Hospitality Ethiopian Style

Tsion preparing the coffee ceremony

Today was Sunday so we attended church with our friend Genaye at the International Evangelical Church, where her parents attend. The IEC was launched 40 years ago to minister to missionaries, diplomats and other foreigners in Addis Ababa, as well as the local community. The service is completely in English, and the guest preacher was a Texan who was part of a Dallas Theological Seminary training at the church, so it felt like home. We were actually a bit disappointed since we had been anticipating experiencing something new, but it was a very nice service all the same.

Worship at International Evangelical Church

After the service, we were invited to lunch at Genaye's house. We know her mother, Tsion, fairly well, since Tsion has visited Sacramento several times to see her other daughter, Selam. Tsion made us a feast of Ethiopian food for lunch -- about 10 dishes in all. Then she brought out a giant object wrapped in a towel, which ended up being dufo dabo, a traditional Ethiopian bread. According to tradition, our family had to gather round the bread, put our hands on the handle of a long knife and make the first cut. I didn't catch the meaning of the tradition, but it was done with great fanfare. 

Cutting the dufo dabo

Then Tsion went through the Ethiopian coffee ceremony, which includes popping popcorn, lighting incense and heating the water and coffee grounds in a special pot over an open flame. The resulting brew is rich and thick and served in small espresso cups to be sipped and savored -- preferable with a lot of sugar. Like everything in Ethiopian life, the process is slow and patient, and Tsion told us the tradition is to serve three rounds of coffee to guests, the third one called the "blessing." So we enjoyed the coffee and the company.

Tsion and her husband are utterly delightful people who have lived a very full life. Tsion, especially, is a force of nature in her joy and vitality, and in the ways she serves her church and community. Right now, she is helping several handicapped people with their bathing each week. She is also putting several orphan children through boarding school and having them live in her home over breaks. And she has her own little soup kitchen where hungry people from the street can line up at her door for a meal. I love her spirit and admire her energy, so it was a privilege to spend time with her and her family.

Some cuddle time with Genaye's puppy. Most Ethiopian dogs are used as
guard dogs and can't be petted, but this little guy was friendly.

We were very full and satisfied after that meal, but then we got in the van and headed to dinner at Mamusha and Leke's home. As you may recall, Pastor Mamusha is involved with Equip ministries, pastors a church and travels the world speaking to churches and groups. He will be one of our African visiting preachers this summer. Leke served another large meal of Ethiopian food but we could barely fit another bite, so we just nibbled. We had a very interesting conversation, including much discussion about the recent coup attempt and assassinations. We feel so fortunate to be able to spend time with so many dynamic Christians and learn about their culture and country from them.