The TCK Life

00:00
Hannah Federwitz
When we’re with Ghanaians, they see us as Americans. But when we’re with Americans, we’re often the weird missionary kids. Often with being a third culture kid comes the ability to understand lots of different people, but also it comes with lots of inner struggles about where you belong. 

00:25
Rich Rudowske
Welcome to the essentially translatable podcast brought to you by Lutheran Bible translators. 

00:29
Rich Rudowske
I’m rich Rudowski. 

00:30
Emily Wilson
And I’m Emily Wilson. And the school year is upon us. Well, I don’t know if woo is the sentiment of all the students, but certainly of Hannah and Eden Federowitz. They joined us on the podcast and it was awesome. They were in town on just a very brief furlough, transitioning from their lives as missionary kids, growing up in Ghana, West Africa, and preparing to move to Ethiopia. East Africa. 

01:03
Rich Rudowske
Yeah. And it was just really precious talking with them and hearing about their experience, their perspective, what they’ve loved about Ghana, and what they’re looking forward to in Ethiopia. I just really enjoyed this conversation with these two. 

01:16
Emily Wilson
Enjoy this interview with Hannah and Eden. So today we have on the podcast, Hannah and Eden Federowitz. Welcome to the podcast, ladies. 

01:28
Hannah Federwitz
Thank you. 

01:29
Eden Federwitz
Thank you. 

01:30
Emily Wilson
So we want to get to know you a little bit more. I mean, we have heard plenty of stories from the office, but our listeners don’t know you yet. So can you share a little bit about your story, what has been unique about your experience, and a little bit about third culture? Kids, we’re going to delve into a little bit later, but just a broad stroke. Tell us a little bit about your story. 

01:55
Hannah Federwitz
Yeah, so we live in Ghana, West Africa, and I’m the oldest of three, so it’s me and then our brother and then Eden. And we’ve been there for about 15 years. And we spent most of that time in the north, in Tamale. But now for the last six years, we’ve been in the south, in Accra, and it’s just been a lot of food and different types of schooling. Yeah. So were all homeschooled when were in Tamale. And then for the last three years, I’ve actually been in an international american high school. While Levi and Eden have continued to be homeschooled. 

02:31
Emily Wilson
I was going to say, what has that experience been like, Eden? Not only are you the youngest, so youngest to youngest, I can say, yes, we have a clan. Right. What was that like, just being homeschooled in Ghana? 

02:46
Eden Federwitz
It was kind of nice because there’s not all the different people running around in different classes, but I would have liked a few more people instead of just me and Levi. 

03:00
Emily Wilson
And you had a missionary kid teacher come in. So your mom was your teacher before. And Allie, I have heard, is she is a serious. 

03:09
Eden Federwitz
Yes. 

03:09
Emily Wilson
Deanna Gokenauer came alongside in February, I think. 

03:14
Eden Federwitz
Right. 

03:14
Emily Wilson
And how was that having a switch up? Like you’ve been homeschooled all these years. And then it was like, oh, I have a new teacher. So what was that like? 

03:23
Eden Federwitz
It took some getting used to because we had to teach her. Yeah, it was the first what curriculum we’re doing and everything. 

03:34
Emily Wilson
Yeah. It was her first time homeschooling, right? 

03:37
Eden Federwitz
Yeah. 

03:38
Emily Wilson
And first time homeschooling in Ghana. Totally different experience. 

03:42
Eden Federwitz
Yeah. 

03:43
Emily Wilson
So what was it like going from a homeschool environment to an international school environment? 

03:49
Hannah Federwitz
It was a little bit weird at first because I had to get used to spending like 7 hours a day at school and then also having homework. And it was a lot to deal with, but it was really nice to be with people my own age. And then in the middle of my 8th grade year, Covid hit and were in lockdown. 

04:06
Emily Wilson
Yes. 

04:06
Hannah Federwitz
So then it’s like another new schooling thing to get used to, but it really worked out and it’s my own little place now. 

04:14
Rich Rudowske
So did they do distant schooling during COVID or did you just go back to homeschooling? 

04:20
Hannah Federwitz
No, they did online schooling. We already had some stuff online, but we switched to doing Google Meet and Google classroom, and I had a certain number of classes a day and then all the different things. 

04:31
Rich Rudowske
Cool. 

04:33
Emily Wilson
Can’t imagine. So when were going through Covid and trying to pivot and figure everything out, it was hard enough. Everybody was like, adult and trying to figure out. So I can only imagine as you’re trying to pivot, okay, I’ve got all these classes and I’ve got all these adults teaching me, and no one really knows quite what they’re doing. So during that time of transition, what kinds of things were you guys experiencing just in your mind, like, okay, what’s next? 

05:05
Hannah Federwitz
Yeah, it was kind of weird. We kind of knew it was going to happen, that were going online because there were all the rumors about lockdown and everything. And it was actually right before spring break, and went on spring break not knowing if school was even going to happen for the rest of the school year. And then it was actually my birthday, like, right at the end of spring break, and I had a very lonely birthday, which was fine. I like being by myself. But we just got the emails that week about how were doing school online. And it was. I mean, no one knew what they were doing half the time. I was the one helping my teachers figure it out. We were just all working together and it was kind of stressful. 

05:46
Rich Rudowske
Now, did anything change for you, Eden, or did homeschool just go on like normal? Or how did that go? 

05:51
Eden Federwitz
Every month we have a homeschool group where homeschool families coming together every month. And so when Covid hit, we couldn’t get together. So we tried doing online, but it just wasn’t the same. But school didn’t change for us. It was just being with other people that changed. 

06:13
Emily Wilson
Right. All of the feelings of, like, honestly. So your mom did a podcast with us at the beginning on transition, and that was so helpful for me. I think I listened to that a couple of times of like, okay, where am I at in the middle of all this change and trying to mourn well, to grieve well, and all of the changes of opportunity, and it lasted a lot longer than we thought. Right. But it’s been formative. So you guys have been in Ghana a long time and you’re in the US right now, but it’s only kind of a brief stopover. Right. So you’re changing your context to Ethiopia. So what is it about Ghana that you’re going to miss the most, and what is it that you think you’re going to be missing? Maybe the mean. 

07:03
Emily Wilson
That’s kind of a hard question because that has been, like your home. You’ve been into the, like, a few times in between for furlough and partnership development for your parents. But what is it in that change, in that transition? 

07:18
Eden Federwitz
I think the part that we’re going to miss the most is going to be the people, the church, the homeschool group, and people at Henna’s school. I don’t know, about the least. 

07:31
Hannah Federwitz
Maybe the least would be the. 

07:33
Eden Federwitz
It’s so hot. 

07:34
Hannah Federwitz
But we’ve also gotten used to it. And Ethiopia is cold, so we’re probably going to get to Ethiopia and miss the heat a lot. 

07:43
Eden Federwitz
Yeah. 

07:43
Emily Wilson
That was always the funny thing for, like, growing up in Chicago area and then having this idea of what cold is and then talking to your family and that you had a routine, right, of, like, if it was about 75 degrees fahrenheit, the hot cocoa would come out and the blankets not going to be the case in Ethiopia. Maybe. Or maybe you’ll going to be hot. 

08:05
Eden Federwitz
Cocoa and tea and coffee all day, every day. 

08:09
Rich Rudowske
And there’s plenty of that in supply in Ethiopia, too, especially coffee, right? Yeah. In Ghana, what was your favorite food? Where do you think? Okay, now, I’m going to miss having this red. 

08:20
Eden Federwitz
Red. 

08:20
Hannah Federwitz
It’s this fried plantain, but it’s specifically fried, ripe plantain cut in, like, half inch slices, but they’re cut angular, and it’s just sweet and soft and caramelized. But you eat it with beans, and it’s called red. Red because the plantain is kind of red. But then the beans also have palm oil in them, which makes them red. 

08:44
Emily Wilson
So did you make that, or did you always go out for it? 

08:48
Hannah Federwitz
We had someone who came and kind of helped us out in the house, and she would make lunch every day, and she was a ghanaian, so we had her make local food, so she would make that. 

08:58
Rich Rudowske
So when you guys were leaving Ghana, what are some of the things you said? We got to make sure we do this or see these people eat this food, like, one more time. What were some of the things you guys did? 

09:08
Hannah Federwitz
So I’m normally at school for lunch, so I’m not normally there for the local food. And I said, I want to eat red one more time. 

09:15
Rich Rudowske
Right. 

09:16
Hannah Federwitz
But we also went sightseeing. So we saw, like, black Star square, where there’s a whole monument, and in the middle of the Ghana flag is this big black star, and it’s, like, their symbol. So there’s a big monument with the black star on the top, and that was pretty cool. 

09:32
Emily Wilson
What about you, Eden? Was there a bucket list kind of item that you’re like, before we leave. 

09:37
Rich Rudowske
Ghana, I want to make sure I do this. Was there something that. 

09:41
Eden Federwitz
I think it was the black Star Square. 

09:43
Rich Rudowske
Yeah. All right. 

09:44
Eden Federwitz
Because all the time we’ve been in Ghana, we’ve never seen it. 

09:47
Rich Rudowske
Oh, really? Okay. 

09:48
Emily Wilson
Well, I was going to say, when I left the Chicago area before moving down to Concordia, it was like, okay, what are the foods that I cannot get? So you talking about red? It’s like, oh, yeah, I need a Chicago style hot dog before I leave or do this particular thing with my. So. So moving to Ethiopia. I mean, we’ve talked about the hot cocoa and the coffee. Are you both coffee? 

10:13
Eden Federwitz
Yes. 

10:14
Emily Wilson
Oh, wow. Look at you go. I can’t even drink coffee. 

10:17
Rich Rudowske
It doesn’t appear to have stunted their growth at all. 

10:22
Emily Wilson
So what are you most excited for, do you think? 

10:25
Hannah Federwitz
The food. 

10:27
Eden Federwitz
The food is good. 

10:29
Hannah Federwitz
Food is a big part in our lives. Our lives center around our food. And Ethiopia has really great food, and it’s seasoned beautifully. 

10:38
Emily Wilson
Yeah, no, that is very true. So you’ve already done the. 

10:44
Eden Federwitz
Yep. 

10:45
Rich Rudowske
So do you know what? You liked the name of it, your most favorite thing so far? 

10:50
Hannah Federwitz
No. 

10:51
Rich Rudowske
Yeah, I know. I’ve been there like a million times and I don’t know the name of the stuff either. 

10:55
Emily Wilson
Okay, think that one. So what about you, Eden? What are you most excited for? 

11:01
Eden Federwitz
I don’t know. 

11:02
Emily Wilson
That’s okay. I mean, like, you’re going to be starting a new school environment, right? You’re not going to be doing the home school thing. So is that something you’re excited for, or is that something that you’re, like. 

11:12
Eden Federwitz
Both excited and nervous? 

11:14
Emily Wilson
Yes, absolutely. You’re entering into middle school kind of age, so that’s a whole other dynamic, like, so for the school that you guys are going to, what is kind of the vibe? Who else is going to be at the school with you? That may be a little unusual for what we think of in the US of everybody growing up together, entering the same grade over and over. 

11:44
Hannah Federwitz
So it’s a school kind of geared towards missionary kids. It was started by a missionary organization, and there’s really diverse people there, and they’re people who have had some of the same experiences we’ve had. They’ve lived overseas, interacted with people not of their culture or homeland. And it’s actually pretty much expected that they’re not going to stay at that same school their whole school’s career. So the school is very used to people coming in at random grades and leaving. 

12:16
Emily Wilson
So did you guys get to take a tour of your classrooms or anything like that, or interact with teachers? 

12:22
Eden Federwitz
We got a tour of the school. We didn’t really pop into classes very much or the classes that at least I’m going to be in. We did see some of what the classrooms were going to be like. They’re going to be more open than. 

12:40
Emily Wilson
Normal, a little bit bigger than your home classroom, maybe. 

12:45
Rich Rudowske
So when you visited this year, what did you notice that’s going to be different about where you live now versus where you’re going to move to? 

12:52
Hannah Federwitz
That’s a really good question. So we especially noticed the campus we’re going to be living on. It’s kind of hidden behind some buildings, and so there’s lots of trees, and it feels like you’ve stepped from city into more of, like, forest. Yeah, there’s people everywhere. I don’t know anything you’ve noticed, eden. 

13:14
Eden Federwitz
I guess a lot is different because you’re going from the west to the east, and Africa is very different depending on where you go. So the culture, the food, the people, the places are all different. 

13:33
Emily Wilson
No, that’s very true. I think that, know, it’s like, oh, Africa. Like, it’s all one place and, like, so different. Just know in the US, we’re very proud of our different states, like, oh, Illinois versus Missouri versus California. But there’s something lost sometimes in between of, like, oh, it’s the continent of Africa, and the diversity is just so beautiful and rich, and all the people that you’re going to meet from different places. Like you were saying, you’ve got missionary kids from all over, and just this constant cycling of like, okay, who’s next? Who are you going to meet next? So that kind of bridges into this idea of third culture kid. Is that something that you and your family talked about a lot as you were growing up, of what it means to be a third culture kid? 

14:24
Emily Wilson
And if so, could you break it down for our audience a little bit? Who maybe they don’t know? 

14:29
Hannah Federwitz
I can break it down as much as I know based on my understanding. But essentially, a third culture kid is someone who grows up in a culture different from one or both of their parents. So they don’t really belong in the culture that they’re growing up in. But when they go back to their parents’culture, they don’t really belong there either, because of the different experiences they’ve had. So, for instance, us growing up in Ghana, when we’re with Ghanaians, they see us as american. But when we’re with Americans, we’re often the weird. Missionary kids don’t act like Americans. And often with being a third culture kid comes the ability to understand lots of different people because you kind of have that outside view. 

15:16
Hannah Federwitz
But also, it comes with lots of inner struggles about where you belong, because you see all the Americans who seem to belong, and they have their people and all the Ghanans who have their families and their cultures, and you’re not either of those. But that puts you in your own category. 

15:38
Emily Wilson
So how easy or difficult was it for you, Eden, being a homeschooler? How was it making friends, doing schoolwork, or other normal activities while also being known as a missionary kid by your larger community? What was that like? 

15:55
Eden Federwitz
I think people kind of put aside the missionary part and just accepted me as being someone who needed a friend. 

16:06
Emily Wilson
That’s important. 

16:08
Rich Rudowske
Now, I’ve heard a lot about the hobbies and interests you guys have gotten to do, some of the cool things you do, which people might not guess that you would do if they’re thinking, oh, these girls just grew up somewhere in Africa, right? But since you lived in the capital, you got to do some cool things. What are some of the interests or hobies that you guys were able to pursue? 

16:25
Eden Federwitz
Taekwondo. 

16:26
Rich Rudowske
Yeah, tell us about that. 

16:28
Eden Federwitz
Four years ago, I started taekwondo, and I finally became a black belt. 

16:35
Emily Wilson
Okay, congratulations. 

16:36
Eden Federwitz
Thank you. And that’s something that I kind of want to continue in Ethiopia. But I think being in a new country and entering a new school will be hard enough that I might not continue. 

16:54
Rich Rudowske
So did your parents fire the nightguard after you learned and became a black belt in Taekwondo? So you could just take care of everybody yourself now or what? 

17:02
Eden Federwitz
She still needs her sleep. 

17:06
Emily Wilson
Okay, so how did you get started with that in the first place? 

17:10
Eden Federwitz
Well, Levi had started soccer, and so mom didn’t want us just laying around in the house on Saturday. 

17:19
Rich Rudowske
That sounds like. 

17:23
Eden Federwitz
So we joined soccer, but we didn’t really enjoy it, so we saw that there was an opportunity to do taekwondo, and that’s why I joined. 

17:34
Emily Wilson
Oh, so are you doing it as well? 

17:36
Hannah Federwitz
I was, but then I entered 10th grade, and there were too many things happening for me to continue doing it. 

17:43
Emily Wilson
So what kinds of hobbies and interests have you picked up? 

17:48
Hannah Federwitz
I do lots of different crafts. I knit, I crochet, I embroider. But then also, I’ve been playing flute for five years now, and that’s kind of my quiet place. It’s how I relax and unwind. 

18:03
Emily Wilson
So all of those things that I just noticed, hannah, are very mobile. The flute as your instrument? More mobile. Knitting and crocheting and embroidering, you can just take with you anywhere. So you are a woman on the go? A little bit. I love it. I love it. So you got started with those things just as a, hey, I want to craft something. I want to do. So. And flute was, you know, it was available at a school or. How did that happen? 

18:34
Hannah Federwitz
No. Michaela Federowitz has been playing flute for a long time. And growing up, I saw her playing, and I just thought the flute was a beautiful instrument and made beautiful noise. And I’ve wanted to play for so long, but I was told growing up I couldn’t play yet because my mouth would form weird based on how you have to blow across the mouthpiece. So then we moved to Accra, and we found someone who could teach me, and I’ve been playing it ever since. 

19:02
Emily Wilson
That is awesome. That’s very. So, like, how did it help you as you were picking up all of these different interests? And, like, how did that help you connect with others, whether they were third culture kids or just like, other people who lived in Accra, how was that like, a connector for you guys? 

19:21
Eden Federwitz
So, in Taekwondo, since there are other people in the class, I could sometimes. 

19:27
Emily Wilson
Talk to them when you weren’t hitting them. 

19:30
Eden Federwitz
Yeah. And so that was other people that could be with me that you were. 

19:42
Emily Wilson
Able to just connect and that it wasn’t about, like, oh, my parents are missionary kids, and, oh, you’re the son of a diplomat. You could just be in the same space and enjoy that. That’s awesome. Now, yours are kind of solo activities, Hannah. 

19:58
Hannah Federwitz
I was going to ask that mine are, but I’ve had to have teachers for all of them because those aren’t things my mom does. So, I mean, we had a neighbor who taught, actually, all three of us kids how to crochet as, like, our birthday gift. 

20:12
Emily Wilson
Mom, how did Levi feel about this? He loved. Oh, that’s awesome. Yeah. 

20:17
Hannah Federwitz
And knitting and crocheting. I mean, I’ll take that when I go to a friend’s house who also does it, and we’ll sit and do it together. 

20:23
Emily Wilson
That is wonderful because you don’t actually have to just focus in. You can visit and you can have that time together. So did you mostly connect with tcKs, like, others who were missionary kids or just anybody and everyone? 

20:37
Hannah Federwitz
It was kind of anybody and everyone. Missionary kids are actually pretty rare, especially in Ghana and in the circles were part of. So at school, it was mostly the kids of business people. But, I mean, I just got along with everyone. 

20:53
Emily Wilson
That’s awesome. 

20:55
Rich Rudowske
So what kind of traditions did your family have that you really enjoyed while you were in Ghana? 

21:01
Hannah Federwitz
One I’m sure you’ve heard about is thanksgiving at the beach, which has been fun. Another one is actually, it’s family devotions every night, Monday through Friday. And we set everything down, devices aside, and we just sit and we do 15 to 20 minutes of just Bible readings and hymns and prayers, and it’s really a great way for us to all connect and then also to be in fellowship with God. 

21:28
Emily Wilson
So did you have any special kind of memories or traditions in the church Eden? Or was that something that I heard that a little bit of something of. You had a video. Were you in confirmation, like, right before you left, or was that. 

21:43
Eden Federwitz
Yeah. 

21:43
Emily Wilson
Okay, so what was that like? 

21:47
Eden Federwitz
Well, being up there in front of everyone was scary. 

21:53
Rich Rudowske
Did they give you an exam or you had to answer questions in front of everybody? 

21:56
Eden Federwitz
There was a written test before. 

21:58
Rich Rudowske
Okay. 

21:59
Eden Federwitz
I’d rather written than right speaking. 

22:03
Emily Wilson
This is true. 

22:04
Rich Rudowske
Yeah. I’m old enough that I had to be up in the front and get the oral exam. And you know what, it’s not about me, but I had only six people in my class. And then the pastor knew that I would know the answers. So then he would ask other people like the simplest question and then ask. 

22:20
Rich Rudowske
Me all the hard, but we all pass together, right? 

22:24
Rich Rudowske
It’s collective. But anyways, yeah, writing would have been better is my point. 

22:30
Emily Wilson
Were there special times of the year that you especially gravitated to within the church, like Easter versus Christmas versus Pentecost? Was there anything like that? 

22:41
Hannah Federwitz
For me it’s always been Christmas. It’s not about the gifts, just before anyone assumes disclaimer, but it’s the weeks leading up to it and really realizing how much Jesus sacrificed to come to earth and be one of us in such a sinful world. And it almost feels like one of the holiest times of just, I feel the worship more. 

23:10
Emily Wilson
So how was that unique in Ghana? I don’t know how many christmases you remember from the US, but it feels a little different in Ghana because it’s not cold. Right. So what kind of stood out to like, do you remember any christmases in the US or. Not really? 

23:27
Hannah Federwitz
No. I think the last one here was when Eden was born, so that was a while. 

23:31
Emily Wilson
Okay. So you know, the stereotypes that maybe are portrayed on Christmas cards or like. 

23:38
Rich Rudowske
How many hymns even have about snow and stuff in it and you’re like, what, did they sing those there or. No, they kind of stay away from snow hymns. 

23:46
Hannah Federwitz
I think we kind of stay away from those. 

23:48
Rich Rudowske
That’s good. 

23:50
Hannah Federwitz
That much. 

23:51
Rich Rudowske
If you don’t know, then you probably didn’t. 

23:54
Emily Wilson
But it was still pretty special, like set apart in Ghana of that you had your own traditions, you had your own way of decorating the sanctuary or around the home kind of a. Yeah. 

24:09
Eden Federwitz
At home we always have our special ornaments for the Christmas tree and then we have lights strung around. The kids get our own string of lights for our rooms and it’s fun finding out where to put the lights every year. 

24:27
Emily Wilson
So you’ll be doing that in Ethiopia too? 

24:31
Eden Federwitz
Hopefully, yeah. 

24:33
Hannah Federwitz
We’re not sure what Christmas is going to look like in Ethiopia. 

24:35
Emily Wilson
That’s true. You’re going to get two. 

24:38
Eden Federwitz
Yeah, I forgot about that. 

24:41
Emily Wilson
So it’s just going to be an extended time of holiness in sat apart. 

24:45
Rich Rudowske
There we go. So how has the mission work of your parents influenced you and your faith? 

24:50
Hannah Federwitz
I don’t know because it’s just kind of been a part of our lives so I haven’t noticed it being any different. 

24:58
Rich Rudowske
And you were talking about some about family devotions. But what does the Bible mean to you? How has scripture impacted you? 

25:06
Hannah Federwitz
I mean, it’s pretty important. We have bibles in every room in our house. I’ll go pick up a Bible if I need something and I don’t know what I need, I’ll pick up the Bible and read something. Or I have favorite psalms and psalms are always great to read. It’s just been such a part of my life that what would we do without the Bible, Eden? 

25:29
Eden Federwitz
I don’t know. 

25:31
Emily Wilson
No, it’s true. I love that. The idea that there is the Bible in each room of the house and how special that is, because then it’s like, you know, right where to go. And it’s not like, oh, I would get my bible except that it’s up in this other room and then you have to get up and you’re like then lost in thought or distracted, but it’s right there. 

25:53
Hannah Federwitz
Well, it wasn’t a big house. 

25:55
Emily Wilson
That helps, too. Right. So how is it that you have found as you’re preparing for Ethiopia? What is it? Just as a scriptural foundation, has there been a passage, particularly as you’re preparing for this transition of that you said goodbye to Ghana and you’re going to be saying hello to Ethiopia. So is there a particular passage that has really stuck to you? 

26:23
Eden Federwitz
I think my confirmation verse. 

26:25
Emily Wilson
Sure. What is it? 

26:26
Eden Federwitz
It was psalm 150. I think it was verses five and six. It was praise him with clashing symbols. Let everything that is breath praise the Lord. 

26:40
Emily Wilson
That’s awesome. 

26:42
Hannah Federwitz
I was just going to say, mine’s probably also my confirmation verse from psalm 23. And I’m trying to remember the exact wording because I’ve heard so many different versions. 

26:51
Rich Rudowske
Yeah, that one’s a popular one, but. 

26:53
Hannah Federwitz
Essentially it’s the one where, yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 

27:02
Emily Wilson
So what does that look like to you right now as you’re visualizing what is that valley? 

27:10
Hannah Federwitz
Right now, no matter where I go or what I’m doing or what’s happening around me, God’s with me and he’s not walking anywhere or he’s not going anywhere. So just that comfort that no matter how busy we are, there’s always someone. 

27:29
Rich Rudowske
So, Eden, you and your family have been in the US for just a short while. What’s been the thing you’ve enjoyed the most while you’ve been home this time? If this is home. But anyways, while you’ve been in the. 

27:39
Eden Federwitz
United States since, everything’s different. 

27:43
Rich Rudowske
Right. 

27:43
Eden Federwitz
It’s been mostly the food. 

27:46
Rich Rudowske
You enjoy the food. 

27:47
Eden Federwitz
Yes. 

27:48
Rich Rudowske
So what do you enjoy the most? 

27:50
Eden Federwitz
A lot of the chips and the crackers. 

27:54
Rich Rudowske
Okay. 

27:55
Hannah Federwitz
These are things we do not buy at home. 

27:57
Eden Federwitz
Yeah. 

27:57
Emily Wilson
Okay. 

27:58
Eden Federwitz
And cereal. Mom doesn’t buy cereal. 

28:00
Rich Rudowske
Okay. 

28:02
Emily Wilson
Has it been a little bit of a cross. Almost a cross cultural experience? Like, almost like a shock? We think about it sometimes of, like, a fatigue or, like, okay, I’m tired of whatever. Or, like, all the choices. I’ve sometimes heard, like, you go to the grocery stores. All the choices. 

28:23
Eden Federwitz
All the choices. 

28:23
Emily Wilson
Has there been anything that’s been overwhelming in your time of being home in the US? 

28:29
Eden Federwitz
Well, here at CMI, it has been overwhelming, like, rushing off to different places. I don’t know. 

28:40
Emily Wilson
What about you, Hannah? What’s been. That is something that you’ve enjoyed versus something that’s overwhelming? 

28:46
Hannah Federwitz
Something I’ve enjoyed is. Okay, again, I’m going to say food. Like I said, food is such a big part of our lives. It’s nice to have different foods, but also it’s been really nice to be able to connect back with family that I haven’t seen in, like, four years. Something I haven’t enjoyed as much is all the driving we’ve been having to do. 

29:09
Eden Federwitz
Yeah. 

29:10
Hannah Federwitz
American roads are very boring. Okay, but hear me out. You don’t have people selling stuff on the side of the road. You don’t have a random pig wandering across the road that you have to. 

29:21
Eden Federwitz
Honk your horn at or chicken or cow. 

29:26
Emily Wilson
No, that’s true. It is true. The potholes, though. 

29:30
Eden Federwitz
There’s no potholes. 

29:31
Rich Rudowske
No, that’s what my kids used to say. 

29:33
Hannah Federwitz
Michigan. 

29:33
Rich Rudowske
Yes. Then there’s plenty. 

29:35
Eden Federwitz
Thank you. 

29:36
Rich Rudowske
Throwing that Michigan jab in there. No, my kids, when we first moved back to the United States, also used to say, like, this place is boring. There’s nothing to see here. It’s an interesting perspective. Well, we are here at Concordia Mission Institute, and that’s the CMI you were referring to. And there is ice cream waiting for. So before we wrap up, is there anything we can pray for you and your family about that you’d like our listeners to pray for you guys about? 

30:02
Hannah Federwitz
Just as we go through our transition? Because the last time we moved was, like, six years ago and it was within the same country that we’ll just be able to adjust and find new friends quickly. 

30:18
Emily Wilson
Yeah. So we will be praying for you, Hannah, and Eden, how can we be praying for you specifically? 

30:24
Eden Federwitz
I would say the transition and especially going to a school. 

30:30
Rich Rudowske
All right, well, this has been a great conversation with Eden and Hannah. Thanks for being on the podcast, and we look forward to listening to it with you. You guys can say that was me on there that time. 

30:42
Emily Wilson
Thank you, ladies. 

30:43
Hannah Federwitz
Yeah, thanks for having us. 

30:49
Rich Rudowske
One of my favorite parts of that interview was just watching Hannah and Eden and how they work together. And the parents ahead of time said, the one is probably going to talk a lot and the other one’s probably not going to talk enough. But that was not our experience at all. They both were ready to go. They’re podcast fans, and it was a lot of fun. 

31:08
Emily Wilson
Yeah, that was funny. Like, as they were putting on the headphones, it was like, oh, this is how it sounds. And just that comfort level of being able to share who they are as a third culture kid and bouncing from space to space, to be able to give voice and just having that sense of like, this is our story and this is how we’re able to share it with more people. And what transition looks like and know coming to a good close looks like and processing know just having their parents as who they are as support workers and just very in tune. You could tell from Hannah and Eden just that emotional maturity of being able to process all of those transitions. 

31:56
Rich Rudowske
And we’d sure love it if you pray for the Federwitz family as they transition from Ghana to Ethiopia and begin their new life there. Paul’s new work in service with the church and with Lutheran Bible translators there and for the kiddos as they get started in school. A lot of big stuff going on there all at once. 

32:14
Emily Wilson
Yes, join us in prayer and yeah, you can find out more about what’s happening in Ethiopia. All of the programs are listed on our webpage, lbt.org slash programs. You can find it, as well as Paul and Ali’s ministry under the missionary page. 

32:34
Rich Rudowske
Thank you for listening to the essentially. 

32:35
Rich Rudowske
Translatable podcast brought to you by Lutheran Bible translators. You can find past episodes of the podcast@lbt.org Slash podcast or subscribe on audible, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow lutheran Bible translators’social media channels on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. Or go to lbt.org to find out how you can get involved in the Bible translation movement and put God’s word in their hands. The essentially translatable podcast is produced and edited by Andrew Olson. Our executive producer is Emily Wilson. Podcast artwork was designed by Caleb Rodowald and Sarah Rudowski. Music written and performed by Rob vite I’m Rich Radowski. So long for now.