Our first project visit

We have just returned from our introductory visit at Arat Kilo Addis Kidan Child Development Centre. Down a little, narrow, bumpy lane is a contrast to the local buildings. A brick house with glass and curtains in the windows. This is Arat Kilo New Covenant Baptist Church, a Compassion Ethiopia partner church. A building which since 1995 has seen amazing, life changing stories unfold within its walls.

We heard of over 100 children making personal commitments to Christ! Who in-turn have witnessed to their friends and families resulting in 58 other first time professions of faith in this one project alone. Abera Wondimageng (Project Director), spoke proudly of formally sponsored children, who have gone on to become accountants, teachers, footballers, musicians, chefs, Church workers and Lead Worshippers in the local church to name but a few.

Although this building is a fantastic blessing, it does not belong to the Church but is rented. Add to which the church is ministering to 267 children with only a small space for worship and one other room which our group of 35 filled to capacity.

Another challenge staff are currently facing is the huge rise in inflation due to the global recession which means that our sponsorship monies are not stretching nearly as far as they did.