Two years ago, the little sad-eyed Ethiopian girl in a photograph stole Jennifer Amlong’s heart.

When Amlong returned to Ethiopia this summer, Kedist’s eyes were no longer sad. They were filled with happiness and the wonder of life.

Amlong, who is the children’s librarian at the Tupper Lightfoot Memorial Library in Brundidge, was the special guest at the monthly meeting of the Salem Baptist Church women’s organization at the Johnston Parlor on Tuesday afternoon.

She shared with the ladies her recent mission trip to Ethiopia sponsored by Hillcrest Baptist Church in Enterprise.

It was her second trip to Ethiopia and Amlong is looking forward to the next one.

“I can’t explain what it’s like to be there among the Ethiopian people,” she said. “They are the most humble, the most thankful and loving people. It is such a blessing to be among them.”

Amlong’s blessing is doubled by having an Ethiopian “daughter” of her own.

She became Kedist’s sponsor prior to her first mission trip to Ethiopia.

“I saw her picture and the sadness in her eyes,” Amlong said. “I wanted to do something to help take the sadness away.”

Amlong became Kedist’s sponsor through Hope In View missions.

“Thirty dollars a month pays her school fee that includes supplies and participation in athletics and it also makes it possible for her mom to attend Bible study and other programs beneficial to parents,” Amlong said.

Two years ago, Kedist’s mom was on the streets begging for food for Kedist and her younger brother and the children often plundered in dumps searching for food.

Today, life is much better for the family. Kedist’s mom is baking and selling bread on the streets to support her family and there is Hope In View for all of them.

“The first time I actually saw Kedist was during last year’s mission trip to Modjo,” Amlong said. “She was so shy that she hid behind her mother’s skirt. This year, she was different. Her eyes were no longer sad and we talked and it was wonderful getting to know her and her little brother, Addis. The minister there at Modjo would say, ‘Jennifer, this is your daughter’ and that was such a wonderful thing to hear.”

Kedist is now 10 years old and she is among the fortunate Ethiopian children who have sponsors and a better and more secure way of life.

Hope In View is a small organization with 200 children.

“Being a small organization, I got to meet Kedist and spend time with her,” Amlong said. “When I go back to Ethiopia, I’ll get to see her as she grows up.”

All seven members of the 2015 Hillcrest Baptist Church Mission Team to Ethiopia sponsor a child and, in so doing, are helping to make life better for them and their families.

This year, Amlong also made the decision to sponsor a teenage boy whose dad has leprosy and who, in two years, could be an orphan.

“Thirty dollars a month is not a lot to spend but it does a lot of good for the children in Ethiopia,” Amlong said.

While the team was in Modjo, members taught Vacation Bible School and visited with the people there, telling them about Jesus and sharing with them the message of salvation.

Hillcrest sends three mission teams to Ethiopian each year and three to Costa Rica as well teams to Appalachia and rural Washington State.