Today we had the honor of meeting six families that receive sponsorship through America World, our sending organization. In a small school room, lit with sunlight, they sat with us and told us their stories. It felt like a sacred place.
Tagay walked through the gate holding the hand of her 4 year old son and carrying one child on her back and one in her arms. At first glance, it appeared that the babies were very close in age, and I wondered if they were twins. When she handed Natanim to me, it was quickly obvious that he is quite ill. He is so thin, with sunken in eyes and poor muscle tone. She explained to us that he has had problems since birth. Because of his disabilities, his father left them and her family has shunned them. They all wanted her to give him up and told her he is a curse. She cried as she talked. She handled him so gently and held him close to her face, kissing him and saying, "He is my gift from God." Her youngest child is a 3 month old girl, who looks healthy and happy. Tagay works braiding hair, and she has to leave the children at home while she is working. We told her that she is doing a beautiful thing, keeping her child and working to provide for all of them. One of the most touching moments of the trip was when Jadyn said to Amy, our interpreter, "Can you tell her that we don't think she is cursed?" She cried, and we cried. We were able to give her cloth diapers and wipes and clothes, and most importantly, our love and prayers for help for her family. Please stop reading right now and pray for Tagay and her children, especially Natanim, who especially needs God's healing touch.
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Teklewold came as a single father with his daughter Hanna, age seven. Hanna's mother left them, and now Hanna lives with his mother, her grandmother. Hanna is in grade 1, and they have been sponsored for the last 4 years. He explained that the grandmother couldn't come to visit with us because "she is old." Teklewold currently works as a day laborer, but that work is sporadic and doesn't pay very well. He asked us to pray that he would get a job. We did, and we will; will you pray for him too?
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Jeware and her 13 year old daughter, Hanan, left their home in southwestern Ethiopia eight years ago and came to Addis Ababa. They have struggled with some medical issues-Hanan has some type of heart issue, maybe congenital heart disease, and Jeware had surgery last year and has not completely recovered. She previously did sewing to support the two of them, but more recently her ability to do that has been limited because of her health. Their biggest need right now is for good housing. They are renting a small room and sharing a kitchen, and their landlady is not at all kind to them. They cannot afford any other housing, so they stay. They are Muslim, but they were happy to let us pray for them. Together we asked God to give them a better place to stay and to bring them health. Please join us in praying for them! Jeware had a smile that lit up her whole face.
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Yetnayet and her nephew Isubalew sat quietly, listening to the others, until it was their turn to share. Isubalew is 11 years old. Yetnayet is his aunt, and she has been caring for him because his father and mother are mentally ill. They have 2 younger children who are in an orphanage/foster care. Isubalew was wearing his best clothes for the occasion of meeting with us. He was very polite and reserved. Yetnayet works as a dishwasher, and her request was that we would pray for her health.
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Tsedale is 21 years old. She has been cut off by her family because her daughter Bilen, who is 16 months old, was born out of wedlock. Bilen played with the other children and with the team members while we talked. She is a precious little girl! Tsedale told us that she has worked as a housemaid and that she currently works washing clothes. She is very thankful for the sponsorship through America World, and is worried about what she will do if the sponsorship ends. She asks for prayer for good housing. Pray with us that she will experience God's love and know that He has not cut her off. Pray for safe and affordable housing for this young woman and her daughter.
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And then, Birtukan. Birtukan my special friend, who I met last year. Her story is written in our blog from last year (teamethiopia2015.blogspot.com). It is a great story and worth your time to read it. Birtukan told her story briefly today to our team, and she said, "God has a reason for everything. God has a reason for people to meet." I believe that! There are no accidents. God knows each one of these people. He has not forgotten them. He loves them. He brought us together today, so we can pray and so we could speak His love. We are hoping He will use us to meet some of their physical needs. What a privilege we were given to share in their stories today!
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