This is a guest post from Wendy Gray, a Mossy Foot Project board member. In September, Wendy moved to Soddo to provide schooling for the children of a medical doctor and engineer serving at Soddo Christian Hospital. Living in Soddo also gives her opportunity to support the Mossy Foot Project Staff. You can follow Wendy’s adventures on her Facebook page.
My love for Ethiopia continues to grow…the lush gardens, the pouring rain, the thunder and lightening, waterfalls, delicious foods, places to visit…and monkeys!
But so much more than that…Children laughing, sharing buna (coffee) and popcorn, smiles and greetings, school days “visiting” the Arctic and watching an iceberg melt and flowers changing colors and wearing a Roman soldier’s helmet, friends and community right outside my door, shared meals, shopping together…which takes me outside our gates to a different world…a world and people I love!
This patient’s legs are so swollen; he desperately needs help.
One of my goals in serving in Soddo is to support the work of Mossy Foot Project, which has headquarters near the hospital. Mossy foot disease (known technically as podoconiosis) is caused by walking barefoot in the local volcanic soil, and results in massive swelling of the feet and legs, with pain and bad odors. Individuals with the disease, like this man to the left, are shunned like lepers.
Recently a team arrived from a church in Michigan to work with Mossy Foot Project and I was able to join them. What a blessing to have them here and see their servant hearts as they ministered alongside Zebdewos, the project director, and the clinic staff. Feet were washed…people were hugged…children sang songs …shoes were distributed…mothers and fathers and children were encouraged. There were lots of smiles and joy as we worked. So much hope was poured out as feet, legs, and hands were treated with ointment and bandages, and new shoes were fitted to swollen limbs.
What a sweetness of spirit as we washed the feet of those who are the feet of Jesus!
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- Children of mossy foot patients received new shoes to protect their feet and prevent the disease.
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- Because of swelling in his feet and legs, this gentleman needed a pair of special large size shoes made at the Project.
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- Patients wait for treatment.
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- This man’s sad countenance has been transformed by shoes and hope!
Mossy Foot Project has a wonderful Christmas catalog. If you are looking for a way to bless someone in great need, consider selecting a gift from this catalog.
While I am here, I continue to discover more of the diversity of Ethiopia, including—believe it or not—a new diversification of Google. What will they do next?
Local store near the hospital