Sisters in Christ: 22 years and Counting

by Marie Reyner

In 1986, I traveled to Africa with the "Woman to Woman" program of one of our predecessor organizations, American Lutheran Church Women (ALCW). My travel partners and I visited Tanzania and then Ethiopia in a trip arranged by the Mekane Yesus Lutheran Church in Ethiopia.

On one of our days in Ethiopia our interpreter was Elizabeth Abebe, with whom I found an immediate bond. We promised to write each other after I left, and we kept our promise. Even now, we still keep up our correspondence.

Our friendship was sealed a few years later when Elizabeth wrote to me that her husband had left her and she had no way to support her eight children. I sent her some money, which she now tells me saved the family’s lives.

I had not realized the importance of that gift until I saw her once more on January 6, 2007, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. I visited Ethiopia again on the way to joining the "Women to Women: Roof of Africa" tour, sponsored by Lutheran World Relief (LWR) and Women of the ELCA.

When I left for that second trip to Ethiopia, I knew I would see the Good Samaritan Training Center, an organization that Elizabeth founded in 2003. I knew I would see and work in the Light House Kindergarten for AIDS orphans and very poor children that Elizabeth opened in 2005. I knew I would stay at the guest house near the Victory Prayer House that Elizabeth established in 2006 for refuge and worship for any person in the needy neighborhood.

I did not know that all eight of Elizabeth’s children, now grown, would embrace me with a love reserved for someone they consider their "American mother." I did not know that the two youngest sons would give me an honor reserved for mothers, the traditional Ethiopian foot–washing ceremony. I did not know that one of the daughters would fly home early from her first trip out of Ethiopia so that she could meet me.

Ephesians 4:4–6, Paul’s poem to unity in Christ, had been so important to us on that first "Woman to Woman" visit. The experience of oneness in Christ is vivid when women of diverse cultures worship and live together.

A dream come true
For years, my dear friend Elizabeth has taught Bible studies alongside skills that can help people earn a living. She had held her Bible studies in private homes 22 years ago when we first met because churches were closed by the government. Christians in Ethiopia now are thankful for their freedom of worship.

All her life, Elizabeth has helped people, dreaming of someday opening a center where she could help even more. And now her dream has come true.

She has taught about 80 girls such skills as sewing, embroidery, hair design, and catering. She helps them establish businesses, providing sewing machines or whatever is needed. She even provides counseling and financial support as they start their new ventures.

More than 60 children were enrolled in the Light House Kindergarten this year. What a joy it was to work with those precious children and to be amazed at all that this one woman has already accomplished.

You can visit Elizabeth’s Web site (www.ethiopianchamber.com/samaritan) to learn more about these programs. The blessings of the "Woman to Woman" project continue!

"Women to Women: The Roof of Africa" Tour 2007
Accompaniment is the key word for the work of Lutheran World Relief, as I learned in my orientation session before flying to Tanzania. Just as children link arms to walk side by side, LWR directors walk with people in Tanzania and other places and ask how best to help. Ideas for enhancing old programs grow along with possibilities for new ones.

We saw training centers where marginalized women and girls learn skills for starting a business or getting good jobs. Some were learning computer skills and hotel management. "Please pray for us!" pleaded Salome A. Kingu, manager of this Hekima Project in Dodoma, the capital of Tanzania.

Outside the city, the Mtumba Training Center teaches women good farming techniques and animal care. They also train girls to be preschool teachers. Those pre–schools, often in churches, are becoming common even in remote areas.

Dignity is the word I use to describe women who have their own hog, goat, flock of chickens, vineyard, or sewing machine. They now have the means for changing their lives. They gather in cooperative groups to plan and learn together. They organize small banks where they can get loans after reaching a minimal savings goal.

Dignity is also realized by the young people who have learned better ways of life. They sang, acted, danced, and recited poetry to explain. I asked if they had the courage to go out and do what they had learned. There was a simultaneous "Ndiyo," yes, after my question was translated.

All these fine programs are part of the good work of Lutheran World Relief.

Coffee, quilts, and changing lives
One night we slept in a chaggastyle hut that had concrete floors and running water. Coffee farmers in Tanzania supplement their incomes by hosting tourists in these banana–eaf huts, serving their visitors wonderful meals. We were shown all the steps of coffee production and taken on a hike in the coffee fields on the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro. LWR promotes eco–tourism and fair trade coffee, cocoa, and chocolate.

In Dar es Salaam, the largest city in Tanzania, LWR quilts are carefully kept in sealed containers at the docks. We learned that the containers must be picked up within seven days and returned empty within 14 days. If they are left on the dock, a fine is assessed because the dock space must be free for incoming containers.

LWR works with the Christian Council of Tanzania, which safely transports the containers from the dock and stores the goods in its warehouses. The representative from the Christian Council explained how congregations specify the number of quilts or kits they need and come to the warehouse to pick up their items.

Later, we visited an orphanage where the quilts were on bright display on dorm–room bunk beds. Meeting Lydia, whose life is brightened by one of those quilts lovingly made by our women, brought my trip full circle.

Mary Kabatange, the LWR project manager in Tanzania, said: "We can do nothing without you!" Through Lutheran World Relief, you make a difference in many lives!

Marie Reyner is a member of the Lutheran World Relief speakers bureau. She lives in West Union, Iowa