So many familiar faces pop out of the mini-mob of smiling children.
As I arrived at the Compassion project for my 3rd consecutive year, I was humbled and overjoyed by how many of these little ones remembered my face and name from the previous year. Though I recognized many of the faces, the names…hmmm…a bit more of a challenge for a guy used to western names:)
Not only did they remember me, but some of them quickly began to say, "Hello, Mahk(Mark)", while mimicking the goofy knee-knocking boogie we did the year prior. Some of my assumptions as a visitor would soon be wiped away.
Though the children at the project CLEARLY loved us and enjoyed visiting, I had ASSUMED they responded this way to every church that visited them. It would make sense, right? New people to spend time with…to play with…to share with, etc. One would assume it to be normal for these little ones to be totally excited about any foreign visitor. And excited, they were! As was I.
As so many times in the past, my assumption was dead-wrong.
I learned not only did just 2% of sponsored children ever meet their sponsors, but South Bay Church was the only church that had made the commitment to visit this specific Compassion Project on a regular basis. Our presence there truly was a HUGE deal for these children and our partner church, Nazret Emmanuel United Church.
This took my understanding and appreciation of every smile, every hug, every drawing handed to me by a child to a whole new level.
I realized that those of us who come to visit on an annual basis, become almost like surrogate sponsors to the children that have not, and will most likely, never meet their sponsors. It is VERY clear that they love and appreciate their own sponsors very, very much…as they are quick to bring out letters and photos that were sent to them from sponsors all around the world. But, for them to have face time with somebody, even if it is not their own sponsor, is a really big deal. One can quickly see their hearts open up. More than once in the past 3 years going to Nazret, have I watch, over the course of several days, the heart of a timid, hesitant child open up and become vulnerable enough to grab my hand…or make me a drawing that says, "I love you, Mark".
"I love you, Mark"? Really? After a couple days?
My cynical side says, "Right. Of course, they 'love' me/us. They are little kids…it's easy for them to say that". The reality I've discovered over the past 3 years in going to the same community in Ethiopia is this: When one has so little "stuff" in their hands, their heart is free to give and receive love quickly. They value people and relationships more readily that our western culture does because they intrinsically do not take affection and care from another human being for granted. When living in extreme poverty, relationships are all one has. Relationship with one another…and relationship with God. Relationships are the greatest treasures one has.
So this August, 2014, I once again venture out onto The Ethiopian Road. This being my fourth consecutive year going is extra special. Click HERE to see a video recap from 2013.
First, I have sponsored and second child in the project. Her name is Edelawit, and my prayer is that her and my original child, Yididya, will become "sisters" of sorts. I will share the story of sponsoring Edelawit in a later post. I can't wait to see them both!
Secondly, though I've co-led trips in the past, this will be my first year actually leading our trip. The team of 12 is in place. We've begun meeting on a regular basis to build unity and prepare our hearts for what God has in store.
It seems that the time leading up to the trip goes painfully slow. But I also know that once we get there, time passes all to fast. So we learn to live in the moment…to savor every smile…every hug…every tug on the hand. We learn not to "assume". We learn to "feel" every "I love you"…and say it back in Amharic: "Ewedeshalehu" for the girls or "Ewedehalehu", for the boys...Because it is very real. It is a treasure to cherish.
Please consider supporting this endeavor! More info here: www.southbaychurch.org/missions
As I arrived at the Compassion project for my 3rd consecutive year, I was humbled and overjoyed by how many of these little ones remembered my face and name from the previous year. Though I recognized many of the faces, the names…hmmm…a bit more of a challenge for a guy used to western names:)
Not only did they remember me, but some of them quickly began to say, "Hello, Mahk(Mark)", while mimicking the goofy knee-knocking boogie we did the year prior. Some of my assumptions as a visitor would soon be wiped away.
Though the children at the project CLEARLY loved us and enjoyed visiting, I had ASSUMED they responded this way to every church that visited them. It would make sense, right? New people to spend time with…to play with…to share with, etc. One would assume it to be normal for these little ones to be totally excited about any foreign visitor. And excited, they were! As was I.
As so many times in the past, my assumption was dead-wrong.
I learned not only did just 2% of sponsored children ever meet their sponsors, but South Bay Church was the only church that had made the commitment to visit this specific Compassion Project on a regular basis. Our presence there truly was a HUGE deal for these children and our partner church, Nazret Emmanuel United Church.
This took my understanding and appreciation of every smile, every hug, every drawing handed to me by a child to a whole new level.
I realized that those of us who come to visit on an annual basis, become almost like surrogate sponsors to the children that have not, and will most likely, never meet their sponsors. It is VERY clear that they love and appreciate their own sponsors very, very much…as they are quick to bring out letters and photos that were sent to them from sponsors all around the world. But, for them to have face time with somebody, even if it is not their own sponsor, is a really big deal. One can quickly see their hearts open up. More than once in the past 3 years going to Nazret, have I watch, over the course of several days, the heart of a timid, hesitant child open up and become vulnerable enough to grab my hand…or make me a drawing that says, "I love you, Mark".
"I love you, Mark"? Really? After a couple days?
My cynical side says, "Right. Of course, they 'love' me/us. They are little kids…it's easy for them to say that". The reality I've discovered over the past 3 years in going to the same community in Ethiopia is this: When one has so little "stuff" in their hands, their heart is free to give and receive love quickly. They value people and relationships more readily that our western culture does because they intrinsically do not take affection and care from another human being for granted. When living in extreme poverty, relationships are all one has. Relationship with one another…and relationship with God. Relationships are the greatest treasures one has.
So this August, 2014, I once again venture out onto The Ethiopian Road. This being my fourth consecutive year going is extra special. Click HERE to see a video recap from 2013.
First, I have sponsored and second child in the project. Her name is Edelawit, and my prayer is that her and my original child, Yididya, will become "sisters" of sorts. I will share the story of sponsoring Edelawit in a later post. I can't wait to see them both!
Secondly, though I've co-led trips in the past, this will be my first year actually leading our trip. The team of 12 is in place. We've begun meeting on a regular basis to build unity and prepare our hearts for what God has in store.
It seems that the time leading up to the trip goes painfully slow. But I also know that once we get there, time passes all to fast. So we learn to live in the moment…to savor every smile…every hug…every tug on the hand. We learn not to "assume". We learn to "feel" every "I love you"…and say it back in Amharic: "Ewedeshalehu" for the girls or "Ewedehalehu", for the boys...Because it is very real. It is a treasure to cherish.
Please consider supporting this endeavor! More info here: www.southbaychurch.org/missions
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