What Ethiopia Means to Me?

A guest post by: Kaytlynn Bridges, age 14

Ethiopia is a really big part of my life right now and I really don’t know where to start.  Let’s see, I have been to Ethiopia once and it as such a great experience I really want to go back.  God has done amazing things since I have been there.  Specifically in Arjo, I have seen God bring blessing.  From the kiddos sponsored, to the three pure water wells to the solar stuff, there have been amazing things being done.  I am so thankful to be a part of God’s plan for Arjo.  I want to thank everyone for praying and believing that this could really happen.

It’s so cool to see all the wonderful things that God has given us to take.  Its fun to be at the office or at home when I see everything getting packed and to think that someone in Ethiopia is going to be so happy and surprised when they see or get some of these gifts.  It is fun to see how my clothes that were too small for me as a growing kid can now help another child who doesn’t have a full closet of clean clothes.  Just to see the smile on their faces when they receive something like that just makes me joyful and feel all warm inside.

When I get older, I want to be a teacher…wouldn’t that be cool to help teach in Arjo?  I just see all of the little kids smiles and believe they would bring me so much happiness.  Last time I went, I was totally captured by Ethiopia.  Although the countryside is beautiful and the culture drinking coffee is fun, what really called to me were the kiddos.  I remember there was this one little girl who was so cute.  She was probably around 5 and she let me hold her.  I carried her everywhere I went I was so captured by her.  And then to see how they live and their humble homes, when it was time to go, I didn’t want to leave her.  I just wanted to take her home with me.  I love being part of the sponsorship program.  I would really love to go back and see my friend, my sponsor child.  Last time I got really sick in Arjo so I don’t remember everything, but it doesn’t leave my heart.

Whenever I hear the word Ethiopia I smile.  Even at school, whenever I have a country project I always choose Ethiopia because it reminds me of how blessed I am to be able to go to school, to have a roof over my head and food on the table… EVERY night.  Not only that, it also reminds me of memories of the children like the little girl I held onto so closely, and it inspires me and encourages me to never stop trying to help.  To think that kids die each day in Ethiopia from the little things that here would be no big deal because we would just go to the doctor or drink some fresh water or take some medicine.  We have such an advantage and it takes a lot of bad stuff or sickness to get us really down, where there they have so little margin even dehydration can be a death sentence.

I believe God has a special plan for me.  Maybe someday I will become a missionary just like my mom.  Who knows? I’m just going to let God take control.  Whatever God let’s me do, I want it to be a blessing to others.  Please pray for my mom as she is in Ethiopia now.  She is such a huge blessing to our family.  I am amazed how she sacrifices so much to do what God calls her to do.  You’re my hero mom!