The women's ministry was born out of Benyamen's frustration that elderly women, without family were being left on the streets to die. These women, who are among the least in Ethiopia, are provided shelter, food and clothing. Today the ministry supports two homes; one in Debra Zeit and a new home in Bahar Dar. The ministry provides support to women of all ages. Able bodied women are taught a skill and given a micro loan which allows them to buy a small home of their own and launch a business of their own (growing vegetables, sewing, etc.). To date, each women that has received a micro loan has paid their loan in full, as they tithe to the church. Most importantly, the assistance they received allowed each woman to reclaim their life -- even as they commit their lives to Jesus Christ.

       

Perhaps one of the best ways to explain the women's ministry is to tell the story of Bura:

To Die Laughing

Bura was 12 years old when her aunt sold her into slavery, an all too common occurrence in 1931 Ethiopia. The young girl must have been so frightened as she left for the complete unknown. In a twist of fate, Bura found herself in a group of slaves that were presented as a gift to King Haile Selassie of Ethiopia to help run his palace. For the next 43 years, Bura lived in the palace and worked in the kitchen. She had clothes provided for her, food to eat, and a place to sleep, away from the elements.

Nothing else is known of Bura’s life until 1974, when the military over threw the King and took over the country. On September 12th, 1974, King Hale Selassie was formally deposed and arrested and power was given to the military. In August 1981, Haile Selassie died under questionable circumstances under house arrest, and was secretly buried. His household of slaves, advisors, government officials were abandoned, dispersed and had to survive --alone.

Over the years, Bura made her way to the Ethiopian village of Debra Ziet. She had no family, no home, no money and no one to help her. It is not known for sure how long Bura had been living in the Debra Ziet area. What IS known for sure is that Bura became one of about 85 women who have been cared for at the Women’s Center, run by the ministry of the Rev. Dr. Benyamen Yusef, for the past five years.

The goals of the center are to provide elderly, destitute women with food, clothing, and medical services, and to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to each of them. Women, like Bura, make their way to the home every day. They receive two meals a day, clean clothing and regular hygiene. Friendship and companionship with other women gives them something to look forward to each day. They work on crafts, share meals and have become family for each other. Dr. Yusef sums up the goals of the Center in one sentence—“I want these women to die laughing.” A donation of $25 will feed and clothe one of the women for a month.

The Center does not provide permanent housing for these women, but the ministry is working on taking care of that also. A donation of $200 will build a simple home, in which one or two of these homeless women can live. A place that they can call home. To date twelve homes have been built.

Before Bura died in 2005 she was able to live in one of these homes. She had food, clothing and she was not alone. She had friends and a place where her age was revered. She heard of the love of Jesus Christ. And Bura died laughing.