Who inspires you?

On Saturday morning, when we arrived at the LIA-Ethiopia office, we were greeted by the staff, led by Dr. Yared (Yared Mekonen Mekuria, MD.) Dr. Yared has been the Director of the Ethiopia office for many years and also served as the medical director and physician at Debre Berhan Zonal Hospital. During our time there, he was transitioning out of his responsibilities with the Ethiopia office and into new responsibilities as the Regional Director, Established Countries with the Life In Abundance International Office in Kenya.  Dr. Yared now oversees program implementation in the countries where LIA is well-established and replicating programs in new communities. While in Ethiopia, he helped pioneer some of LIA’s most successful initiatives. 

As we had some time to spend with Dr. Yared on Saturday, it was very easy to see that he is indeed gifted at inspiring others. As we spoke with various staff throughout the week, everyone spoke very highly of Dr. Yared and his leadership. Inspiring others is one of the greatest gifts and qualities a leader possesses. The inspiration that a leader bestows on his or her staff allows that individual to go far beyond their own visions and abilities to create new opportunities and solutions to benefit the entire organization as well as the individuals who benefit from the services provided by the organization.

Dr. Yared is no different. He has inspired great people to do incredible things to achieve unfathomable results and impact individuals' lives and the Kingdom of Jesus...reaching the unlovely and often forgotten people in the poorest of poor communities reminding them that God sees them and God indeed has a purpose for them! I look forward to seeing how he will be used in a mighty way replicating the successful programs from Ethiopia as new programs are begun in new communities and countries to share the love of Jesus by meeting their needs, one person at a time.