They like to pose in pictures because they usually take pictures by themselves, so this is us posing!

The little loves of my life!

MYC kids!

All of the little kids I play with daily.

Our Ministry and Ethiopian Orthodox

The ministry that we are doing here is completely on par with what I have been involved with at home. Generally, we go out and build relationships with the MYC girls, orphan girls and any other outreach opportunities that arise. Most people here are Ethiopian Orthodox Christians. With that said, our work is interesting as we are working with people who have never heard of Christ before. I am no pro at the religion, but it is easy to see that it is a huge part of the culture. Most Ethiopians have not been exposed to the New Testament portion of the Bible. It was only about five years ago that they were able to read their own Bible as it was believed that only people with religious training have the ability to translate appropriately. Our ministry is to show that there is more to the Bible than just the cultural rules that are to be followed. We are here to show them that Christ lived on the Earth, died on the cross, resurrected into heaven so that our sins are forgiven. To show them that walking as a believer is more than just fasting on Wednesday and Friday, it's a lifestyle and a true understanding of who Jesus Christ was and what he stood for. There is a fine line between the two and I see the blessing of having a religion so intertwined in the culture- as long as it is a fair and accurate representation of Scriptures and Jesus Christ.

Adoption and Orphanages

have spent the summer being completely torn on the issue of adoption. Malawi, where I spent time last year, is known as the "orphan country," yet I have seen the wrath of AIDS so much more in my time here in Ethiopia. Today (Thursday) we are saying goodbye to the orphan girls as they head home to extended family. Next week we will be left with the 12 or so who don't have any family. They have no one to love them except for each other. This is where practicality meets reality. I haven't the slightest idea of how much money an adoption costs, but to know that sponsorship money of $25 helps more than just the orphan but also the entire extended family. It is so practical to give that money and see huge things done with it, but in my time here I have been slapped with the reality. My time with the orphan girls has been so meaningful because they don't have anyone who stops to love them. This is the void that orphans without parents feel. They want someone who will love them and take care of them individually. Here they are going through a system that is trying to fade itself out and are eventually left to fend for themselves. This is not to say that they will not be successful, but my heart aches when I know something is missing- the foundation of family. I am no where near figuring out where to draw the line whether it is better to take a bunch of orphans off of the street or to be everything that one orphan needs. I know that opinions vary and I am just seeking where I stand.

Mekelle

Relaxing over a couple of the worlds best macchiatos, Megan and I discussed this interesting place of Mekelle. After agreeing that Mekelle is interesting we decided that it is a lot like a middle schooler- awkward and trying to figure itself out. Outside the café widows are people in business suits walking down the same street as lost donkeys. Banks and huge architecture buildings share the streets with the local markets. We see a man who runs past chasing a chicken that fell off of his stick (he was selling them), while over to the right men are getting their shoes shined. Every other road is paved yet filthy from the dirt roads that lead to them. The rich walk by the poor. Some kids say "hi," others say "money". There is street parking everywhere. For every car that takes up space on the street there is a bicycle that is parked, perfectly propped up on the curb by the pedal. Toyota SUVs share the roads with horse drawn carriages. On one particular street there is usually a horse that stands in the middle of the street for days, trying to just die away. The city is working to emerge with modern businesses and aspects of a western culture, yet can't manage to escape where it really came from