Miracles in Ethiopia and Peru!

Miracles are in the air! Listen to the renewed hope in these voices: Alem, a young woman says: “Women from my village helped to organize & build this bridge. This has opened my eyes to what I can do.” Melaku, a village elder says: “I am so happy, I can now die in peace”. Ayele, a young mom says: “I can now get my baby to the Clinic when he is sick.” Tadesse, a village leader says: “We never knew that we could accomplish so much by ourselves. We want to use what you taught us to do other projects.” Mebratu, an engineer says: “I have been trained on two bridges. Now, I will teach others to teach others.”

Antihun, a young man, says: "Due to my wife & my involvement in the construction of the new bridge, both of us are village leaders now. My wife will show women what they can be. Now I understand what women leaders can do to help improve our lives.” Muhammad, a businessman says: I would like to help build other bridges. Since I own mules, this will allow me to expand my business, and do more trade with more people.” Beylie, a laborer says: “I have learned to be a mason. I can now earn a much higher wage. I will now teach my son.” Kabede, a bright student says: “I can attend middle school now. Before, reaching the middle school on the other side of the river was too dangerous.”

We take bridges for granted. Yet, in the rural poor areas of the world, bridges are considered miracles. Zoe Keone, the Director of Operations in Peru commented: "Our community bridge building mission is needed in about 50 countries. We decided to set up a program in Peru due to the Inca bridge building tradition here. As in Ethiopia, the need here is huge. I could spend my whole life building bridges here. But, I would hardly scratch the surface. That is why it is better that I teach them how to do it for themselves."

With the success of our missions in Ethiopia & Peru, miracles are indeed in the air. Yet, the true miracle is not the bridge itself, but rather the fundamental change in the hopes and dreams of those that we teach to build it.