In celebration of 20 years of ministry, Compassion Ethiopia is creating a special anniversary magazine and they’d like you to be a part of it!
If you currently sponsor a child in Ethiopia, or if you have sponsored a child in Ethiopia at any time over the past 20 years, would you share your story with us?
Here are some things our staff would like to know about you. Please post your answers in the comments below.
And thank you, or as they say in Ethiopia, amesege’nallo’!
- What is your name?
- When did you start sponsoring a child in Ethiopia?
- What is the first name of the child that you sponsor?
- How would you describe your sponsored child?
- What kind of a person do you want your sponsored child to become?
- What would you like to say to Compassion Ethiopia as they celebrates their 20th anniversary?
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Hi I’m thankful that my wife and I are able to sponsor a nice handsome young man Chala Abebe that’s around 10 years old from Ethiopia Africa
yeah u’r great. nd how cn i meet ma sponsor?
Abenezer, please email us at [email protected] for more information on how to meet your sponsor.
I never did in my life, but I want to. I wasn’t aware that much about the sponsoring a child for education and now I am started my search for these things. It makes me happy now 🙂
Lidya since 2003 Teferi since 2004. We hope they will grow up to be God followers. Lidia is a tea maker. Teferi is a very good student. Both are kind, generous and smart. We would like to see Teferi be a business manager. And Lidia a teacher.
Our names are Paul, Amy & Joshua and our sponsored child’s name is Rahel. We started sponsoring Rahel in 2009. She is a bright, courageous, kind, and loving young lady- we are very proud of her, and love her and her mother and brother very much. We hope Rahel continues to grow in these excellent qualities and pray that she would know, trust and follow Jesus all ths days of her life. Thank you Compassion Ethiopia for everything you do for our beloved sponsor child, congratulations on 20 years of faithful service.
My name is Tracy and we sponsor a 7 year old little girl in Ethiopia whose name is Sisay. We began sponsoring her a little over a year ago as a connection for our Ethiopian daughter to her homeland. Our adopted daughter’s past speaks to the lack of hope and options that poverty brings. We have every confidence that Compassion’s work gives families options and resources they need so there is hope and a future for their children! Sisay seems like a bright but quiet child. We pray that she will grow to become a committed and passionate follower of Jesus who will understand her worth and value in the eyes of the God who made her. We also hope that through Compassion she will break the bonds of poverty in her family and become a leader in her community. Our sincerest thanks to Compassion Ethiopia on their amazing work. We pray for your leadership and the staff who work in Sisay’s student centre that they would be wonderful examples of Jesus’s love to our little sponsor daughter. Keep up the great work! May you not grow tired of doing what is right – your harvest and reward will be great! (Galatians 6:9)
My husband and I just sponsored alive year old boy named Yohannes in Ethiopia less than a week ago. We have sponsored a girl in Guatemala for just under 10 years and had the privilege to meet her and her mom and sister in April. When we came home I said yo my husband we should sponsor a boy and in Africa. My husband was born in Morocco, Africa to missionary parents. He agreed and since there are no sponsored children in Morocco with Compassion he said “how about Ethiopia.” When I went on-line I pulled up information about Yohannes because he had been looking for a sponsor family ❤ for 440 days. Then I looked and saw his birthday was February 29th. My husband’s birthday is Feb 28th just missed being a leap year baby by minutes. So that did it for me. We would hope and pray that Yohannes realizes in his life that Jesus loves him even more than we do already.
My name is Lori. I began to sponsor Amanuel in March 2012. Amanuel seems to be a shy child who enjoys his sports a great deal. I am still trying to get to know Amanuel more and more with each letter. I would like for Amanuel to grow up to be a strong and faith-filled man. I hope for him to be truly compassionate and love the Lord. As for Compassion Ethiopia, I wish you a happy 20th anniversary, and look for another great 20 years in the future.
My name is Marilyn, and I began sponsoring Kalkidan on July 8, 2010 when she was five years old. Kalkidan has relayed through her letters to me over the last three years how much she enjoys her Compassion program, which she attends three days a week. She enjoys learning bible stories and loves singing gospel music. Kalkidan likes to eat pasta and teff, plays soccer, and also hide and seek. Her favourite colours are red and yellow, and her favourite holiday is Easter. I pray that both Kalkidan and her younger sister, Diborah, grow up to reach their full potential, and are treated with respect and dignity by those who reside in their community. It is difficult growing up in poverty, but this situation is an extra challenge for the girls and their family, because they were both born with Down Sydrome. I pray that as the girls develop and mature, that they have access to the same opportunties as typical children around them, and that they are not judged negatively. I would like to wish Compassion Ethiopia a Happy Twentieth Anniversary, and thank them for all their hard work releasing children from poverty in Jesus’ name. This is just the beginning for them, and I pray for continued success as more children learn about our Lord and Saviour through Compassion and the local churches holistic programs. With time and perseverence, hopefully poverty in this country can be eradicated in the future.
Hi!
My name is Elisabeth, but most people call me Lizzie.
I just started writing to a boy in Ethiopia in April 2013. The country has always had my heart and I haven wanted to sponsor there for a long time.
Abdisa is 13. I only have one letter from him so far. But I can tell that he is a smart boy. He told me many things that he got from Compassion, and I was amazed at how much they are helping him! I know that he will succeed in life as he follows God’s plan for his life. Just so happy to get to know him! 🙂
My hope and prayer for Abdisa is that he will grow in his knowledge of Who God is and that he will grow close to Jesus. I hope that he will become a man who, if he is married, will lead his household in a Godly way. I pray that when people see him, in work, school, or play, that people will see Jesus. I just want to see him become something that he couldn’t have done without Jesus and His work through Compassion.
Compassion Ethiopia: congratulations! You have followed Jesus’ words and through your obedience to Him, many lives have been changed!! Thank you. I know you are being a blessing in Ethiopia, and everyone who partners with you has been blessed by you. I know that even in just a couple months, I have been very blessed by your project ET805, and my boy there. amesege’nallo’ 🙂
My name is Alexine. I began sponsoring Tinsaye and Yohannis in 2010. Both are age 9. Tinsaye praises God and asks me to pray for Ethiopia and for his family; he is thoughtful and inquisitive. Yohannis tells me what he learned about Jesus, bible characters and favorite songs. He seems gentle and loving. I would like these wonderful children to grow into men who are strong and compassionate, who love God’s word and walk in the light of Christ, gain training and education and have peaceful loving homes.
Thank you, Compassion Ethiopia, for spreading the love of God and helping his children and allowing me to be a part of your family.
My name is Leslie and I have 3 beautiful children in Ethiopia: Lidya, Ashenafi, and Russe. I have sponsored them for almost 2 years.
Lidya is a delightful girl who wants to be a doctor. She is very bright and writes wonderful letters. My prayer for Lidya is that she stays strong in her faith and loves Jesus with all her heart. I pray that the Lord has His hand on her throughout her life and that she follows the guidance of the Holy Spirit. What I would like her to become? I would like her to continue to be the wonderful person she is, even when she meets the obstacles of life.
Ashenafi is quite young, but I do know that he likes football, bread, and that he does NOT have a cow (which I must do something about I think!) He also draws a very nice house. He also wants to be a doctor. My prayer for Ashenafi is for him to continue to learn about the Lord and how to trust Jesus as his friend, to grow in his faith and become a godly young man. I pray that he has all the opportunities he needs to break the chains of poverty.
Russe is also young but I know that she likes volleyball and wants to be a teacher. My prayers for her is to find comfort and healing in Jesus. I pray for her to find reasons to smile and for her health. I hope for her to become strong and confident and to use those strengths to help and encourage others.
To Compassion, THANK YOU for giving me the wonderful gift of being able to be part of the lives of these children. Thank you for reaching out and changing lives in so many ways, in Jesus’ name.
My name is Karen and I have sponsored three wonderful young people: Million, Ashenafi and Beza. I chose them all as teenagers who needed a new sponsor and were nearing the end of their Compassion time. I have had the good fortune to visit with each of them and am so proud of the adults they are becoming. Ashenafi and Beza (who is currently in LDP) will graduate from their respective university programs next summer and Million has become a fine striker for his town’s soccer team. Each loves God, loves his or her family, and they love me. And they know they feeling is entirely mutual. I am in their court every single day, encouraging them toward a bright future.
My name is Deborah. Over the years I have sponsored three children from Ethiopia. I began sponsoring Habtamua and Yoseph in the mid 1990’s. Later Rediet became my third child of Compassion. Habtamua was tall, strong, and determined. Yoseph loved soccer and was a talented artist. Rediet was respectful, caring and friendly. I would like for my children of Compassion to have courage, a growing love and faith in God, be active citizens in their communities, and follow their dreams for the future. As a woman of faith and a retired professional educator I have always admired Compassion for their child developmental approach to education and their connecting children to their local churches, communities, and involving their families. Congratulations on your 20th anniversary. I hope to see your ministries grow and thrive especially in Ethiopia.
My name is Heather, my husband Joseph and I have been sponsoring Kasahun Boki for the past five years. This July, we spent the month travelling in Africa, and we actually had the opportunity to meet Kasahun and his family. This was an experience beyond words. The difference that Compassion is making in the life if this family is incredible. We feel humbled and proud to be a part of God’s work in this family and community. Kasahun (Kasu) is sweet, kind and a happy boy. He works hard in school, and enjoys playing football (soccer). He hopes to become a doctor one day. We are so grateful for the opportunity to pray with Kasu and his family in person, we will continue to encourage & support him as best as we can. Thank you Compassion for making this visit a reality. Our host for the day was a former Compassion child, he now works as a host and translates letters in Addis Ababa. It was a joy to hear his success story as well!
My name is Charlotte. My husband Gary and me have been sponsoring Frehiwot since January 2012.
Frehiwot is a pretty girl who very sweet. She is always thanking us for everything that we are doing for her and always praying for us. It’s an honour and pleasure to be able to sponsor her. It’s such a joy when we receive her letters etc.
We would like Frehiwot to grow up and have a strong Christian faith.
We would like to thank Compassion Ethiopia for all that they have done and for all that they are going to do. God bless you all.
My name is Amanda and I became a correspondent to sweet 12 year old Hailed in Ethiopia in 2013. Hailed so far to me seems to be a sweet boy growing into a handsome young man. When he grows up I hope he can be a independent man that is doing what he wants to do in life and not just struggling to live. I also hope he grows to be or continue to be a godly person. I would like to take Compassion Ethiopia for all they do to help Haile and the other precious children there. That because of them and Haile’s parents I have had the chance to come to love home with all my heart. Thanks so so much.
My name is Stacey. I started sponsoring my child from Ethiopia in 2010 when I traveled there. Her name is Senait. She is shy and playful and has a beautiful singing voice. She loves the color red, cows and is a big help to her mother and grandmother. I have gotten to see her twice and it’s something I treasure as some of the best moments of my life. I want, above all, for Senait to know the deep love that God has for her. I want her to know that she has a destiny and a future. Compassion Ethiopia, congratulations on this milestone. I know that your staff loves these children and that you take every opportunity to share God’s love with them. Thank you for your dedication and your steadfastness in all that you do.
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My name is Dominique and my family is sponsoring Getahun in Ethiopia since 2009. He is a nice boy and is a also a blessing for our family. I hope that Getahun will be a true worshiper of the Father and will enter wholly in what God wants for his life. I would like to thank each one of the staff of Compassion Ethiopia. You are the key of all the ministry to the sponsored kids. May our Almighty Father still renews you in the joy of your service for Him.
My name is Lindy, and our family first started sponsoring Fantaye in Ethiopia in 1997 or 1998. She is now all grown up, and we currently sponsor Alsheshum, Agenagne, and Elias in Ethiopia. All three of them are great joys to us. They love the Lord and their families, and they are good students. Our prayer for each of them is that they will follow the Lord’s will for their lives wholeheartedly, with joy, and will share His love in humility and compassion for as long as they live. Congratulations and many thanks to Compassion Ethiopia on your faithful service to so many, many children and their families in the name and the love of our Lord Jesus for 20 years!
My name is Stephen. I sponsored a child in Ethiopia for 16 years, from 1997 to 2013. Belete was a young boy when the sponsorship started. Now he is a young adult. He graduated from the Compassion program earlier this year. I would describe Belete as determined, persevering, and successful. He worked through tough circumstances to learn and grow in many areas of his life. What kind of person would I like him to become? What can I say except to become all that God wants him to be. He is very important and will always have a special place in my heart. I hope that he is happy and at peace knowing that God truly loves him. I am proud that he has learned skills to earn a living as an adult. I still pray for him. What would I like to say to Compassion Ethiopia as they celebrate their 20th anniversary? As someone who was involved with sponsorship for many of those 20 years, I would like to say you are doing important work, and do not give up. Keep up the good work. Keep striving to see God’s kingdom come, on earth as it is heaven.
My name is Rachel and my family began supporting Shigute in 2009. Shigute is an encouraging, grateful young man. I appreciate how he asks how he can pray for my family and asks for ways we can pray for his. We pray, especially as Shigute graduates this month (August 2013) that he will keep God as the center of his life, just as I know he has been equipped to do at his student center. To the Compassion Ethiopia center, I commend you for the work you do. I work at a mission school in the U.S. and many of our students are from Ethiopia – I know the important work you do!! I know the political climate in which you work is a challenge, but God will reap a harvest from your efforts, from planting seeds to watering them!
My name is Bernice and I started sponsoring Fikir in 2012. She’s a beautiful, hard working young lady who wants to excel in her education. I pray she become a special vessel that God would use for His kingdom.
I am grateful to Compassion, for giving me the opportunity to sponsor a child. God bless the staff of Compassion for 20 years hard work.
My name is Keely. My family and I started sponsering Beniyam from Ethiopia in 2011. Beniyam is a child of God and an incredible blessing. My prayer is that Beniyam becomes who God has called him to be. Congratulations Compassion on 20 years. Thank you for making a difference in the life of a child.
I am Paula. I began sponsorship of Mulu in 2007. She is a lovely teenager excelling in her studies.She often expresses her love for me. It has been my pleasure and privilege to have her in my life. I want Mulu to give her heart to Jesus and live her life for God ; scattering the seeds of His love to everyone she encounters.
Thank you Compassion Ethiopia for twenty years of giving Hope and Help to the beautiful people of Ethiopia. May God grant you strength and purpose in all your future work. It is so very important.
We started sponsoring Eden from Ethiopia 7 years ago. Eden turned 13 Aug. 1. She is a pretty girl..who has done better in school with the help of Compassion. She is concerned about her younger brother and her parents.
I would like to know more about the region and the daily activities and circumstances of her living conditions…They have improved since we started the sponsorship…but I would like to know more.
I am Cynthia and I started sponsoring Lishan, Habtamu and Blen in 2010. Lishan is an amazingly beautiful and intelligent young woman with strong leadership abilities. Habtamu is extremely shy, quiet and very timid. And words fail me to describe my Blen. In short, Blen is just a smart, loving and happy young maturing girl. I love all of my Ethiopian darlings. I miss my babies even now as I write this comment (sob, sob, sob . . . )
I would love it if all of my children know the depth of God’s love for them and choose to follow Him with an undaunted determination. I want them all to become leaders within their own personal skill set and ability. Each one have a tremendous capacity to be the change that is needed in Ethiopia.
As you celebrate your 20 year anniversary, I pray that you continue to grow inwardly (by celebrating and honoring the labor of the people who serve in the ministry) and outwardly (by being recognized as an instrumental and positive change in Ethiopia). May God continue to bless you all in your endeavors.
My husband and I adopted our son from Ethiopia four years ago. When our son turned six last year, we talked to him about Compassion International and the opportunity sponsor a child. We told him about the girl we have sponsored for years in Burkina Faso. We told him there are children in Ethiopia that we could sponsor and he could too.
We talked to a very helpful Compassion representative and asked if we could sponsor a child from the region in Ethiopia where our son was born. She told us the good news that a child development center was located in that region and that a young man, Delabo, just became available after losing his sponsor. We were excited to sponsor Delabo who is a young adult and the oldest sibling in his family.
We pray God gives Delabo a good livelihood, increases his faith in Jesus Christ, and blesses him with a wonderful wife and children. We hope our son can meet Delabo one day as fellow Ethiopians and brothers in Christ.
What is your name? ==> Murray Lahn
When did you start sponsoring a child in Ethiopia? ==> April 7, 2008
What is the first name of the child that you sponsor? ==> Abe
How would you describe your sponsored child? ==> Abe is an energetic 15year old who has grown a lot in the past 5 years.
What kind of a person do you want your sponsored child to become? ==> We hope that Abe will continue to grow in his faith and that he will grow to serve others because of the love he has been shown by Compassion.
What would you like to say to Compassion Ethiopia as they celebrates their 20th anniversary? ==> We pray that God will bless you as you minister in Jesus name. You are doing a great thing, helping both the kids and their families and communities. Keep up the Kingdom work!!!
•What is your name?
My name is Catherine.
•When did you start sponsoring a child in Ethiopia?
I started sponsoring my sweet little girl in 2009
•What is the first name of the child that you sponsor?
Selamawit
•How would you describe your sponsored child?
Selamawit is beautiful, has a sweet disposition, and a caring heart. She is shy but very loving. She calls me her “special mother”.
•What kind of a person do you want your sponsored child to become?
I want Selamawit to become the person she feels God calling her to be. She has expressed her desire to become a doctor. I pray she continues to grow in her faith and love of God, and allows Him to lead her in all that she does.
•What would you like to say to Compassion Ethiopia as they celebrates their 20th anniversary?
Thank you for allowing us to help these beautiful children by sponsoring them. Our pastor in Texas visited this village and was so overcome with compassion for their suffering that the entire church sponsors that community. The stories he told of homeless children is just heart-breaking. Congratulations on 20 years of helping these children in poverty!
My wife and I started sponsoring Dagim 7 years ago when we became engaged. We felt it was a great way to grow together and closer to God as we reached out to sponsor a child. Dagim is an energetic boy that loves to play soccer. Last summer, we were blessed with the opportunity to meet Dagim and his family, and I even got to play soccer with him. Wow – his energy quickly outpaced my own and made me feel like an old man.
My prayer for Dagim is that he continues to grow and mature in the Lord, and that he will be confident and walk in faith for whatever the Lord has planned for him.
Thank you Compassion for partnering with people throughout the world to make a difference throughout the world.
My name is Bre and I have been sponsoring Kaleb for about a year. I love to get letters from him! He seems to be a shy young man who loves his family very much. He loves to run and play any sort of running games. He also loves the rain and playing in the mud! He really wants to learn in school and to learn more about being a Christian. He is kind and giving and was excited to use some of his birthday money to buy a gift for his mother.
I pray that Kaleb continues his love for learning and that he would grow to be a strong man of faith who loves and fears the Lord. I pray he would be able to use his love for others to guide them closer to truth in Christ. It is my hope he can be a light in his dark world and grow in his knowledge and understanding of the Bible, that he might do great things for his country in the name of God!
I think the work Compassion has done and is doing in Ethiopia is amazing! I am humbled by the willingness of the people of Compassion to bring Christ into such a non-Christian place. So many of the people in Ethiopia have not yet heard to Gospel and are getting that chance thanks to Compassion. I thank you for, not only introducing Christ to so many, but for the education you are providing them as well. You bring hope to so, so many children and their families; what a wonderful legacy!!
• What is your name? Fokelien Haije
• When did you start sponsoring a child in Ethiopia? In 2005
• What is the first name of the child that you sponsor? Sentayehu
• How would you describe your sponsored child? A lovely, shy girl, who is growing into a beautiful woman!
• What kind of a person do you want your sponsored child to become? A confident woman who knows God loves her, and sharing that knowledge in her environment.
• What would you like to say to Compassion Ethiopia as they celebrates their 20th anniversary? Happy anniversary and God’s blessings to keep up the good work! Thank you so much what you people did for so many children over the last twenty years!
My name is Jen. I started sponsoring Tseganesh in 2010. She seems to be hard working, friendly, playful and caring.. I would love my child to become a woman with great faith in the Lord. I would love her to be a woman who recognizes the Lord in all aspects of her life and helps others to see God in their life. I would like to congratulate Compassion Ethiopia for 20 years of service to our Lord and the nation of Ethiopia.