To Ethiopia with love

I always wanted to visit Ethiopia because I felt it to be different: I'd spent four years in Nigeria and nine in Malawi so I had some different experiences of Africa and of the effects of the legacy of British colonialism. Ethiopia is unique because apart from a very brief interlude it had not been colonised. I had met many Ethiopians in Malawi and made friends. I found them physically striking and beautiful. When I was invited to join the pilgrimage I jumped at the chance.

And so on December 28 our Christians Aware party of ten set out for a three-week visit to Addis Ababa and Aira. When I spoke to a secretary in the Ethiopian Embassy in London he had never even heard of Aira. It was so remote as to be forgotten; reminding me of my time on Karkar Island in New Guinea. 'Have a nice holiday', said my friends. I tried to explain that it was a visit with a purpose. It was a party of Christians from different denominations visiting groups of Christians who were members of the Ethiopian Evangelical Lutheran Church, a national Church which is part of the Worldwide Lutheran Federation. The link was Rachel Stephens’ friendship with members of the Ethiopian community in Birmingham, some refugees. We hoped to learn from each other and make a contribution using our skills. I am a special needs teacher.

My overseas experience has taught me that I always receive so much more than I can ever give. My conclusion has been that if I can live as simply as I possibly can, then I will learn more from the poor. Sometimes it seems so presumptuous for us Westerners to imagine that we can pass on a better life-style to people in poor countries. When I set out that snowy morning at 4.30 am, I had no idea that I was embarking on my happiest-ever visit overseas. My heart is still singing two weeks later. What was so remarkable about it?

First, the people in the group. What a mixed bunch we were: some solitary, others single-minded; theologically a real mixed bunch. Yet we became such a close and supportive community that lasting friendships were made.

Second, I found the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY) with its 'Wholistic Ministry' serving the whole person something radical and different from the conservative theology that I had previously struggled with in Africa. One of my highlights was sitting with church leaders in Aira discussing our problems together. Despite being a financially poor congregation they supported poor people in the community and had empowerment projects for young women. They had installed a generator and sold electricity because there was no power-supply in Aira. The Church was growing and full of young people and was a major force in the community.. Over the Ethiopian Christmas we went to three services, each three hours long.

I have always loved Africa, so for me it was like coming home. There was little to buy and no TV, so we had time. Spending over a week on unmade laterite roads taught me that a driver- mechanic is more important than a smart Land-cruiser. Ethiopia is five times the size of Britain and incredibly beautiful and mountainous. I felt I could go on for ever.

If you asked me what we contributed, I would say we cannot tell. Some people had great gifts of communication. What I loved was the simplest life-style, though I did chase up the mechanic who had turned our water off and gone on holiday leaving the stopcock locked away! We received overwhelming hospitality from so many people. Sometimes life was frustrating, especially when the loos flooded, but was also a reminder of what life is like in the Third World.

Yet the question remains: How can the rich and poor communicate? One Sunday morning after the lengthy service I was sitting down to a hearty meal of injera (local bread made from millet). I went to greet a very old woman standing by the door. 'You are rich', she said. What an accusation! 'God loves the poor' I replied. 'Yes, but you are rich', she replied. I came away sorrowing, hearing the uncomfortable gospel. How can I who am rich preach the good news to the poor? My visit and her message will stay with me.

Janet Patrick

article published in local church newsletter
August 2006