Ethiopia has an incredibly diverse population – there are over 80 people groups, speaking over 80 different languages. Some of these have as few as 10,000 members. The official language of Ethiopia is Amharic, which is a Semitic language. The characters are pretty cool looking. Another very common language is Oromo. The third most common is Tigray. If the patients at CURE speak one of these three languages, there will be some staff at CURE able to communicate with them. Often Ethiopians will speak one of these languages in addition to their first language – the language of their tribe or people. But sometimes, people come from such a remote area, that none of us at CURE are able to communicate with them because they don’t speak Amharic, Oromo, or Tigray (or, obviously, English). English is the most widely spoken foreign language and is used to teach in all secondary schools and above. Sometimes on weekends our family goes to a local orphanage and helps friends of ours hand out fruit and give English lessons to the kids. Because this is the language used to teach them everything in high school and college, it’s very important that they get a good grasp of it.

Our kids and a friend – stopping for a drink – before we head to the orphanage to give English lessons. You can see Amharic script on the back wall of the café.

This week we had a little boy from the Sidama people group. He only speaks the Sidama language. He has bilateral club feet. He came this week to have the first foot surgically corrected. He was clearly terrified when we brought him back to the operating room. I felt so bad that he was so afraid, but we could not do any better than give him smiles and hugs for reassurance. I can only imagine what the situation looked like from his perspective. It was probably the first time he saw fluorescent lights and wide shiny hallways, let alone operating room lights, an anesthesia machine, and surgical instruments. Then 3 of us were coming at him with a mask that would gently put him off to sleep, a concept that I’m sure he could not begin to understand. All of this was far outside his normal experience.

The boy and his father from Sidama.

A little girl from Amharina (native Amharic speaking part of Ethiopia) with an old fracture that was never properly set.

It is a privilege to be working in a location that draws patients from over 80 languages and cultures. It is a rich and exciting experience. Some of these groups have yet to be introduced to the love of Jesus. What a miracle to be part of that first introduction!

Daniel 7:13-14 
¹³ In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. ¹⁴ He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

Originally posted at: http://ethiopia.thebernards.org/2011/12/18/every-tribe-every-language/.