Embracing Hope

Oh Lord, you hear the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear.

                    Psalm 10:17

Korah is one of the poorest areas of Ethiopia. It was originally established 80 years ago as a Leper Colony for the country's most undesirable. Generations have grown up here and it is now home to an estimated 120,000 people. It is also home to the city dump. Most of these people live off the trash dump by scavenging for food, clothing or anything that can be consumed or resold. The piles of garbage are looming masses and no picture could accurately display the magnitude of desperation that lives here. 

Vultures, the size of small children, hovering over the heaps of garbage. 

The word Korah actually means "cursed" in Amharic. The demographic is made up mostly of widows, orphans, elderly and those suffering with HIV/AIDS.  It's hard to imagine that a place in such despair and misery could offer any hope. This place that is a picture of hell on earth. But there is hope. God has made their faces seen. He is moving His people to share the love of

 Jesus and show them a better life. 

Embracing Hope Ethiopia is one of those organizations offering opportunity and a future. From the moment we stepped through the metal gates and heard the children reciting their lessons in cheerful, boisterous voices I knew we had entered a place of Hope. We peeked into the classrooms and saw tables full of happy and eager faces.

In 2008 Jerry and Christy Shannon traveled to Ethiopia to adopt their daughter Hanna. Not long after returning to the states they realized God was calling them back to Ethiopia. Christy spent her morning sharing with us how God molded and shaped their calling and gave them clarity:

"A vision started to come into focus of some practical ways that families could be served and helped to become more sustainable while also overcoming not just the physical causes and effects of poverty, but also the emotional, psychological, social and spiritual causes and effects of poverty."

Since the beginning in 2011 they have served 108 children from 100 different families. They are serving mothers that are on the brink of having to make the horrific choice of keeping their children or giving them up. They cannot find or keep work with their children by their side but yet have no option for them during the day. This is where Embracing Hope steps in and offers childcare, schooling, healthy meals and support for the mothers. Mamas are then able to drop their children off knowing they are in safe hands and receiving nutritious meals and loving care. It seems so basic for us but for these moms it is often the difference between life and death. 

These moms are making just dollars a day and with rent sometimes higher than their monthly income there is nothing left. With the intervention of Embracing Hope these moms are given the comfort of knowing their children are being cared for, healthcare, clothing and hygiene materials, supplemental food supplies for home, job training, education, micro-savings and micro-grants and much more. Most importantly they are helping these families stay together and work toward sustainability.

The day we visited the kids had just received their new coats and jackets in preparation for the rainy season. It was a beautiful morning but there was no way they were taking off these coats.

Are these not faces of hope?

Some of the mothers may not have work prospects or are unemployed for various reasons. Those women are given the opportunity to learn a trade such as paper bead making. Just around the corner from the school is a small workshop for these mothers to work. 

After spending time with the early school-aged children we walked a couple blocks over to the daycare facility. Oh my heart, these little ones are so precious. I am so thankful for our time with these beautiful littles and their singing and dancing will be one of my sweetest memories of our time in Ethiopia. 

We were able to stay through their lunch time and watched in amazement as these toddlers waited so patiently to receive their portion. I'm pretty sure we made a few smart remarks about how this order looks just like meals at our homes. Except the exact opposite. 

Sweet, slumbering babes.

To say the Shannon's are offering hope to a desperate community would be such an understatement. We were in awe of all they are providing for these women and children. And we listened with tears when Christy told us of the handfuls of mothers they have to turn away every.single.day. No mother should ever have to make this choice. The Shannon's hope that God will continue to build and grow Embracing Hope so they are able to help more families. 

Thanks for hanging with me and I would love if you would take just a few more minutes to watch this video. They share so beautifully their hearts and vision for the Korah community. Then please consider partnering with them and to bring hope. 

Visit their website for some creative ways you can join in their efforts.

http://www.embracinghopeethiopia.com

and LIKE them on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/EmbracingHopeEthiopia