John 3:16
Dear Friends and Family,
This is a story of a homeless boy and OH, how I wish I could be like the caring woman in this story to all of the homeless children here in Ethiopia.
When I see these children I think, some mother birthed this child and for some reason he is now detached from her and is missing out on being nurtured and loved. In some of their faces I see fear. I would like to follow her example and take them under my wings. However, I'd become like the "Pied Piper" and have hundreds following me home, then hanging around like stray kittens for more food every time they feel their stomachs hunger pains.
The best I can do for now is to give them bread and birr (the Ethiopian currency) for those who are so eager to do small jobs for me like showing me where to find carrots in the dense outdoor market area or carry my packages.
Last Saturday I was in the market alone (a first) and had no trouble. More than 2,000 people spread out over the hillside and I was the only white face there. Many children followed me and several well-meaning adults picked up sticks to scare them away. However, I told the adults, in Amharic, "Thank you for trying to help, but never mind, it is O.K." They looked surprised. Many of the children have seen me before and are respectful and not asking for money. We walk together, repeating names of things we see in Amharic and English, while one boy was careful to keep track of my purchases.
As I build relationships with these children I can speak of Jesus to let them know that He is their shepherd and that if they follow Him all of their needs will be met. I can't get to all of them but started several weeks ago to have dialog with the Academic Dean of the college about having the needs of the crippled children met. We have met with an agency in Addis Ababa to request wheel chairs for them (there are 45 in Hosanna) and I want to take the younger ones into the kindergarten we have started here on the campus. It is only a start.
So, from my perspective, this story Taylor Maxwell forwarded to me was a blessing and inspiration. I can only hope to be more like the woman in this story as she follows Jesus' example when He said, "Suffer the little children to come unto me."
I hope it will bless you, as well.
This is a story of a homeless boy and OH, how I wish I could be like the caring woman in this story to all of the homeless children here in Ethiopia.
When I see these children I think, some mother birthed this child and for some reason he is now detached from her and is missing out on being nurtured and loved. In some of their faces I see fear. I would like to follow her example and take them under my wings. However, I'd become like the "Pied Piper" and have hundreds following me home, then hanging around like stray kittens for more food every time they feel their stomachs hunger pains.
The best I can do for now is to give them bread and birr (the Ethiopian currency) for those who are so eager to do small jobs for me like showing me where to find carrots in the dense outdoor market area or carry my packages.
Last Saturday I was in the market alone (a first) and had no trouble. More than 2,000 people spread out over the hillside and I was the only white face there. Many children followed me and several well-meaning adults picked up sticks to scare them away. However, I told the adults, in Amharic, "Thank you for trying to help, but never mind, it is O.K." They looked surprised. Many of the children have seen me before and are respectful and not asking for money. We walk together, repeating names of things we see in Amharic and English, while one boy was careful to keep track of my purchases.
As I build relationships with these children I can speak of Jesus to let them know that He is their shepherd and that if they follow Him all of their needs will be met. I can't get to all of them but started several weeks ago to have dialog with the Academic Dean of the college about having the needs of the crippled children met. We have met with an agency in Addis Ababa to request wheel chairs for them (there are 45 in Hosanna) and I want to take the younger ones into the kindergarten we have started here on the campus. It is only a start.
So, from my perspective, this story Taylor Maxwell forwarded to me was a blessing and inspiration. I can only hope to be more like the woman in this story as she follows Jesus' example when He said, "Suffer the little children to come unto me."
I hope it will bless you, as well.
posted by John | 9:06 PM
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