Emergency Transfer #2
- 2 hours ago
- 5 min read
I want to start this email with a disclaimer that I am fine. Nothing bad has happened to me. But I was emergency transferred to Gambela (On the South Sudan Border) because I was replacing an Elder that was having some issues. More about this below. Let’s hop into the week.
March 9th
P DAY WAS FIIIIIIRRRREEEEE! We cleaned for a bit and then we went to go play basketball for the day. It was fun but to hang out and relax with the other missionaries and play ball. However, there are still some issues with this house that I am still working out. Another thing is we do not have any water in the house. That is a challenge.
March 10th
Today was awesome! We taught a Muslim that’s new to Christianity. That was a unique experience and something we don’t do often. We never teach Muslims. But this was a different situation. That was a fun lesson. And then we went to Tuts house today. He is from Gambella. I love Gambellian’s and Tuts family
March 11th
Today was actually not the most productive day. Days like today I must work on staying positive. We helped the sisters teach a lesson because one of the Ayat sisters got sick. So, they called us and asked if we could do the lesson. We were happy to do that. We taught her about the restoration.
March 12
Today wasn’t crazy and we honestly wasted a day but its ok (it’s not ok and I’m going insane) but tomorrow will be better!
March 13
Today was the day of the emergency transfer! I woke up this morning with a text from President Cowley, and he told me to pack my bags and then told me I will be going to.....Gambella! So yes, I am emergency transferred. For people who don’t know, Gambela is the newest area in the mission and the only place you need to take a flight to get to. So, I took an hour and half flight to get over here. It would probably not be safe to drive from the capital to Gambella. In addition, it is a 10–12-hour drive depending on conditions of the road. We always fly for safety. It is also one of the areas of Ethiopia that I have to worry about Malarie. So, I am now taking Malaria pills every day and will be sleeping under a mosquito net. Elder Melling is my new companion. But when it comes to this area, it’s technically been open since we've got here on the mission but because there was civil war and they had to close it for a while, I am actually only the 4th Elder to be here on this side of the mission. The area just reopened a week ago. However, one of the missionaries had some issues and the mission president had to send me here to replace him. This place is NOT like most of Ethiopia. Because if borders South Sudan and there are a LOT of Sudanese people here with very few ethnic Ethiopians. They do not speak Amharic. Instead, they speak a language called Nuer, so we need ✨️TRANSLATION ✨️. With so many Sudenses people that are SO TALL I feel like a midget. The members help us with this. However, we have found many of the Gamellians speak English. It is VERY hot here! I tanned my sock today. Did I mention it is VERY HOT! Just like you would picture when I say "South Sudan". The church is still working on getting our living arrangements finished. We will be living above the church house on the second floor. So, until that is completed, we are staying at a hotel. That will probably be the situation for the next 2 to 3 weeks. However, it has A/C which is a real blessing, and they serve us breakfast in the morning. Gambela means "the place of the reeds" in the Nuer language, the dominant language spoken by the Gambela people. The name reflects the region's natural landscape, characterized by extensive marshlands and riverine vegetation. Historically, the area has been a vital hub for trade and cultural exchange between different ethnic groups in southwestern Ethiopia and neighboring Sudan. Due to conflict in South Sudan, there has been an exodus of Sudanese coming into the Gambela region of Ethiopia. The Ethiopian population in Gambela is about 350,000. However, there are estimates that there are close to 490,000 refugees in addition to that. 90% of the region's population are Protestants, 5% Ethiopian Orthodox, 3% Muslim, 1% practice traditional religions, and 1% are Catholic, 3% 90% of the region's population are Protestants, 5% Orthodox, 3% Muslim, 1% practice traditional religions, and 1% are Catholic. I am very excited to be here. I had hoped I would get the opportunity while on my mission but honestly knew it was a long shot. One thing is I am going to have to really work on my language study by myself to keep up my Amharic to make sure it doesn't die. But I am now here and I’m safe and have had so much fun already. It is a different environment because the Ethiopian orthodox church is not big here and so that has allowed us a better teaching environment. Follow next week for more stories and information.
March 14th
Sunday was good, sadly woke up a little nauseous but powered through, drank my water and ate and went to church. I took my malaria meds on an empty stomach and I think that is what upset my tummy. I won't make that mistake again. It was a good service. I gave a talk today which was unexpected and I also taught for the second hour. We had almost 70 people at church today so that was a big day for us. After our church meetings we visited this guy from America who's Ethiopian. He’s chill and makes a lot of cool "inventions". He sells honey and makes candles out of wax and has like 7 sources of income and he's a smart guy. I think we will be visiting him again soon. haha!
March 15
Today for P Day we played some soccer with some members and went to the bee guy again and chatted. More soon.
