Ethiopia ministry has begun and a lot has happened.
I’m in the capital of Ethiopia and the elevation is so high up people are wearing sweatshirts in Africa near the equator in July. That experience is something I couldn’t have anticipated. I love this type of weather, so the location is fantastic for me.
The primary ministry opportunities are working with orphans and refugees. Starting with the orphans, we have played soccer with them and they are very very good. The kids also don’t get tired running up and down the pitch for two and a half hours and play in the cold and mud. The game is pretty crazy to witness and kind of play in. I’ve also done a sermon on forgiveness with the orphans, because our host stated that part of Christianity the kids need some work on because of how difficult their past is. Another girl on my team has also been vulnerable with the kids, so hopefully they keep being open with us. The kids have been very respectful and well behaved. We were able to attend a school celebration, where many of the orphans received awards for academic excellence throughout the entire school. The ministry host has done a great job emphasizing the importance of education in creating a brighter future for the kids.
The refugee camp was a different experience. I sure have learned the word ferenji, which means white people, because the kids kept chanting the word. The refugee kids would grab unto you, were very fascinated my arm hair, and would hang on so you would have to carry several of the kids while you are walking. The experience was probably a bit like crowds desperately trying to touch Jesus. There was a very dark undertone despite the joy. The kids got pretty violent with each other trying to touch us, and a couple of the adults brought out whips to hit the kids with. There was a lot of darkness in the people’s past, and we are told often times people go insane in the camp. An example of the darkness and light comes from one man who lost his wife of 20+ years. She was the one who would make money for the family by finding plastic bottles and reselling them. People in the camp don’t get jobs on the outside, because the refugees are discriminated against. Despite being on track to lose everything, the man still gave us grain to eat. The scenario really reminded me of the widow with two coins story in the Bible. We also visited the chief’s family, who were so disappointed to not get us coffee.
Other ministry opportunities included gardening. The experience gave me a different perspective on the Cain and Abel story for a couple of reasons. First, rain is often associated with the flood and suffering in the Bible, but in reality the water was exactly what Cain needed to make the soil easier to till. Also, in order to uproot rocks and weeds with a pickaxe, you have to strike the tool down then push back up. That’s how we should use our heavenly tools, strike down at the earthly foundation, then push back up toward heaven to remove the rocks and weeds in the way of planting seeds.
We got to celebrate the Fourth of July by eating burgers and a caramel cake that our host brought us. The gift was very nice of him.
We are going to do ministry with the orphans and a church this week, so hopefully we make the most of our time.
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