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Daily English Pod
I’m Jale, an English teacher and graduate in Applied Linguistics from Canada. From Monday to Friday, I share short, practical educational podcasts. On Saturdays, you’ll hear an engaging story, and on Sundays, we explore artistic topics. Like a real magazine, these podcasts cover current issues, culture, society, and history in clear, easy-to-understand English. If you’re interested in learning English and understanding the world around you, this podcast is for you. With me, you’ll not only practice English but also gain a broader perspective on the world.
Daily English Pod
Face the climb
Gmail address: https:/jaleqaraqan@gmail.com
For checking the transcript: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2379282
Face the climb
To deal with something hard or scary — step by step — instead of running away from it.
Examples
1- Priest Gebre Rufael faces the climb to the church every day — barefoot, at age 70.
2- He faces the climb of single parenthood with quiet courage and love.
Hello and welcome to Daily English, where we learn English through real stories. You can find the full transcript in the description.
Today’s story is about a man who literally faces a climb every single morning — not for sport, but for faith. In the rugged mountains of northern Ethiopia, there is a church unlike any other in the world. Abuna Yemata Guh is carved directly into the face of a vertical sandstone cliff. It sits 250 meters above the valley floor — that’s roughly the height of a 70-story skyscraper. And yet, there are no stairs, no rails. To reach it, you must climb the rock itself. It’s believed that the church was built that high to be closer to God and the heavens — far away from the noise of the world, and safe from harm.
One man climbs it every day: Priest Gebre Rufael, now around 70 years old. Each morning, he walks barefoot to the mountain. He grips the stone with his hands and places his feet in small natural cracks. The wind blows. There’s no safety gear. Just sky beneath him. He climbs with calm, quiet strength. At the top, the view is breathtaking. The chapel is painted with faded 5th-century frescoes. There’s no electricity. No modern tools. Just silence, prayer, and rock.
He doesn’t do this for attention. He faces the climb each day — because this is his calling.
Expression of the Day: Face the Climb To face the climb means:
To deal with something hard or scary — step by step — instead of running away from it.
Examples:
Priest Gebre Rufael faces the climb to the church every day — barefoot, at age 70.
Moving to a new city was tough, but she faced the climb and found her place.
He faces the climb of single parenthood with quiet courage and love.
Question for You: Have you ever had to face the climb — something that felt impossible at first, but you did it anyway?