Ethiopia has been our first country in Africa for this last stretch of the race. You’re probably not surprised but I’ve ABSOLUTELY enjoyed this month at our ministry. I don’t know what Rwanda and Uganda will be like but I know the people I’ve met at HOPEthiopia have been the kingdom of heaven like I’ve never seen before.
I could write you one large blog with an overall story of the month but I don’t think it would show you the beauty of these people or give you some of the precious moments I’ve had with them. So I’m going to give you a few short stories/profiles of some of the great people at HOPEthiopia. I hope you see them as our brothers and sisters, who I personally feel have brought more joy and hope to us. That may not sound “missionary” to some people, but the word “missionary” changes greatly when you’ve lived in these countries. A few Sundays ago at a church where some of us spoke, my Nebraska Cornhusker friend and squad mate Victoria said to the congregation that “we are only in Ethiopia for a few weeks but you live here – you ARE the missionaries”. Therefore, I hope you look at these people as the kingdom of heaven – ones who we’ll live it up with us in heaven one day.
Buze (Said as Boo-zey)
This lady. Dang. Without a doubt, she is a Proverbs 31 woman ……And a firecracker. Buze works in the kitchen along Yeshi (the head cook on the compound). She is a master at making homemade pizza, loves popcorn probably as much as a World Racer, and WILL FIGHT you to wash dishes after breakfast. She has two children and a husband who teaches. She is very proud of her family and where they are in life as she should be. Buze usually arrives at the house before we get up. No lie, she is the one who I can’t wait to see in the morning and give a hug and kiss to. Her presence brings everyone joy. She is full of laughter, perseverance, dignity, and a little bit of stubbornness…. But I can’t say much there.
Ralph (Founder, Canadian)
The founder of HOPEthiopia – Ralph or really Dr. Ralph. We were lucky to actually have Ralph with us for the first two weeks of the month because he’s only in Ethiopia for half of the year. Don’t be fooled though, when Ralph returns to Canada he doesn’t take a break. He works full-time as a dentist. Ralph spoke life into every single one of us. He’s full of energy and joy. Ralph taught a lot about the kingdom of heaven and how Jesus is in every child’s face on the compound. If you ever talk to him, he WILL talk about having passion and if you put work into what you’re passionate about you will see the land of the living. Ralph’s also great with any kind of questions on relationships/marriage. And for us girls who have to start thinking about re-entering life after the race, we took all the advice we could get. Ralph even had great advice for me who used to think freedom can’t be found in long relationships or marriage.
Zerihun (Goes by “Zee”)(One with glasses in picture)
Zee is the man. At least I think so. He’s the manager/director of HOPEthiopia and the head office. I had the privilege of sitting beside him on our 2 ½hr drive to the ministry on our first day. Zee is very calm and takes his time at what he is saying. He’s very intelligent and so is his family with one daughter at the university studying medicine and his wife as a professor at the university. Zee has this incredible reverence for the Lord. On the ride to the ministry together I saw that God was Zee’s best friend but with that Zee had a lot of respect and honor for God. I really did enjoy seeing that part of him because sometimes I think we forget Jesus isn’t just our BFF but He is mighty and He is the Lord of all. Zee would also translate and be our leader in different gatherings in the community. He was always cool, calm, and collective, just how I think Jesus would’ve been. For me I like that. No need to freak out! Zee also knew more about the coming election then most people I know in the States do… but I won’t tell you who he thinks should win.
Daweet (David in English)
I’ve saved the best for last! Sweet Daweet. Daweet is one of the 19 children who were orphans before coming to HOPEthiopia. Now Daweet can be very jealous at times and he’s still working on sharing but I’m not going to give you descriptions of him. I’m going to tell you a sweet story to end this blog.
One day Daweet was with me at the well in front of the compound where people of the community can come and receive plenty of water for free. After finishing working at the well, Daweet walked back with me to the house. Hand in hand, I started speaking truth over him and the promises God had for him. I’ve always tried to do this especially with children because although they may not understand English well, I entirely believe the Holy Spirit will speak to them. I told Daweet that he is a prince of God, he is wanted by Jesus, and he is for the kingdom of heaven. I then told him that he will always go to Jesus for love. As I said those words, Daweet turned his face up to me and said, “Yes, Jesus!?” I stopped with surprise and said “Yes that’s right! Jesus!” Without any confusion Daweet let go of my hand and began to sing with the hand motions “Jesus loves me” that us girls had been teaching him for two weeks. He continued to sing the song with a calm attitude and sweet smile on his face as if he knew the love of Jesus and the truth I spoke over him without a doubt. I didn’t know what to do but hold back the tears and just sing with Daweet. We finally reached home and I hugged Daweet before he ran off to play soccer. I just stood there for a second with a huge smile on my face. All I could hear God saying to me was “I got Daweet, Cicily, I got him”.
The scripture for Ethiopia given by my pastor and the church – James 1:27
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
