Ethiopian missions experience ‘eye-opening,’ ETBU students say

MARSHALL—A dozen East Texas Baptist University students led Vacation Bible School-style activities for students at a school in a small village in Ethiopia.

East Texas Baptist University students Anthony Ray and Lucy Elston enjoy time with their new friends in Bona, Ethiopia. (PHOTO: ETBU/Elijah Brown)

While the mission volunteers may have found the Bible stories, crafts and songs familiar, what they witnessed in Bona during their 10-day trip opened their eyes to a different way of life.

"On the Sunday the students were in Bona, they visited a family that lives in a small one- room hut," said Elijah Brown, assistant professor of religion at ETBU.

"There was very little separation between the parents and the six children. The kitchen area consists of a fire to cook over. At night, the family brings their cows inside the hut with them. Can you imagine sleeping at night in that kind of environment?"

The journey to Ethiopia marked the first overseas trip for Breann Whitaker, a sophomore from Caddo Mills.

A team of 12 East Texas Baptist University students went to Ethiopia to conduct a Vacation Bible School at a school located in the small village in Bona. On Sunday, the students participated in a worship service at a local church.

East Texas Baptist University student Alisa Roberts works with Ethiopian children during Vacation Bible School at the Bright Hope Buckner School in Bona. A team of 12 from ETBU went to Ethiopia for a 10-day mission trip.

"It was really eye-opening, because compared to the possessions that most college students have, the Ethiopians have very little. They are not worried about material things. I thought I was going to be very sad while I was there, but their happiness is really contagious," she said.

Onisha Bradshaw of Garland helped with crafts when the ETBU team led activities for about 400 children at the Bright Hope Buckner School in Bona.

"It was amazing seeing little children using a crayon for the first time," she said.

A health-education team taught the children the importance of brushing their teeth, boiling water before drinking it, washing their hands and disposing of waste in a sanitary way.

"The principal at the school, who also served as one our translators, said he was so intrigued by the health teaching because it was new to him," said Logan Moree, a freshman from Paris.

"The principal said he had plans of teaching the same material to the families of his students. It just warmed my heart that simple health techniques that we practice in America and take for granted could potentially save lives."