Return to Ethiopia!

After 3 months of "R&R" in the US, it's time to go back to work!  On Monday, February 21 I fly back to Ethiopia.  This will be my fourth trip there with Lifewater International since 2008, and my third on the current project since February 2010.  During the first week, I'll be visiting project communities with Lifewater's project manager, Kiera, and East Africa director, Zerihun.  We'll be assessing the progress made on the project objectives.  I've been longing to make this trip, because I finally get to visit the communities where my friends from this project work, and to see first hand the impact they've already made in the lives of the people there.  The remainder of the trip will be preparation for and conducting the fifth round of training for this group of participants.  The topics will be Safe Fecal Disposal and Keeping Water Safe.  The cool thing about these trainings is that we're modeling training techniques, and the participants will all get the chance to be the trainers in a nearby community, perhaps the same one where they built model latrines on our last trip.  Of course, it will also be a chance to deepen the already strong bonds of friendship I have with so many of these people, and to continue to share the love of Jesus with all of them. 

I'll be team leader for this training, and the rest of the team will be Judy Wood (my dear friend from my February 2010 trip) as lead trainer, and Bob and Cindy Zahner as the "designated rookies".  Please pray for us as and the participants as we all prepare for this adventure.  This will be my longest trip yet (29 days), so please pray for Cindy, too, as she has to add household management, dog care, etc. to her already full plate.  Besides, who knows, she might miss me, too!

I'll post again before I leave, and will post updates from the field when I have the chance (not very likely during the first week, as we'll be in the most remote areas I've ever visited.)  God bless you all, and thanks so much for your prayers, support, and love.