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	A letter from Michael and Rachel Weller in Ethiopia

	November 5, 2002 Dear Friends, During this past year while we were on interpretation assignment in the U.S., we traveled long distances in a car several times. Recently we piled into a car here for a long trip, but this time no one was writing anything as we drove, no one read, no one even drank a cup of coffee. The only thing one can do in a car in Ethiopia is pay attention to the road and brace yourself for the bumps and jolts. The lack of billboards allows for wonderful scenery gazing but is a distinct disadvantage when playing the alphabet game. Never mind, though, the kids came up with another game: counting NGLs––Neon Green Ladies. The apparent overstock of neon green fabric in the stores provided an interesting way to pass the time for an hour or so.

	"The only thing one can do in a car in Ethiopia is pay attention to the road and brace yourself for the bumps and jolts."		After two days, we were all happy to arrive in Dembi Dollo. The news spread quickly that we were back. Many people came to the house to greet us. Tarja (I won't even attempt her last name), the Finnish missionary who has been living in our house and taking good care of Stormy, our dog, even stoked up the fire in the sauna to refresh us after the 600 kilometers (about 400 miles). It is always good to return home, which is, after all, where the heart is.

	I (Rachel) enjoyed seeing the work my friend Gonfa was doing along with other women of the Synod. They have organized themselves to try to begin dealing with the problems that will be facing the community when the AIDS epidemic reaches its peak in a few years. AIDS is talked about in many official ways in Dembi Dollo, and in Ethiopia in general, but rarely in a personal way. Because of the shortage of test kits, all over the country people die of all kinds of diseases, but rarely is it spoken that someone died of AIDS, though to many it is obvious. Gonfa and the other women are attempting to break the barriers that keep people from talking openly and honestly about the disease. They are trying to work out how to help people financially without making it a lucrative business to have the disease. They want to show God's love in a tangible way. I am glad to be a part of this group even though I don't live in the community at this time. Gonfa and the women of Western Wollega Bethel Synod will certainly make a difference.

	Michael was greeted by his friends from the Majangir community, a six-hour walk from Dembi Dollo. They had heard he had come back and was planning to spend significant amounts of time living with them in their village. Takalegn expresses the eagerness of the community for him to be with them. There is a lot to do in that community. The nearest health facility is three hours away by foot. The school functions sporadically at best. The rich soil is difficult to plough and oxen don't survive long in the tse-tse-fly-infested grasslands. The church is growing, though there is no building in which to meet and no pastor to lead it. (Stay tuned for the next newsletter— Michael will write of his time there.)				"AIDS is talked about in many official ways in Dembi Dollo, and in Ethiopia in general, but rarely in a personal way."

	A week later, the kids and I made the long dusty trip again, returning to Addis Ababa. Thomas and Lydia had classes to get back to, I had language school to continue, and Amira had her studies to tend to. Michael stayed there. The separation will not be easy. (Some say the reunion may be tougher.) But this seems to be the best way to continue to support the church in Dembi Dollo and to allow our children the education that they need. Of course, Brian was not with us because he is in school in Kenya. We look forward to his return to Ethiopia the end of November. Please pray for Gonfa, Tarja, and the women of the church for Takalegn, Michael, and Mitiku as they guide the Majangir community for Ethiopia as it anticipates another devastating famine. Rachel, for the Weller family The 2002 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 32

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