New Niece and Opportunities

On Sept 18, not bright but very early in the morning, my precious niece, Galilee Moriah LeTourneau was born. (In Amharic it's 'Galilah'). She is healthy, beautiful, and looks just like her big sister, Mercy. It was so fascinating to experience a hospital here in Addis, and watch the differences in the delivery process. The medical care here was actually comparable with private care you'd pay a fortune for in the U.S. In the past month we've all enjoyed lots of time at home with her, while she sleeps more than any baby I have ever seen. According to Ethiopian culture, the mother and newborn baby stay in their room, no one else touching the baby for at least three months. Therefore, according to Ethiopian culture, we are a bunch of crazy Americans for taking Galilee out of the house and allowing others to hold her. It's been awesome watching the role Mercy plays in her family's ministry here, people are just drawn to her and she's such a spot of joy. I'm excited to watch Galilee grow here, as she already is assuming a similar role to her sister in bridging much of any cultural gap that remains.

As for life outside the household, I'm enjoying life more than ever here in Addis. Rainy season has just ended with September, and we're now entering the hotter season (the way many of you may picture Africa). Walking around the city has brought a couple close calls recently though as far as safety goes; but God's protection has been evident and I'm so thankful for Ethiopian friends always watching out for us. In light of that, I've taken a few more taxis than in the past. The funny thing about taxis is I find myself bartering with drivers, arguing over a 10 birr price difference. Well, 10 birr is appx equal to one dollar which sounds ridiculous, I know, but we've grown accustom to the value of a dollar here which can go a long way. :) Kids have just begun the new school year here, so the streets of Addis are found void of children much more than they were. The change in atmosphere is amazing, the kids add much more life and potential than you could imagine!

Whether at church, in a taxi, at a restaurant, or on the streets, I've been connecting with lots of fascinating individuals. I've had many more chances to lead worship around town, and also gotten to spend time with several of Ethiopia's Christian music artists (they've taught me a lot!). As my prior English class with the children ended, I have now begun teaching a new English class for local church leaders. The exchange of English and Amharic keeps conversation pretty interesting; I'm excited that they feel English training will open up more doors for ministry. Also, we've had great times with the two main groups of street kids we spend time with. These kids are one by one coming to know God, and we enjoy lots of times of fun and food!!

Every day here seems to bring new adventures, and new lessons. In the past four months I've certainly had a lot of my 'American attitudes' and perspectives challenged. Along with the cultural differences I admire here, I've also closely observed parts of the culture that break my heart and move me to prayer for the people of Ethiopia. The good, the bad, and the crazy, my time here has been invaluable!

Mekalete

A bright spot in my time here thus far has been one eight year-old girl named Mekalete.  The first 'chance' encounter that Matt, Ryan, Alex and I had with her was on a rainy day at the Mercato.  The Mercato is a local outdoor market, swimming with people and not often ventured into by foreigners like us.  Early on in our excursion, I noticed a girl in tattered clothes with a shaved head watching us intently... and she had one of the brightest smiles I've ever seen.  She followed us around all day, and unlike most children who beg us for money (whether it be out of necessity or sport) she tried to go unseen, never asking for a cent.  Upon finally meeting her we discovered that she is one of Addis Ababa's many orphans.  Each of these children possesses something so special within them; but Mekalete just had something about her that we needed to explore further. 

After gaining her trust we decided to take her to lunch.  Over tears (and through translation) she confided in us her story of losing both parents.  Her story brought tears to my eyes, and the knot in my stomach became larger as I considered that 6 million other children in this country have similar stories.

Before I knew it we began meeting Mekalete at Hope Enterprise (a local soup kitchen) and other places around town; taking her to meals, and learning about her life.  Thankfully she does have family friends who have taken her in, a home of three children (in a house that's smaller than any room I've ever resided in).  We've prayed about which physical needs we can help meet, and how to build a strong relationship that will show her Christ while not creating dependency on us.  We're also thankful that Mekalete is building a close relationship with Alex, a young Ethiopian who's on fire for mentoring street children.  I pray mostly for her to grasp onto God above all.  I would appreciate your joining me in praying for this special young lady, and the relationship we continue to build with her.  Thank you!!

Another Addis update!

Hey everyone!

I just wanted to send out an update from Ethiopia for those who haven't gotten to read my blog posts. My internet capabilities have been limited, so communication has been very rough (thanks for your patience!!). In particular, my blog website is one (along with myspace) which I cannot access here at all. A friend has helped me update it… but I wanted you all to know the reason for few posts.

My time here in Addis had been amazing, words cannot even do it justice! I've felt so blessed to be apart of ministry and the lives of people here. Most of my time is spent with kids… gotta love that! I have a class full of kids who are very anxious to learn English. Nearby my class there is a ministry called Hope Enterprise that feeds 1,000 people a day. As I've spent time volunteering there I've learned that my time spent with the children there is far more valuable than the time I spend working in the kitchen (though that's important too).

Once we leave Hope, we walk down the streets and typically are chased down by kids from one of two groups of street kids we are building relationships with. One is a young group that is primarily Muslim. The second is a group of boys, a little older, who live on the streets selling gum. Both groups are so special, and we're connecting them with leaders locally who can build into them and mentor them in the most valuable ways. Living here, you learn what it's like to be approached by beggars non-stop, and you become accustom to the wisest ways to interact with the majority on the streets. But no matter what, I still find myself so many times either broken, or frustrated, or helpless as my heart goes out to those in great need around me. As I am often overwhelmed by the need, I am reminded that God has that much he desires to restore for the people.

I'm so thankful for all your prayers and have some specifics you could join me in praying for. Please pray for the street kids we're working with, that we would have wisdom as we spend time with each individual. Particularly, pray for an eight year-old orphan girl named Mekalete who we've grown very close to as she is in a very hard situation with the family who's taken her in. Personally, my health has struggled here as I've acclimated to the new foods… please pray it doesn't persist as it has over the last month. Thank you!!

God Bless!!

Jackie LeTourneau

Life in Addis

Even amidst 'Africa time' I've developed a great routine here in Addis Ababa over the last three weeks. (I apologize that blog updates is not included in that… apparently Ethiopia internet dislikes blogger.com… who knew?!). My week starts on Mondays with English class and my wonderful students! I teach through the Youth for Christ youth center, and my class consists of 25 students, ages 10-14. They are beginners so I have a translator; however it's amazes me how quickly I've built relationships with them in spite of the language barrier. I'm always excited to do it over again on Tuesday and Wednesday. Unfortunately, this week some class time was interrupted by a nasty 'bug' that hit my stomach. I would still appreciate your prayers as I can't eat much at all, and I'm just dying for injera and a macchiato!

Thursdays have become a nice day of rest for me… great time to spend with God and my guitar. Fridays a few of us generally go to a local 'soup kitchen' (injera kitchen would be more appropriate) called Hope International. As would be the case in the states, serving the food is really a minor part of the experience… the good stuff comes with the smiling faces of those you take time for. Their delight and surprise in being acknowledged, and spoken to in their or language (or we attempt to speak, at least) is overwhelming! Each time I have these personal encounters, I'm reminded greatly of how much people need people. Seems like such a simple concept, but I think we easily forget, particularly in America, that God created us to love and function as a body and community. People like these who generally are not treated with much dignity are missing out on a fundamental part of God's design. And those times we help them find it, even for just a moment, I know we're right where God wants us.

My week truly peaks on Saturdays when we head to Holetta Orphanage for the day. Last year when I went for the first time, I was emotionally gearing myself up to be heart-broken and filled with pity upon meeting the children. I was taken aback by the contagious joy that exudes from the children at Holetta. It's not merely joy to see us… it's a genuine joy that comes from deep within, and is contingent on nothing but God Himself. They are a family among themselves; they don't seem to feel that they're lacking a thing. I wonder sometimes how ashamed I would be if they only knew of times I've felt alone or discontent. These children have so much to teach us, I feel blessed to have been welcomed so quickly into their family!! We spend our day with them playing, tickling, and more playing and more tickling, and then we finally get to 'group time.' They share about what God's done in their heart that week… they take turns singing songs, sharing scripture, displaying drawings, and praying. It's remarkable… I wish I could say such things are common, but no… it's truly remarkable.

My time here is Addis is full, but my heart has experienced a far greater fullness that words can not do justice for! I hope to be able to post my next update more quickly than last time, thanks for your patience. Until then!

Destination: Ethiopia... and blogging.

Ethiopia is well known for its great rift valley. When I went to see it last summer, I was fairly disinterested as my geology-loving friend, and travel companion, was trying to convice me of its splendor. And actually, it turned out that it was a fascinating sight to see (you were right, Miss Thiesen!). But beyond that, it triggered some deeper introspection... the way natural phenomena often do.

I wondered if this valley was truly the greatest rift Ethiopia has seen. The streets are filled with 6 million orphans, and I saw men sleeping in trash bags and little hands reaching out for food. Women and children wander the streets emaciated, waiting for help. What a chasm there is between this world and the world I come from!

Since then, my mind is constantly seeking ways that God might empower us to cross over that great rift to meet a few physical needs, and show people a God that promises His way will never let them go hungry again. I can't help but feel the great need for God, or think of the abundance He has in store. So, yielding to the wise advice of C.S. Lewis, I'm taking a step of action, with the Lord's leading, and going back to Ethiopia.

I'll be joining in the ministry of my brother, Joey, and his family (Destiny, Mercy, & baby on the way!) They've been living in Addis Ababa for 5 months now... I love hearing the exciting ways that young people are ready to grasp onto someone bigger than their circumstances, and see change in their community. I pray to be an encouragement to my brother's family and the people there. They certainly are an encouragement to me!

I plan to stay through November 15th. I thank all of you who've supported me extensively, particularly financially and in prayer. I look forward to updating you all once I'm there and settled (Wednesday, July 9th). Exabir emusken ('Let God be praised!'... in Amharic)!