Upon hearing once that life continues to reflect back to us the fundamental promises we make to ourselves, it immediately struck a chord and remained resonant within me. The promises we make do come back to us whether we honor them or not. Simply put, our promises fulfilled or left undone, become a sort of marker of our own integrity. I have both kept promises and failed to as well. What began as a promise to myself to follow and know my own heart (leading me to Africa, and more specifically, Ethiopia thus meeting the love of my life) has come full-circle. Right now I am face-to-face with the most profound commitment that I have ever made. As a man, a father, and a husband I am asking you for help to fulfill my vow to bring Hana and myself back to Ethiopia.

Six years ago my wife, Abeba, a native Ethiopian, died. Our daughter Hana, also born in her mother's land, was three when we experienced this untimely passing. After laying Abeba to rest we left Ethiopia--- lost, broken…but with a thread connecting our heart's to both our departed loved one and her place of origin. On her death bed, I promised Abeba to bring Hana back to spend time with her family, allowing them to know one another and steep Hana in the culture which had so beautifully poured forth from her mother's very soul--- to offer her that piece so relevant, yet inaccessible from my own blood and perspective. Since then our journey has been a trajectory of healing and return; a fulfillment of this powerful and palpable promise.

As a father, I want Hana to experience the poetry and hardship of life in Dire Dawa (Mama's birthplace)--- to understand what time of day you need to draw a pail of water and put it in the sun so that you have hot water to bathe as the light settles behind the branches of acacia trees. I desire that Hana be mothered by a village of aunties; to learn how to mill teff flour by hand and grind salt gathered from the nearby plains…to prepare the foods which have nourished her people for ages. I long to witness her dance, surrendering to the music and rhythms that she knows from cellular memory.

For me, it is clear that I need to return to Ethiopia in order to refuel and be nurtured by the family centered, Earth based, feminine culture that I fell in love with—that I married. It’s time to go home.

Through the generous help of a dear friend, we are finally about to purchase tickets and are leaving in just about three weeks for Addis Ababa to be welcomed by the familiarity of faces we have tenderly guarded in our memory for what has seemed lifetimes. From there we will travel to Dire Dawa and stay with various members of a huge extended family for as long as we are able. I am humbly asking for your financial help to maximize our time on the ground. Hana and I are seeking to raise at least $3700, which would give us 3 months in country... Each $1000 equates to a month's daily living expenses, plus $700 towards visas and other incidentals.

As some of you may know, I am a health counselor and personal macrobiotic/vegan/raw foods chef. I have worked tirelessly for the last 16+ years to aid others and shine a light on their own unique journeys back to self. Part of my vision for a sustainable future for my daughter and I is to offer online coaching/consulting/support--- working with others one-on-one to facilitate a return to heath, wellness, and awakening toward more conscious-based nutrition...all the while volunteering my awareness to those with need--- locals we encounter on our way who may reciprocate with barter of a meal or place for us to stay...but mostly just giving back freely to a place and a people which has gifted me so much. It will mean my working in a completely different capacity, with new parameters and dynamics--- all of which remain as unknowns. This area of our sustenance is equally in transition. Of all the ways that keeping this undying promise to my late wife is softening me and bringing me to a new edge of faith, this career shift seems the scariest part of this whole endeavor. In exchange for your support for Hana and I to get home, I will offer a 30-minute Skype coaching session for anyone interested that can contribute $35 or more, or 20-minute distance energy clearings for those inclined who donate $55 and up.

Will you be a part of our returning?

As a final promise to all of you, I plan to document our experiences of homecoming with updates/pictures/video, and invite each of you to enjoy and share in our unfolding adventure. Join us here:

https://www.facebook.com/anundyingpromise

If you are unable to contribute financially to our vision, please know that your love, thoughts and well-wishes are equally welcomed and significant. Every gesture is appreciated and inspires our trip. Like our page, follow us, comment, and share this link.