base. The tour was very informative. Here is some facts;

coffee bushes grow up to 20 feet but are pruned yearly to produce more coffee
The ave yield of coffee from a mature bush is 25#!which yields 3# of roasted beans
 Coffee bushes can live for 100 years but only produce for 25 years
Coffee was first discovered by the goats in Ethopia which were growing by the paths and roads.
Then the coffee was transported to Saudia Arabia where they first used for a beverage, from their it,when to Italy and the first coffee shop opened. From there it transported to France, onto Brazil and finally made it to Costa Rica in 1765.
The bloom of the coffee bush is a member of the gardenia flower.
The bean grows from May to Dec during the rainy season.
Coffee is picked from Nov-Jan.
Once ripe (red in color) they are hand picked. The tree will be picked 5 times to get all the ripe beans.
The bean has three coatings that need to be removed before roasting.
The roasting process is up to 18 minutes for the dark roast which is the carmelization of the sugars.
The dark roast has less caffeine than lightly roasted.
The energy drinks contain the caffeine byproduct of decaffeination.
Coffee needs high attitudes, volcanic soil, lots of rain and sun.
The coffee here in Costa Rica gets up to 100 inches per year.
All  coffee is dryer for a week in the sun outside.
Each region coffee has a particular taste profile.
Most beans are stored dried ( up to a year) before roasting.
So there are some coffee trivia.
It was a beautiful day and fun to check out the area.
We were joined by Curtis our friend and teacher next week.

Curtis and Mike have busy busy working on the aquaponics project  and making of the grow beds. They were joined by others for the construction ....

Thursday, February 26,2015

"Sustainable Agriculture- It's all about poop!" 

As the week has progressed we have learned a lot about organic farming and how it can be done on a small and large scale. It has been interesting and it all comes down to poop as a fertilizer. We learned how to make "rose water" fertilizer which is goat poop and water. We have a batch "cooking" in the sun and large plastic barrel. We also have worked with composting- making it, turning it and placing it in our garden. 

The past two days we have worked different planting techniques---zai holes, multi-story gardens, double digging and raised beds. Today we did drip irrigation with a y bar, plastic bucket and soaker hose. Also used an organic bug spray with garlic, jalapeños, 90%alcohol and water.  

Today we started looking at the different type of animals which contributes poop. It was a step backwards with the cattle and chicken discussion. 

The YWAM base is a working farm of 7 acres. They have three horses which are the major grass cutters with the eight goats. The goats are milked once a day for cheese . The chickens are raised for eggs and one breed for eating. They have two ducks that they r experimenting with. Currently have duck eggs in a incubator. It seems like there is an experiment is happening daily. It's fun! 

Today our friend, Curtis arrived and will be teaching the aquaponics class next week. It was great to see him and catch up with him. 

All is well with us. It keeps us mature adults busy with morning duties and classes. Mike and I have breakfast prep so it's 5 am daily! The weather has been good and sunny. God is good!

Tuesday, February 24,2014

Classes, workshops and sustainable agriculture

We have had busy two days and change of schedule. Our work schedule has changed to include animal chores. Mike and I got the goats so once the are milked we walk them to the pasture and sweep out their pens.  Myrna milked her first goat today. I also did the laundry and we r to help with breakfast prep.

Our classes start at 1030 and we do workshops. The four workshops we had were composting, soil testing, double digging and  multi-story gardening. Also made rose tea ( made with goat poop and water). It's hands on activities. For our classes, we studied and discussed industrial agriculture and just started on organic agriculture. We saw the documentary, Food Inc. It is an eye opener to how our  
food industry is control by such large corporations. It's something we knew and it has always bothered us. Probably a reason why I loved my small town locker plants and my own garden.

It has been a busy day and I will sleep well tonight. The weather has been crazy- sunny, sun showers and windy. It is cool in the morning and evening and warm from 1030 to 4 pm.

Weekend Activities

Sunday, February 21, 2015
It has been a busy weekend for us. Friday evening we made an ice cream run to "Pops" for some delicious ice cream. Pops is a chain stores that has good ice cream.

Saturday morning Mike and I with the EARS school students we went to San Jose, the capital, for a day of Bible distribution. It was a warm sunny day with a breeze which was great as we walked the streets in the subdivision of San Francisco. The Costa Rican government had a mandate that all homes will be given a bible by 2020. So YWAM bases get together and work with local churches with this project. We has 15 teams of 4-6 people out. We were to explain the program, leave a bible and ask if they needed prayer. Over all people were extremely grateful and appreciated the prayers. If not home we left a note with the bible and prayed for this household. This subdivision was an affluent   and home to Americans and missionaries.  We meet couple of doctors, teachers and corporate officers who were Americans.  It is always good to be stretched a bit.

Today we went to the Farmers market and checked out all the vegetables. Mike and I bought Granny Smith apples for a pies later this week. They were half the price that we paid last time here at the store. Most of the stores r closed on Sunday  it seems that the restaurants and quick markets are open. After a delicious dinner at a local restaurant we came back to the base to relax and wash clothes.
We start our seminars/classes tomorrow.
It's hard to believe that we have been a week. Was able to face time the kids and catch up with them.

God is good all the time !

Friday, February 20, 2015

Busy Thursdsy and Friday
It has been busy week as we adjust to community life and getting ready for our EARS seminars next week. We have been assigned weekly jobs with some as jobs added daily. I continue to be the laundry lady and help out in the kitchen. Mike has been doing the maintanence work. This evening we started the animal chores  I lead the goats back to the barn and gathered chicken eggs. It was like the early years on the farm. Mike had the horse detail. Ext week we will start big time animal chores.

The ropes course is completed and they have the first two groups going though it today. We had 93 for lunch. We served a Costa Rica chicken rice dish, Russian beet potato salad, tossed salad and chips. It was a task feeding these many but it went well. The key to success is having to lunch in 2 shifts. Our kitchen is small similar to a small home kitchen. Our dining room is outside dining and tables in the living room. This base is growing and needs more space.

The surprise of the day is the sunshine and rain. Turned out to a beautiful day. Also was able to talk to Cheryl about her visit in couple of weeks.

It was a great week.  A wonderful day that the Lord had made!

Adjusting to Costa Rica "Time"

February 17, 2015

We have settled in to our arrangements here at Heredia. It is quite a full house with different groups. The Salem Oregon group is here to build and train a Ropes course. They will be done today. We will get our experience of the rope course on Thursday.

Yesterday we started the day with worship and were assigned our chores for the day. Mike and Wally had a short list of repairs to do but they finished early and found other things to do! Their major job was the snack shack- they are animal proofing it and today is cleaning day. It rained all Sunday night and most of the day

Myrna and I did laundry, worked in the kitchen and sorted the coins from the snack shack. It kept us busy and out of trouble!

Tuesday is a beautiful day! It is sunny and no clouds in the sky. Hopefully it will stay that way.
We need to dry out. The boys painted the snack shack and fixed things while Myrna and I worked doing small things. Of course I had laundry to do. This morning Myrna and I went to the park to minister to the homeless men with Laura. It was a time to feed them and pray for them. We were at the main city park in Heredia.

We are having problems with slowing down and allow the work to come to us. People here are very relational and relationships are most important. So work pace is slower. This is hard for us to change to.. Too driven.

New adventure

Its time for a new adventure in the lives of Mike and Gloriann. Today, Valentine's Day, we are heading back to Heredia, Costa Rica . We are excited to be mission building for one week and then attending an EARS school. It is a school on sustainable agriculture topics. We are praying that we can use this with our work with PCC and YWAM.  We will be blogging regularly about we are working on and learning.

We are excited to be having another couple with us on this journey. Myrna and Wally are from Purma, Idaho and fellow Misson builders who we met at Chico. They a wonderful couple that has become friends and we work well with us. They add some fun and spice to our lives!

So we leave from SFO this evening and fly to LAX then a red eye to Costa Rica. We are looking forward to seeing what the Lord has in store for us! Let the adventure begin!