Journey To Lalibela

Soon after we felt God calling us to adopt from Africa, we began researching some of the African countries we felt drawn to. We learned more about Uganda, Rwanda and Ethiopia. One of the first things I learned about Ethiopia was about the rock hewn churches of Lalibela. It was actually one of those moments where God confirmed in my heart that our daughter was in Ethiopia. I felt that God wanted us to add a daughter to our family and that her name was to be “Corrie”. This after my hero of the faith, Corrie Ten Boom, who survived a Nazi concentration camp and held tight to her faith in God throughout her torment. She spent the rest of her life traveling the world and sharing her faith with the nations . Battle too had a love for the survivors of the Holocaust and it was decided early on that “Corrie” would be her name. I had looked up the meaning for “Corrie” and knew that it meant “ from the side of the hill.” I thought at the time it was not very meaningful but knew that was to be her name. I kept waiting for God to confirm the name as he had with naming our daughter adopted from China. When I learned that these rock hewn churches of Lalibela were literally carved out of the side of the hill, I had goose bumps as I knew then our daughter was in Ethiopia. Looking back, all of this research was done and God confirmed this in our hearts about the time she was born. We knew nothing of her or the agency we would use for our adoption but God did, and he was preparing the way. We also learned that King Lalibela had these churches chiseled out of the hillside as a means of providing a safe haven for the Christians of the area, as they were being persecuted by the Muslims. This mirrored our desire for our home to be a safe haven for our children where they would come to know and love Jesus Christ!

So our journey to Lalibela began in our hearts many months ago, and today we got to experience it first hand! And what an experience it has been! We recommend anyone add this to your bucket list of things to do or places to go before you die!
We flew Ethiopian Airlines again today to Lalibela.
Our flight was delayed, so we were put on an earlier flight. We still arrived a little later than expected as this flight made two other stops before landing in Lalibela. I felt like we were making bus stops except each stop required taking off and landing! We finally arrived and boarded a van to travel 30 minutes to our guest house. The scenery was unreal! The road was paved for part of the way but mostly rock and dirt. We wound around the countryside making our way up to the town of Lalibela. We passed by straw thatched huts all along the countryside and the people herding their animals through the hillside. In many ways, it fulfilled the childhood images I had of Africa.
We arrived at our accommodations for our one night stay. It is one of the more modern buildings in Lalibela, as they are trying to grow their tourism. It has hot running water and clean, no frill rooms. We dropped off our belongings and went to secure a guide to take us to see the churches. There are eleven churches in the area and they close the churches during the lunch hours between 12 and 2. We had our work cut out for us! And I didn’t know quite how much work until we began climbing the terrain to see the churches.

The locals walk everywhere, and have to walk the hills just to get water, but I am a bit out of shape. I think our guide assumed we were young and could handle it, so he kept a brisk pace! He was excellent,though ,and with his guidance, we got to see all eleven churches before they closed for the day at 5 o’clock.
These churches are truly magnificent! King Lalibela used a lot of symbolism in the building of the churches to symbolize key elements in scripture. For example the three similar windows on the St Mary’s church represent the Trinity, while the windows underneath represent Christ and the two thieves on the cross next to Him.
Each of the churches have a Holy of Holies area with a curtain in which only the priest can go.
The churches are still in use by the priests and the community people come to pray. Today was the start of a 30 day fast and many were there praying and chanting. The priests hold staffs with silver and gold crosses.
The crosses themselves are symbolic too. The Lalibela cross has 12 spokes on the top to represent the 12 disciples and 4 points below to represent the 4 evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke ,and John. Each church had traditional Ethiopian paintings depicting different religious scenes. The St George Church was magnificent as it was built in the shape of a cross.
It also had many symbols to remind people of the story of Noah. A rock formation symbolized Mt Ararat and a pool filled with green grass represented the olive branch brought back by the dove.
As we walked to the different churches , we saw young boys who were called deacons, who were learning to be priests. One priest was working with the boys inside his hut.
The boys were chanting and being corrected by the priest on occasion.
This priest was also an artist and was painting traditional Ethiopian scenes on goat skin.
We purchased one reflecting Christ, Mary and King Lalibela.
We also observed the very primitive life of the people of Lalibela .
Yet amidst the extreme poverty, we saw people with great joy and young adults with optimistic dreams for the future.
They have a hope that tourism will help improve their way of life.
They called us ambassadors for them as we return to our country.

We enjoyed nice meals in a tokul hut at the guest house where we were staying.
The staff were quite hospitable and attentive. Our balcony overlooked the primitive village and the beautiful mountain ranges.
We turned in exhausted after a full day and slept fairly well, being awakened occasionally by the barking dogs who sleep all day and awoke to the Rooster proclaiming the start of a new day!
We had a delightful time in Lalibela, though we were anxious to return to Addis where we would once again get to visit with our baby girl.
Our next post will give details of our visit with her!
Until then, blessings to All!