Tomorrow, January 17, Carolina Hope's Director of International Programs, Lisa Prather, and Director of Ministry Outreach, Dan Cruver, will be traveling to Ethiopia along with a professional camera man (on loan from another ministry, which has generously made him available to us). The purpose of the trip is to conduct research for Carolina Hope's Ethiopia adoption program, minister to the orphans, and to document the people, culture, and needs in order to create a promotional video.
Below is the (slightly edited) text of an email from our Ethiopia adoption coordinator (himself an Ethiopian) who will be Lisa and Dan's guide during their trip:
I am excited to see you here in Addis Ababa. I am also very happy that you like to visit other places to get a better understanding of the people, culture, and scenery of Ethiopia. I have chosen the Southern part of the country for you to visit. It is known for its huge population, diversified culture, and natural resources. There are high number of orphaned and abandoned children in the area.
On the 18 of January you shall meet some of officials at the Ministry of Women, Ministry of Justice and Addis Ababa City Administration Civil and Social affairs office.
19 of January, will be a public holiday in Ethiopia, Epiphany (Timket). Timket, the feast of Epiphany, is the greatest festival of the year falling on the 19 of January just two weeks after the Ethiopian Christmas. It is actually a three-day affair beginning on the eve of Timket with dramatic and colourful processions. The following morning is also a great day, when Christ's baptism in the Jordan River by John the Baptist is commemorated. Since October and the end of the rains, the country has been drying up steadily. The sun blazes down from a clear blue sky and the festival of Timket always takes place in glorious weather. So you will be very privileged to see the great moment. You shall have time to see some the places in Addis Ababa and in the afternoon if you like we shall go to the holiday place to see how people are celebrating the Epiphany (Timket).
Saturday 20 January, we shall go to visit one of the orphanages. Sunday morning we shall go to church. There are different churches in Ethiopia. For people who understand only English there is the International Evangelical Church (IEC), and if you prefer to see Ethiopians worshiping the Lord you can visit the Addis Ababa Full Gospel Church.
Monday 21 January, we shall go to visit one of the other orphanages.
Tuesday 22 January, we shall go outside of Addis Ababa to visit the third orphanage. This will be some 270 km from Addis Ababa.
Wednesday 23 January, we shall drive directly to another place that I am planning you to visit and the journey will take us one day.
By Thursday 24 January, we shall have time to visit some of the areas in the southern part of Ethiopia.
On Friday 25 January, we shall come back to Addis Ababa.
On Saturday 26 January, if you want you shall buy some cultural clothes and other things.
On Sunday 26 January, you shall fly back to your home.
[...] very good friend just sent me this Spurgeon quotation tonight to encourage and center my heart as I prepare to leave for Ethiopia tomorrow. I thank God for this very good friend. “I am the One who helps you, Declares the Lord.” [...]
Praying over you all on this trip. May God bless you with clear direction, protection and an amazing testimony to his faithfulness!
[...] Director of International Programs) and Dan Cruver (Director of Ministry Outreach) took a survey trip to Ethiopia. When they got back, Lisa made a slideshow with some compelling photos. To see the [...]