What I Leave in Ethiopia
My last day in Gondar came as a “sweet sorrow.” I awoke wondering what I would leave here in this Land of Cush. I had asked the Lord to show me who to bless today. When we arrived at Ruth’s Souvenir Shop (owned by Rekebena’s daughter Hewott), we met two young men who follow Jonathan Bernis’ ministry. One of them, Emmanuel (the one on the right), became our unofficial guide for most of the day.
As we, TesFaye (Rebekenaha’s husband), Aminta, Emmanuel and I walked through the marketplace, I saw several boys walking together. I noticed their feet, all of them dirty; one of them wore no shoes; he would be the one I would bless. Tesfaye took me to a place where we could get a good price on a pair of tennis shoes for him. May the Lord bless this little boy as he walks the streets of Gondar with blessed tennis shoes. May he know I was sent by You, Father, to bless Him!
Another little boy came, his face as soiled as the boy’s feet, and he was carrying a heavy burden; maybe it wasn’t so heavy but it was bigger than he. I wanted to take his picture, then give him a Dollar Store toy I had purchased in America; it wasn’t much, but it would momentarily make his load a little lighter. I had taken the toys with me on this journey so I could bless the children of Ethiopia with them. Father, bless this little boy. Show him how to make his burdens even lighter as he learns to cast every care upon you. May that toy serve to bring him a little joy, and may He be reminded of the lady from America who blessed him in Your Name!
I would see several more boys whom I felt led to bless–the one at Gondar Selassie Church who waited outside with the priest; the two on the street. Each walked away happy! Father, bless these little ones with your joy. As Rebenekha would sing to us, “Everything’s alright in my Father’s house! There is joy, joy, joy!”
Leaving the church, I saw two old beggars. I guess they knew about Acts 7 also, because that’s what I thought of when I saw them. It is true, I did not have silver and I did not have gold, but what I had I used to bless them– a few birr (Ethiopian currency) and a prayer for a blessing by God. They gave me the same, a prayer.
On the streets of Gondar, I left a blessing, that every place I walked be holy ground! That every life I touched would in turn touch others!
I leave a love for the land and the people, both rich in tradition and Biblical history!
Goodbye, Goha Hotel, where I met Asnakew and the beautiful staff. Where your balcony overlooked the entire city!
Goodbye, Rekebeeha’s house, where we ate a standard Ethiopian dinner almost every night dinner; where we received beautiful kisses by everyone, children and adults! Where we felt the greatest hospitality and amazingly loving fellowship.
Goodbye Hewott and your Ruth Souvenir Shoppe that became the hub for our forays into the countryside; where we could leave our bags for pickup later; where we bought some of the cutest trinkets and souvenirs.
Goodbye Marketplace, where animals, children, beggars, men & women — young and old — congregate to sell their wares:
Goodby Marakie Full Gospel Church that sits in a hollow surrounded by mountains over 6,000 miles above sea level. You touched my heart with your vibrant worship and hunger for God!
You will forever be in my Spirit.
May Adonai bless the land of Ethiopia and its people!
Sent from my iPhone
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