Eat, Pray, Love: Ethiopia

Monday, February 21, 2011

Ethiopia

I can't say enough about my time in Ethiopia. I have spent the last two weeks immersed in photos and memories in preparation for a presentation. My heart is filled with longing to return to the people I learned to love so much and to complete work that I feel I left undone. But, alas, that is not in God's plans for me right now. What I can do is share the stories and the list of needs with others. I can pray for those I left behind and invite you to pray with me.

Their needs are many and great. Berhane Yesus Elementary School where I taught, still needs a native English teacher. BESS, Bethel Evangelical Secondary School, the feeder school for Berhane Yesus, where many of my students are attending now, has many needs.

Both schools are mandated by the government to purchase new text books for next year. The cost is over $15,000 USD per school. God only knows where the money will come from. In the mean time, they will purchase a few books for the teachers who will painstakingly copy word for word on the blackboard and the students will painstakingly copy into their exercise books.

My friend Leta, is still working to carry out the dreams of Dr. Mamo, a man with great dreams who died way too soon, to build schools and churches in 37 remote villages. At last count, he has completed 22. Fifteen remain. The schools he has built are only kindergarten, some through 2nd grade. Either the children walk many kilometers, sometimes up to two hours each way, to continue their education. Often they don't. Especially the girls whose families believe it is too dangerous for them to travel that far. Of those who don't, their education is over until teachers can be found and schools can be built.

Elders in Tanbarbar

My friends Samson and Dorothy continue to struggle to build elder care in Ethiopia through their organization Noble Cause Elder Care and Support Services. They are building the first geriatric care in Ethiopia. You can learn more about my time with them by clicking this link We're Going North!.

Grinding teff

Everyone I met introduced me to a glimpse of daily life and struggles and for that I will be forever grateful. You can learn more about my time there by visiting my photo album Adventures in Mission - Ethiopia. You have a couple of options if you are visiting. You can click on next at the bottom and be able to read the stories and captions with each picture, or, you can simply view the photos by clicking the slide show button. On the right, you have the option of selecting the speed you want to view it in.

Each day there was a blessing from God. Some days were hard, especially those with no water, electricity or internet to keep me connected to home. Those were so minor compared to the joys I experienced in being there. I can't wait to see what God has in store for me next!! I know it will be truly amazing!

Waaqaoo Sni Ibsu

(Oromo for God Bless You)

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Hand in Hand: Praying for our Sisters in Christ

How many times have you asked someone to help you with a mission project only to be told, “Times are hard. Times are tough. We have too much going on now. I would love to participate in a mission project. I just don’t have the time…the money…” How many times have you said those words when asked by someone? How many of your friends, family, co-workers, said them to you?

"We’re making it easy this year. We are only asking a little of your prayer time. We are only asking that you join your hands in prayer for women everywhere.

I invite you, on those days when you think life is hard, to remember women around the world and stop and pray for them, the issues they are facing and the PCUSA Missionaries who are serving around the world to make life a little easier for our sisters."

Hand in Hand is the 2011 mission project for the women of Grace Presbytery. I am sharing it here in the hopes that others will join us in prayer throughout this year.

You don't have to be a woman and you don't have to be a Presbyterian to join us. Everyone praying together can make a difference.

Something special happens when God’s people in mission come together to pray, worship, work, rest, eat and play. Sometimes we all experience Pentecost again.

A Letter from Sherron George in Brazil

http://gamc.pcusa.org/ministries/missionconnections/

Each month will feature a different issue. I hope you will join us...

The Facts:

Violence against women and girls is one of the most widespread violations of human rights. It can include physical, sexual, psychological and economic abuse, and it cuts across boundaries of age, race, culture, wealth and geography. It takes place in the home, on the streets, in schools, the workplace, in farm fields, refugee camps, during conflicts and crises. It has many manifestations — from the most universally prevalent forms of domestic and sexual violence, to harmful practices, abuse during pregnancy, so-called honour killings and other types of femicide.

Violence against women and girls has far-reaching consequences, harming families and communities. Gender-based violence not only violates human rights, but also hampers productivity, reduces human capital and undermines economic growth.

http://www.saynotoviolence.org/issue

Her Story...

•

I grew up in a loving home where I was not exposed to abuse. Unlike so many stories where battered women have themselves grown up in abusive situations, I had not. I believed in every part of my being that I would marry my true love and live happily ever after.

As a young and loving individual filled with dreams, I had no idea of the nightmare that I was about to enter when I married my abuser. Coming from a strong faith background and believing in the institution of marriage, I did everything in my power to make my marriage work. The abuse was devastating, physically and emotionally.

During my horrendous marriage, I lived in constant terror, and the nightmare became progressively worse as time went on. When I tried to go to work, my husband appeared and bashed in my car. I lived as a prisoner, and finally it became so terrible that I made the decision that I was going to leave.

I was depressed all the time and completely miserable, but most of all I didn't want my kids growing up in a violent home. So I made the call to Interval House. I remember clearly like it was yesterday. The minute I walked through the door of the shelter I knew that everything was going to be okay. I didn't know what I was going to do, but I knew that whatever road I ended up on, I was going to be safe and that my decisions were my decisions and not his.

Eat, Pray, Love

Monday, February 21, 2011

Ethiopia

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