An Answer to My Prayer
June 19, 2009
Today, at Children’s Home Ethiopia’s Drop-In Center for street children, we celebrated a very special birthday – Nega Meaza’s, Director and Co-Founder of CHE.
It started with the staff and children secretly preparing a special breakfast of difo dabo (a cultural bread that Nega loves), along with cookies, tea, and a coffee ceremony (which includes popcorn!).
Nega was brought into the classroom and surprised with 20 children singing (actually it was more like screaming 
) “Happy Birthday to You!” over and over again.
Two candles graced the top of the difo dabo revealing Nega’s young age of only 35.
It was truly a heartwarming experience to witness this celebration as most of these children look to Nega as a father figure. Imagine 20 children honoring you with their songs, attention, and obvious affection – what an incredibly special birthday gift!
As I think of Nega, I am so truly honored to be his friend and co-worker. His dedication to the children under his care is second to none – completely unlike anything I have ever experienced.
And despite the overwhelming numbers of children before us, tinish (little) funding, and exhaustive needs that are ever-present, Nega perseveres – not for himself and not for his reputation, but solely for his love for children and his obedience to God.
Today I am struck with the realization that Nega is a profound part of the answer to my prayer for the street children of Ethiopia (click here to see last week’s post).
It’s funny. Last week I was wondering how street children would experience the God-intended parental love they deserve. And now here he is right under my nose.
So now I revise my prayer and ask…
God please provide more Negas for Ethiopia!
A Mother’s Love
June 6, 2009
Recently Karyn, Jack (our 2 year old), McLaine (our 11 month old), and I were blessed by a timely visit by my mom, Bonnie. You see, Karyn had just had surgery – a scary thing when you are so far from home and family – and we were facing her recovery with two young children to boot. Needless to say we were feeling a bit overwhelmed.
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| Mom with Jack and McLaine at home in Addis |
And then we received a call from mom. She said, “I’ve got my ticket to come and now all I have to do is go to Washington D.C. to get a last minute passport.” There was much rejoicing within our household that day.
Mom arrived in Addis Ababa on May 2, 2009 and we were able to enjoy her visit and her help for an entire month!
As I thought about mom and her impractical, yet loving, last minute decision to come to Ethiopia to help her family, I realized how blessed I am. I believe being loved so tangibly is not only a privilege but it’s also how God intended it to be. I have experienced my mother and my father’s love – their deep, unconditional love – and believe I am who I am today partly because of it. Even my understanding of God owes credit to my parents’ love of me.
I work with and am approached by children everyday here in Addis who have no such love in their lives. I am heartbroken when I consider that these children and thousands more in Addis Ababa alone are living lives void of this God-intended parental love.
Today I have no answers to give that solve this overwhelming tragedy, but I do have a prayer…
Father God, love the forsaken children of this country so deeply, so tangibly that they miraculously understand what it means to have a mother’s love. I ask that your presence will penetrate the dark streets and allies that many of these children sleep on here in Addis Ababa. You are their father and their mother. AMEN
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