Ethiopia Feb. 2023: Experiencing God’s Heart

Written By: Taylor Johnson

there’s a song we used to sing at church a lot when i was in high school, hosanna. in the bridge, there’s a line that says “break my heart for what breaks yours.”

i’ve been unconsciously singing “break my heart for what breaks yours” over and over in my head since we touched down in addis ababa 9 days ago and traveled through the city & to the villages on the outskirts.

if i’m being completely honest with you, while i absolutely love being in the villages and sharing about trafficking & jesus’ love – my heart didn’t break. i laughed, i washed clothes (poorly), i played soccer (poorly), we ate -i did life with them.

but my heart didn’t break. until today.

there’s a brand new ministry that we’ve had the privilege of being able to support & join on their opening day.

it’s currently unnamed, we’re in the process of naming it – but the premise is simple – they serve breakfast to children who don’t have enough food at home to eat breakfast, or maybe to eat at all. because they don’t eat, they can’t go to school because they fall asleep or become disruptions in class.

so they feed them. every day. and by eating, they can go to school.

even while writing this, the tears come right back. because when i walked into a small courtyard & looked at 25 kids who had been waiting to eat, i fell apart.

my heart broke for what breaks His.

these children were born into a life they didn’t ask to be in. many of them can’t afford new clothes, pencils or notebooks, especially since they can’t afford food.

but every single one of them are absolutely beautiful. every single one has a smile that is incredibly captivating.

from ages 5 to 15, i got to love on them for a morning. i got to laugh & sing & hold their plates while they drank their tea. i got to wipe noses & clean hands & count to 10. i got to hold their hands & kiss their cheeks & sneak smiles.

it was too short. but in that short time, my heart was stolen.

stolen by tiny hands and bright smiles and the most beautiful souls.

through them, i got to experience God’s heart for his people. and for me. and for you.

there is an overwhelming ache to love. an overwhelming ache to protect. an overwhelming ache of a need to do more & give more. and an overwhelming ache to just sit & be with them.

and i know God feels the same towards us all as his children. probably stronger. definitely stronger.

i’m about to board a plane in 5 hours to go back to the states, but part of my heart is staying here with these children that God gave me the opportunity to love & learn from for a couple hours this morning.

friends, it costs $25 a month to feed a child breakfast every weekday. there are more children who need breakfast. if you feel called, please reach out.