Gena Give-away

We had kind of an odd event last week – a bit of a “perfect storm” – all of our different give-aways that are on different schedules and different time frames converged on one week – the week before Ethiopian Christmas.

Sisay arriving with a truck full of stuff for the give-away

We handed out hygiene products (body soap and laundry soap), health products (hair oil and skin oil), supplemental food (teff and oil), and supplemental clothing (2 tops, 1 pants, 1 shorts, 2 underwear, 2 pr socks).

Moms measuring out oil for each other.

Measuring out teff for each other.

When give-aways happen, they are facilitated by our amazing staff.  So, during the give-away, I got to sit in an inconspicuous spot and just watch.  It was beautiful.  Truly beautiful.  Moms jumping up to help each other measure out their teff and oil.  Women standing around with arms around each other.  Friends opening their clothing bags and showing each other what they had received for their kids.  Lots of smiles and laughter.  It was quite a contrast to the first give-aways.  Oh, women were helpful, doing the task they were asked to do in those first days.  But, this time, there was community.  Bubbling, laughing, sharing, alive community.  What a blessing.

Sisay (our social worker) arranging the bags of kids clothing to be given away and our kids putting out piles of soap.

Thank you, Jesus, for building community among the disconnected.  Thank you for these beautiful women and children, and all that You’re doing in their midst.  Thank you for allowing us to witness it.