The best kind of coffee ceremony...

When we arrived at Kolfe, Sunday after church,

I noticed that Emnatu's bed had been

turned sideways, and there was a 

bag of grass on the floor by his bed.

(more on this later)

  I wanted to ask what was going on,

but there wasn't time for answers,

because we were ushered into Room One

for another Graduation Ceremony...

 This one put on and attended by only the boys. 



Solomon



There is a deep, deep pride

that runs through Kolfe, when one of them

achieves something academically.

Academic achievement

is key to an orphan's future.

Solomon (above) wasn't a graduate,

but they had him "fill in" for a boy

who wasn't at the ceremony.

At first, I thought this was odd,

 but then realized that

the boys were so proud of Yonas,

 that they just wanted to be able

 to say  it publicly, even if he

 wasn't there.  There was fendisha

 and crackers, cake and soda

 for the graduates and a few

select others, and

 a traditional Ethiopian drink,

 and speeches... this one didn't

 bother me so much,

 since it was just the kids...

but I did make them

 uncomfortable again by crying a bit.

Crazy American woman...

Sunday evening, the boys threw a

traditional Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony.
"Ethiopia's coffee ceremony
 is an integral part
of their social and cultural life.
An invitation to
attend a coffee ceremony is
considered a mark of
friendship or respect
and is an excellent
example of Ethiopian hospitality."
~ Emily D*oyle

Gizachew, master of the ceremony

This was an honor that I didn't take lightly,

even though I had been thoroughly

stuffed that day.

Breakfast at the guest home,

lunch at the restaurant,

cake, popcorn, crackers and soda at the

graduation ceremony in room 1,

and then this...

After not eating much all week,

I felt like I was being stuffed like a pig.

Sacrifice was the word that kept coming

to mind as they boys struggled

 to get the loose wires on

the heating element to connect so that

the coffee could be prepared.

Sacrifice... they do so much of this.

These boys share everything,

and sacrifice much

to make others feel loved,

welcomed and treasured.

 - - -

Emnatu's bed was moved,

the grass collected...

because they once again were

preparing to sacrifice...

 - - - -

How often do we give

abundantly

 out of our wealth?

 - - -

That's what I love about the Ethiopian people,

 and honestly, Africans in general.

 (our Burundi friends are no different)

They have it figured out,

while we still hold on tight to what

isn't even our's to begin with.

Command those who are rich

in this present world

not to be arrogant

nor to put their

hope in wealth,

which is so uncertain,

but to put their hope in

God, who richly

provides us with everything

for our enjoyment.

~ 1 Timothy 6:17



You can see the traditional grass on the floor,

and the classic Ethiopian coffee set up...

and Biruk, trying to hog the fendisha!

Some of the crew.. I love these kids.

I looked up from my skirt

full of popcorn at one point,

to see that 7 boys had entered the room,

most of whom I hadn't spent much time with

standing with their arms linked and

looking like they were up to something.

They made me laugh as they proceeded to

 do a choreographed
dance/cheer routine for me.

I guess they had thought of everything. :o)

Tamrat, Emnatu, and Ephrem

Funny story...

 I actually HATE coffee (buna)

can't stand the smell, and have always assumed

I would feel the same about the taste.

Turns out I was right. 

I was offered the leftover coffee from

Cherrie's coffee ceremony at her

friend Sumer's house

 within my first 2 hours on Ethiopian soil.

I actually had hoped to get through the whole

week without having to face that issue.

God has a sense of humor...

 - - -  -

Have I mentioned that it is believed that

 coffee originated from Ethiopia??

It's an even bigger deal

over there, than here!

When I saw Kolfe's coffee ceremony,

I started to get nervous,

the traditional coffee ceremony

means that you need to drink

3 cups.  With each cup having

it's own name and blessing. 

 - - - -

 If invited into a home to take part, remember -

it is impolite to retire until you have consumed

 at least three cups, as the third round

is considered to bestow a blessing.

Transformation of the spirit is said to take place

during the coffee ceremony through the completion

of 'Abol' (the first round), 'Tona' (second round)

 and 'Baraka' (third round). ~ Emily D*oyle

 - - - -

Turns out I didn't have anything to

worry about... they remembered.

So, while Emnatu heaped three VERY large 

handfuls of my favorite food onto my skirt...

no one offered me a drop of coffee.