A Journey of Love
May 26, 2009
Can a person love someone they have never met? I would have said no about two weeks ago, prior to Tom Ashworth and Kim McCoy’s (father and daughter) visit to Children’s Home Ethiopia. Undoubtedly Tom and Kim came all the way to Ethiopia because they had fallen in love with the children they had learned about, supported, and prayed for through The Forsaken Children. I was so impressed when Tom called several of the children by name when they first walked in the door – no introductions necessary. And Kim came just looking for Desse, the little boy she had been praying for ever since she learned of his struggle to stay off of the streets.
What’s more, it took Tom and Kim one glance before they began to love the new children coming to the Drop-In Center. After a week of seeing these new beneficiaries playing, learning, fighting (a lot), and simply living the tragic yet realistic street life, Tom and Kim’s hearts were in these children’s hands. At their goodbye ceremony, Kim’s tears and heartfelt message of love was so powerful that many of the boys were in tears. She simply told them that she loved them, a message that was hard for many of them to understand. Ashenafi, one of the new beneficiaries, said later, “How can these people love us? They’re not our family or even from our same country.” 
What an amazing picture of what God can do in a person’s heart. I believe it is because of their love for Jesus that Tom and Kim were so easily enraptured with love for these children – these strangers. Their love so impressed Ashenafi that the Holy Spirit moved his soul to accept Jesus as his Savior and Lord. Praise God for Tom and Kim, and especially for their love!
Life in Ethiopia is…
May 22, 2009
Overwhelming – Needs abound here unlike anything most people experience in the developed world. Take one step onto a street in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and you are likely to see unmet urgent medical needs (at least in a Westerner’s perspective), subtle and overt child abuse (again, in a Westerner’s perspective), heart wrenching poverty, and stares so intense that you wonder if your soul is exposed.
Humbling – Despite the extreme poverty faced by most Ethiopians, you can expect to be an honored guest whenever you visit an Ethiopian’s home. Whether you want it or not you will be served their best food, provided with a beautiful coffee ceremony, and provided with any comforts they can find in their humble homes. Usually I leave such experiences blown away by the hospitality that abounds in this amazing country.
Confusing – Going to any government office to seek help (for instance, trying to inquire as to why your water is not working) will make your head spin. Not only is there no designated place to ask questions, but there are also no such things as lines here in Ethiopia. You may think you are the next person up, only to become severely disappointed when you are quickly passed by a little old lady desperate for help herself. The amazing thing is, this is not rudeness or selfishness oftentimes, but rather a mere difference between Western and Ethiopian cultures. Who am I to fault this person who has never had to stand in a line her whole life? Isn’t culture funny?
Convicting – At one moment you may be complaining that there is no electricity at your house, only to feel severely sorry for such an attitude when you see a child asleep on a street corner. Coming from a country like America where anything you need is at your fingertips makes transitioning to life in Ethiopia a struggle. Nothing is easy and often you go without, but that “without” is often meager in comparison to what your new neighbors have never had – running water, electricity, for some, a roof, and the list goes on.
Fun – Ethiopians know how to have a good time. Whether it’s joking with your friends while having a cup (did I say cup, I meant cups) of coffee, playing football (soccer) in your small front yard after dinner, or participating in an off the cuff fashion show with the neighborhood children, you’re sure to find yourself laughing a lot here in Ethiopia. I’m beginning to believe that God gives us laughter to deal with the difficulties that life often brings. Maybe that’s why Ethiopian’s are so good at laughing – life for them is very difficult, but they still find joy in the small things.
I thank God for my life in Ethiopia. I believe I will be a better man and a better follower of Jesus because of it!
God is Moving at CHE
May 18, 2009
God is so amazing how he works. Ashenafi, the unofficial leader of the current group of children attending Children’s Home Ethiopia’s (CHE) Drop-In Center, was very emotional during a recent goodbye ceremony for two visitors from America, Tom Ashworth and Kim McCoy.
For some reason I really felt like I should pull Ashenafi aside after the ceremony was over. I did pull him aside with Nega Meaza, Director of CHE, even though circumstances were not very conducive to doing so – kids were fighting, the landlord of the Drop-In Center was waiting for Nega, and Tom and Kim were in the middle of it all (I wanted to rescue them).
As soon as Nega and I started to talk to Ashenafi he began to weep. I basically just asked what he was feeling and then God did the rest. Ashenafi was so moved because he could not understand how Tom and Kim, strangers from America, could love him and the other children so much. Nega and I explained that their love for him and the others stemmed from their love of God. It was at that point that Ashenafi expressed his desire to go to church and learn how to love and follow God…
…As soon as Ashenafi said this I knew the Holy Spirit was their working on his soul and I asked what he knew about following God. His response was that he knew very little. As you may know, understanding this is a lifelong process, but Nega and I were able to explain the most important part of what it means to be a follower of God to Ashenafi – trusting in Jesus as Savior and committing to live life for him.
What was so amazing to me is that we never once mentioned heaven or hell until after Ashenafi confessed that he was a sinner and that he believed that Jesus was his Savior and wanted to follow him. So, I told Ashenafi that Jesus had indeed saved him from his sins and then I got to share some of the best news – that he now has a place in heaven because of his faith in Jesus. At that point I asked if he would like to pray to talk to God about his new faith. I offered to say a prayer and let him repeat, but he said he would pray himself…
He put his head between his legs, wept, and prayed to Jesus. It was truly amazing to witness God working on his heart.
Nega took Ashenafi to church on Sunday to get him plugged in and Aserat wanted to come too. The 3 of them went to church together and heard a great sermon. The preacher gave a invitation during the prayer.
Nega said that when he opened his eyes Aserat was down front looking nervous but raising both his hands. He gave his heart to Jesus on Sunday!
When Joe went to the drop-in center this morning Aserat ran to him telling him excitedly in Amharic what had happened on Sunday.
Please pray for Ashenafi, Aserat as they are entering into this new relationship with God. Nega and the CHE staff truly have an important place in their life now as disciplers. The time constraints of running CHE will be a hindrance, as I’ve seen it be in many other areas, so pray that they will have the time and make the time to spend with Ashenafi and Aserat.
