Unexpected

As we wound down the day we had just a few visits and it was our last day.

Throughout the week we saw many needs and we were able to meet many of them but still had funds left; one of our team members was over funded for his trip and we had the funds on hand to use at his discretion. We still had a good amount left and were thinking about what to do with that money before we departed.

We arrived at one of the areas to meet a young man whom another of our team members sponsors. As we waited for the program administrator to arrive we interacted with some local children and enjoyed the morning.

I noticed a small run-down hut nearby and a lady emerged doing her morning chores and the things she needed to do to care for her family. I approached her and spoke using some of the few Sidamic words I’ve learned to greet her and speak God’s blessings over her. She returned a greeting and kind smile and went about her business. It became obvious that the person we were waiting for would be late but our  sponsored teen arrived so we made the most of the time and talked with him and his brother that accompanied him.

As we waited, I asked one of the Ajuuja staff members that was with us if it would be appropriate to visit the nearby home while we waited. He agreed to ask and see if she would welcome us in or not. She said we were welcome to visit but asked that we wait until she got the cows out. She then proceeded to escort the cows one by one out the door of the hut. One, two, three, four cows came out! Two calves and two full grown cows emerged from the hut. Many of the families who are blessed to have animals have no way to protect them at night from hyenas other than to bring them into the family home each evening as the day closes.

At this point she greeted us with a smile and welcomed us into her home. There was very little in the hut, which was round and about twelve feet in diameter. The walls were the usual stick construction but lacked the mud & straw packing that encloses them and the roof was collapsing and sunlight easily shone through. The floors were mud and wet in places from recent rains. As we talked with her she told us that along with her and the cows her husband and four children also shared the hut and she was expecting child number five.

She never complained or asked for anything as we talked and learned more about her life. We inquired about how the family owned four cows but had so little. She explained that they had lost their land rights along with their gardens which included the source of their food and income. Eventually they may be able to move but for now they are without options.

It became clear THIS WAS THE NEED that God intended to meet with the extra funds that we carried. We checked with Ajuuja staff members and the local officials to make sure it would be appropriate to explore how we could help this family. They agreed so we asked more questions. At this point she sent for her husband who was nearby working as a day laborer to do whatever he could to earn a little money for his family.

The official we waited for had arrived by this time so we continued with the rest of our meeting and as that drew to a close we were told that the gentleman had arrived and that the couple were waiting to speak with us. We had already determined what it would take to get the hut repaired and make it dry for the family. The thatch for the roof had a cost attached to it since it is harvested on the mountain and must be carried in and sold in the villages that need it for shelter. There was no food and hope for food anytime soon in the home.

As we discussed how best to help the official interjected and said that she was late that day because her bus was late and that late bus was no accident but instead was part of God’s plan to put us into that home. She explained that as she left the evening before she stopped and spoke with the precious mom we met that morning who told her that there was no food for the family and no way to get any.

(We also learned that this particular official often leaves her personal funds for food for nearby families and even has breastfed orphans when there is no formula)

We agreed to help with hut repairs and funds for food and asked that the official hold the funds for us and use them as the work progressed and she agreed that that would be best for accountability’s sake and that she was willing to administer the funds. At this point the couple was told what we were doing there and that although they were not in our program we intended to meet their family’s immediate needs.

I was moved to tears, which is not unusual, but as I looked around the rest of people present were also weeping. In all the hard situations and visits we’ve attended I’d never seen this.

The father spoke and said that indeed God sent us to meet their needs. He explained that just the night before his wife pleaded desperately with him to get food for the family but he couldn’t. He had no way to do it.

But God saw their desperation.

God moved on people here at home months before and led them to give so generously that we would have unplanned funds on hand so that He could make a bus late so that we could visit a family and see the need and respond.

As the meeting closed the father rose from his chair and quickly dropped to the floor and began kissing the feet of one of our team members.

As he approached me I noticed his worn and ripped clothing, his leathery bare feet and his smile. He hugged and kissed me rejoicing and speaking praises to God for meeting his family’s needs.

We were humbled to be part of such a special moment and to see God’s hand move to help a family that most of the world would never notice.

We just recently received pictures back through staff that mom had a healthy baby boy and she offered her thanks and blessings once again.

Thank you to all of you who donate towards Awassa trips and needs on the ground. 

This would not have been able to be accomplished without your generosity and we are very grateful!