By Dick Moeller

Just before our breakfast, the group made its way to the high point of the Gheralta Lodge. One of the most pleasing scenic views includes the rather large rocks which are on one side of the property. It was to these rocks that Jim led the group for the daily devotions.

Sitting in a natural formation of the rocks, the group heard Jim provide a reading about the significance of altars to the church, their meaning and structure. The activity accompanying this devotion asked the participants to consider a person, living or dead, who had meaning for them in their and others’ faith. Each person wandered the area, selecting a rock which could represent that faith-person, bring it back and each tell his or her story while adding the rock to the accumulating pile. The bonding of the group was strengthened as we heard wonderfully moving stories, and ended by singing “Built on the Rock.”
After breakfast, we begin our four hour drive to Mekele. In addition to Lalibella, this area is also known for rock hewn churches. There are more than 125 of the churches in the Tigray region alone.

We stop at one of the best known in the area, Wukro Cherkeos, shown above. Legend has it that the church was constructed in the 4th century AD, but historians believe it was constructed in the 9th century AD. It is a small church, built on the side of a stone mountain. The back of the church is attached directly to the mountain, with the front part, where the worshipers stand is carved out of the mountain.
After arriving in Mekele, we stop by the hotel to drop off our luggage, before proceeding to the field with our REST partners to visit 3 communities (May Ere, Mai Kitana Mihret and Kulha) with finished projects.

As we arrive at the first site, Mai Kitana Mihret, we meet the full force of the coming rainy season. We have been blessed along the way thus far on our jouney that the rain has not affected our community visits…not so today. We get a down pour….which the farmers in the area are loving! You can see from the picture above, it looks slightly fuzzy….thats because it was taken through the heavy rain. The rain didn’t dampen the spirits of the community. In spite of being a bit drenched, their warm, welcoming hospitality soon had us forgetting about the rain and joining in the clapping and dancing.
After completing our second site visit, the rain eases up abit and changes into a steady drizzle, so we head on the third site, Mai Ere.

On the path to the water project, we come face to face with a stark reminder of the blessing of clean water. We walk past the community’s prior water collection site, which is partially dried up creek bed, were the water has turn to brackish green. Up until 4 months ago, this was the community’s primary water source, which was shared by the area livestock…..now they can walk right past it to a clean, sustainable water source!

 By Dick Moeller

Just before our breakfast, the group made its way to the high point of the Gheralta Lodge. One of the most pleasing scenic views includes the rather large rocks which are on one side of the property. It was to these rocks that Jim led the group for the daily devotions.

Sitting in a natural formation of the rocks, the group heard Jim provide a reading about the significance of altars to the church, their meaning and structure. The activity accompanying this devotion asked the participants to consider a person, living or dead, who had meaning for them in their and others’ faith. Each person wandered the area, selecting a rock which could represent that faith-person, bring it back and each tell his or her story while adding the rock to the accumulating pile. The bonding of the group was strengthened as we heard wonderfully moving stories, and ended by singing “Built on the Rock.”
After breakfast, we begin our four hour drive to Mekele. In addition to Lalibella, this area is also known for rock hewn churches. There are more than 125 of the churches in the Tigray region alone.

We stop at one of the best known in the area, Wukro Cherkeos, shown above. Legend has it that the church was constructed in the 4th century AD, but historians believe it was constructed in the 9th century AD. It is a small church, built on the side of a stone mountain. The back of the church is attached directly to the mountain, with the front part, where the worshipers stand is carved out of the mountain.
After arriving in Mekele, we stop by the hotel to drop off our luggage, before proceeding to the field with our REST partners to visit 3 communities (May Ere, Mai Kitana Mihret and Kulha) with finished projects.

As we arrive at the first site, Mai Kitana Mihret, we meet the full force of the coming rainy season. We have been blessed along the way thus far on our jouney that the rain has not affected our community visits…not so today. We get a down pour….which the farmers in the area are loving! You can see from the picture above, it looks slightly fuzzy….thats because it was taken through the heavy rain. The rain didn’t dampen the spirits of the community. In spite of being a bit drenched, their warm, welcoming hospitality soon had us forgetting about the rain and joining in the clapping and dancing.
After completing our second site visit, the rain eases up abit and changes into a steady drizzle, so we head on the third site, Mai Ere.

On the path to the water project, we come face to face with a stark reminder of the blessing of clean water. We walk past the community’s prior water collection site, which is partially dried up creek bed, were the water has turn to brackish green. Up until 4 months ago, this was the community’s primary water source, which was shared by the area livestock…..now they can walk right past it to a clean, sustainable water source!