Pomp, Circumstance, and Packing Tape
The month of May typically brings about some chaos in America, with numerous weekly school events, end-of-year parties, graduations, and, for some, the added stress of moving. Ethiopia is apparently not immune to Maycember. We got to experience a Kindergarten graduation for Isabelle, an elementary graduation for Daniel, and even a graduation of sorts for ourselves from language school.
This month has been filled with goodbyes, some tears, purchasing numerous items for our new house, navigating the logistics of moving within a foreign country, and a lot of packing and unpacking. It’s been a whirlwind of emotions and logistics—equal parts celebration and exhaustion.
Here are a few of the events that we had this past month:
Pomp and Circumstance:
For Isabelle and Daniel, their graduation ceremonies marked far more than just walking across a stage—they were powerful milestones of courage, growth, and perseverance. Over the past year, they’ve stepped into a new culture, formed meaningful friendships, and adapted to a completely different school environment with impressive grace. Watching them be recognized for their efforts was deeply meaningful—not just for them, but for us as parents witnessing their quiet resilience unfold.
Though Emma and Joshua didn’t have official graduations, we’ve seen tremendous growth in them as well. They continue to show strength in the face of transition, and we’re especially grateful for their openness in sharing how they’re doing along the way. Each of our children is teaching us something about courage, and we couldn’t be prouder.
Graduating from language school was a moment of quiet victory for Rachel and me. After months of early mornings, tongue-twisting pronunciations, and humbling conversations that often left us laughing (or nearly crying), we’ve reached a place where we can see the fruit of that hard work. We’re far from fluent, but we’ve gained the tools to better connect with those we’ve come to serve—and that alone feels like a big win.
Two Men and a Truck - The Ethiopian Edition:
Then came the physical move. Packing up our life in Addis and preparing for our next chapter in Soddo was no small feat. We navigated everything from finding a moving truck to sourcing basic household needs—not always easy when things like beds and blenders can be surprisingly hard to come by. It was chaotic, yes, but also filled with little reminders of God’s provision and faithfulness. Every time a door opened or a detail came together just in time, we felt the gentle reassurance that we’re not doing this alone.
As we begin settling into our new home in Soddo, surrounded by graduation caps, bubble wrap, and half-unpacked boxes, we’re reminded that this season isn’t just about moving houses—it’s about moving forward. Moving into deeper ministry, deeper connection, and deeper dependence on God.
So here we are—a family in transition, holding space for both the mess and the beauty. The pomp and circumstance may be over, but the real adventure is just beginning. We’re grateful that you’re walking alongside us in this journey—your support and encouragement mean more than you know.
Praises
We Moved! Thank you to everybody who prayed for our move from Addis Ababa to Soddo. It was a lot of logistics and back-and-forth travel, but we got it done!
New Partners! We are learning that financial supporters will come and go for various reasons, but God is good and has recently brought new people and a new church to our support team!
Finishing Well: From the kiddos finishing school to our family wrapping up our time in Addis, we are grateful for all of the wonderful relationships that we have been able to form this past year and are looking forward to the next steps in Soddo.
Things to Pray for:
Rachel’s Parents: They have finally acquired all of the necessary documents for their long-term visa and will now start the authentication process. Please pray for a smooth and expedited process.
Our Transition: That we could settle in nicely to our new home and find a good rhythm of work, life, and ministry.
If you have any prayer requests, we would love to hear from you. If you would like to set up a video chat, send us a message! You can contact us on WhatsApp or email us at LCRC@cobosethiopia.org.
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