Why Ethiopia???

Normally when asked why we are adopting from Ethiopia, we say why not?


Here are some facts about Ethiopia that may help answer the desperate situation the country is in.


Ethiopia is a land-locked, drought-plagued, east-African country of 80 million people. The capital, Addis Ababa, has 3 million residents (almost the entire population of Oklahoma). Coffee is their main export. Supposedly, coffee originated in Ethiopia. War with neighboring Eritea and famine has slowed economic growth.

Ethiopia has a 36% literacy and employment rate. The average income per year is $100. Over 10% of Ethiopia’s population has AIDS and there are 1.2 million AIDS orphans in the country. 65% of the population consider themselves Christian (57% Orthodox) but 31% of the population is Muslim and advancing yearly.

Protestant Christianity (such as Baptists) has grown significantly over the last few decades (19% of the population). Marxist persecution in earlier years has purified and united the church. Of the 90 people groups in Ethiopia, 60 are still under-evangelized. Bible translation,literacy training, church-planting, discipleship, and famine relief and AIDS care are still great needs. Ethiopians need our prayers and the hope and forgiveness of the gospel.*




* Source: Operation World, 21st Century Edition