With My Own Eyes

We certainly saw a lot of hard things in Addis Ababa, but we also saw beauty. The weather was very California-like (70s during the day and 50s at night). Addis sits at about 7500 feet in elevation.

This article about Anna was in her company newsletter.

What a blessing it was to make connection with the Beke Kale Heywet Church. Located on the outskirts of Addis Ababa the Beke church has a vibrant ministry to this rural community. In 2022, 21 people were baptized, and they will soon be baptizing 10 more. There are lots of kids! The church is already sponsoring a 17 year old girl name Ferhiwot (pictured above with her baby sister). Mom died when the baby was only 15 days old, leaving Ferhiwot to care for her siblings. The family was totally hopeless. Now they are deeply loved and cared for through this church body, receiving food and other necessary items. Another testimony is from a woman named Tiruwork. She is a Mom of 2. She said this: “After my husband left, I couldn’t provide for my 2 kids, and I felt I had no choice but to give them up for adoption. While asking about where to go for adoption, someone mentioned Nagoosie (the coordinator at Beke). I searched for his house for 3 days. He introduced me to HBC (the home based care program). I’ve now been in it for 2 years and I can care for my kids. I also came to know the Lord! I have a longing to know him more.” These are the kinds of stories we at FBC Cadillac have an opportunity to invest in.

World Orphans has a fantastic economic empowerment program designed to help families grow in financial sustainability. The program involves four rounds of micro-loans and training. For example, round 1 might be a loan to buy a chicken. The eggs from that chicken create income that brings provision for the family and repays loan #1. Loan #2 is then given which might be used for a cow. This continues for the four rounds at which point there is a wonderful graduation ceremony. It was an honor to be part of this special occasion and hear their stories.

We visited 3 churches connected with World Orphans and their strategy for home based care. Each church was unique, but each church welcomed us with a coffee ceremony (Coffee is big in Ethiopia!). This special hospitality involved a large loaf of bread, popcorn, and of course, Ethiopian coffee (very strong, served in a shot-like glass). From a western perspective, one hurdle was the fact that Ethiopians typically eat with their hands. The bread and popcorn were passed around the room and each person took their portion from the whole. It is a beautiful picture of unity, but a challenge to those of us who struggle with germ phobia. Each church had beautiful testimonies of transformed lives and families preserved through the work of World Orphans through the local churches. I found the Ethiopian people to be so beautifully gentle and genuine. I have much respect for the pastors ministering there.