Friday, August 15, 2008

It has been a unique experience this week, not only seeing the Projects that Compassion International helps to fund, but the way people live and DRIVE as a whole. I believe these people could be some fantastic NASCAR drivers. It is more or less, whoever can make it into the intersection first, has the right-of-way and they are within inches of each other. What should be a two lane road suddenly becomes a four to six lane road. Or a two way road will all of a sudden become a one way road. Not counting the animals in the center of all this chaos. They all seem to know what they are doing, so we duck our heads or hide our face in our hands and pray for the best. It is amazing that I have not seen one crash site. I do know the most important safety feature on a vehicle - THE HORN!!!!

It has been a fun, heart breaking, heart warming, loving, hugging, crying, eye opening experience for not only me, but also the men that are on this trip. The Project today (Friday) seems to be one of the really nice ones, but that is only compared to the others. This does not say they do not need help, because they need many things to help the children grow. The children we saw today were all three years of age and under. There were 50 mothers and 50 babies. These children and their mothers live in an industry area where the mothers are actually not married and some make their living by prostitution. They may have four children, all who are by different fathers. Therefore, the children grow in that kind of environment and when they get to be early teenagers and see what their mothers are doing, they see that as being the way of life and begin their journey in the same direction. Compassion not only tries to find funding (by way of sponsorships) for these children, but they also teach them about Christ. They do not force the issue, but they do teach the children and talk to the mothers about coming to know Christ and how He can make an impact on their life.

I have heard many times this week by older kids, that if it had not been for Compassion, they would probably not be living. A couple of these kids have just graduated from college this year and have already found jobs. One is a Veterinarian and the other is a Water Supply and Environmental Engineer. Both have been sponsored since they were very young. One of them got to meet his sponsor on graduation day. Is that not an awesome ending for a great life rather than no opportunity and no life? Please continue to pray for us as we travel home! Hope to see you soon!!!

The Lord God is my Strength, and he will give me the speed of a deer

and bring me safely over the mountain. Habakkuk 3:19

Cindy Davis (WBFJ)

LIVE from Addis Abba, Ethiopia (Africa)

More questions than answers...

Why?

Have you ever asked that short, bold question when you are faced with life's curve balls? When you find out that you have lost a job. Lost a child? Lost purpose? These trials are never easy.

The past two days in Ethiopia have been difficult for me to digest. I guess I knew that it was coming. Things that we Americans see on television or happen upon in a magazine. The reality of extreme poverty.

Reality: 'Ababa' and her four year old daughter 'Sefa' live in a 4 x 6 foot make shift shelter. That's right, 4 feet by 6 feet living space. Go get a tape measure right now and see how your world would be reduced by such physical poverty. I experienced 'Ababa's world for about 10 minutes by sitting in the middle of her 'home'. Her husband is an alcoholic. Still she smiles.

Just hours earlier, our team had been treated to a traditional 'coffee' ceremony at the Compassion project ET-145 a very poor neighborhood in the southern portion of Addis Ababa. A shy 27 year old young lady prepared the coffee and served us. Her name was 'Ababa'. The same 'Ababa' that we would pay a visit to later in the day. Her appearance was very presentable. Nothing that screamed 'extreme poverty.' How was I to know that this young woman's total worldly possessions would fit nicely in the bed of a Chevy pickup truck...with the tailgate up.

Hope: As I was sitting alone in Ababa's meager home with the rest of our team forced to remain outside because of the limited space, a translator assured me that Ababa loves to come to the local Compassion project and volunteer her time. That's right, volunteer to help others. Just like she did earlier on Wednesday morning...preparing coffee for us. 'Ababa' understands that the living Word of God still applies today.

"It is more blessed to give than to receive" Acts 20:35

Even in the face of extreme poverty.

And yes, I continue to ask...WHY?

Verne Hill (WBFJ News)

LIVE from Addis Abba, Ethiopia (Africa)

PS: Please pray for the Compassion Project leaders and local pastors in Ethiopia and around the world. One director actually told me that he feels defeated most days. He said that the physical needs in his area are just too great. That maybe he should just quit. I told him to not lose faith...to hold on. Pray that the 'laborers' be strengthened by the one who gave His life for us.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Destination: Debre Zeit Mesrete Kirstos Church Student Center

Located in a valley some 30 miles from Addis Ababa

Today we visited the Compassion Project in Debre Zeit, which is about 45 km from where we are staying. We met with five mothers that have HIV / AIDS. They each have one child that is sponsored through Compassion International. All but one of the women are Christians. The one thing we noticed in the difference between her and the others; she was not happy at all and the Christians are very happy because they know that they have God on their side. We prayed with them and visited them in their homes. They praise God for what He has done and do not blame Him for what they are going through. They each worry about their children possibly growing up without their mother. But they are taking one day at a time. To look at them you would never know they are sick. They do not want us to let anyone know in Ethiopia, because of the way they would be looked at and treated if people knew. They would be like an outcast, not only to their neighbors and friends, but even by their own family. They each have wonderful hearts and are so very loving.

"But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was.

And when he saw him, he had compassion"

Luke 10:33

Cindy Davis (WBFJ)

LIVE from Addis Abba, Ethiopia (Africa)

Wednesday night, August 13, 2008

Having Supper with Future Compassion Leaders in Ethiopia

Verne Hill (WBFJ News) - Live from Addis Abba, Ethiopia (Africa)

What's on the menu this evening?

Well, we are 'breaking bread' with a promising accountant, an architectural designer, an up and coming environmental engineer, an urban planner and a Doctor of Veterinary medicine.

Our Compassion / Ethiopia team (including Cindy and myself) was treated to a Five-Star meal with five LDP college students. As we dined on lukewarm Sprite, 'buna' (traditional coffee) and 'injera' (or sponge bread), the conversation spiced up with talk of hope, thankfulness and a peaceful cultural revolution all cultivated with compassion for the needy. Compassion International's LDP (or Leadership Development Program) is the next phase - an additional

investment - into a sponsored child as he or she completes High School. Graduates who were previous 'sponsored kids' and show exceptional leadership skills are recruited to participate in Compassion international's latest program. If these future leaders are chosen, they receive a college education, plus further Christian leadership training through Compassion.

I had the pleasure of sitting and chatting with Ms. Menderin Zewde, age 21, who is studying Accounting and Finance at the local University. Menderin loves to crunch the numbers. But says Politics is also on her 'wish list' of things to do after graduation in 2009. She tells me that life has not been easy but through dedication, determination and sponsorship through Compassion's Child Development program...she was at least given a chance. A chance. All because a family in America signed up to be her sponsor through Compassion International. The future definitely seems bright for Menderin and her fellow college mates as they make their mark in Ethiopia...all in the name of Jesus.

-Verne