What does respect have to do with sanitation?

Sunday afternoon, we had a few hours to do some sight-seeing around downtown Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. We were accompanied by a few staff from Life In Abundance (LIA): Mekdes, Teddi, and Musfut. As we tooled around the city, we had conversations with the various LIA staff and got to hear about the banks, the micro-lending initiatives and institutions, the university and education, we passed the US Embassy (NO PICTURES, of course), and the Palace of the Prime Minister.

As we heard the staff speak very respectfully of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, about their prayers for he and his family, about his current health which serious, and about the encouragement and support they received from him. Prime Minister Meles had been in office for 21 years and, from what I've read and heard from their staff, had done some wonderful things for and in the country to help move them from oppression and poverty. Sadly, he passed away just a few days after our return to the US.  As of this writing, the Ethiopian Peoples' Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) coalition council has not yet appointed a new leader, but suspect that the interim, whom Prime Minister Meles had been preparing may be appointed.

Once we made our way through the city, we arrived at "Top View" which was, as its name indicates, delightful restaurant providing a breath-taking view from the top in which we could see the city. As I stood there looking out over the city, I imagined how God's heart aches for the millions of people in this city who don't yet know Him. And then, I imagined how He must also be smiling at the work, impact and prayers of those with whom LIA is working. The work that is being done to build relationships with so many people in so many positions to point people to Jesus and to be a reflection of Him!

From the frail elderly woman who is being helped and ministered to by the pastor of the small church of only a couple dozen; to the staff who work tirelessly with the HIV+ mothers and their children; to the mentors who are re-teaching boys currently living on the streets to be respected and become respecting men and future leaders of these communities; all the way to this now deceased Prime Minister and many others working in governmental offices holding power and prestige.

The one common thread woven through everyone we met was respect. Respect of staff to one another. Respect to every single person with whom they came in contact. Respect from individuals in the community who know the work their church and LIA were doing and from those many governmental officials, including the late Prime Minister.

As we settled into our seats at a long table in a large gazebo on the top of this "hill," I had the fortunate pleasure to sit next to Musfut. As we sat and enjoyed a bit of ice cream, watching the storm roll in, I began to inquire of him and his roll at LIA. Listening, I became so engrossed in his work with the Sanitation project that he ended up having to "drink" his ice cream because it had melted as he graciously answered my many questions.

As I understand it, LIA has been able to work with the government to bring sanitation to areas in seven districts by running pipes for sanitation. Water-borne illnesses are still a concern in Ethiopia and they are working in conjunction with the government to solve the problem. The ONLY way they are able to work together with the government at this level is through mutual respect.

Respect is one of those top leadership qualities in my book. Mutual respect fosters such an integral level of understanding and opportunity. Respect for others provides value back to individuals and allows the re-gaining of traction that may have previously been lost in a situation. Respect focuses on the mutual goal of the good of the situation, individual, community, or society. Respect fosters action - successful action!