Dear Friends and Family
I have arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for the beginning of a third year of work with the people of Yetebon. They are making much progress toward improving the quality of their lives and I, too, am being blessed by their witness.
Those who have moved closer to God demonstrate a commitment to glorify Him through improving the quality of their lives. They grow things better by using the drip irrigation system and planting a larger variety of seeds. They are now building more durable houses for their families as the rectangular, multi-room, metal-roofed houses replace the tukuls (round grass huts). I will miss the aesthetic beauty of the huts that are spread out across the landscape of valleys, plateaus, and mountains. They are becoming aware of how hygiene and sanitation helps control disease and are improving in these areas, as well. There are more than 1100 students who come to school every day in clean clothes and bath, if not in a stream then in the showers or wash basins provided at school.
So much has changed since I arrived in Yetebon in 2004. We have electricity, a land-line phone, internet access; and as I return this year we will find that every teacher will have a cell phone. I understand that it will be cheaper to call the US by cell phone than by using the land-line that was a mile away from where I live.
Each time I go to the US I cherish my friendships and family even more. I have learned that relationship is the most valuable gift God has given. First, my relationship with Him, then with others here and in the US are more precious to me than anything else in my life. Essential to maintaining connections is better communication, better transportation, and a closer walk with my heavenly Father. I learn so much more, as I pray for wisdom, about the real value of the life He has given to me on this earth: to bring joy to Him. It has been a blessing far beyond anything I had ever been able to imagine.
There are some desires of my heart which I can’t have like being nearer my friends, my children, my grandbaby, and other family more often so, the little time I have with them is very important to me. I did not get to see Catherine while I was home but God is good and she already has her ticket to come to visit and work in Yetebon in November.
Catherine will be teaching sewing, pattern-making, and English. Her ticket was just under 1800.00 and two years ago, when Marta asked me if Catherine would be willing to come teach sewing to students in Yetebon, Sammy (Marta’s son who is Director of the
Project’s office in Ft. Wayne, IN) thought he could find a sponsor. However, contributions for Project Mercy have been slower coming in since natural disasters hit the US and philanthropists have diverted funds.
The travel agency has billed Project Mercy and if anyone would like to make a contribution toward Catherine’s expenses for her volunteer work it may be sent to Project Mercy at 7011 Ardmore Ave., Ft. Wayne, IN 46809 and anything would be greatly appreciated. If the funding doesn’t come I will send funds from my own reserve account, not related to donations, to Project Mercy. She is trying to start her own business and has been working 16 hours a day as a waitress to pay her living expenses and for a studio space. She works in her studio after work and has made much progress in creating a collection that is almost completed, and is scheduled for a showing which will be the springboard for starting her own business.
We just recently had 23 new orphans join those orphans already living on the compound in Yetebon. They come to us from another village which I drive through on my way to Addis Ababa from Yetebon. All of their parents have died because they had AIDS. There will continue to be more orphans in that village and Project Mercy is raising funds to build a dormitory there for those children so that they can continue to live in their own village and be taken care of by those who know them. Presently, they are happy to be cared for on our compound. One of the children had just come to Addis Ababa this week to have medical treatment for a congenital heart disease which has some connection with the swelling of a hand. This could not be taken care of at our new hospital in Yetebon because she needed a specialist.
There is much preparation to do before traveling to Yetebon. My internet account was discontinued because I was not using it for a few months after a virus attach and crashing.. I have to reinstate it and am being sent to different offices located far apart in this metropolitan area. Then, in order to stay here more than 3 months each year I have to renew my temporary residence visa. That is also a difficult process which requires certified documents from 3 different offices.
Scott and I were trying to find a business today and ran into a very interesting Ethiopian who has returned to this country after being away for 35 years. He has a doctorate in a Science of how technology affects the populations of the world. He had had a home, much land, and a business, before the occupation; which began in the 70s. Everything was taken from him and he was unable to get back to Ethiopia before the deadline for repossessing ownership of land. Even though it is difficult to get things done here today he is forging forward to help this country by giving employment to those who help him with a dried tomato business. He has brought ”lateral irrigation” to Ethiopia and it is being used effectively. His heart is heavy when he looks around at all the filth, poverty, and physically challenged individuals but he remains committed and focused and wants to serve here for the remainder of his life. This is what Marta pleads with Ethiopians who have had opportunities to go abroad and specialize in training to do. This most important teaching we can give here is to train trainers or students who will develop a skill and become trainers of their own people.
I believe God has made a road, out of a trail, for me to branch out and train more teachers to become trainers throughout Ethiopia so that some day all Ethiopian children will have an opportunity to learn in a classroom. Today, only 20% of the children here have the privilege of attending any school. One little boy who I see every time I go to the village of Butajeri to use the internet café comes to me, not to beg for money as the other children do but rather comes to ask for a place in my school.
It is difficult becoming aware of the needs and the limitations in a third world country but, God willing, progress will continue to be made.
Those who have moved closer to God demonstrate a commitment to glorify Him through improving the quality of their lives. They grow things better by using the drip irrigation system and planting a larger variety of seeds. They are now building more durable houses for their families as the rectangular, multi-room, metal-roofed houses replace the tukuls (round grass huts). I will miss the aesthetic beauty of the huts that are spread out across the landscape of valleys, plateaus, and mountains. They are becoming aware of how hygiene and sanitation helps control disease and are improving in these areas, as well. There are more than 1100 students who come to school every day in clean clothes and bath, if not in a stream then in the showers or wash basins provided at school.
So much has changed since I arrived in Yetebon in 2004. We have electricity, a land-line phone, internet access; and as I return this year we will find that every teacher will have a cell phone. I understand that it will be cheaper to call the US by cell phone than by using the land-line that was a mile away from where I live.
Each time I go to the US I cherish my friendships and family even more. I have learned that relationship is the most valuable gift God has given. First, my relationship with Him, then with others here and in the US are more precious to me than anything else in my life. Essential to maintaining connections is better communication, better transportation, and a closer walk with my heavenly Father. I learn so much more, as I pray for wisdom, about the real value of the life He has given to me on this earth: to bring joy to Him. It has been a blessing far beyond anything I had ever been able to imagine.
There are some desires of my heart which I can’t have like being nearer my friends, my children, my grandbaby, and other family more often so, the little time I have with them is very important to me. I did not get to see Catherine while I was home but God is good and she already has her ticket to come to visit and work in Yetebon in November.
Catherine will be teaching sewing, pattern-making, and English. Her ticket was just under 1800.00 and two years ago, when Marta asked me if Catherine would be willing to come teach sewing to students in Yetebon, Sammy (Marta’s son who is Director of the
Project’s office in Ft. Wayne, IN) thought he could find a sponsor. However, contributions for Project Mercy have been slower coming in since natural disasters hit the US and philanthropists have diverted funds.
The travel agency has billed Project Mercy and if anyone would like to make a contribution toward Catherine’s expenses for her volunteer work it may be sent to Project Mercy at 7011 Ardmore Ave., Ft. Wayne, IN 46809 and anything would be greatly appreciated. If the funding doesn’t come I will send funds from my own reserve account, not related to donations, to Project Mercy. She is trying to start her own business and has been working 16 hours a day as a waitress to pay her living expenses and for a studio space. She works in her studio after work and has made much progress in creating a collection that is almost completed, and is scheduled for a showing which will be the springboard for starting her own business.
We just recently had 23 new orphans join those orphans already living on the compound in Yetebon. They come to us from another village which I drive through on my way to Addis Ababa from Yetebon. All of their parents have died because they had AIDS. There will continue to be more orphans in that village and Project Mercy is raising funds to build a dormitory there for those children so that they can continue to live in their own village and be taken care of by those who know them. Presently, they are happy to be cared for on our compound. One of the children had just come to Addis Ababa this week to have medical treatment for a congenital heart disease which has some connection with the swelling of a hand. This could not be taken care of at our new hospital in Yetebon because she needed a specialist.
There is much preparation to do before traveling to Yetebon. My internet account was discontinued because I was not using it for a few months after a virus attach and crashing.. I have to reinstate it and am being sent to different offices located far apart in this metropolitan area. Then, in order to stay here more than 3 months each year I have to renew my temporary residence visa. That is also a difficult process which requires certified documents from 3 different offices.
Scott and I were trying to find a business today and ran into a very interesting Ethiopian who has returned to this country after being away for 35 years. He has a doctorate in a Science of how technology affects the populations of the world. He had had a home, much land, and a business, before the occupation; which began in the 70s. Everything was taken from him and he was unable to get back to Ethiopia before the deadline for repossessing ownership of land. Even though it is difficult to get things done here today he is forging forward to help this country by giving employment to those who help him with a dried tomato business. He has brought ”lateral irrigation” to Ethiopia and it is being used effectively. His heart is heavy when he looks around at all the filth, poverty, and physically challenged individuals but he remains committed and focused and wants to serve here for the remainder of his life. This is what Marta pleads with Ethiopians who have had opportunities to go abroad and specialize in training to do. This most important teaching we can give here is to train trainers or students who will develop a skill and become trainers of their own people.
I believe God has made a road, out of a trail, for me to branch out and train more teachers to become trainers throughout Ethiopia so that some day all Ethiopian children will have an opportunity to learn in a classroom. Today, only 20% of the children here have the privilege of attending any school. One little boy who I see every time I go to the village of Butajeri to use the internet café comes to me, not to beg for money as the other children do but rather comes to ask for a place in my school.
It is difficult becoming aware of the needs and the limitations in a third world country but, God willing, progress will continue to be made.
posted by John | 9:09 PM
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