Ethiopia
This country is one of the more scenic countries we have traveled to so far. We were nestled in between what looks like 2 large mountain ranges. We stayed in Lege Tafo, a sort of suburb of Addis Ababa. We were there for 5 weeks and they went by too fast. The ministry here has been so rewarding and wonderful. And it’s been such a wide variety of ministries as well. We got to take part in going to local churches to give teachings, sermons and words of encouragement.
I was able to give a sermon on 1 Corinthians 13 which talks about doing all things in and out of love. As well as sharing my desires and heart behind evangelism and things I’ve learned in interacting with people of different beliefs. One person talked about being refined through trials and others shared testimonies of how God moved around them on this mission. We got to do this in 2 different local churches. We also painted some walls at the ministry home we stayed in and also tilled some land around the house so flowers and vegetables could be planted.
Our main ministry was ministering to a home of 28 orphans. They were all brought in by our absolutely amazing host. Me and the host became very good friends during my stay in Ethiopia and I learned why he started a group home for orphaned kids. He was once completely homeless as a child. He lived on the streets, his family sent him away after his mother passed away. He had no one to turn to but God. He was able to get a scholarship and put himself through university and by the grace of God started many businesses and started making money. He then decided to pour his resources into kids who are in similar situations as him.
All the children were absolutely incredible. 8Some of the most talented and intelligent children I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting. All the boys are absolutely amazing soccer players and when it comes to their school studies they are all extremely intelligent and majority of them achieve the best grades in their class awards. We actually got to witness their graduation from school before they went to college and so many of them got awards. It’s very inspiring as well to hear the kids dream jobs. Many of them want to become social workers like their adoptive father once was. They want to continue on with what he did and help orphaned children.
I got very close with the older boys and miss them very much. We played a lot of soccer and I got to make them feel as loved as I could. They felt like younger brothers to me. I shed some tears on my departure from Ethiopia because they were very dear to me. They girls were very funny, they had sass and personality, I know the Lord will grow them to be strong women of faith. It was my favorite part of the day when I got to see the kids. There truly great kids and I was so inspired by their stories and how dedicated they are to turning their lives around.
Blessings,
Michael Drago
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