thoughts from others...

I asked members of our team to respond to the mission experience they had in Ethiopia. Here are some of the responses.                                                                                            

The perspective I'm writing from is someone going to Ethiopia that is sponsoring one of the children there. At home you can get a feeling about the child you sponsor and see their picture but you don't really connect with them like you do when you see them in person and put your arms around them and talk to them and see them interact with the other children. Even more than that is to go to where they live and see what the conditions are they live in, and meet their parents and ask what specific things we can pray for. It's a very special connection you just can't have without being there. I feel blessed to be able to experience it. Ron

I am always amazed by how God is working in people all over this world.  I was so encouraged by the work that Sister Almaz is doing to help bring lasting and sustainable change to the community of Sendafa; work that is literally helping to transform the physical and spiritual lives of some of the most vulnerable children in all of Ethiopia.  What a joy to partner with her and her amazing staff living out our faith in Jesus in ways that will make an eternal difference. Tom

Wow! What an amazing trip! I remember on the first day when I saw all the kids line up and wave at us with big smiles on their faces. The time I got to spend with the kids was wonderful and they were always eager to learn more, whether it was in or out of the classroom. I remember doing the hokey pokey with the kids about a million times, but it was so worth it when you saw how it made them all giggle and laugh. Throughout the week I saw relationships grow stronger each day with the kids and staff. I got to see the little girl I sponsor, Bemenet, and at the end of the week when all the kids were leaving, I saw Bemenet's grandmother. Bemenet's mother died in a car accident when she was little and her father left them when her mother died. Bemenet's grandmother now takes care of her as well as her own son. Her grandmother looked so happy to see me. This trip was truly amazing, and I would strongly encourage you to go! Ryan