as promised my brother john wrote about his (often) weekly date with spouse pam to the Fredrick Meijer Gardens Sculpture Park, in grand rapids where we all grew up and where, of the six of us, he still lives:
Our trip to the Gardens this week was extra special as we were able to share with Pam's Ethiopian team who were here for Bethany's annual conference. They were: Sebilu Bodja (country Director), Helina Shimeles (Sebilu's wife and also Community and Family Education Coordinator), Senait Mulugeta (coordinator of the women’s skill training program), Sisay Simon (adoption coordinator), and Desalyn Shanko (foster care coordinator). They were very much in awe of the gardens and excited to see not only the Chihuly exhibits and the many spectacular sculptures but the tremendous fall colors of the trees. It is also the last week the Art Prize entries will be there so that brought out even more people to join in our guests fun. It was a very educational evening for me as well, learning all about their homeland and families and their various journeys along the way. Just a very cool and awesome way to spend an evening surrounded by new friends and our gardens.
Afterward we brought them back to the house for a chili dinner, which they spent time trying to compare to various Ethiopian dishes. But it didn't really matter given they were incredibly hungry from the day and lengthy tour of the gardens and would have eaten most anything. But they did enjoy it just the same. Love, John
