Queen of Sheba

We went to Oklahoma City for our eighteenth wedding anniversary. So you might be wondering what is so exciting about Oklahoma City. Well, Bricktown is really cool. Shops, restaurants, nightlife. We ventured out of Bricktown however so that we could eat at the Queen of Sheba Ethiopian Restaurant. I read about it on a Yahoo group I am a member of, and thought it might be fun to try. Kyle and Colin are hoping to travel to Ethiopia next month to visit some orphanages and deliver supplies. We weren't sure about the restaurant - we didn't know anyone who had tried it, but we were feeling adventurous. After all, we had made it eighteen years, what harm could come to us at this point? It is located in a strip shopping center not far from downtown, and driving up, we still weren't sure what we were getting into. It wasn't impressive from the outside, but as soon as we walked in, we knew we were in for the real deal. If we were worried about it not being authentic, we were wrong. If we were worried about the people not being from Ethiopia, we were wrong. If we were worried about the food not being good...we were WRONG!! All the way around, the evening was extraordinary. For starters, the owners, Mimi and Begib Younis are from Ethiopia, and they are the most gracious people you could ever hope to meet. Also, the food was beyond wonderful. We got a sampler plate, with lentils, spiced beef, chicken and boiled eggs, chickpeas, carrots, potatoes...the list goes on. It was all smothered in a combination of spicy and mild sauce, and served with injera. Oh my - a bit of bread with every bite. Oh, did I mention that your silverware is a small piece of flattened bread? This is MY kind of meal!!

So here's the most amazing thing about the evening. In walks a family, with their daughter and her boyfriend, who was born in Ethiopia and adopted when he was fourteen. The four of them are leaving the next morning for Addis Ababa, and it just so happens that Alan and his girlfriend will be in the capital when Kyle and Colin are planning on being there. Alan just graduated from Oklahoma Christian University. He is looking forward to Kyle and Colin getting in touch with him when they get to Addis. And as we are leaving, Alan says, "I don't know how you look at things, but I believe that there are no accidents. This is God." Wow. Must say that I agree.

We met several other Ethiopians. They are warm and precious people. I can't imagine a better anniversary evening.