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As part of the 2023 Christmas campaign, a small group of three brothers and I set off for Frankfurt Airport on the evening of November 30th. From there, we flew to Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia. The purpose of our trip was to open a water station in the Jinka region, distribute food packages to those in need, and preach God's word.
Upon arriving in the capital, we were warmly welcomed by our brother Asfau. He had traveled all the way from Kyrgyzstan to his homeland of Ethiopia to support us as our guide and interpreter. A few hours later, we set off together southwest to Jinka. Upon arrival, we quickly realized that we would be carrying out our duties far removed from civilization.
A few months earlier, we had commissioned the construction of a water station to supply a medical clinic with clean drinking water. People there come from near and far to collect their drinking water from the Omo River. However, the river is very polluted and full of germs. As a result, diseases spread, and the local clinic is constantly busy.
Opening of water station in Jinka
The water station was joyfully opened that day during a church service in our presence. A two-kilometer-long pipeline was laid from the infirmary to the river, and the river water was pumped into a filtration system using a large generator. Through several filters and the addition of chemicals, clean drinking water can now be obtained from the dirty river water.
The following day, after a church service, we gathered the poor and sick of the congregation to share the good news and give each of them a food package. Deep gratitude shone in the eyes of the elderly members as they received the 25 kilograms of flour and three liters of oil.
Visit to a home for abandoned babies in Hawassa
Visiting the homes
The following day we flew back to the capital to continue our journey to Hawassa. Since the trip was heavily influenced by spontaneous changes of plan, we didn't know what to expect in Hawassa. We were only told that we would be visiting a children's home. We were eager to see God's guidance. The evening before, God had clearly shown one of our brothers in a dream that He would lead us to the right place. In Hawassa, the local pastor introduced us to an elderly woman named Atikilt. Atikilt is a mother of six and a widow.
Visit to a home for abused girls in Hawassa
Over 14 years ago, she sold her possessions to open a home for abandoned infants and another for abused girls. During the following two days, we clearly realized that God had led us to the right place. Filled with compassion, we visited both homes and observed how the women in charge treated the babies and girls with love. There was impeccable order in both the homes and the administration. In addition to the two homes, Atikilt and her team provide food for nearly 600 people. Many of these people are HIV-positive and therefore unable to earn a living.
Full of gratitude for God's guidance and protection, we arrived safely back in Frankfurt on December 7, 2023.
We would like to continue supporting Atikilt's services and are therefore looking for sponsors or a community that can provide long-term support for these two homes. For further questions, please contact the CDH Stephanus team.
Matthias Krüger
CDH Stephanus
Further information about the project and the opportunity to donate can be found here: https://cdh-stephanus.org/aethiopien/
