Country Overview1. There are thirteen months on the calendar in Ethiopia.2. Ethiopia is the only African country never to have been brought under colonial control. The Italians did attempt colonization in 1935 - and succeeded in militarily occupying the country for six years - but Ethiopian forces were waging military opposition the entire time, and the whole country was never brought under control. As some of the locals put it, "We waited until they had built us railways and nice buildings... and then kicked them out."3. Ethiopia is one of the world's oldest countries.4. In 1960, an Ethiopian boy by the name of Abebe Bikila became the first black African to win gold in the Olympics. Only making the team selection at the last minute due to another athlete's broken foot, Bikila opted to run the marathon barefoot, beating favorite Moroccan Rhadi Ben Abdesselam by a full 25 seconds.5. Ethiopian cuisine is great for vegetarians. Ethiopian cooking is some of the tastiest, healthiest, and most diverse cuisine on the continent. And, unlike many African countries, it's a haven for vegetarians.6. Addis Ababa is the fifth highest capital city in the world, with an altitude of 2,355 meters. It's also home of the African Union and the headquarters of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. The name of the city translates to 'New Flower' in Amharic.CapitalAddis AbabaPopulationEthiopia: 123.5 millionAddis Ababa: 5.7 millionLanguageThe official languages are Amharic and English, although Amharic is primarily spoken.ReligionChristianity and Catholicism (70%) and Islam (30%)ClimateWarm, tropical weather year-round, with the temperature generally staying between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit in April.CurrencyEthiopia uses the Ethiopian Birr. We will exchange money upon arrival for those who wish to do so.PowerFor Ethiopia there are two associated plug types, types C and F. Plug type C is the plug which has two round pins, and plug type F is the plug which has two round pins with two earth clips on the side. Ethiopia operates on a 220V supply voltage and 50Hz.Time DifferenceEast Africa Time (7 hours ahead of Eastern Time Zone).Food and WaterEat only at restaurants or provided food. Avoid street food. Drink only unopened bottled water or other drinks unless you confirm that it is purified. Unopened water bottles are always safe.

Volunteers Needed
- 7 evangelism speakers, preferably experienced (translators provided)- 20-30 medical professionals—medical, dental, vision, and others- Construction volunteers- Children's program leaders/helpers- Support StaffThe cap on this trip is 50 participants.

Travel Information
Please follow these instructions carefully when booking your flight:1) Your flight should depart from your airport of choice in the U.S. to the Addis Ababa Bole Airport (ADD) on April 9. You will likely need to leave sometime on the 7th or 8th to arrive on the 9th.2) Once you arrive, you will be collected from the airport by a member of our team.3) Your flight from ADD should depart on April 20 back to your home unless you arrive early or stay later for personal reasons.4) If you would like to arrive early or stay late for personal leisure, you are responsible for all arrangements, accommodations, and expenses. Please notify us if you choose to do so.5) Please send your itinerary to Cathy Q once you have it.6) Should you need help booking your flights, you may contact Butler Travel in Oregon. They are an Adventist-owned travel agency and can help for a minimal fee. It Is Written is unable to assist you with booking flights. We encourage you to utilize their professional services to get the very best pricing and flights to meet your needs.Butler Travel is open Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. PST and can be reached at (503) 879-5005.Entry Requirements1) A U.S. Passport is needed to enter the country. If you are from another country, please check the requirements for your particular country from Ethiopian immigration.2) COVID vaccines or testing are NOT required to enter or exit the country.

Accommodations and Meals
1. It Is Written seeks to provide the very best accommodations for reasonable pricing. The mission field will require flexibility and sacrifice. Still, we strive to maintain safety and a comfortable and restful experience.2. Accommodations will be at a local hotel TBD. We will inform you of the final details in our zoom meetings including hotel amenities, etc.3. Please do not book your own hotel reservation. It Is Written will do that for the entire group unless it is before or after the trip dates.4. Participants will have roommates unless you elect to cover the extra cost of your own room, which you must pay for before departure. This cost varies per trip, so you must contact the office for the amount. It is not guaranteed that a single room will always be possible. This will always depend on local availability.5. Local transportation is provided to and from the airport and all trip destinations.6. Three vegetarian meals are provided each day. Due to local limitation, vegan meals are not always an option, although often vegan selections are available. We do our best to have options for both.7. We are unable to accommodate gluten-free or other similar needs. It is often difficult to obtain these items in other countries. However, the food is usually fresh and simple, so these challenges are not as typical as they are in more developed countries. You are welcome to bring any food items that will meet your needs while there. We encourage you to bring a variety of snacks such as crackers, granola bars, peanut butter, etc. No fresh produce may be brought into any country from another country, although fresh fruit and vegetables are in abundance locally. Be sure to pack any liquid items above 3 oz in your checked baggage.8. Any food purchases outside of the three provided meals are the participant's responsibility.9. Most hotels we stay at provide laundry services for a fee.

Early or Late Arrivals and Departures
If you plan to arrive early or stay longer, you are responsible for making all of your hotel and transportation arrangements.Other details will be shared on scheduled zoom meetings. We will have 3 zoom meetings before departure. We will email you with details and instructions as the time approaches.

Medical Requirements
Check online for the recommended vaccines and medicine list and consider visiting your doctor 4-6 weeks before the trip for any further medical advice you need. The CDC can provide helpful information and recommendations. Each recommendation is a personal choice at the discretion of the individual. Participants should consult with their personal physician and make responsible decisions. It Is Written is not responsible for the results of any personal medical decisions.

Payment Deadline
Please register and complete your fee payment as soon as possible. The final deadline is March 15, 2025.If you need an extension beyond this date (due to extenuating circumstances) or have any questions, please call us at the office. Please note that if you are granted extension time, you must pay the remaining fee before departing the country, or your spot will be forfeited, even if you have booked your ticket.If you are viewing this information beyond the deadline and have interest in the trip, please call us. There may still be vacancies left.You will receive an email sometime following your trip registration. We are working on a new system for processing, but for now please know that if you submitted your application, we have it. We will connect with you soon. If you have any questions, please feel free to call the office.

Cancellation Policy
If the participant cancels before we have paid for the accommodations, internal flights (where applicable), travel insurance, and meal healdcount plans, we give a full refund.If a participant cancels for any reason after the accommodation and reservations have been made we give a 25% refund. Because these factors vary for each trip, you will need to call the office and discuss these details with us as soon as you need to cancel.

Available Packages

Adult

Available until March 15, 2025

The price covers food, housing, transportation, and travel insurance once you have arrived in the country. It also assists with supplies and expenses for the medical clinic and evangelistic meetings. So, your fee covers all of your in-country expenses, and it supports the medical and evangelism work we will do while there. You will also receive a custom It Is Written mission trip T-shirt and mission gift box willed with exciting gifts useful for your mission experience!

Your plane tickets, personal and excursion expenses, or additional baggage fees are separate from this cost. Most people bring $200-$400 for personal spending, but it is at your discretion.

Available options

Child 8-14 years old

$750

Deposit: $50

Children ages 8-14 room with parents or chaperone.

Child Birth-7 years old

$175

Deposit: $50

Children up to 7 years old room with parents or chaperone.