Country Director's Letter: Ethiopia

Today's letter is from Ethiopia, where we sponsor and correspond with Zeynia, Selam, Samuel, Seyefu, Feraol and Bacha. The original letter and photo can be found here.

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Dear Friend,

I am Tsehaywota Taddesse; I have been the country director of Ethiopia since December 2008. I am married and a father of three children. One of my life’s favorites is being with my children, playing with them, or going out for a walk. It gives me life and reminds me of how honorable it is to serve children.

Compassion, in partnership with the church, has been serving children of Ethiopia since 1993. There are about 104,000 sponsored children in about 440 partner churches spread over the country.

In my journey with Compassion, I have witnessed the selfless engagement of many people (bedridden mothers, siblings, social workers, pastors, and sponsors) to serve children who face lack, disease, loneliness, insecurity and despair because of the brutal realities of poverty. What drives this deep and selfless engagement? What is the mystery with these individuals? Love is the driver. Love is the mystery. Love-driven people are heroes of saving others. You are one of these individuals. Thank you for your love and inestimable contribution in sponsoring a child in Ethiopia.

Through sponsors’ support, Compassion provides holistic development for children in poverty. Partner churches open their facilities and welcome children of their communities. Children enjoy a caring and conducive environment. They get help to pursue their education and nurture their gifts. Children learn God’s Word and how much He values them. They gain a sense of worth; they are connected to a caring and sustainable community of believers.

When one girl’s mom brought her for registration, she was about five years old. She got a sponsor, continued her education, and enjoyed life until she faced her mother’s deteriorated health. This robbed the girl and her younger brother of hope. She ended up taking care of her bedridden mother and the young boy. She witnessed the long suffering and tragic death of her mother. Finally, she was alone with her brother. No security, no care. The small room they were living in suddenly seemed full of fear. The nights turned to long times of worry. Thankfully, these children were not left to continue that life of misery. The child development center extended extra care; a social worker took the responsibility of providing psychological, physical and nutritional care. The girl got vocational training and is now employed, leading her own life. She actively participates in church and serves children. The boy is in university, a top-scoring engineering student. Sponsors make such stories possible.

Many children in Ethiopia need love and care. They struggle with the brutal realities of poverty: lack of income, family breakdown, abuse, child labor, street living, and abnormal practices. It is our vision to reach such children as God enables us, while giving the best for every individual child in our program so that they can be the best of themselves. Our churches and centers become resourceful institutions for children. Please pray for us so we can do this well amid poverty and man-made and natural disasters like the drought we faced last year.

Sponsorship is a soul-to-soul connection nurtured by words of hope, care and encouragement exchanged through letters and prayers. Your letters represent you before your sponsored child. Children get better understanding of sponsorship through letters. Children count and treasure sponsor letters more than any other support rendered to them. I encourage you to strengthen the bond through writing letters to your child.

I cannot thank you enough for making the world better by sponsoring and loving a child in Ethiopia. May God bless you immensely!

Thank you,
Tsehaywota Taddesse

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Good Links...

Sometimes when I read blog posts, or hear updates about countries where our Compassion kids live, I feel like I need to share the news! So in a minute I'll be sharing some great posts that have encouraged me.

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But first, I'd like to ask you to be praying for Kenya and Ethiopia.

We received an email from Compassion that shared the following:

Recently, heavy rain in Kenya has caused rivers to swell and flood the surrounding areas. As you know, Kenya is currently experiencing a drought. While rain is desperately needed, this large amount of rain over a short period of time has led to flooding since the water was unable to soak into the dry ground, thus overflowing drainage channels and rivers.

As a result of the flooding, many families have been forced to leave their homes to find safety. Over 130 Compassion children have had their homes damaged or destroyed as a result of the flooding. Some are staying with relatives and others are taking refuge in converted shipping containers.

Compassion staff in Kenya is working diligently to provide immediate aid to the children and families who have been affected. If the flooding has impacted your sponsored children, you will receive follow-up communication from us shortly.

This is a difficult time for many of the children and families we serve in Kenya. Would you please join us in prayer for all who have been impacted? Pray for:

The families who have been displaced. Pray that God will place His hand of protection over them, and that they would be safe from flooding.

Those who have had their homes damaged or destroyed. Pray that they would see God’s miraculous provision in their lives as they rebuild.

The Compassion staff and our church partners in Kenya. Pray that God would give them strength and endurance as they care for the families who have been impacted.

Thank you for caring for the precious children of Kenya, especially in times like these. May God bless you beyond measure for your faithfulness to His children.

Please also be praying for Ethiopia.

In case you hadn't heard, there was a landslide in a dump where many people lived... The Landslide in Ethiopia That Will Never Be Forgotten.

I recommend checking Compassion Australia's Crisis Reports page for updated info.

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Now to the fun stories! Here are some great posts for envisioning you in your letter writing...

How to Encourage A+ Excellence in Your Letters includes a great list of letter writing prompts:

1. How long does it take you to get to school?

2. What is your school like?

3. What grade are you in this year?

4. What makes you excited to learn?

5. What skills are you learning?

6. Do you think school is easy or hard? Why?

7. Do you enjoy working in groups or do you like to work alone?

8. What subject do you like the most? Why?

9. What are your dreams for the future?

10. If you could be anything in the world, what would you be?

And 5 Biblical Truths Every Child in Poverty Needs to Hear can also give some great ideas for your letter writing, and also had this very encouraging video:


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And finally, I wanted to share some fun stories about Compassion children and staff!

Tsehaywota Taddesse: How Shepherding Prepared Me for Leadership shares the amazing story of the Compassion Ethiopia Country Director; about how he grew up and how he is leading kids today!

And in How does sponsorship help kids emotionally, you can read about the impact of Compassion project tutors in the lives of our kids as it shares the specific story of Junior in Nicaragua.

What Is Not Visible: A Genocide Survivor's Redemptive Journey shares an amazing testimony from Rwanda...


There are two beautiful stories of older women in Kenya caring for children! The baby in the bushes shares the story of an older Maasai woman who rescues a baby and raises him herself!

And A Story Changed shares the story of a grandmother and her grandchild.


And finally, Compassion Canada shares 14 photos that celebrate the beautiful and diverse cultures of the world...these are absolutely beautiful and you need to go check out all the photos!

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All photos taken from Compassion International or Compassion Canada.

Zeynia in Ethiopia

We corresponded with Zeynia from March 2016 to March 2018.

We received 5 letters, one pastor's letter and one country director's letter while corresponding with Zeynia. Her birthday is August 12. Zeynia lives with her parents and they work by carrying items and caring for animals.

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Project Info and Activities:

Zeynia attends ET-321 in Dodota, Nazareth

* Home to approximately 78,000 residents
* Primary languages are Oromifa & Amharic
* Most common work is work is animal herding, day laboring, street vending
* Average earning is $25 a month
* Regional Diet: beans, fish, bread, maize & goat
* Typical Houses: dirt floors, wood walls, corrugated tin roofs

Center activities: Bible teaching, health screenings, hygiene and health education, games, picnics, school supplies and academic support.

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Miscellaneous Info from Letters:

* Favorites: swing, soccer/football

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Letter Highlights...

"In each 5 years, there is new presidential election in my country. In what time interval election takes place in your country? Please tell me three names of athletes in your country? I want your response letter."

"I like cat from pets and white from colors and "chiko" from food and biology from school subject. I want to be doctor from my education."

"My dear sponsor, how are you doing? My family and I are doing very well, except for missing you. How are things with you?"

"I am a second year computer student."

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Artwork

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To read the other posts in this series, click here.

Yonatan in Ethiopia

We corresponded with Yonatan from March 2016 until January 2017, when his financial sponsor ended the sponsorship.

We received 2 letters and one pastor's letter while corresponding with Yonatan and one project director's letter. His birthday is December 3. Yonatan lives with his parents and his father works as a church worker.

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Project Info and Activities:

Yonatan attends ET-575 in Tedecha, Addis Ababa
* Home to approximately 22,000 residents
* Primary language is Oromifa
* Primary ethnic group is Oromo
* Most common work is work is day laboring
* Average earning is $30 a month
* Regional Diet: wheat, sorghum & teff (local grain)
* Common Health Problems: HIV/AIDS, pneumonia, typhoid fever, typhus
* Typical Houses: dirt floors, adobe walls, tin roofs

Center activities: Bible teaching, health screenings, field trips, sports, health education, educational supplies, school fees and HIV/AIDS awareness education.

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Miscellaneous Info from Letters:

* Favorites: group games, soccer/football, running, marbles, hide-and-seek, running, art/drawing, jump rope, story of Abraham

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Letter Highlights...

"I am happy that my uncle made a wedding ceremony."

"Please pray for my family and education. I pray for you."

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Artwork

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To read the other posts in this series, click here.

Samuel in Ethiopia

We began corresponding with Samuel in February 2016. I will continue to update this post as we hear from him.

We received 7 letters, one project director's letter, one pastor's letter, and one country director's letter while corresponding with Samuel. His birthday is March 3. Samuel lives with his parents and his father works as a laborer, loading and unloading, and his mother works by selling bread in the local market. Samuel has a sister Meskerem and two brothers, Tilahun and Bihuayehu.

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Project Info and Activities:

Samuel attends ET-502 in Nefasilk, Addis Ababa
* Home to approximately 123,000 residents
* Primary language is Amharic
* Most common work is work is day laboring
* Average earning is $16 a month
* Regional Diet: maize, beans, bread, teff (grain) & potatoes
* Common Health Problems: tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS
* Typical Houses: dirt floors, wood walls, corrugated iron roofs

Center activities: Bible teaching, medical exams, hygiene education, recreational activities, tutoring and scholastic materials.

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Miscellaneous Info from Letters:

* Favorites: group games, soccer/football, macaroni, history, dogs, story of Joseph, red, Christmas

* Dreams: to be a soccer player

* Above average in school!

* Began attending university in 2016!

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Letter Highlights...

"We will have a good time together. I am very happy with all the letters you sent."

"This year, I joined college for a 3 years study of accounting. It will be on diploma level but I'm planning to take computer science on a degree level. This all will take about six years. Please pray for me...I am so glad about all this."

"I am glad that you are Sunday School teacher. The picture of your students is so cute. Please greet them for me...Please pray for me and my family until we meet through another letter, bye bye."

"I am going to be a 2nd year student now. I was learning very well on this year. Pray for me to be even more successful on my 2nd year class."

"I want to work hard in my class and help my family and country. I believe God will help me. Ethiopia is growing and peaceful. May God help our country. The constructions of the railways and Hidase Dam are progressing well in our country."

"Now I am student and attending class of 2nd year accounting. In God's will I will finish my class next year and I will graduate. Pray for me to get stronger and be better in my study. What is new at your country? Here we have a lot. The world cup trophy is in Ethiopia now. And the other new thing is that our Prime Minister resign from his position willingly. This is the first in our history. And the other new thing is I am going to celebrate my birthday on February 21."

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Artwork

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To read the other posts in this series, click here.

Seyefu in Ethiopia

We began corresponding with Seyefu in August 2015. I will continue to update this post as we hear from Seyefu.

We have received 9 letters, one pastor's letter, and one country director's letter while corresponding with Seyefu. His birthday is June 2. Phalan lives with his father and mother. His father is a watchman and his mother is a daily laborer.

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Project Info and Activities:

Seyefu attends ET-209 in Ayer Tena, Addis Ababa
* Home to approximately 85,000 residents
* Most commonly spoken language is Amharic
* Primary ethnic group is Amhara
* Most common work is work is day laboring
* Average earning is $20 a month
* Regional Diet: teff (grain)
* Common Health Problems: malnutrition, diarrhea, leprosy
* Typical Houses: dirt floors, mud walls, corrugated iron roofs

Center activities: Bible teaching, choir, health education, clothes, shoes, soap, health exams, field trips, clubs, scholastic materials and school fees.

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Miscellaneous Info from Letters:

* Favorites: group games, hide-and-seek, other ball games, soccer, math

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Letter Highlights...

"To answer your questions, I have a pet (dog) named "Babi." I have four sheep that you bought [financial sponsor] for me. Their name is Megal, Hortu, Tule and Tefeyba. The last name is because I love to watch Indian movie."

"I will be happy if I can see you in person."

"I am so happy for you are going to have a new baby! I will pray strongly for you! What will be its name?"

"I loved the games of your country. We don't have such kind of plays. We play football, chasing, hide & seek, etc. The plants of your country are pleasing! We don't have such types of plants! Our trees are fir, eucalyptus trees, yellow wood, etc."

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Artwork

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Extra Photos

In April 2016 we received this extra photo of Seyefu! His financial sponsor sent a gift and he was able to buy teff (grain), pants, sandals, shoes, socks, he was able to pay someone to carry all the teff to his house and his family saved a portion of the money!

And then in June 2017, Seyefu's financial sponsor sent him a birthday gift! Seyefu shared, "Thank you for the nice gift you sent me! My family bought a bedspread and I bought a pair of trousers, a pair of shoes and a tee-shirt. With these clothing I have celebrated my birthday! I am sending you a photo from my birthday ceremony!"

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To read the other posts in this series, click here.

Bacha in Ethiopia

We began corresponding with Bacha in February 2016. I will continue to update this post as we hear from Bacha.

We have received 7 letters, one project director's letter, one country director's letter while corresponding with Bacha. His birthday is February 27. Bacha lives with his parents, Fantu and Korkineh, and his dad works as a farmer. Bacha has one sister.

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Project Info and Activities:

Bacha attends ET-582 in Dega Gora, Dedougou
* Home to approximately 20,000 residents
* Most commonly spoken language is Afaan Oromo
* Primary ethnic group is Oromo
* Most common work is work is day laboring
* Average earning is $21 a month
* Regional Diet: wheat, maize, & teff (local cereal crop)
* Common Health Problems: typhoid, typhus, HIV/AIDS
* Typical Houses: dirt floors, mud walls, tin roofs

Center Activities: Bible teaching, choir, health education, clothes, supplementary food, educational field trips, environmental protection activities, educational materials, school fees, tutoring, life skills training and health screenings.

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Miscellaneous Info from Letters:

* Favorites: soccer/football, ball games, injera (bread), sheep, cows, the color green, Christmas and Easter holidays, running, jumping rope, fetching water, "God Supports" song

* Dreams: to become a pilot (2016) or a doctor (2017), to support his family, to visit a museum, to meet his sponsor, to learn knitting

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Letter Highlights...

"My family are farmers. I have one sister. I want to be a doctor."

"I have a dog. Its name is Machal...I don't have squirrel where I live."

"I am attending my study in a good way at KG-2. I love you."

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Artwork

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Fun Fact

Bacha and Juanito are just 10 days apart in age! Juanito is having fun corresponding with Bacha and you can read about his first letter here.

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To read the other posts in this series, click here.

Feraol in Ethiopia

Eric sponsored Feraol as my Valentine's Day gift in February 2013. I will continue to update this post as we hear from Feraol.

We have received 10 letters while corresponding with Feraol, one pastor's letter, two project director's letters (2014 and 2016), one country director's letter. His birthday is September 5. Feraol lives with his parents, Tesfaye and Legesu, who work as laborers loading and unloading. He has 3 brothers, Bereket, Teeguaye and Daniel.

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Project Info and Activities:

Feraol attends ET-203 in Holeta, Addis Ababa
* Home to approximately 54,000 residents
* Most commonly spoken languages are Oromigna and Amharic
* Primary ethnic grouse are Oromo and Amhara
* Most common work is work is day laboring
* Average earning is $18 a month
* Regional Diet: teff (cereal), wheat & barley
* Common Health Problems: intestinal parasites, pneumonia
* Typical Houses: dirt floors, mud walls, corrugated tin roofs

Center activities: Bible teaching, health screenings, shoes, clothing, recreational activities, school supplies and tutors.

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Miscellaneous Info from Letters:

* Favorites: soccer, hide-and-seek, running, injera, Oromo language, cat, Adam & Eve, red, “Des Engalegn”, Christmas, watching birds

* Dreams: to wash dishes, to serve his family, to be like his dad, to be a clever student, to be a pilot, support his family, visit zoos in Ethiopia, learn more about the USA, to learn to play music, become an engineer

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Letter Highlights...

"Pray that I grow well and become a clever student."

"He thanks you for all that you are doing for him."

"I have received and read your letters. I was so glad when I saw my country's athletes and a picture of lion. I am so grateful."

"I am attending my education properly. I am in grade four...Please pray for my education to be smart."

"How are your children doing? How about the newly born baby-boy, Mateo? You may pass my greetings to them, please."

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Artwork

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Extra Photos

We were able to send Feraol a larger gift in 2015 and received this photo with his thank you letter! He was able to buy the chair and pot and the items that he and his mom are holding.

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To read the other posts in this series, click here.

Project Director's Letter: Ethiopia (ET-203)

Thanks to the Compassion App, I have discovered some additional project director and pastor letters! I'll be sharing them over the weeks! Enjoy!

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This letter is from Feraol's project! And the photos are from Compassion's Ethiopia Flickr Album.

Dear Sponsor,

I greet you in the name of our Lord. My name is Adanech M. I am Project Director of the Child Development Center at Holota Geunet Church in Holota town, Oromia regional state, Ethiopia. We serve your sponsored child.

We are grateful for your sponsorship of your child.

Many of the sponsored children here have been showing changes in many aspects. When one girl was admitted to our center, she was so weak and shabby. This day she is an active and happy girl and a credit to the center support. She became a cause to help her mother to change also.

Another child is an orphan; his mother and father are not alive. However, he has been coming to the center since he was very small, which has made impact on his education, physical growth, social relationships, and spiritual growth. Currently he has taken his 10th grade national examination. He is active in several clubs at our center. He is a good model in behavior and in his social relationships. In the rainy season, he is learning in Bible school. He is thankful for how his sponsor’s support has changed his life.

Children are happy when they receive letters from their sponsors. Those who get letters learn information about their sponsors’ country, family, culture, etc., and are able to build a relationship with them. They know they are loved. Children who do not get letters feel disappointed. They ask why they do not get letters.

I have been serving in this ministry for the last 20 years, and its outcome is so wonderful. Serving this generation is preparing for the next generation. From our center have come two medical doctors, engineers in different fields, accountants, and lawyers working in different organizations. They got married and formed families. I thank my Lord, who helped them become responsible and respected Christian citizens. Many leaders, engineers, doctors, and professionals of tomorrow will come out of these little children we serve today. I am a witness, because I have seen the fruit. This is what inspires me to work in the center.

Please pray for our children. Pray for the center workers and donors. Pray for the community’s spiritual life, that people will hear the Word of God and be converted.

I thank you for your compassionate support for your child.

God bless you,
Adanech M.

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If you would like to sponsor a child from Ethiopia, please consider adorable Abdelbaki! He's 3 and his birthday is February 11.

Abdelbaki lives with his mother. He is responsible for caring for children. His mother maintains the home.

Abdelbaki is not attending school because he is too young. Soccer is his favorite activity. He also attends church activities regularly. To sponsor Abdelbaki, click here.

Project Director's Letter: Ethiopia (ET-582)

Thanks to the Compassion App, I have discovered some additional project director and pastor letters! I'll be sharing them over the weeks! Enjoy!

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This letter is from Bacha's project! And the photos are from Compassion's Ethiopia Flickr Album.

Dear Sponsor,

Grace and peace of our Lord be up on you.

My name is Mosisa B. I am the Center Director of the Child Development Center attended by your sponsored child at Dege Gora Mekane Yesus congregation. The Center is located in Oromia Regional State, North Shoa Zone Dega Gora rural town, Ethiopia.

Thank you for sponsoring a child.

The center is new. It began operating six months ago. I am so thankful for your compassionate support for our children. Sponsors are the hope for the holistic service of our children. The center is an open door for our local church to reach the people through the gospel. I have observed that the community is showing a positive attitude for our center and local church because of our holistic mission. Our church has begun to focus on child ministry.
Because we are beginning the operation, volunteers, church leaders and our worker are doing well together.

There are 200 children in our center. We set a one year plan/program and are moving. We have begun distributing grain in kilos for the children. This is good news for the children and families. Now, children can grow and make changes in their physical being, cognitive abilities, socio-emotional, and spiritual lives.

We insist the children write letters to their respective sponsors. There was some misunderstanding and fear. But when sponsors’ letters arrived and we began to read and show photos of the sponsors’ children and families, I observed how happy and joyful the children became. The children enjoyed hearing that someone far away loves them, thinks they are beautiful, and cares about them. They were encouraged because the sponsors said they hoped the children would write back.

Letters do not come for all. Those who did not get letters feel disappointed. I hope every sponsor will write to their children.

Our local church is an open door to reach the community through the gospel. God bless you.

Pray for our children. Pray that they have good health physically and grow in knowing Jesus. Pray for us.
Thanks, again, for sponsoring a child.

God bless you,
Mosisa B.

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If you would like to sponsor a child from Ethiopia, please consider 18-year-old Beruk who is an orphan. His birthday is November 26.

Beruk lives with his aunt. At home, duties include washing clothes and cleaning. His aunt maintains the home.

As part of Compassion's ministry, Beruk participates in church activities. He is also in high school where his performance is average. Basketball is his favorite activity. To sponsor Beruk, click here.

Project Director's Letter: Ethiopia (ET-502)

Thanks to the Compassion App, I have discovered some additional project director and pastor letters! I'll be sharing them over the weeks! Enjoy!

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This letter is from Samuel's project! And the photos are from Compassion's Ethiopia Flickr Album.

Dear Sponsor,

My name is Tsigereda S., and I am the Project Director of the Children Development Center located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This is the center attended by your sponsored child. I would like to thank you a lot for supporting a child from our center.

We teach the children soccer, we give them dance lessons, and we give them opportunities to participate in drama clubs, Bible study clubs, and the Red Cross. We also take them on field trips to different parts of the country. We also conduct awareness programs on HIV/AIDS. Parents are encouraged to participate in events that focus on the children. The center is completely furnished, and we would like to thank Compassion.

There are two children here "ages 11 and 12 " whose mother died when they were infants. The community brought them to the center and registered them into our program. They now receive support and attend Sunday school and various clubs. Had it not been for the center, they would have been left to a life on the street. We have a twelve year old girl here whose mother died, as well. She lives in a rented room with her sister, and the center provides her with all necessary support. Their lives have been improved, and they live happy lives. The Highly Vulnerable Child program the center provides has saved a lot of families and children from being separated and from living on the streets. We praise God for this.

There is also a boy here who has eight family members. His dad is a gate keeper and the monthly salary of his dad can’t support the family. Thus, we arranged a sewing training for his mom and a sewing machine along with cloth were given to her. The center rented a room for her and paid six months’ worth of rent for her. She is now very successful in the business, and she has purchased more sewing machines for herself and hired others who work for her. Moreover, she is able to pay the rent and cover various expenses of the family. There are a number of similar instances in the center. There is also a child who was previously sponsored and who is currently serving the community and the church.

Children feel happy when they receive letters from their sponsors. Letters strengthen the relationship between children and the sponsors. One child wrote a long letter for her sponsor and her sponsor also wrote her a long letter. Through the process, her writing skills have been improved, and she has developed an interest to be a writer. She likes making drawings, too. We thank the sponsors for writing letters to the children.

Most of the children who graduated from the center have been successful, and they are serving the Lord God at church; some of them even became church elders. We praise God for this. The center doesn’t have a big space; but it does have a big heart to support children.

Please pray for us. There is shortage of rain. Pray also for our economy; we have an unstable market. May God bless you in abundance for all the support you are providing for your sponsored child! Remain blessed!

Sincerely,
Tsigereda S.

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If you would like to sponsor a child from Ethiopia, please consider 7-year-old Frezer. His birthday is March 9 and he has been waiting over 250 days for a sponsor.

Frezer lives with his mother. At home, duties include running errands. His mother is sometimes employed as a farmer. There are 3 children in the family.

Playing group games is Frezer's favorite activity. In kindergarten his performance is average and he also regularly attends church activities. To sponsor Frezer, click here.

Pastor's Letter: Ethiopia (ET-321)

Whenever we're assigned a new correspondent, we're sent a pastor's letter! I like sharing them here both as a record and for others to read. Enjoy!

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This letter is from Zeynia's project! And the photos are from Compassion's Ethiopia Oromia Region page.

Dear Eric and Hannah,

My name is Jimma S. and I am the pastor at the DMK Church. We minister to Zeynia at the CDC. The center is located in the town of D in Ethiopia. I want to thank you for sponsoring Zeynia and bringing hope into her life.

The majority of the inhabitants in our town live in the poorest standard of life because the area doesn't yield enough harvest. Our partnership with Compassion International is helping us to feed, teach, and provide for all the needs of the children so that we can create good citizens and followers of Christ.

We have more than 220 children in our center and they are being taught about good nutrition and health, as well as receiving tutoring and skills training, so they will be ablate provide for themselves in the future, and learning about the word of God.

I want to thank all of our sponsors for serving these children in holistic ministry and seeing to their needs, not only financially, but also in writing letters and read every word about the sponsors and where they live. They are also grateful for every bit of counsel, which encourages them in their studies and in their lives. Many of them can't wait to write back and share about their own lives.

Please pray that God blesses Ethiopia and will deliver its people from misery. I want you to know that in Ethiopia there are many children who have been redeemed from misery and various diseases thanks to the support from sponsors.

Finally, I want to say God bless you richly for your ministry and unconditional support in favor of Zeynia.

Sincerely,
Jimma S.

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If you would like to sponsor a child from Ethiopia, please consider 7-year-old Yenenesh. Her birthday is January 9 and she suffers from partial hearing loss.

Yenenesh lives with her father and her mother. At home, duties include running errands. Her father is sometimes employed as a laborer and her mother is sometimes employed as a laborer. There are 2 children in the family.

Yenenesh is not attending school because she is too young. Jumping rope is her favorite activity. She also attends church activities regularly. To sponsor Yenenesh, click here.

Pastor's Letter: Ethiopia (ET-575)

Whenever we're assigned a new correspondent, we're sent a pastor's letter! I like sharing them here both as a record and for others to read. Enjoy!

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This letter is from Yonatan's project! And the photos are from Ethiopia's Addis Ababa page.

Dear Eric and Hannah,

My the grace and peace of the Lord be upon you.

My name is Fekru D. I am an elder at the TMY Evangelical Congregation where we work jointly with the CDC attended by Jonatan. The center is located in the town of D in the Oromia Regional state of Ethiopia.

Thank you for your assistance and support for Yonatan. I pray that God richly blesses you because I have seen the lives of many children have been changing thanks to the help from sponsors like you.

The community in which we are serving is very stuck in the old lifestyle. It seems very difficult to set them free from such a chain, but within this challenge our church is working patiently to tell the word of truth to all the people. Since the inception of the center, our local church has been an open door to address the Word of God to the children and families who are in need.

The holistic mission of Compassion Ethiopia is compatible with our church vision; therefore, we are working to propagate His word and His kingdom.

Because of the positive impact on the community members, some people are sending their children to attend Sunday school at church. Some children come to church by following their friends in the neighborhood who attend the center. These children came and asked me for permission to attend Sunday school and several of them have gotten saved. We hope others will join them.

More than 15 family members have received Jesus as their savior within a year and have been attending Bible doctrine classes of the church. After follow-ups with the children, we can see that some of completely quit their bad behavior. For instance, we have a boy who was very aggressive, deceptive, arrogant, and had no social relationships but since deciding to follow Jesus and receive counseling sessions, he is sociable with teachers, the center's workers, and church ministers.

Our church tells the Good News to the people, prays for the sick, and prays for the children and their families.

I want to tell you how important the letters from sponsors are to these children. The children are happy to know that someone cares about them and wants to know about their lives. Those who do not get a letter from their sponsors feel discomfort and are not encouraged to continue staying at the center. They want to learn from their sponsors and get to know them.

We do not have sufficient classrooms for giving tutorial classes at the church so we ask that you please pray for additional classrooms with full accommodation. Pray also for our ministers' grace to serve the children happily.

Thank you for your support and assistance of Jonatan. May God bless you and your family.

Sincerely,
Rev. Fekru D.

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If you would like to sponsor a child from Ethiopia, please consider 6-year-old Fikiru who has been waiting over 270 days for a sponsor!

Fikriru's birthday is March 2. Fikiru lives with his mother. His mother is sometimes employed as a laborer. Fikiru works at home running errands.

For fun, Fikiru enjoys soccer and volleyball. He attends church activities regularly and is in kindergarten where his performance is average. To sponsor Fikiru, click here.