Dear Family and Friends,

My name is Alse, and today I write with a heart full of love, urgency, and hope.

I want to tell you about my dear sister in Christ, Mercy( Meheret Beyene) and her beloved husband, Tame (Tamrat Kebede).

We have known Mercy and Tame for over 20 years. They are not just friends, they are family. We’ve shared life’s joys and sorrows, and their love, humility, and servant hearts have touched my own family.

Tame and Mercy are raising five awesome children, four boys and one girl, ranging from a 19-year-old university student to their youngest, just 5 years old. They have built their family on faith, integrity, and love, and they pour themselves out every day in service to others. Together, they serve at Eastridge Church in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where they are involved in ministry and community life.

Tame’s life is a testimony of God’s redeeming grace. Rather than being defined by hardship, he has dedicated his life to building others up. He serves his community faithfully through his work at Make Your Mark Ethiopia, a Christian NGO focused on supporting vulnerable children and families.

As many of you know, last year, during one of the darkest and most painful seasons of my life, when I was diagnosed with blood cancer and enduring stem cell transplant and waking through excruciating pain and days of deep hopelessness, Mercy and Tame were among those who never missed the daily prayer gatherings held on my behalf. They didn’t just pray, they rallied others to intercede. They lifted my name as if it were their own burden to carry.

During that time, every member of my family, along with dear friends, took turns caring for my broken body & suffering family. Each one gave what they could, offering strength when mine was gone, and love when I felt stripped of everything. And when it was Mercy's turn, she didn't just take a shift, she enlarged it far beyond expectations, leaving her own home & her five children in the care of her husband, Tame, back in Ethiopia and incurring a costly journey to serve me and my family for nearly three months, refusing to return home until she saw me laugh, and walk again on my own two feet.

Her care was constant, intentional, and sacrificial. She traveled with me back and forth to the hospital ,cried with me through the pain , she cooked, cleaned, prayed over me, watched over me through the days & nights, and poured herself out in every way imaginable without a single complaint while I was very difficult patient to care for. Her love was a healing balm to my weary soul.

Meanwhile, Tame, her husband, joyfully and willingly cared for their five children, all while maintaining his full-time job. Together, they gave not out of abundance but out of sacrificial love faithfully and freely.

They offered not only their time and strength, but their whole hearts. Even when they had little, they gave with so much love. Their service to me and my family was not just physical, it was spiritual, a reflection of Christ-like love that I will never forget.

I often say, “God poured His mercy on me through Mercy.” reminding me of Paul's letter to Timothy.

"May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains... May the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day!"

2 Timothy 1:16–18

That’s why I’m sharing their story with you now. After all they’ve poured into my life, it burdens and tears me deeply to see them suffer like this. Their pain weighs heavily on my heart, and I feel compelled to stand with them just as they once stood so selflessly with me.

What Happened:

Over two weeks ago, Tame was rushed to the emergency room after suffering from excruciating headaches that wouldn’t subside and episodes of seizures. Since then, he has been in and out of the hospital in Addis Ababa as doctors worked tirelessly to determine the cause. Following numerous tests, MRIs, and CT scans, they discovered a mass in the frontal lobe of his brain. But that wasn’t all. Just days ago, Tame was admitted to the hospital and after a spinal tap, he was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis, a serious and painful infection that affects the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It’s a debilitating illness that requires extensive treatment and ongoing care.

Tame’s seizures have been severe and scary to watch. He is now receiving treatment for both meningitis and seizures, and is undergoing close neurological care.

Unfortunately, recovery from meningitis, especially when it has already triggered seizures and affected the brain’s frontal lobe is not quick and , it can take months to recover, and seizure medications may be needed long-term and the journey is costly physically, emotionally, and financially.

Tamrat currently has no medical insurance to cover the significant medical costs he is facing. The company he works for is now making every effort to be involved and support him during this challenging time. As the sole provider for his family of seven , this crisis has left the family with an unexpected burden and Mercy now carries the heavy load of caring for her husband, managing their home, and tending to the needs of five children, alone.

Why We Need You:

For anyone who has been to Ethiopia recently, you know firsthand how rapidly the cost of living has skyrocketed, making even basic necessities nearly unaffordable for many families. Now imagine the crushing weight of medical expenses added on top of that.

We are raising funds to help cover:

-3 months rent

-Daily hospital fees

-Costly medications and tests

-Ongoing and upcoming treatments

-Food, and expenses for their 5 children, which continue to pile up while Tame is unable to work.

We are praying and believing for Tame’s full recovery, but until then, your support means that Mercy and the children can focus on caring for her husband, not worrying about how to feed their children or pay the next bill.

A Call to Generosity

" For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. But since you excel in everything in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you see that you also excel in this grace of giving." 2 Corinthians 8:3, 3-5, 7

I hold on to this verse because I believe in the generosity of God’s people. Even when we don’t have much, we can still give, Just as the early church gave beyond their ability, may we be moved with compassion to do the same today.

May we be eager and count it a privilege to support our part of the Body. When one part suffers, we all suffer. And when one part is lifted, we all rejoice.

If you feel led to give, we would be deeply grateful.

No amount is too small, and every prayer carries power, every share, and every dollar matters.

Ways to Give:

You can give through this page, or if you prefer, you may also send support directly to Mercy:

Account Name: Meheret Beyene

Account Number: 1000532745474

Bank: Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE)

I believe God uses people like you to answer prayers in moments like this.

On behalf of Mercy, Tame, and their beautiful family, thank you for your compassion, your generosity, and your prayers.

With gratitude,

Alse