I am currently 3 hours away from Ethiopia’s capital in a little tiny village (won’t show up on google, mom) called Harbu Chulule. I haven’t told you much about it due to the lack of wifi, and God has moved in some big ways the past 2.5 months so I figured better late than never!
We are partnering with an organization called HOPEthiopia that focuses on restoration . . . of basically everything. They have four main focuses : orphans, education, reforestation, and health. Here are some of the ways they are restoring these areas in the beautiful Ethiopia:
The Children’s Village!
With 29 kids and 7 amazing house moms (with more on the way), this part of HOPE focuses on the restoration of family. HOPE takes in orphans and widows and gives them homes and families. There are 7 houses in the village, each with a mama who was either widowed or divorced and 4-5 orphans who she loves on and takes care of! They are hoping to add another addition to the families by taking in the abandoned elderly of the village and making them adoptive grandparents. It’s TRULY beautiful to see and hear how crazy positive the impact has been on these women and children’s lives. We live about 50 yards away from them in what they call the “guest house”. Our main (and favorite) ministry is loving on the kids. Sometimes that looks like coloring, other times playing soccer, teaching them, or just allowing them to jump on you until they’re worn out.
(NEW) Training Center
Since being here, we have watched and helped them raise up a whole new building that will be used for the public! HOPE is partnering with a company to provide a facility to train, teach, and empower the women of this village. They will be teaching them to sew clothing and leather products!
Village Outreach (Mini Missions)
By far one of my favorite things they do! HOPE organizes for the kids of the children’s village to go a few hours to a neighboring village, bringing water and telling people about Jesus! The kids get so excited about this and it’s such an empowering way to teach them what living missionally looks like!
Reforestation & Planting Beehives
Due to over-grazing, the soil here is eroding and incredibly unhealthy. HOPE has a reforestation site about 45 minutes from the compound that plants pine trees and beehives!
Agriculture/Gardening
In an effort to make the property as self-sustaining as possible, they have several gardens and an apple orchard on the property, and are planning to expand more in the future.
Brick Making
There is one cluster of seven children’s homes on the property, but they are currently working on adding more! Along with the training center, these buildings are made with brick that was made here on the compound by yours truly!
Water Distribution
Water is one of the biggest needs in this community. The FAITH well sits right outside the compound and is available to the entire village. Here, our job is to build relationship with the people of the community and help them get their jugs of water home.
Medical Care
When HOPE arrived in Harbu Chulule, there was only one clinic in the whole village and it was super run-down. They cleaned it up, helped fund it, and provide free dental care whenever Ralph (the founder who happens to also be an amazing dentist) comes to town.
The moment I arrived here I was inspired by how much is happening here. Anytime there is a need, they are so quick to start organizing and planning what their next move is to provide for that. Being here has taught me so much about the tangible love of Christ and how providing for the physical and social needs of people is something that is biblically stressed but often forgotten. As a squad, it has taught us to be proactive and get creative in the ways that we do that.
