I’m excited to post the story of  photographer Gretta Coates trip to meet Wubalem, a little girl she sponsored in Ethiopia. Reading this story was amazing, because Gretta did not only care enough to help change a child’s life halfway across the world, she took it a step further and established a personal relationship with Wubalem and her family.  

The story, in Gretta’s words…

I scrolled over a web page full of little faces begging to know that they mattered. I knew that I could only choose one child, but how on earth would I ever choose one out of so many?

A decision wasn’t made that day. Or that week. But I came back time and again to look, to search for just the right one. Then one day, I decided to narrow it down by country. I wanted to sponsor a child in a poor country, and Ethiopia seemed to fit that description.

Still, so many faces to choose from. But then I saw her picture. She stood timidly in front of a building, wearing a blue woolen sweater. Imploring eyes half a world away, stared at me. She’d been waiting to be sponsored for more than a year.

I clicked the “Sponsor Me” button and thus began the two years of correspondence; along with a small, monetary gift to support her academic and medical needs.

I had heard of people traveling overseas and actually meeting their sponsored child, but I never dreamed that it would be possible for me to meet Wubalem. It wasn’t until one day last summer that I even considered the possibility. I was planning to go visit my sister who lives in West Africa and was checking around for the best flight options. On that particular day, all the connecting flights flew through Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. All of them. I ran to get my mom and blurted out the wonderful news. “Is this something I should pursue?” I asked. “Absolutely!” she said. The obvious thing to do was contact Compassion, which I did. I knew they offered group tours, but I wasn’t sure about the possibility of doing an individual visit.

After a brief introduction, they sent me all the information and paperwork needed. Suddenly this visit wasn’t just a possibility; this was a plan! The months that ensued were filled with working out logistics with Compassion, doing background checks and applying for visas. And then before I knew it, our five week visit with my sister in West Africa came to a conclusion and we were on a plane headed to Ethiopia. Someone pinch me and tell me this is real! 

We landed and then stood in long immigration lines late that night, staring at advertisements blinking strange characters at us. Amharic characters.

In of the fog of our late night travels, I kept accidentally referring to immigration as “migration.” Ironically, this seemed to fit since we were all moving at a snail’s pace. Our turn finally came at the small window and we handed over our papers which were inked red and black, signifying that we were good to go.

We stayed in the capital that night. Tomorrow was the big day; the day that I’d been anticipating for months. The day I would meet my sponsor child, Wubalem!

The next day we got up at the break of dawn and began the five hour trip south. Our journey took us through the Rift Valley, where jagged mountains loom and lakes glisten invitingly. Past shepherds tending to herds of oxen and goats and camels.

 

We arrived at the Project around 2pm where we met Wubalem’s school teacher, pastor, and principal. They ushered us into the office. The smell of incense and freshly roasted coffee met us as we stepped inside. A coffee ceremony was being prepared for this special occasion.

Without warning, Wubalem entered the office. Tiny, timid, but with big, trusting eyes.

 

She greeted everyone there in the traditional way, and then sat next to me. There was silence for a moment, as all eyes were on me, then her, then back to me. I wasn’t sure how to proceed. “Did you have a good day?” I asked, looking at her. After the translator interpreted, she nodded. I knew that her eighth birthday was coming up. “What would you like to do for your birthday?” I asked. Her eyes shone as the words slipped from her mouth. “Maybe we will eat cake.”

A bouquet of flowers and a smile. That’s what Wubalem gave me.

 

But best of all, she told me that she would like to become a pilot when she grows up. Why? So she can fly to America to visit me.

After a thorough tour of the school grounds and church building, we climbed into the Compassion vehicle and headed across town to Wubalem’s home where we would have the chance to meet her family.

We parked on a quiet street and walked towards Wubalem’s home. She lived in a poor section of town, but it looked clean and well kept. As we rounded a corner in the street, I could see through an open gate to a small gathering outside one particular home.

We stepped through the very same gate and moments later, were met by her family and a few curious neighbors. Wubalem’s dad greeted me first, speaking the few English words he knew, “I am Wubalem’s father.” Her mother emerged from the doorway and wrapped me in a tight hug. She told me through tears how much she loved me and appreciated what I did for her family.

It was evident to me that these people knew Jesus. There was light in their eyes and joy in their faces, in spite of the few possessions they had.

We were invited inside and sat down in their small, one roomed home. Crowded into their living room space, we exchanged stories. Wubalem’s mother sat across from me, cradling her baby girl. “You have helped my family so much. I am grateful to God for you,” she wiped the tears away from her eyes as she spoke. “God is so good to let you come and visit my family. Thank you, thank you.” she said.

“I grew up without a dad, but God always provided. No matter what. So, I am so happy to be able to share whatever I can with other people. And I have waited for this day to come for many months. I could not wait to meet you!” I said.

Wubalem’s father spoke up next. “Every time I think of you, I pray that God blesses you in return for the ways that you have blessed my family.” I let the words seep in slowly. Wubalem’s family prays for me. Somehow it had never occurred to me that these beautiful people from half way across the world prayed for me.

As the visit came to a conclusion, I realized that this sponsorship was so much bigger than I had ever imagined. It wasn’t only about what I could give to a needy child and her family. It was about a relationship that was impacting both of us. That day, I learned how giving and receiving intertwine.

 

 

 Please head on over and check out some of Gretta’s amazing work on her site and blog, Grettagraphy.