Back to the Future
Celebrating 2017 in Ethiopia
Imagine waking up in a different country, stepping outside, and realizing it’s 2017—not just symbolically, but literally. No, I didn’t travel through time or find a hidden DeLorean. This is Ethiopia, where time has its own rhythm, and the calendar operates on a different system. While the rest of the world is well into 2024, here in Ethiopia, we’ve just celebrated the start of the year 2017.
Yes, you read that right: 2017.
The Ethiopian calendar is roughly seven to eight years behind the Gregorian calendar most of us are used to, and the New Year (called Enkutatash) falls on September 11th, usually as the rainy season ends and the bright, yellow meskel flowers bloom across the hills. It's a season of new beginnings, both literally and culturally, as families gather, homes are filled with laughter, and fresh coffee is brewed for celebration.
The feeling of stepping back into 2017 is a little surreal. It’s like being pulled into a “Back to the Future” moment, where I’m living in one time, but thinking about another. The experience makes you pause and reflect—not just about how different calendars and cultures measure time, but about how we measure it personally. Being here feels like a fresh start in many ways, like hitting the reset button.
For many Ethiopians, Enkutatash isn’t just about the date. It’s about renewal, hope, and celebration. Kids go from house to house singing traditional New Year’s songs, and families dress in beautiful white clothing. There’s an air of joy that feels universal, even if the year we’re celebrating is different from what I’m used to.
Yet, as we celebrated the arrival of 2017 alongside our Ethiopian neighbors, the oddness of living in two different time frames hit me again. While the world outside continues to charge ahead toward the future, here I was, sitting in 2017, but very much rooted in the present. It’s a bit like flipping through an old photo album—those memories are still there, still vivid, even if the rest of the world has moved on.
But what’s most fascinating about this “time warp” is the chance it gives me to reflect on time itself. In the West, we’re always racing against the clock—rushing to meet deadlines, always thinking about what’s next. But here in Ethiopia, time feels different. It moves more slowly, more intentionally. People linger over coffee, conversations last longer, and there’s a deeper sense of being in the moment. Celebrating 2017 isn’t about looking back; it’s about being present—about appreciating where we are, not where we could be.
So here we are, welcoming 2017 in 2024. It’s strange, yes. But it’s also a reminder that sometimes, stepping out of our usual timelines can bring unexpected clarity and joy. And while I may technically be “back in time,” the truth is, being here feels a lot like living fully in the present.
Happy New Year from 2017!
As the month of September continues, another major Ethiopian celebration arrives—Meskel, the holiday that commemorates the finding of the True Cross. It’s fascinating, and admittedly a bit odd, to reflect on the physical discovery of the cross in the 4th century, but it serves as a powerful reminder. It’s not just about celebrating an ancient artifact; it’s about reconnecting with the essence of the cross in our hearts.
The celebration of Meskel culminates in the lighting of the demera—a large bonfire traditionally lit in public squares to symbolize the burning of the cross. Standing there in the glow of the fire, surrounded by the community, you can’t help but feel the symbolism. It’s a visual reminder of light overcoming darkness, of faith igniting hope. The smoke rises, spiraling into the sky, and tradition holds that the direction it blows offers insight into the year ahead. It’s a powerful moment of reflection and togetherness, offering not just a glimpse into the past, but a way to look toward the future with faith and hope.
For me, this holiday offers a moment to pause and reflect on my own spiritual journey—on how I can rediscover the meaning of the cross in my everyday life. The celebration of Meskel reminds us that faith is something we must seek out daily, much like those who sought the True Cross centuries ago. In this time of new beginnings, it’s a chance to refocus on what really matters, to find the cross not only in history but within ourselves.
Praises:
Starting to build new relationships and friendships for ourselves and our children!
Rachel’s parents were able to take a quick trip to Kenya and, upon re-entry, get a three-month tourist visa that they weren’t able to get when we first arrived.
We passed our assessment for the first phase of our language study, so we are now in the midst of Phase 2A, with another assessment coming up in a week or so.
Things to Pray for:
Rachel’s parents' visa: While they were able to get a three-month tourist visa, they are still looking to get a longer-term visa option so that they don’t have to keep going out of the country every few months. There is potential for another organization to sponsor them, but we are still waiting to hear back. Prayers that they would partner with them and sponsor them for a long-term visa would be much appreciated!
We need to get the kids' birth certificates and our marriage certificate certified by the US State Department and the Ethiopian embassy in order to obtain our long-term Resident IDs (please pray that the bureaucratic process will be speedy).
We have an upcoming trip (during our kids’ fall break from school) to visit Soddo and the hospital. Please pray for easy travel and a wonderful time showing the kids their future home.
If you want to learn more about how to help us on this journey, please click the link below!
