Ethiopian Friends

My friend, Tiebebu, is an orphan living in Addis. He is one of the sweetest and most genuine kids I've ever met. He has such a kind, loving, heart. I can't imagine the pain he feels knowing he was abandoned, and no one wanted him.

Debora works at Mission Ethiopia. I first met her while she was preaching it up during Mission Ethiopia's daily devotional. Her passionate tone, and intense body language while she preached was something I will always remember. Debora's love for Jesus shines when you see her.

This is my good friend Mikias. Mikias was our translator. This trip I really got to know him. Growing up, Mikias was thrown in prison multiple times, stoned, and mobbed out of his own home for loving Jesus. But that didn't stop him from telling others about what Jesus had done for them. Every time we would eat, Mikias would make me eat his meal first. He always gave me his drink. If I said I was cold, he would take off his shirt and give it to me. Mikias knows how to love like Jesus loved. I miss him so much.

Kasa is a leper. He has no fingers, but still makes rugs. He is one of the men that work for Mission Ethiopia. Every time I passed by his work station he would wave and have a huge grin on his face as I yelled, “Kasa!”. His wife recently died. Kasa loved her so much. As he told are team about it, he started to cry. He is one of the few men that haven't left their wives. He is struggling to pay his rent (less than $20 a month), so the women at Mission Ethiopia are chipping in to help him.

I feel in love with these two souls- Tigist and Temeshen. They are full of so much energy and fun. Tigist would always make sure the kids wouldn't steal my things. She would yell at them and defend me. When my hair fell in my face she would always gently push it behind my ear. Every day in Korah I never left her side. I miss her so much. Their father abandoned them and their mom works for Mission Ethiopia, so I know she is getting food. I am grateful for Mission Ethiopia being in their lives.

Beza works for the guest home through Mission Ethiopia. She is one of the better off Ethiopians but has one of the most generous hearts. One lady we met was only 18, got raped, had a kid, and her family left her. They had no food or clothes and were clearly dying. Beza took the clothes in her closet and gave them to this lady. I love her so much.

This is my friend Meskyrem and her mom, I hung our with them everyday. Meskyrem is best friends with Tigist. She has an older and younger sister. Her father left them. Meskyrems mom luckily got a job working with Mission Ethiopia. Without it she would most likely be begging and sorting through trash. Meskyrem is such a leader, I see so much potential in her.

The person in the blue shirt is Anguach. I got to visit her closet size home while I was in Ethiopia. She has only been working for Mission Ethiopia for two weeks. She was in a bad car accident were her husband for 20 years died, along with her new born baby. Anguach is like the mom to her small street. Children came and went and she provided them with food. The community of Mission Ethiopia has really helped her bring healing. She also makes amazing coffee(:

Our van just started to roll out of Korah. These three little girls, Tigist, Meskyrem, and Lydia, I hung around every day. Tears were streaming as I said goodbye. I couldn't stand leaving them, how many other people have they seen leave? I took out my camera in an effort to make them smile. This is the picture I snapped.