Day 5!!

Today was a wonderful and refreshing day. We started off the morning with a delicious breakfast on an overlook with a fantastic view of the mountains and village around us. We saw the local women and children walking up to the city from their small villages and farms and Jamie happened to spot a little monkey too! We ate our delicious omelets, porridge, with plenty of coffee and spiced tea. Afterwards we drove back over to the 900+ year old churches here in Lalibela. 

There we were guided through steep staircases, dark rooms and small tunnels (which was a little tough for the claustrophobic peeps like me). We learned the significance of each design in the architecture and how it related to Christianity as a whole. As we continued throughout the churches, we had the opportunity to see the several intricate paintings and tapestries within the churches. These showed the history of the Bible including Jesus’ Baptism and the healing of Lazarus. 

While walking to one of the churches, we had the chance to go through the village and talk to some of the locals and get to know a little about them. 

After a break for lunch and a much needed nap, we went right back and continued our tour. Not after long, it started to downpour, making it difficult to traverse along the slippery rocks throughout the historical site. So we decided to call it and head over to our guide, Muliay’s, house. While we were there, we got to emerge ourselves in the daily lives of the Ethiopian people. We had the opportunity to prepare and cook up some injera, shiro, beef tibs, and many other traditional Ethiopian foods. It was surprisingly difficult to prepare many of these dishes. Let’s just say our team’s (*cough* *cough* maybe just my) vegetable chopping skills may need some improvement. After we gathered back together and stuffed ourselves with the most delicious homemade meal (made by us!!), I had the most amazing opportunity to serve Ethiopian coffee to my team. Our guide’s wife helped me into one of her traditional “coffee pourer” gowns (I have no clue what to call it). And I poured up some good ol’ cups of joe for the whole team. This coffee was thick, dark, strong, and delicious. Probably one of, if not the best cups of coffee I’ve ever had. 

Overall today was a fantastic day. It was super chill, but we accomplished a ton! We explored more of the Ethiopian culture, and history, and had amazing bonding time as a team. I’m am so thankful for a good day with good food, a good team, and a good God who allowed all of this to be possible. 

With gratitude, Alianna Rathke

PS: prayers specifically for the health of the team would be greatly appreciated in this time.