In country, and grateful that the periodic gentle rains have kept it cool and comfortable. We landed briefly in Khartoum. Looking out the window as our altitude lowered, I swear the countryside looked like Kansas without the glitz. And then there was the Nile, of course, winding across the fields of green and gold. Into Ethiopia; landing at night is the great urban equalizer. They all look like the emerald city when you land amidst the light.
Morning takes us to the Mother Child Rehabilitation Center, where our students have been serving for the past week. Juta, the founder and chief, is a fierce German woman who clearly has a fire in the belly for these lost women and children. They serve homeless women with children, victims of violence, rape and abuse, and the children no one wants or cares for. Many of the babies are rescued from mothers ready to kill or sell them, particularly when they are the result of rape. J
uta takes them all in, educates them, provides them with shelter, protects them from abusers, and gives them the therapy they need. We watch three interpretive dances from the dance therapy class -- these were some talented young people, their dances were moving and hopeful. It was followed by circus therapy -- yes, you have that right. Tumbling, jumping, scaring us all that they would fall off the mattresses that served as their mats. We toured the compound, where women are taught to sew, children are schooled, illnesses are treated, and souls are soothed. Our students' work was evident everywhere -- charts on the wall helping the kids understand how to stay well, and showing their parents what normal development should be. Once again, I am struck by the resilience of children and the generosity of strangers. Yuta had us to her home for lunch, an elaborate and gracious affair complete with china, four courses of wonderful food, and great conversation. I asked her what inspired her to do this work. "Have you looked around here?" she responded simply.
Will meet with Dr. Rick Hodes tonight, and since the only internet I have is here in the hotel, may post before we leave for Project Mercy tomorrow. Stay tuned.
The morning starts with home visits with the local environmental scientist -- the Ethiopian version of a public health worker. His mission: to get each home to dig a latrine so that their drinking water is not contaminated with waste. We drive off the main road, then get out and walk, the mud sucking at our shoes. The first home is considered a model of environmental responsibility. They've not only dug a latrine, they've dug trenches to capture methane from their livestock's dung to use as cooking fuel. Wow, just writing that makes me realize how different life is here. They are gracious and in the midst of a coffee ceremony; they ask us questions about our homes, where we get water, where we keep our livestock. We walk on, to another home, where the owner looks at us sheepishly. She is in the midst of stocking her still, making corn whiskey. We ask her where she sells it. "In my living room, here," she responds. Ahhh, so we are in a bar! No wonder she can afford to have a three room house.
The students continue their work, doing physicals, treating kids and faculty, working at the hospital. In the evening, we ask about their reaction to the experience. They have the same questions I ask myself. "Am I doing any good here? Can the little bit we do actually help in any way?" I remind them that we don't call these helping trips, or charity - we call them service learning. We're here to serve and to learn in equal parts. I'm reminded of Matt's chemistry lecture. When substances meet up, sometimes hydronium ions go one way, sometimes the other way, sometimes both ways. The arrows here go to and from our students to those they serve, and it won't always balance out. We end the evening with another chemistry experiment -- Gina has attempted to make cookies for Jen's birthday using oatmeal, peanut butter, and peanut M&M's. We considered the experiment a success. Back to pack tonight, to that long, long trip back over the pond. This adventure is coming to a close. Until the next one...stay tuned. 
