I have now been back in the United States for 14 days. I am looking for work and feel lost most of the time. I spent my 34th birthday on an interview. I guess that makes me all grown up. Touring hospitals with the best of the best, well, it leaves me quiet. I don’t even know what to say. I find myself looking up Ethiopian restaurants in the area, even though it isn’t on my list of favorite foods. I hear someone speak Spanish, I understand, but I respond in Amharic. Part of my heart stayed in Ethiopia. I am looking for work that will allow me to return to Ethiopia each year. I, honestly, have been surprised how open practices have been to this. America, we may not be ready for each other, but here I am beginning over again.
When I left Ethiopia, the library projects were not quite finished, but now they are!!!!
Books on shelves. Quiet, well maybe not so quiet, rooms. Story after story waiting to be told. I want to take this time to RAVE about Daniel Thornton and the library projects he has now finished. When I wrote and asked for donations for two schools, well, Daniel had enough books and was savvy with donations, he was able to put together three libraries. I will let the pictures tell the stories….
Abiyot Chora School Library
Before
In The Making
NOW!!!
Otona School Library- The Library Built From Scratch
The Markato School- Enough Books for a THIRD School!!!
All I can do is say thank you! Thank you Daniel for getting all of this organized. Thank you Zeleka for building a library. Thank you to the students for helping move all the books and furniture, painting and having a desire to learn. Thank you teachers for taking the time to teach the children. And thank you to all who donated financially to make this possible! The project may be finished, but this is just the beginning for the children.
Of the 4 projects I presented to you in October through December, three are now completed. The ones completed are the libraries, the fetal monitoring, and the Bajaj. The projects are done, but the funding hasn’t completely covered all of the costs. I have put in about $2500 that has not yet been covered. I would love to just be able to do all of these projects and more on my own, but it just isn’t possible at this time. Once I am working, I will be doing the project for cervical cancer screening, if the funding doesn’t come in before that time. My project accounts will stay open, so if you want to donate or continue to donate, you can. I will let you all know when the projects are paid for or if I have another project on the horizon. I cannot thank you enough for all you have done for the people of Soddo!!!
Steph, you continue to amaze me!!! I hope your adjustment period will continue to get easier, and I hope to see your beautiful happy face in person sometime soon 🙂
Steph, Thanks so much for sharing the pictures of the libraries. What an amazing gift to the children and future of Ethiopia. The gift of literacy opens up all new possibilities for life here on earth as well as the ability to discover the written stories of God’s love and hope for their lives. And Daniel, if you are reading this, you are an amazing man. God bless you as you continue doing what your heart has called you to do. I’m so glad I got to meet you.
You make me proud my friend.
Welcome back, Steph! I trust you find something here that can make you happy. I fully understand feeling as if a part of you is left in Soddo, and wishing more could be done for them.
Libraries look great! So excited that you are leaving the project accounts open. My dad’s Christmas gift was to be a bajaj investor and he was hoping to help with something else for his birthday. It is such a blessing to be able to be involved in the ministry even from afar. Prayers for your adjustment. You will always be high on my list of most amazing women ever!
Make sure and tell your dad thanks! I just got the update a few days ago on the account. Didn’t recognize your name because it was Rebecca. My mom is a Becky/Rebecca. Call me a genius. If you could send me your dad’s address (hailstephanie@hotmail.com), I will make sure and get a thank you card to him.
I loved your post and information on the library. Wow! Amazing! Are the books in Amharic, English or both?
The books are all in English. They are supposed to be about Kindergarten to 3rd grade, if I recall correctly. They are learning English from Kindergarten, so we are hoping this will really make a difference!
Hi Steph, welcome back to culture shock. Shock #1 is seeing all the best of the best. #2 unfortunately is hearing people complain of minor trivial problems when they have the best.
My mom and sister got bajaj investments for Christmas. I still have to get them some Picts to show just what that invested in Praying that God will show you where He wants you at this time
I will ask someone to send me some pictures so that I can post them online and I will get some sent to you. Tell them THANK YOU!!!
No, Thank you. I meant I was going to look up bajaj pictures online and show them. But if you send some that would be great. Where are you checking out practices?
Thank you so much Stephanie. I feel your sadness and disorientation. But what a legacy you have built already. We all remember the pictures and the stories. You are an inspiration. These pictures are so beautiful. What a wonderful way to leave your love too! We’re excited to see what God will do with this marvelous beginning. Thank you!
Steph, I am sure the adjustment has been a big change for you. I hope and pray that your new journey takes you to a place where they appreciate you as much as the villagers of Wolayito Sodo Ethiopia do. I know Daniel is a much better person having known and met you. I would like to RAVE about you and to tell you how much I appreciate all the support and encouragement you gave to my son Daniel. Thank you for your kindness, thank you for your “dinners” you prepared for him, thank you for being his cheerleader through the building and funding of these libraries, and thank you for the renovation funding. As a mother, I bless you from the bottom of my heart. I hope we can meet someday. Our home is always open to you whenever you desire to visit us.