Our school director Brad is a bit of a birdwatcher (I’d call him a “twitcher” but he isn’t, and anyway that would be a bit rude – see here for an explanation). He’s combined this with being a keen photographer and has some superb pictures. He’s convinced I shall develop into a birdwatcher too, as my curiosity gets the better of me sometimes as I just have to find out what that bird that just hopped into my lounge and is pecking around on our carpet is called (a “Brown-rumped Seedeater” I think…)  It’s very difficult to resist wondering what a bird is called when they are all around me and they all look different from anything I’ve ever seen in the UK. Even the pigeons.

Our plan was to attend our church in Addis Ababa prior to travelling down to a holiday resort by a lake 3-4 hours drive out of the city. After the service we had an unexpected meeting with Gary and Peggy Ifft. We had first met them in 2007 (when they and Phil worked at the Korean Hospital in Addis). A chat over coffee in a nearby cafe led to us travelling behind them to their home in Ziway - a small rural town on our route. We left with a promise to call in on our return. We learnt that they arrived in Ziway through contact with an elder of the local Miserete Kristos Church in Ziway. A subsequent meeting with the church elders confirmed that there were various development needs in the area, ideal for a visionary couple who were experienced in working on a range of projects within Ethiopia.

“You’ll be fine” he said smiling as we finished up breakfast together, “but it will change your life!” Nathan was right - he wasn’t the first person to say so either.

Both kindergarten classes had been learning about life cycles, so we wanted to give the children a good experience to enhance this. We chose Sabahar, where moths are bred for their silk, and planned a half day trip. My teaching friends may like to spot how many UK health and safety regulations we would have contravened!