Ordinary Hero Blog: LOVE, JOY, SMILES, and HUGS in Ethiopia

LOVE, JOY, SMILES, HUGS

Ordinary Hero took a team of 27 to Ethiopia in December, returning January 5. It was yet another life changing trip for many! There were lots of new comers on this team. Many had their eyes opened and cried tears for that country for the very first time.

Among all the poverty there was still the LOVE, JOY, SMILES, and the HUGS from the locals that captured the hearts of my team. Their perseverance in the midst of their struggles makes us all question any problems we have ever had and how we handle those problems. Because in the midst of their obvious struggles, their joy and their never ending faith shines brighter than the obvious that is around them. Let these pictures give you a glimpse of what we all experienced from the beautiful people of Ethiopia.

Betsy meeting her sponsored child for the first time.

This sweet lady RADIATED joy from the moment we met her. She is blind, lives in Korah in the mud hut behind her, has two children, no husband and begs to feed them. She really needs a sponsor. She knows she doesn't have one and yet she just had a joy about her that was contagious and only comes from God.

We met another sweet woman that had spent her entire life caring for her adult special needs son. Their home was destroyed. They are now in a make shift home until they find a sponsor.

She was overjoyed we were there to check on her. She said we were her only hope. She said she knows God brought us to her because she was praying. She needs a sponsor. She is precious.

This man is always an inspiration. Struck with leprosy that has eaten away his hands, he does not let that stop him. He weaves the most beautiful rugs, now available at Lila Products.

Our team had the joy of dressing the children with the many blessing bags that were donated by many for this trip. Thanks to all who donated!

It's amazing what joy a simple blessing bag can bring!

The orphanages we visit always show such gratitude and love for our teams to travel so far to come visit them. Their love is amazing!

The team members meet little ones in these orphanages that melt their hearts. The hardest part is walking away and leaving them there.

As we went to serve those in need on Entoto Mountain, we are blessed to have kids serving alongside us that are sponsored children themselves, many from other orphanages. One of the joys of being an OH team member is that your sponsored child can serve with you on the trip.

Little Mek was preparing to leave for the US to receive open heart surgery. She spent her last days in Ethiopia serving her brothers and sisters in Entoto with our team, when she herself, is one of them.