- L
- A
This is the story of Girma, a remarkable young Ethiopian who has overcome incredible adversity in his life through the grace and power of God. His story has captivated me, and I want to share it with you in case you might have a role to play.
I met Girma in the summer of 2011, the day after he saved a young woman from drowning. He captivated me with his humility and genuine kindness. After the conversation, his father figure, Mark Wolbert, told me that Girma had seen a vision from God that he would attend college in America and that it was his steadfast dream to do so. Four years later, that dream is about to be realized. God’s hand has seemed evident in Girma’s clearance of many hurdles already; there are just a couple more hurdles to clear. But we can dive into that after you know a little more about this young man….
Girma: my story
My name is Girma Garedew. I don’t really know my exact date of birth since none of my parents was able to tell me. So I chose September 11, 1995 for myself. September 11 is Ethiopia’s New Year so it is easy for me to remember as my birthday. I never knew my mum because she died when I was small and my dad died when I was about 5 years old. I have a brother and a step brother.
I was born in a village at the border of Ethiopia and Somali because my father was a soldier and was posted there. We later moved to our home village called Selale and my father remarried but our step mother was not kind to me and my brother. My dad died when I was about 5 years old my brother was 8 years old. Our step mother chased us from our home immediately after that and I chose to go into the street of Addis Ababa where I learnt how to survive by eating leftover food and beg. I used to sleep under the bridges and by some buildings if people will not chase away. I also tried to sell chewing gum and clean shoes for other people so that I can get some money to buy food. I faced lots of challenges on the street especially from the police. Because everyone thought the street kids are bad, the police used to beat us and sometimes arrest us by just thinking we are bad people, I also got arrested and imprisoned several times during my stay in the street as I was sometimes tempted to steal from others when the going became so hard. One situation I remember vividly was a time in 2002. There was African heads of state meeting in Addis Ababa and the government did not want to feel ashamed of many kids on the street. So they decided to take us from the street and we didn’t know where we were going. After driving us for a whole day, they dumped us in a forest. We didn’t know where we were. We were many of us and we had even blind, deaf, people who cannot walk among us. When they left us there it was dark and we didn’t know where to go. We had Hyenas in the forest and people were running in all directions in fear. An older friend held my hand and we ran away. Some people we left behind were eaten by wild animals and I am thankful to my friend who held my hand and to God for saving my life that day. We came back to Addis after getting a ride and the life came back to normal again in the street. In total, I lived on the street for about 4 years.
After a while Youth With A Mission (YWAM) guys started coming to the street every Friday and played soccer with us and they also gave us food and clothes during their visits. They eventually took some of us to their compound and then started an orphanage there. They gave us tutorial classes for 3 months and I joined my school for the first time when I was 9 years old. I was given placement exams and then placed into grade 3. I lived in YWAM Orphanage until when I was grade 11, in the year 2013. It was a life changing experience there for me. I graduated from high school last year, 2014.
Since I was a small kid, I liked playing soccer so much and I dreamed of playing in higher level. I played in the elementary school team since I was grade 6 and I played for my high school through out. I played for the university that I joined last year too. I met people who told me about playing in the colleges in the USA and it became my dream though I didn’t see how it would happen. My dream became stronger after meeting the athletes from University of Kentucky UK. I shared my dream with Pastor Mark who brings teams for missions and who is also like a dad to us. He prayed also and talked to people about it. One of the people he talked to was Mama Julie who I met her 3 times when she came to Ethiopia. She took to herself to talk to Lee University and when I heard that they were considering giving me a place so I can attend the university and play soccer there also, I was so happy. I could not believe it could actually happen. I pray that it will happen and I believe it will.
…So now you know a little more. There are still two more hurdles to clear. First he must pass the US Embassy to receive a student visa. His appointment is August 5th. Second, he must pay college tuition, room, and board. This is where “you” come in. We need prayer. Receiving a student visa is no small thing in his case. If he passes, it will be another God thing in his journey to the U.S. Also, we need to raise $20,000 to cover his tuition, room, and board. Initially it was $24,000 but we have applied for and received a $4,000 scholarship (thanks be to God).
Once we have heard that he has officially been granted a student visa we will be back in touch with you to inform you where to send the money. We are boldly asking 100 people to prayfully consider sending $200. If this is too steep for your budget (or extra “tithe” money), then please consider giving what you can. Whether or not you can give $$ at this time, please storm the gates in prayer for this young man. Please consider risking a little to help make Girma’s dream come true. He has been a blessing to so many. He is humbled that we are even willing to step out on his behalf. Let’s shower this boy with love, prayers, and, yes, a little money….
Blessings to all of you,
“Mama” Julie Steimer
I met Girma in the summer of 2011, the day after he saved a young woman from drowning. He captivated me with his humility and genuine kindness. After the conversation, his father figure, Mark Wolbert, told me that Girma had seen a vision from God that he would attend college in America and that it was his steadfast dream to do so. Four years later, that dream is about to be realized. God’s hand has seemed evident in Girma’s clearance of many hurdles already; there are just a couple more hurdles to clear. But we can dive into that after you know a little more about this young man….
Girma: my story
My name is Girma Garedew. I don’t really know my exact date of birth since none of my parents was able to tell me. So I chose September 11, 1995 for myself. September 11 is Ethiopia’s New Year so it is easy for me to remember as my birthday. I never knew my mum because she died when I was small and my dad died when I was about 5 years old. I have a brother and a step brother.
I was born in a village at the border of Ethiopia and Somali because my father was a soldier and was posted there. We later moved to our home village called Selale and my father remarried but our step mother was not kind to me and my brother. My dad died when I was about 5 years old my brother was 8 years old. Our step mother chased us from our home immediately after that and I chose to go into the street of Addis Ababa where I learnt how to survive by eating leftover food and beg. I used to sleep under the bridges and by some buildings if people will not chase away. I also tried to sell chewing gum and clean shoes for other people so that I can get some money to buy food. I faced lots of challenges on the street especially from the police. Because everyone thought the street kids are bad, the police used to beat us and sometimes arrest us by just thinking we are bad people, I also got arrested and imprisoned several times during my stay in the street as I was sometimes tempted to steal from others when the going became so hard. One situation I remember vividly was a time in 2002. There was African heads of state meeting in Addis Ababa and the government did not want to feel ashamed of many kids on the street. So they decided to take us from the street and we didn’t know where we were going. After driving us for a whole day, they dumped us in a forest. We didn’t know where we were. We were many of us and we had even blind, deaf, people who cannot walk among us. When they left us there it was dark and we didn’t know where to go. We had Hyenas in the forest and people were running in all directions in fear. An older friend held my hand and we ran away. Some people we left behind were eaten by wild animals and I am thankful to my friend who held my hand and to God for saving my life that day. We came back to Addis after getting a ride and the life came back to normal again in the street. In total, I lived on the street for about 4 years.
After a while Youth With A Mission (YWAM) guys started coming to the street every Friday and played soccer with us and they also gave us food and clothes during their visits. They eventually took some of us to their compound and then started an orphanage there. They gave us tutorial classes for 3 months and I joined my school for the first time when I was 9 years old. I was given placement exams and then placed into grade 3. I lived in YWAM Orphanage until when I was grade 11, in the year 2013. It was a life changing experience there for me. I graduated from high school last year, 2014.
Since I was a small kid, I liked playing soccer so much and I dreamed of playing in higher level. I played in the elementary school team since I was grade 6 and I played for my high school through out. I played for the university that I joined last year too. I met people who told me about playing in the colleges in the USA and it became my dream though I didn’t see how it would happen. My dream became stronger after meeting the athletes from University of Kentucky UK. I shared my dream with Pastor Mark who brings teams for missions and who is also like a dad to us. He prayed also and talked to people about it. One of the people he talked to was Mama Julie who I met her 3 times when she came to Ethiopia. She took to herself to talk to Lee University and when I heard that they were considering giving me a place so I can attend the university and play soccer there also, I was so happy. I could not believe it could actually happen. I pray that it will happen and I believe it will.
…So now you know a little more. There are still two more hurdles to clear. First he must pass the US Embassy to receive a student visa. His appointment is August 5th. Second, he must pay college tuition, room, and board. This is where “you” come in. We need prayer. Receiving a student visa is no small thing in his case. If he passes, it will be another God thing in his journey to the U.S. Also, we need to raise $20,000 to cover his tuition, room, and board. Initially it was $24,000 but we have applied for and received a $4,000 scholarship (thanks be to God).
Once we have heard that he has officially been granted a student visa we will be back in touch with you to inform you where to send the money. We are boldly asking 100 people to prayfully consider sending $200. If this is too steep for your budget (or extra “tithe” money), then please consider giving what you can. Whether or not you can give $$ at this time, please storm the gates in prayer for this young man. Please consider risking a little to help make Girma’s dream come true. He has been a blessing to so many. He is humbled that we are even willing to step out on his behalf. Let’s shower this boy with love, prayers, and, yes, a little money….
Blessings to all of you,
“Mama” Julie Steimer