Update

Once again a nice quick update. Things are very very busy right now as I'm working two full time jobs as a medical assistant for a family practice and still closing the restaurant. But my sister Jessica just got hired at Applebees to be a hostess and I love having her there!! I can actually see someone in my family. My daily schedule consists of being at work by 8am, coming home for lunch to get things ready for the rest of the day, leaving the doctors office around 4:30 for applebees, closing, coming home between midnight and 1am and then getting up the next day all over again. fun fun fun...but I'm grateful for the opportunities I've been given and for all I'm learning.

I did take a trip to Philly in December and Sarah came with me to keep me company and I'm SO grateful she was there or else I would not have made it. I drove straight through and pulled up for my interview at 9am at PCOM, changed my clothes in the car and went straight in after driving 20 hours straight to get there. Then we stayed in the fancy fancy downtown Marriott in a $250 a night room, but Nate hooked us up and gave us a family discount. But I've never felt so out of place as I had to tip the bell hop and the valet....never again. It was a very enlightening trip and I loved PCOM and it is now my number one choise in schools. I love their emphasis and research possibilities. I decided after talking to them that I want to take a year to get my masters in biological sciences to give me the opportunity to do some research and learn better research methods since I'd like to do some malaria research after Ethiopia. Then I'll apply to their PA school program. so that is the latest!

Matt is home!!!

Ok so guess what!? I'm am officially a player of raquetball, or in other words, I play racquetball...if that makes sense. I try to play most mornings with my friend from the branch Curtis and I'm finally getting pretty good at it. So I'm excited. Still nothing new from Post regaurding my new job doing some secretarial stuff, I really don't know what I'll be doing, but it is a 9-5 job and is a steady pay, and then hopefully i can see my family sometimes and friends since my schedule seems to be the exact opposite of everyones. But Applebee's is still going and is actually looking up. I'm slowly collecting quite the fan club and am beginning to have regulars and people asking for me, so it is nice. I have one of the waiters and one of the cooks who keep asking me out, so we have a bit of fun too.

Jonathan is driving me crazy and it makes me so sick of dealing with boys. Even though we're "friends" it seems like we were dating with all the time we spent together and now I don't even know him anymore it seems. But it is ok, because MATT IS HOME!!!!! It is nice having him back and all his knowledge with computers and everything, and to just have someone else around the house now that Dad is working everyday. I also did get a little surprise, Jed, the son of the family that I lived with who is out at school at BYU-Idaho and worked for the same company I went to Ethiopia with, we have been talking a lot and his Dad keeps trying to set us up....well he emailed me the other day to inform me he is coming home for Thanksgiving, and I'm so excited to finally meet this guy. I know we'll be fast friends.

I am still working hard at the piano and find it is easy for me to get lost in practicing and playing just the hymns everyday to keep me focussed and looking forward. I am also taking classes online through BYU independant study to keep busy and to keep up on my work, and also because it looks better for PA school.....6 more to hear from!!! I find I'm stretching myself to try new things and to reach out of myself, this is a time when I really can better who I am and it seems that the Lord is working hard to prepare me for the future. I'm working hard as the Enrichment counselor but we had our quarterly enrichment two weeks ago and no one showed up, and when i try to talk to them they seem to tune me out. So i'm praying alot about what this branch needs from me and what I can do to help this program, because it is suffering. it seems like I am rambling, and I am, but again life is progressing and going forward and things are looking up!!

Searching

So I'm still waiting to hear back from PA school, but I've already gotten two rejections, but funny, none of them are the 5 that are in Philly, which is where I really really want to go to school. But I'm still working at Applebee's as a waitress and I've pretty much gone as far as you can go in the world of waitressing at applebees, sad that I did it in less then two months. I feel more like I'm babysitting and I work with some pretty immature people, but then I meet some great people and work with some wonderful people. I'm still looking for another job though, just for my own sanity really.

Our new house is absolutely beautiful and we love it. Dad works on it all day though just because any house built in 1850 has a lot of work that needs done. He's been working alot on the electrical and today got it so our door could actually open. Nate and Mari are coming out for when Matt gets home and we're having a Halloween party in the Ballroom.

Right now I'm just trying to make sure I'm doing what the Lord wants of me and I'm having trouble distinguishing it. I spent the day watching taped General Conference and all I got out of it was that whatever he wants of me I'm supposed to obey with a broken and contrite heart. Sometimes I get scared when I get these feelings, this is how I ended up in Ethiopia, Austria, DC, EFY, pretty much everything I've done in my life. but I just feel that this is something big. So anyways, just trying to get my thoughts down and figure out what I'm thinking really. But I am searching daily right now for the right answer.

Dear Kansas City

so I thought it was about time I let everyone know that I'm still alive. Things are going pretty well here in Leavenworth, KS and I love the Kansas City area. There is so much to do here!! I went to the Royals vs. Yankees game Friday night, will be going to the Royals vs. Indians game in two weeks, went to a Chiefs preseason football game and got to watch John Beck QB for the Dolphins, I'm going to a KU vs. Ohio State basketball game, Wizards MLS game...like I said, tons of stuff to do. Even the art museum here is incredible and ranked 15th in the world. It is beautiful here and there are also tons of church sites in the area as well. I love the singles branch and there are two brothers, Jonathan and James that I do everything with and we've fast become friends. They both call me their sister, and it has been fun. I was also set apart last week as the Enrichment counselor in the Relief Society Presidency. This will be my 5th presidency in just over 3 years. I think the Lord is trying to tell me something!!!! But I'm also excited that Matt will be coming home in a little over a month, it will be so nice to have him here too.
I'm still working as a waitress at Applebees and looking for another job somewhere in the Medical Field here, which hasn't proven very promising, but I'm not giving up. I so like working as a waitress, it has its ups and downs. I love the people, especially my friend Matt. When I'm not with the Griffith Brothers I'm with Matt. But I think everybody should be a waitress or work some form of customer service in their life. It would make a lot more jobs more enjoyable. I did have the creepiest guy wait for 5 hours at his table before he finally asked me to "meet him somewhere private in 5 min" and he's lucky I didn't slug him. I've never been hit on so much in my life!! But I've met some amazing people as well.

We are moving into our house this weekend!! Sept 15th and I'm so excited!!! It is beautiful and only 3 min from work and even though I love the Stephensens and will miss both of them terribly, I can't wait to have my own room again and to not have to feel like we are imposing anymore. But we sure have made great friends and I will consider them as parents for the rest of my life.

Well, I think that is about it. I'll try to do this thing more often, so we'll see. Life is great!!!

At last

http://s166.photobucket.com/albums/u111/abeayant/ Here is the link to pictures, they still have not been updated, but it is something. :)

So I know quite a few of you have been insisting that I tell my story. I'm not going to lie, it has been hard for me and I'm finally falling back into the swing of things here in the good old US of A. I made it sound like Ethiopia was so hard, and it was, but it was an amazing blessing and I'm considering going back sometime, hopefully before my VISA runs out in the next two years. I know that once I get my Physician Assistant degree I'd like to go back now that I have a better idea of what is needed and can perhaps do what I can to improve the horrible conditions in the hospitals and clinics, at least teaching the importance of cleanliness and sterile techniques. There are so many great lessons I learned while there to help make me stronger and give me a greater perspective in life. Most of all I learned that the little things in life don't matter, what truly matters is that I am doing what my Savior wants me to do and following the path He has set out for me. The day-to-day things get in the way too often and hinder our work and take our eyes of the ultimate goal, and that is eternal life. I learned the importance of gratitude and what we have, we have opportunity, and education, and transportation, and electricity, flushing toilets, and running water, clothes...so much!! Most of all we have a chance for good treatment and medical care. They have no choice but to go to those horrible places and most spend their entire months earnings on one malaria shot.
So what really happened. Sarah and I had been communicating with Salt Lake about a few things we saw, like no work getting done, and them sitting around and doing nothing. Or the missing supplies that had been donated and things they had been using for personal gain. Or even some discrepancies we found in financial endeavors. So on Friday we had a meeting with Nigatu where he asked for a day-to-day report of what they had accomplished the past week. Dejene, realizing that they had been caught, walked out and quit. Things got really sticky, but Sarah and I went to our new house Nigatu had found for us and packed up to leave for Addis early in the morning. Jennelle from Village of Hope came with us since there was room due to the fact that the day before they had found something wrong with the truck and needed to take it to Addis for repairs. On the way up we saw that someone had damaged the training center property and broken the cinder block fence....we all have no doubt that it was Dejene. So Nigatu stayed behind and we continued to Addis for the soccer game. We met the three boy interns in Debre Ziet and went to lunch and on the way to the soccer game Nigatu called. Meiso had refused to call the police and investigate the vandalism and had said he was also resigning.

Sarah and I had some decisions to make and after meeting with Nigatu Monday morning, we decided for our safety and his it was best to cancel the expedition the next week and for us to go home as soon as possible since threats had been made on our lives. Sarah and I were then sent to stay with the boys on their compound until things were further settled. Talking with Salt Lake proved frustrating as they refused to send us home and ignored all our arguments and pleadings. They were insistent that we stay in country, but remain with the boys or be moving permanently to the Addis office. Due to circumstances, Sarah was the one elected to go back to Arsi to fetch our things, and passports, etc. with Jenelle, Nigatu, the driver Tagay, and the accountant with her. She ran into trouble and our dear guard Gemedo turned on us and she barely got away and had to remain hidden at the Village of Hope while Nigatu attempted to do damage control as the community workers were breaking in homes and destroying the projects we had worked so hard to build. I was stuck on the boys compound with no money, no clothes, or anything, and had to just sit and wait for Sarah to contact me, and continue to attempt contacting Salt Lake about our removal. They still ignored me. On Thursday morning Sarah returned and had told me about the attack and even Wondu came to find her because there had been men looking for the "Americans" who intended to do us harm. Everyone blamed us for what happened. So Sarah and I called and switched our flights ourselves, figuring that if we could at least get to DC, we'd pay for the difference, it wasn't worth our lives, and we didn't know how much longer we'd be safe in Debre Ziet. We prepared to sneak out and didn't want any of the staff to know so they could not get in trouble. Right before we left we got an email from Sallee saying they'd switched our flights, and we believe it was because they had been informed that our flights had been changed and finally realized that we were leaving, and needed to save their own tales and agree to get us out. So Sarah and I took a bus up to Addis the next morning, did a bit of shopping for souvenirs and then left that night at 11pm. I have never been so relieved to take off in an airplane before.

So there you have it, the quick and easy version of the story. I am grateful to Nigatu and the boys and Kidane for protecting us and putting their own jobs on the line. The expedition went on, despite our pleas, but it was relocated and the schedule changed and it ended up going well. I miss the people and I miss the opportunity, but I know I can do so much more once I further my education. Now I'm in transition moving from Iowa to Kansas city, Kansas, and looking for a job. If you know of anyone that is in the medical field in that area I'd love to pass along my resume. I know the Lord sent me to Ethiopia for a reason and I am eternally grateful for the opportunity I had while there.

yes I'm back

So I know this may seem realy sudden that I'm back in the US, but it really isn't. Things have been going on in Ethiopia but I tried to keep it quiet because I didn't want to worry anyone. But I'm currently staying with my Grandma in DC and I'm now sure what my plans are from there. I'm still trying to adjust and to not cry. It is a lot harder to be back then I thought. I miss Ethiopia. I know I complained because it was hard, but there are things there that I can do, and work to be done, and I sort of feel like I could have done so much more. I know you are all expressing concern, but know I'm having a hard time and not really ready to talk quite yet. I'll write more about my adventures and fleeing the country for my life, but right now I just wanted you all to know I'm safe.

I love them, but sometimes they make it so hard!!

So sorry that I haven't been able to write in a week, but the precious time I do have on the computer has been devoted the past few days to working on PA school applications (in particular my essays) and my resume since I'm trying to apply now for jobs in Leavenworth, Kansas, so that when I get back at least my resume should be circulating, at least I hope. We'll see how it goes.

Anyways, things have been pretty eventful, as eventful as they come here I guess. After emailing and talking with some of the people in Salt Lake and telling them the truth about the ridiculous things that go on down here, the head country coordinator mad ea little trip these past few days to Arsi Negelle. In one day he has us a laptop, had them unlock the phone so we could dial out, found us a new house, figured things out with the car, and got us approved to get our licence and the company to pay for it, so we'll make a trip to the capital next weekend. Then in all the busy busy time, he also got us soccer tickets for a game next weekend!! yeah!! That was the one thing I for sure wanted to do while I was here, so check!!

Oh, and more about the crazy women we live with and these people, we constantly see one of the boys in his underwear now, more awkward for me I think. But the other night at midnight Bezeyehu went on another tirade and started knocking on Sarah's door waking us both up because her son had called and she was so excited she wanted us to talk to him. When we said we were going back to bed and started ignoring her, she kept knocking on Sarah's door and pacing the hall between our two rooms, for at least 20 min. Then they started throwing things at my room late at night to inform me that Wandu was there or that I should shut my window, even though I purposefully left it open. Or turning music on full blast at 5am. And even though we live with a guy who sounds just like Fozzy Bear, he is up laughing and talking right outside my window until very late some nights. And between the dogs barking all night long and the cow mooing back, and our poor guard having to sleep with the cows, we're so excited to leave. I can't take any more knocking on my door late at night to deliver any more notes from Wandu, upset that we don't have time for him, or people asking for money or help. In two days we had three people write us letters asking to sponsor them coming to the states, pay for their children's schooling, or help them find a place to live. All very good things and I'm trying, but my resources are stretched. Now I'm just trying to send them to other agencies that specialize in those things and make contacts for them, but it really does seem to consume all your time. Because I truly do want to help, but I can't financially back up all of Arsi Negelle. It is hard to explain how hard it is, to see good people, with real problems, and who truly are searching for help, but not being able to offer it to them. The resources just aren't here. Because there are good people here who work hard, but even with our guard, he spent his entire month's salary on a shot for his son who caught malaria. So then when these guys contact me saying they want to help and send 300 mosquito nets for only 5 U.S. Dollars per net and wants to know what colors they would like best I want to poke my eyes out. That is a months school tuition,or half of a month salary for a school teacher here. And that is for only one net, considering the families here have at least 5 children, some 10 or 11, that is a whole two months worth of food, if not more!!! The government gives out mosquito nets for free. So I talked to him and he is now looking into getting them transported to here from the capital, because they can't even afford to travel to pick up the free ones. It is hard...I just don't know how else to say it. You can't come in and save Africa. Learn the resources, get to know and love the people, and then see what you can do. Flying in and handing out medications that are just going to make them need more and not giving them a resource when they leave, or giving them one shot of a three shot series and having no follow up to make sure they can get those two other shots, just isn't plausible here.

We did visit Shakito's again, and I swear and need to learn the names of her nephews, because we of course had some more quality bonding time, I'm telling you they are cute!! If you don't believe me, I'll show you the pictures when I get home. She did make this wonderful flat bread that you eat with some cooked spinach and it was divine.


On Friday we taught the first class at the Village of Hope to the little kids, there were I think 9 of them there. And they were so cute talking about Germi Germs and how bad they were and then I did a little presentation where I covered my hands in honey and then shook their hands and used a door and wrote with a pen, and touched their faces, so they could see everything they touch leaves behind germs when they don't wash their hands. Then they colored their own germs and we put them up where they needed to be reminded the most to wash their hands. Those kids really are cute and I love them. Then we went to Shashemene with Jenelle and Steff and had a grand old time since I had an upset stomach again while they ate things such as raw meat and apparently this kidney and liver wat they said tasted like baby barf. As you can tell I'm really sorry I missed it. However, we did visit the Rastafarian end of town and go to a bakery and have the best Guava and Mango Juice (if you ever to make it to Ethiopia please try their fruit juices, they are the best!). While we were sitting guys kept coming up to Steff (she is 35 and just as sweet as ever, but you can tell she is the older one in the group) and one even offered her some weed. However, she thought he said wheat and went on about how we don't cook and perhaps sometimes she'll take him up on it when we want to bake. Then he started pulling some out of his jacket and we all died laughing because she had no idea he meant weed. Oh Steff. You have to meet her to understand, but she has ADD and even today walking back from church went from singing "Mambo Number 5" and in one line was singing a primary song about praying, and then the next line was singing song from Les Mis. Speaking of which, I finished book 4 in the "Wheel of Time" and am now taking a break and attaching the unabridged Les Mis, little did I know what I was getting myself into!

We did go visit our new friend, the local nurse here, Zabidar, and her husband (who also owns one of the local schools) Fikade on Saturday for lunch, and I'm not kidding, it was for certain the best food I've had here. I couldn't get enough of it and it was very hard to control going back for more. Shikito's spinach didn't even come close. The only problem is when I asked them what it was called and how to make it they just said it was roasted meat wat and you just roast the meat. They just don't do recipes here and it drives me crazy sometimes!! but the beats and sweet potatoes and carrots, it was so nice to eat a well rounded meal!! They are such an amazing family and I can't express how much I appreciate all they have done for us. We will be teaching a biology class in two weeks and he is teaching us Amharic and we are already learning how to read it. They really do remind me about why I'm here and how I can help those who are in need, trust me they are the perfect example of giving people. Between her clinic and his school they cover most of the people here.

I still get mobbed every day and people scream "you! money!" or "Where are you go?" non-stop, but yesterday while walking the market I decided that somethings had to change, and it is probably me. This women started following me and kept showing me her shoes, and grabbing my coat and wouldn't go away and multiple times she pointed at shoes and said money, trying to get me to buy her a new pair. After trying countless times to get her to leave me alone I just gave up and she followed us around the market for at least 20 min. When we were leaving she made her way to Sarah and when Sarah saw her foot she had our friend translate trying to help her since the women had Elephantitis. However, no matter what help or advice Sarah offered she wouldn't listen and just kept saying her husband was poor and wanted money from us. It is just so hard for me to see people in need and for us to try to help them, and helping them take care of themselves, but for them to not even listen past the part when we say we won't give them money. Not to mention that by the time we had finished our 2 min conversation we had caused a traffic jam and were surrounded by 30 people, young and old and couldn't even move to try and get out. If you stop anywhere here to talk to someone, they get so nosey, and even though they can't understand they push you out of the way and little kids butte into the middle of the circle because they want to see what is so interesting. They just don't have any sense what-so-ever of space and today talking with a friend I almost lost it when a guy just came up and put his arm around me and just listened. But thank goodness for moms. When I told mom how frustrated I was about not getting anything done and our projects falling apart and the people not wanting help, she reminded me that even if I don't "save lives" or have an influence, the greatest thing is that I became stronger and am a better person for it. See, moms are great!