Progress!

Dear Family and Friends,

I am in my second week here in Adigrat. Things are going fine. It is exam time for the students and so I cannot spend as much time with them as I have in the past. I only spend my teaching time on the flute students. Which by the way are doing fantastic. I can't believe their progress. In one week they have moved to new music. They have become sight reading feens and I am so very proud of them. I continue to give them my curriculum and I believe I won't need to come back here for sometime becuase of their successful progress. it is that good!!!

I'm doing fine. Today I go with Sr. Mary to a village called Gola. I will help her teach English songs to the students there and I will also help her with the child-headed household students she is working with. They are getting ready to open up a restaurant and we have decided to have them sell something entirely different in Ethiopia. They are going to make and sell panini's and french fries. I believe this will give them more attention and business than any other restuaruant in Adigrat.

The only sad thing I have right now is that I cannot spend my time with the beautfiul children of St. Lucy's school. So many of them come to me and ask why I'm not coming to their classroom to teach them more English and songs. I have to tell them that their director wants them to only focus on their exams. I respect this and I can't wait for exams to be over with so I can play with these children again.

i hope all is well in America. Things are going ok with the election in Ethiopia. To hear more about it go to BBC as they are broadcasting the election. So far no problems in Adigrat. Thank you all for your prayers.

Love to everyone. I miss all of you very much.

Celine

1st week back

Dear Family and Friends,

Greetings from Adigrat. I arrived here by Monday afternoon. the travel was very long and exhausting this time around. when I got to St. Lucy's school the children ran out to greet me and chanted my name "Celine, Celine!!" I received more kisses and hugs than one can get in a lifetime. I am so welcomed here it is the most wonderful thing.

I greeted the teachers and nuns with warm hugs and kisses too.

It is a strange time here in Ethiopia. It is their election year and there is some turmoil in the country. There have been some fighting with shootings and bombs that have gone on. I've only heard shooting in Adigrat but I've heard of the bombs that are going on throughout the country. I've been told by the teachers, priests and nuns to not go out this weekend during the actual election. There might be much fighting going on depending on what party is elected into office. This is the kind of stuff you hear on the news. I've never thought I would live in an environment and experience it. It is a little scary for me right now. I stay close by the sisters and priest and I pray for all our lives daily. It is that scary. The sisters have had to lock the compound by dusk everyday. Abba Tesfay told me not to go out unless I am with one of the nuns or priests just because that will assure my safety. Even after the election, if its not a good one their could be more shooting and bombings for a time to come. The American Embassy will have to get me out of Ethiopia if that becomes the case. Please pray for me, for the children, the teachers, nuns, and priests and all that live here peacefully in Ethiopia.

While I do go out, it doesn't seem bad actually normal but at night I've heard the gun fire and so I know it's going on.

On the lighter side of things my flute class is absolutely excellent. I can't believe how much they have improved in their playing. Yesterday I gave them new music and they sight read it without one mistake. I was so impressed. I brought a baton and began conducting class with Seyoum, Johannes, and Abel so they can continue to direct the flute class.

Due to the time of year only the top students of the flute class can stay in it. This is becuase some of the children are not doing well getting prepared for exams. So currently I only have about 20 students. But this is nice and very relaxing for me to teach. I'm not so tired from all the students I have. The others will come back after their exams and hopefully if all goes peacefully in Ethiopia I can teach them throughout the summer.

Also because everything that is going on, in July I cannot live on my own in town. So I have to go on the retreat with the sisters. This is going to be a challenge for me not to talk for eight days but will probably be a good soul cleanser. So Therese, be happy, I'm sacrificing!!! I know you're super happy to read this.

I've got to go. My escort is waiting on me and I've made him wait a long time as I use the internet in the internet cafe. I love all of you very much. I send everyone big kisses and hugs.

Love to all and God Bless,

Celine

I have arrived safely!

Dear Family and Friends,

After a very long journey I am hear in Addis Ababa once again. I am so happy to be back in Ethiopia. I danced a jig when my plane landed and the pilot said "welcome to Addis Ababa". Yeah!!!!! I thought. I cannot wait to see all of my beautiful Ethiopian family and friends again. I have missed all of you so much. I cannot wait to especially hug the children again and teach more flute to them.

My plane ride was especially long this time. The flight to Addis was delayed in Amsterdam and I had to wait and wait. All of you who have taken this flight know how torterous it is to wait for that final flight into Addis from Amsterdam. I couldn't sleep for 2 days prior to leaving due to excitement so I was running on 4 days of no sleep. Keeping my eyes open while waiting for the plane to come was well to say a true trial. As soon as I got settled into my seat and laid my head down, well that's all I could remember, I woke up several hours later because my food was put in front of me. It was so hard to try and eat. I finished what I coud and fell back fast asleep until we were desending into Khartoum. I met a beautiful lady who studies in Brussels but was coming home for holiday to see her family. She and I visited until the plane landed and she had to get off. She loved learning about my school in Ethiopia and asked if I could come to Khartoum to teach their too! I told her I would love to do such a thing.

I fell back asleep until it was time to land in Addis. I was so exhasuted. I then got through customs and met up with SR LETTE!!!! It was fanstastic to see her. I will be very sad to not have her in the Adigrat house I will miss her very much in my stay. But I'm anxious to see everyone else in Adigrat.

Please pray I have a safe trip to Mekele. It is this trip that makes things difficult going through Ethiopian Airlines. But I pray all will go well.

I love all of you very much. I can't wait to see what comes of this next trip as it's my last one for a while. Please be watching for the blog as I update it.

Thank you,

Celine