FORENGE!!

Forenge! Forenge!

Ok, so we stand out a little. But do we have to be reminded every time we leave our house? “Forenge! Forenge!” Whether we’re just walking down the sidewalk, waiting for a taxi, buying produce at the shop, going to church, riding in a car, whatever – we can never get away from the outspoken reminders that we are FORENGE, or foreigners, in Ethiopia. Since we have been here, this has been our label…and for some, all that they see. Sometimes it is shouted with excitement. Sometimes it is mumbled in a disapproving tone. Sometimes it is used as, what seems like, a term of endearment. Sometimes it is simply stated (just in case we weren’t aware). Sometimes it is used as a sidewalk greeting (in which we have begun responding with ‘Abisha,’ meaning Ethiopian…this normally gets a pretty funny response). Sometimes (or most of the time) it is followed by an outstretched hand and “give me money.” As if this were taught to children in their limited English vocabulary. “All white people are rich.” Oh, if they only knew.

This got me to thinkin’…how often do I make people feel as if they are outsiders or “forenge”…at school, at work, hanging out with friends, at church even? I mean, I’ve never personally yelled at someone giving them the permanent label of a foreigner, but I’m sure there are countless times that a new person showed up and I didn’t go out of my way to make them feel welcomed or loved. I’m thinking that’s pretty much the same thing, right? Instead, I’m guilty of carrying my preconceived notions and making my judgments well before I’ve even introduced myself. I realize that at times I am not much different than the sidewalk kids saying, “Forenge! Give me money!”  Gosh, it’s so much easier to assume we know all about a person by their looks, their clothing, what they’re driving, etc. than it is to actually look deep into the individual and get to know them. How many people would’ve stayed in school, made more of an effort at work, become best friends, kept coming to church and maybe even listened to the gospel for the first time if they felt like they belonged?...if I made them feel like they belonged…like they were welcomed and loved? Oh man! Deep thoughts.

“And you are to love those who are aliens, for you yourselves were aliens in Egypt.”

Deuteronomy 10:19