As I reflect on 9 days in Addis Ababa, one lesson I’ve learned from the Ethiopian believers stands out:

A simple life benefits relationships.

One living a simple life has the time and energy to press into relationships. Relationships with people and with God. This was the Eden experience we see in Genesis.

When our time and energy are primarily concerned with relationships, the fruits of the Spirit – love-peace- patience- kindness- gentleness – fill our heart and the soul.

The orphans at Bring Live In lack materially from an American perspective. In one home visit I saw into one teenagers bedroom. Everything he owns is on a 1’ by 1’ shelf. But he doesn’t lack. He has a loving place to live, adopted brothers and sisters to laugh and play with. Food to eat. A great school to attend and medical care. What else does he need? Paul talks about his life in Jesus and it reminds me of these kids.

“known, yet regarded as unknown;
dying, and yet we live on;
beaten, and yet not killed;
sorrowful, yet always rejoicing;
poor, yet making many rich;
having nothing, and yet possessing everything.”
2 Cor 6:9-10 NIV

In the midst of a tiny fraction of our wealth, these people have a peace most Americans can only dream of. Frankly we ought to be jealous of the relationships that result from their way of life.

Think about your relationship with God. When is the last time you prayed, “Give me this day my daily bread” and you meant it? We don’t worry about daily food, so we don’t need God in that. We don’t worry for shelter or clothes or much of anything that actually matters. The result is often an attitude that we don’t really need God.

Those living the simple life in Addis need God every day. That dependence grows faith and is reflected by the fruits of the Spirit so evident among the believers here.

Think about your relationships with people. How often are you distracted by your phone? How often is the to do list (at work or home) prioritized over time with people?

Even as a team here in Ethiopia we have been somewhat forced to adopt this simple life. If we are not with the kids we are together with no agenda, no things to watch over – so our energies go into one another. The results are laughs, stories, conversations all of which give life. We seem to display the fruits of the Spirit a lot here… maybe more than we did when we left.

Just one example – patience. Back home we all hurry to and fro. We get angered by people cutting us off driving or stepping in front of us in line. Our focus is on what I want and what’s best for me.

In Addis, driving around is crazy. No lanes, no turn signals, seemingly no rules and yet just a wave or a smile moves people along. No angry scowls or clenched fists. People happily let someone in.

A few nights ago, we had a 90 minute drive to dinner, probably covering just a couple of miles, in brutal traffic. If we were at home we’d be out of our minds frustrated. Here, just conversation, laughter and enjoying being together.

The fruit of the Spirit of patience displayed because of a simpler life where relationships are paramount.

And that makes me wonder if the simple life can have that big of an impact in such a short time on the eight of us, can those of us here carry that back to life in the U.S.? Can people who haven’t experienced Addis live that simple life in our culture?

I hope so… but if I’m being honest I really don’t know.

In Christ,
Brian Priebe

PS – Happy 29th Anniversary Kristen! See you soon.