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Sharing their world
I felt like a failure until I learned the value of being present
By Anna Ralph Eastern Mennonite MissionsPage:
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ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — Traveling with Kelemua to one of her training events for women had seemed like a good idea.
Anna Ralph visits with women from the Awassa region of the Meserete Kristos Church. — Photo provided by Anna Ralph
I was always looking for ways to connect with my Ethiopian co-workers at the head office of the Meserete Kristos (Christ Is the Foundation) Church, and this seemed like a good way to move to a deeper level of relationship.
Kelemua — who is primarily referred to by her first name — directs MKC’s Women’s Ministries, a relatively new initiative. In this capacity she travels throughout Ethiopia, training women in ministry and income generation skills.
So, traveling with Kelemua for one of these training events had seemed like a logical choice.
That’s how I found myself on a hot, crowded, daylong bus ride, heading to an unfamiliar city. As the journey stretched on, what had seemed so noble shifted to uncomfortable self-absorption.
Why had I thought this would be fun, or even interesting? Would I be able to contribute anything?
MKC coworkers could not believe I would travel such a distance without a public ministry purpose. Surely I was planning to teach? It was almost unfathomable that the only reason I was going was to be with Kelemua and the women at the seminar.
After a night of rest, we set off the next morning for the first day of teaching among a group of 40 women from local MKC churches. I knew my limited Amharic would prevent me from understanding any of Kelemua’s teachings, but I was looking forward to being with the women for a couple of days.
To my chagrin the women pretty much ignored me. I was puzzled until I realized they really didn’t know how to approach me, a stranger and foreigner. I’d have to take the initiative.
So at tea time I plopped myself down next to several women and summoned my meager Amharic.
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