There are thirteen months in the year in Ethiopia and a new year is celebrated on September 11th, so at the time of writing (September 2022) it is 2015 in Ethiopia.
80 languages are spoken in Ethiopia, but Amharic is the official language.
More than 80% of the population live in rural areas. Some even live in the Danakil Depression, one of the hottest places on Earth with temperatures reaching over 50 degrees!
Ethiopian Abebe Bikila was the first black African to win gold in the Olympics in 1960. He was a marathon runner. He ran bare foot and finished 25 seconds before the next competitor.
It is said that an Ethiopian goat herder, Kaldi, first discovered coffee when he noticed that his goats became so energetic they did not want to sleep at night after eating from a certain plant. A local monk then made a drink with the berries that he found had similar effect.
In Ethiopia, the coffee ceremony is considered to be the most important social occasion in many villages, and it is a sign of respect and friendship to be invited to a coffee ceremony. You can watch a video of a coffee ceremony here.
Jesus says in the Bible that when we are kind and welcome others, it’s like we are welcoming him, and welcoming “the One who sent Him” (God). He said that we will receive a blessing for welcoming others, whoever they are.
Jesus welcomed people who others did not. He spent time with people who were sick and hurting, people society turned their backs on and those who had done wrong. Jesus cared for them and loved them. He welcomed them into God’s family
Are there people you know who don’t know Jesus?
Ask God to bring them into his family, and to show you how you can be part of that process.
[Paraphrased from https://ministry-to-children.com/hospitality-sermon-welcome-all/]
Pray that as mission workers in Ethiopia show friendship towards others, God will bless their conversations and help people feel loved as Jesus loves them.
Activity time
How can you make someone you know feel loved today? Perhaps you could…
- tidy up your toys without being asked to
- share your toys happily with others
- draw a picture or write a note that will make someone smile
- use your craft materials to make a gift for someone
- pray for them!
For more ideas, watch this video by Crossroads Kids’ Club, about how Jesus loved and welcomed others.
This page was created as part of our SIMpray Kids monthly prayer email. If you would like to pray regularly with our mission families serving around the world, please click here.