Tom & Teresa update

***This is an update from Tom and Teresa. They were able to upload it successfully from Ethiopia. They were unable to do this for many weeks because the government blocks access to blogger. However, they have found a way to update without having someone to do it for them.***
Without further ado:


We have been in Addis for a month now. It has been a wonderful time and opportunity to meet all kinds of missionaries from all over the world. What an incredibly diverse group of people! They come from all walks of life, ages, countries-and it is so encouraging to see so many good people who are trying to make a difference in this world. But we are anxious to be off and headed south to Arba Minch. We are planning on leaving now around March 2 or 3rd. Our friend, Ben, has offered to drive us down there (since we still do not have a truck) We have purchased some supplies that we will need to start up a house-pots, pans, dishes, a table and chairs, screens to repair the windows, fans to circulate the air, a ladder, an axe, hammer and nails, shovel, etc....We have very carefully gone to many different shops to find the best quality-unfortunately, quality is not as easily found here as in the USA. And since it is all imported, the cost is much higher than in the states. It kind of grates on our nerves to have to pay so much for these things when the quality is so poor-but what can you do-you need them.....However, the things that are made here in Ethiopia-like beautiful textiles, rugs, wooden carved furniture and decorative items- these can be bought very cheaply here, so that takes some of the 'sting' off of paying such high prices on imports.

Today, I went to a crafts bazaar at the local church where we have been attending. There were so many wonderful handcrafted items there- I had a great time!

One of my purchases was some artwork from a young man with dreadlocks (He was a Rastafarian) He had beautiful acrylic paintings and also he had some unusual black and white sketches. Upon a closer look, I realized that it was black ink and wax. The wax is applied, then scratched off-ink is rubbed over it. Then some more wax is scratched off. It is very unique! I asked the artist what this particular art form/technique was called. He said, " I call it Scratch", or sometimes "Scratch wax" Hmmmm....I guess I should have thought of that!! haha

Well, it is 5pm now, and I was thinking about taking a quick nap before dinner. However, the Muslim chanting has started up on the loudspeakers all over the city. So much for a quick nap.......sigh......They also chant over loudspeakers at 5am. But the Orthodox church wants THEIR time too-so THEY start chanting at 4am.

A real 'Battle of the Soundsystems!!' (not to mention the disco that revs up from 8-1am every night right behind the SIM Missionary Guesthouse.) I guess that is the devils' way of getting back at all the missionaries that are here doing God's work. But- we just bring earplugs, so there!!!!!

Tom & Teresa Rieder