Bezaye

As we were planning our trip to Ethiopia, our friend Ashley told us she wanted us to meet her friend, Beza, and asked if she could help out that week with translating or anything else.  I looked her up on facebook and saw that was drop-dead gorgeous and had over 1,000 followers.  Not friends, but followers!  I thought to myself, "Who is this girl? A model?"  And I immediately started making assumptions about Beza -- probably shallow, aloof, and stuck on herself.

Wow, was I wrong.

Beza is sweet, kind, and gentle.  She has an infectious laugh and good naturedly endured Andy's teasing all week, responding with an equally quick wit.  Although more on the reserved side, she opens up easily with those she trusts (a lot like me!).  She is absolutely physically beautiful, and yet her heart is even more so.  Often we'd find her in tears, heartbroken over the poverty and brokenness we were witnessing together.  She LOVES coffee (buna) and could drink a whole cup faster than we could take two sips! 

Our first day together was spent at Embracing Hope, then at the coffee ceremony in Korah, and ended with a trip to an orphanage.  I think she cried at each one.  She has such a tender heart and strong desire to serve, and her love for others and Jesus shined in everything she did.

 
Beza confided in us earlier in the week that she did not want to watch the dental procedures during the dental clinics (neither did I!).  She was afraid she wouldn't be able to handle the blood.  The first day of clinic she worked in the medical room, helping translate for those that came in with skin and other minor issues.  After being diagnosed the patient was given a lotion or medication to help treat the problem.   Beza has been trained as a pharmacist, so this was right up her alley. 

On our second day of clinic, we were short some translators.  The oral surgeon, Dr. Steve, handed some surgical gloves to Beza and motioned her over to his chair.  Beza stood by his side all day, helping him to understand the patient's needs and pain level.  I popped in and out of the room periodically, checking to make sure she was handling it okay, and felt so very proud of her for jumping in and serving where she was needed most.

 Throughout the course of the week, we learned that we were hanging out with a pretty well-known singer.  Beza is a member of a Christian group called Zema 4 Christ, which in English means "the best for Christ." In their words:  "Our philosophy is one and clear that is to love and serve God with all our hearts, minds, strength, and thoughts. Worship is a product of the knowledge of God’s love to us and our response to it through dedication of our entire life to his will. We want God to use us in any way not just on our stages but through our day to day life among our neighbors, in the midst of this corrupted world system. Our first and prior mission is to live Godly life and be witnesses of God’s salvation by being light and salt to this world."  Zema 4 Christ just recorded their second album and tours all over Ethiopia, singing in churches, at festivals, and other gatherings. They're a pretty big deal in their country!





And yet humble Beza never even let on.  We found out from Sammy and others we talked to.  Someday I hope to see them sing in person, maybe even here in America!  Check them out on youtube!

On our last day there, we put in a full day of clinic and reserved a few hours so that we could go back to our room and pack for our 10:30 pm flight.  Our first stop was ice cream, of course.  Then we invited Sammy and Beza to come up to our room and hang out. We listened to music (from Jackson Five to Hillsong) and ordered room service - one more buna in Ethiopia!   We talked about life and God and love and everything else under the sun.  I felt like I was hanging out in my family room with two of my closest friends.

LOOK!  It's your favorite chair! 

 Finally we were packed and ready to go.  I had been fighting tears all day, and then the floodgates opened, for all of us.  The thought that we didn't know when we'd see each other again was just too much.  Experiencing all that we did together - the hours in the car, the poverty and brokenness, the beautiful children, the brave men and women making life changes - has formed a bond between us for life.  Andy asked if we could pray for them, and we all joined hands and choked back tears. 

In Amharic (the major language spoken in Ethiopia), -ye is added to the end of someone's name as a term of endearment.  Andye, Katiye, Sammiye.

Bezaye, you are a dear friend and my life is better with you in it. I miss you so much.  I think about you all the time and pray for you often throughout my day.  Thank you for sharing your heart with us, and for welcoming us to your beautiful country with open arms.  Thank you for teaching us Amharic and for laughing at us when we messed up.  :)  Thank you for putting up with Andy all week.  :)  You have a gift and God is going to use you mightily for His kingdom - He already is.  I can't wait to see what else He has for you.  You are precious, dear friend and little sister!  Much love to you always!  Until we meet again....

habasha and feringe :)