Ethiopia

The flight to Addis Ababa included 14 hours to Dubai, overnight at Air Emirates expense and 4 hours to Addis.  A great way to travel. The contrast between the 2nd worst economy in the world and the glitz of Dubai is amazing but is what it is.  I love our Ethiopian brothers and sisters for their diligence, happy and thankful countenance and wonderful hospitality.

For starters 50% of the trip was planned and 50% was left to what God would do.  Each of our goals was met “abundantly more than we could have asked” – Ephesians 3:20-21.  We traveled with good friends from Dominion Trading, Spokane coffee entrepreneurs and they also founded New Covenant Foundation, helping Ethiopians in many ways including evangelism.  What a joy to travel with these men as we shared expenses but had different objectives.

I had the privilege of spending time with our two “sons” Tamerat, Addis and Temesgne, Adama.  Both are being groomed to be future business leaders.  They understand the future of Ethiopia and the opportunity. Teme is a sophomore majoring in Tourism and Tamerat is selling phones for a Chinese phone company and has a small business making and selling French fries at night.

Tamerat in Addis

Teme also my translator

The Tino school with 59 PreK and K students will be self sustaining beginning in 2016 after a meeting with the church and school committee.  Long term success comes with local ownership and responsibility

Lunch first then positive meeting with the committee

Finally, the sewing project with women prisoners continues to prepare inmates for a career when released.  As with the children, they hear God’s word as they learn and are moving toward selling product in the market place, hopefully to earn some personal money and support the project.

Displaying their wares

It is such a privilege to be with God’s people who reflect joy and hope in the midst of difficult conditions.  We are the ones inspired by them.  And a big “thank you” to so many who support these projects that are changing lives.