Ethiopian brothers in Christ at the Kechene Center in Addis Ababa... our face painting was a hit!

IN THE BEGINNING...

God made the mission and the trip, and He saw that it was good. (-: And so went the planning of one beautiful journey to Ethiopia...

A few days before my departure, I had the sweetest send-off in the world... My church had a special service run entirely by the children. During communion, five children gathered around me to pray for “Miss Mary Beth’s safety” and, especially, for the orphans in Ethiopia. I was moved to tears by their precious prayers-- which I later shared with the orphans!

Our two-week trip consisted of joyful days playing with orphans (see "mission" link) and one side-trip to Lalibela- famous for its rock-hewn churches considered to be the eighth wonder of the world!
Views of St. George...



On our last day, we returned to the Kechene Center to say good-bye to the children and staff we had come to adore. Inspired by a teammate who had given her sandals away in Lalibela, I decided to give mine away, too. I asked the director if anyone needed a pair of sandals, and she brought in the cook. The sandals fit her perfectly. We then gathered as a group to pray. When the prayer ended, the cook told our interpreter that she had a vision. She said she had seen wings flying around our mission team, that we would go out into the world and that healings would occur. The wings landed on two people: our Ethiopian friend, Almaz, and myself... HELP! (do you think it was the sandals?!)


Some of my favorite kids from the Kechene Center... I gave my pink Bible to the girl, Meskerem. She helped me tremendously with the music station. An absolute doll!

Kechene staff and team in powerful prayer...

This precious one just wanted to be held. I wanted to hold him longer, but he was anxious for the next arms. I imagine that's all he knows-- being passed around his whole little life. I pray that some loving arms will take him in, soon, and that he may find peace in his real Father's embrace...

IN SONG AND DANCE...

I had a blast leading the music station. We brought cassette players with microphones that the kids went nuts over. I thought I had it all planned out-- to teach songs like "Jesus Loves Me," and "Kum Ba Yah," but that plan went out the window fast! Their praise songs were way more fun! And thank goodness I had some groovy music, too: amazingly, I had bought some original children's music before leaving that turned out to be written & produced by my own friend-- who ALSO was one of my donors for this trip! Is that God or what?! The kids LOVED his stuff.

LOVE THY NEIGHBOR...


The microphones were not only used for singing...! One darling orphan named Joseph (the small one pictured here) wanted to share with the neighbors and began interviewing them over the fence. Thanks to an interpreter, I was able to understand the beautiful things that were said. Joseph asked each one what they would like to do when they grew older. Every answer was to be a doctor or an orphanage director. And to each one, Joseph replied, "I would like to encourage you in that..."

JOYFUL, JOYFUL...

On a warm, Summer day, in a snowsuit and flip flops (two different ones), happy as can be...

TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN...

While in Lalibela, we took a 4-hr. journey by mule up to the 3000m peak of Makdala Mountain. At the top was a small rock-hewn sanctuary we gathered in to pray and sing. It felt beautiful to be worshiping so high on a mountain. The sights we saw along the ascent were unbelievable. People living in straw homes with nothing, children running barefoot over jagged rocks and rough terrain... After buying their crosses and giving them money, I was down to my Combos! But I had to let our tour guide distribute them-- I had a knack for causing riots!

BLESSED ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT...

More often than not, the children of the poor neighboring families were in worse shape than the orphans themselves. Everytime we went to an orphanage, the neighborhood kids would peer through the gates or over the walls, longing to come in and play. The children in this picture were watching sadly from their straw home as we handed out donations at the orphanage. Fortunately, we had enough for everyone-- including them. I just hope the orphans' JOY will spread to them. The worst thing I heard this whole trip was a comment by a poor neighborhood kid to an orphan at Hannah's Home: "You're lucky your mom died." Please pray for these children who are so desperately poor, they know not what they say...

BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIT...!

While walking the dirt roads of one poor village, we came across this man playing and singing a soulful song. The group kept walking, but I was fascinated and had to stop. When he finished, I tipped him 50 Birr (about $6.00), and he immediately began spitting all over me! In my face, on my shoulders, down my arms... I was so shocked, I couldn't move! Finally our interpreter got him to stop and explained to me that I was only being blessed. Lucky me. I felt blessed beyond words.

TO SUCH AS THESE...

These three just adored eachother. Most of the kids at the Kechene Center had such beautiful, gentle spirits...

BREAKING BREAD...

While at this rural market somewhere in Addis, Ryan had the sweet idea of buying 10 loaves of bread to share with the street kids. Here they are excitedly waiting outside the bakery and then enjoying their fresh bread. Pretty soon, though, things got crazy, and we had to escape!

GOOD-BYE...

FINAL THOUGHTS AND MEMORIES...