New Year's Eve - Joel's Day of Courage

I grew up bringing in the new year with fireworks. My dad bought a box or two and no matter how cold it was outside, he would set them off. I remember always feeling somewhat fearful that one would go off before my dad left the scene. Then we all run around outside with sparklers shouting happy new year.

But here in Gesses, New Years' has been more of a time of reflection. A time to reflect on our calling. A time to reflect on whether we still believe in what we do and where we live. A time to reflect on the past, present and the future.

This year, we were looking forward to hosting another missionary family that work with the Gumuz people. We were all anticipating good food, fellowship and seeing in the New Year with some games and fun and a big bonfire eating traditional New Years' Cookies.

Dec 30, Tuesday Joel headed off to the Gumuz boy's Bible soccer club as usual.  Rolf joined him as he wanted to take some pictures and also needed to meet with the leaders during scrimmage time.   We are thankful he was there.  After an hour, Joel fell backwards landing on his wrist.  It was immediately obvious that his wrist/lower arm was broken and they headed home.

          an hour before his accident

Thanks to a great mission, many different people in SIM helped by making a flight booking, arranging guesthouse booking, calling the SIM doctor who referred them to the Cure hospital and offered to host the girls and I for the night in Bahir Dar.  Without all that extra support, I would have had to make numerous phone calls with difficult network.  The Cure doctor even called me to ask questions and give advice until they arrived in Addis.

So instead of planning a New Year's party, I was splinting a broken wrist, preparing and packing for a road trip.  After about 3 hours of sleep, we left Gesses at 6am,  travelling 4.5 hours on bumpy, dusty roads so that Rolf and Joel could make the 1 pm flight to Addis.  After checking in at 11:30am, they flew out at 1pm and they made it to the Cure hospital around 3pm where they were expecting him,

  

at Bahir Dar airport en route to Addis Ababa (45 minute flight)

While Joel was facing his fear of needles and particularly an I.V. needle, we were at a very, very cold swimming pool catching colds.  Joel faced his fear with courage and we are proud of him!  Because they had to set his wrist, they put him under and then cast it.  

Meanwhile, the girls and I spent New Year's Eve at the Coleman's home (another SIM Canadian family who live in Bahir Dar).  Since the Coleman family also enjoy New Year's Cookies as part of their tradition, we did manage to get that one tradition in.  

 

So our New Year ended with Joel's Day of Courage and began looking forward to our reunion.  Rolf and Joel just got off the plane and now we are heading back to Gesses!