Ethiopia's new flowers

Christian care is vital in a country recovering from Marxism and challenged by both poverty and Islam | Marvin Olasky

ADDIS ABADA, Ethiopia— The Lonely Planet overview of Ethiopia begins, "Once an icon of misery, Ethiopia is coming out of the shadows." But at least in the country's most populous city, shadows are still deep: Although Addis Ababa means "new flower," wilt is common—yet so is grace.

At the gated and well-guarded entrances to the Hilton and Sheraton hotels, beggars lie like Lazarus. It's a 10-minute walk across dirt paths from one hotel to the other, with lush gardens giving way to corrugated metal and cardboard shacks and open sewers before the walker returns to posh. Concierges urge Americans to taxi from one hotel to the other: That advice suggests the existence of two Ethiopias, one of which is generally ignored by diplomats, international organization executives, and tourists. It's easy to go to conferences, travel by taxi, and shop at shiny malls on the road to the airport without seeing abject poverty. But those following the affluent agenda also miss seeing how some Christians are giving up Western comforts for the opportunity to save and change lives.