five things i love about ethiopia: the people

And here is my number one love - the people!

As I think about the people I have met in Ethiopia, I wondered how I might convey them to you.  I decided to share a section of Tom Davis' book, Scared.  The section I am quoting is about Adanna, a young orphan who is caring for her younger siblings, Precious and Abu.  They live in a small African country ravaged by tragedy and disease.  Mr. Stuart is the American journalist who is covering the story.  He has made friends with Adanna and her siblings and is checking in on them.

"Adanna!"  I call out to announce myself, and all of the heads turn toward me.  

"Mr. Stuart?  What are you doing here?"  I'm hit headlong by Precious, and then Abu, who hug my legs.  I laugh for the first time in days.  I give Precious a squeeze around the shoulder and take Abu into my arm.  I ignore the pain as my camera bag scrapes around my back.

"What are you doing, Adanna?  You look like you're running a bed-and-breakfast."

"A what?"

"It's a place where people go to sleep overnight, and they get breakfast in the morning."  I realize how ridiculous this sounds.

"Oh.  Well, you gave me all this food, so I'm sharing it."

"But that food was for you.  Did you use it all?"

She nods.

What are you, Abu, and Precious going to eat tomorrow?

"I don't know.  I didn't think about it.  These children were hungry too."  She waves her hand across the group, as if she is blessing them.  "It's okay, Mr. Stuart, because God will take care of us."

This excerpt represents well the Ethiopian people I have met.  

They love the Lord.  (Luke 10:27)

They trust in Him for everything. (Proverbs 3:5)

They give with their whole hearts - caring for their neighbors, expecting nothing in return. (Luke 6:35, 22:39)

They understand - understand what it means to be a Christ follower.  It is their way of life.

I love these people and all they are teaching me.