So in the spirit of my Philadelphia Phillies going back to the world series, I broke out the two gloves and baseball I brought. Me and a couple of the other ferenge guys went to a “meadow” near the “T.K” building which houses the church office, old sanctuary and the “Addis Life” office. The T.K. building is where I spend most of my time. (My Phillies won last night and I would trade a toe to watch it but no such luck anywhere here).
Anyway, this baseball catch was by far the most unique of my life. I love me some baseball and having catches. So picture this “meadow”. It was unfortunately referred to by a friend here as the “bathroom meadow”. Behind a big billboard is a field with sheep, cows and street people all over it. It is where you will often find someone taking a quick whiz or obviously a cow doing what they do. It also happens to be where “The Crew” has set up shop. They have moved so many times and now they have a makeshift tent type thing in the field.
Ethiopians are not shy when it comes to staring. It escalates for ferenges but they stare at everyone. So imagine me and another ferenge about 6:6 throwing a baseball which probably less then 1% of the people had seen before. I admittedly don’t mind the attention, it offers a great opportunity to make them smile or laugh. It is a TON different then in the inner cities of the U.S.
I escaped most of the “piles” on the meadow until the end. We also had fun with a hawk that kept diving at the ball thinking it food. I had so much fun teaching some of “The Crew” and other random street folks how to use the glove and throw the ball. It is so much fun, they had know idea how to use it. Some put it on the wrong hand, backwards, or were just scared of the gloves. At different times there were about 15-25 people watching, a sheep near bye, poo on my shoe, a hawk diving at the ball, and really big hard biting ants that made it really far up my pants(serious ouch!). This catch was different, heh? I ended the day with letting them try to catch one of high pops. Meaning I would throw as high as I can and if they caught it in three chances they would earn a birr. Unfortunately they didn’t come close so I may have to change the game around so it’s a more kind to them.
I love the bonding that sports can bring. I dream of a day here where I can utilize good land to teach sports and play what they all know, futball.
Going camping about four hours away with the Entoto team this weekend. Should be fun.
October 17, 2009 at 8:38 am |
Oh the wonder of cowpaddies, and now the addition of”etc”. Yours are the greatest. Keep them coming. Last, 2-1 LA, how sad, LA scored both in the bottom ofthe 8th. Uttley errant throw on possible double play scored the first one, and a walk with the bases loaded scored the second. Bummer.
Keep the faith.
Doc
October 26, 2009 at 2:59 am |
Was thinking of you today. Enjoyed reading the baseball blog. Your Eagles play my Skins tomorrow night, so I’ll sort of (not really) root for your Eagles.
In church today, we learned about Jesus casting the “legion of demons” out of the guy into 2000 pigs, then sending the pigs to drown. The message….just saving one man is worth all you have (the town’s pigs). But sadly, for most towns, they would rather have the pigs to make money than save the soul of someone suffering.
God bless you Adam for seeking to save the souls of your Crew.