With our upcoming adoption we’ve been paying more and more attention to Ethiopia. So it’s been a bit discouraging to read about two bombings earlier this week and another one last month. And though I didn’t realize it at the time, it’s not a big surprise to see Ethiopia included in the countries facing civil unrest over food prices. They’re also facing drought. It kind of starts to pile up. We really have no idea how incredibly lucky and wealthy we are here in the U.S. (“While many are worrying about filling their gas tanks, many others around the world are struggling to fill their stomachs.” -World Bank Chairman Robert B. Zoellick).

But amidst all the worrisome news, I also came across Lauren’s blog. She spent about six months teaching in Ethiopia and gives a great glimpse into real life in Addis Ababa. That is until she survived a horrific car accident that broke a vertebrae in her back and had to be airlifted to an Israeli hospital. She’s now recovering in Duluth. She also used to attend my church (It’s somewhat morbidly ironic, but another young woman from my church with aspirations of working in Africa recently survived a horrific car accident and broke a vertebrae in her back). Despite her traumatic experience, Lauren’s stories of life in Ethiopia are captivating.

Then there’s Shaun Groves’ story of child sponsorship in Ethiopia. I’ve been unsure about child sponsorship, but it’s hard to argue with a story like that.

It’s just another example of adoption and Ethiopia connections coming out of the woodwork.