Can there be an Italian oasis in the middle of Ethiopia?  Yes, of course……it is called the Gheralta Lodge.  After we arrived last evening, we enjoyed an evening of some really great Italian food.  Our starter was lasagna with fresh homemade noodles and marinara sauce, followed by some great spicy meatballs.  In the true Italian tradition, our third course was fresh salad grown organically on the property, along with all fresh spices.  We finished with a dish of tiny beignets and great coffee.  By far the most delicious meal of the trip!

The owner/developer, a retired Italian business man that was born in Ethiopia, happen to be at the Lodge so we got a chance to chat with him about the property.  He picked this particular spot after an extend search throughout Ethiopia to find a great location.  Although the architect for the compound was Italian, the local rock artisans did all the work.  The construction is really striking, with the rocks fitting together with minimal mortar.  Each of the buildings fits in perfectly with other homes and buildings in the region.  The staff are all Ethiopian, extremely friendly and competent.  The construction was started in late 2006 and it opened in 2008.  Most of the vegetables served are organically grown on the property.

This day we planned a little R&R to recharge our batteries before pressing on.  We left the morning open so all could enjoy the beauty and quietness of the Lodge.  We took the time first thing in the morning to climb one of the rock features on the property to share one of Pastor Lynnae’s devotions.  

Our devotional rock formation provided a striking view into the local valley, a patchwork of farming plots and fields, an ever present reminder of God’s great gifts and grace.  

After a leisurely breakfast, everyone took time to relax and do a bit of reading.  After another delicious meal for lunch, we set out to travel to Mekele about 1:30.

Along our way to Mekele, we stopped in a community in the Guile tabia.  Although not currently a project area, this could be a possibility for W2T projects in 2011.  We met the tabia leadership and the local community elders at one of the community’s whose well no longer provided safe water.  

A well had been constructed for the community about 8 years ago, but several years ago, the soil around the well shifted significantly, severely cracking and damaging the top of the well.  This has allowed contaminated ground water to enter the well, making it no longer safe to use.  Also, during the dry season, the well water table has started to drop below the pump level, producing no water at all.  This type of situation would only be rectified by completely re-furbishing the well. 

On our way out this community area, we noticed a open irrigation well on a farmers property, so we stopped to gain a better understanding of how it was used.  We met the farmer and his wife, both of whom were working in the fields.  Turns out, they had applied for and received a micro-finance loan of 5,000 birr (about $350) to buy a diesel irrigation pump.  The well provides enough water to irrigate his grain fields as well as a large vegetable track of tomatoes, peppers and corn.  The farmer has now started to rent land from other farmers in the area to extend the use of his irrigation capability.  A real entrepreneurial success story!

This area of Tigray is also know for rock churches.  We were able to see a number of them from the road.  These churches are often built high up on the rock formations and the church is literally carved into the rocks.  Some are completely in the rocks, except for the entrance, but the one pictured is half and half.

It was a good day to relax a bit and prepare for a very busy day tomorrow.  We will be leaving the hotel at 7:30 to travel to the Senale tabia.  This is an area where W2T will be funding 12 water projects in late 2010  and early 2011.  We will be visiting a number of the sites where these projects will be located.  This area is extremely hot and dry, with minimal rain over the last 4 years or so.

Dick Moeller