Famine has been stalking Ethiopia in recent months. So there was great joy and thankfulness in the town of Debre Sina when the generosity of AE supporters provided basic food assistance to the poorest of the poor citizens who were facing serious deprivation and even starvation. They gratefully received 55 lbs of wheat grain, 1 gallon of edible oil and a blanket per family.

One recipient was Lakech Lissane, a mother of three who had her first child at age 14, pictured at right with her daughter and AE's Ethiopia team leader, Melisachew Mesfin. While giving birth to her third child 16 years ago, she became seriously ill and was taken to a traditional doctor who was unable to help her. By then it was too late to treat her problem and the doctors amputated one leg.

Her husband and the father of the three children left her after the amputation. Now Lakech is living in a rented house with one daughter. The other two children are not living with her. She sent them to relatives because she was too poor to provide food for them. Lakech says, “I try to earn a living by crocheting. People who need some crochet buy the material and I do the crocheting. They pay me for my labor. That is all I do. From this income I am unable to support myself and my daughter. Today I am so happy to be remembered by God and get this provision of food and blanket. God is so good that He remembers even a person like me and gives me what I need most!"

The support of generous AE friends also provided exercise books, blankets and food to orphans and children who only had one parent. All were extremely excited and thankful.

Beatrice Aryeety was in tears as she spoke on the phone to the AE office in Accra, Ghana. The previous day she had completed AE Ghana's prostitute rehabilitation program. A former prostitute, Beatrice was amazed that someone would show her the love that she had experienced in the course. Why would anyone spend the sort of time, effort and money that AE did to invest in someone like her? She thought she didn't deserve the love and support she had received.

A former prostitute, Beatrice had learned an honest trade, sewing, and was overjoyed that she had found a job designing uniforms for an organization in Accra. About 40 women like Beatrice enroll in AE's prostitute rehabilitation program each year and are offered the opportunity to learn a trade, such as sewing, batik, tie-dye or soap-making, whereby they can provide for themselves with dignity. Along the way, they hear about the love of Christ for them, with many of them making a commitment to follow him.

Most end up being transformed by the experience. As one recent graduate said, "The teachings the pastors took us through have really transformed our lives. The program, which lasted for two months, did not only transform our moral lives, but it has also given us hope for the future. We came helpless and jobless but now we can confidently say that we are no more helpless and have attained something for our lives. You have equipped us with skills and talents and, based on these skills, we believe that we can succeed in life by the grace of God."