i am currently using an internet cafe in the addis airport. the connection is super slow… we will spend a day in frankfort before flying to dallas on tuesday morning.it will be a good time for the media team to debrief and begin processing everything.
it’s been a great trip.i’ve really enjoyed my time here in ethiopia.it’s gone by too quickly.
i’ll post more on the experience when internet doesn’t cost so much and i’ve had a chance to process all we’ve seen.
One of the most memorable lines from the movie blood diamond, especially if you have ever traveled on the African continent is when danny archer (leo dicaprio) says… ”TIA… This is Africa”.
This morning we were to depart from Addis Ababa for Bahir Dar at 7:30.When we arrived the departure screen said it was delayed till noon.When we checked in, we were informed that it was never scheduled for 7:30… and better yet, some members of our team who’s flight was to leave at noon was changed and they flew out at 6:00am this morning.I know, I know, you are saying “it doesn’t makes sense”…. This is Africa.
Time is relative in Africa.Much different from the west.However, even though at first it seems inconvenient and frustrating… I find myself strangely smiling and just laughing it off.With that line going over in my head… “TIA, TIA, TIA….”.It’s almost comforting in a strange way.Like you know everything is OK because it’s still the same old same old.Like returning home after being away a long time and finding everything the same.
We arrived last night with no trouble, except that Jeff didn’t get his luggage and it has still yet to be located. We spent today around Addis Ababa. This morning we went to a slum on the outside of town where some Ethiopian believers have invested in this area and created a school for streetkids there. Most of these kids would never be able to go to school otherwise. It was so fun to get to interact with these children. From there we went back into the heart of the city and interviewed some street kids. We interviewed 4 girls ranging from age 15-19 who have been living on the street literally from 3-8 years. They sleep on the side of the streets in real populated areas in the daytime and walk around at night in a group in light areas to avoid being rapped. Afterwards we visited a Church that one of our partners here pastors and met with some children that they are working with there. There is much more I could say, but i need to head to bed… we fly our for Bahir Dar first thing in the morning. (which also means we don’t know when we will have internet again)
Please continue to pray for our team and trip. For discernment and wisdom as we continue to hear stories and what the Lord wants us to do with each of those. Pray for me that the Lord would guide and direct each shot to capture what he wants to tell through a lens… to my church in Plano, to the church global.
we’ll we made it to ethiopia. this post will be short, since it’s late here and i slept about an hour total on both flights. the flights wern’t really that bad at all though. i met some people on the first flight who were from DTS and knew some of the same people i did, so it was a fun conversation.
tomorrow will be a pretty full day of shooting here in addis. i’m looking forward to it.
in this hotel with internet for one more night, then after that not sure what we will have… i’ll hopefully right more later. night.