~ Axum, ETHIOPIA ~

Zehafta hesitantly asks, "Paul, what will you tell your friends about my village?" We continued hiking as I pondered the 19 year-old's question. Zehafta's become an ambassador to the 21st century world for her 7th century village. My visit marks the first visit by a "feringie" (white person) ever.

I'm carrying 41 lbs of camera gear, battling a sinus infection, and flat-out exhausted from 14 hours of shooting in the northern region of Tigray, near Axum. It's dusk and we're ascending a cliff toward the nearest road. The dry valley floor below is scattered with thatched-roof homes, livestock, and the simple life I yearn for.

"Zehafta," I reply visibly moved to tears and surprised by the emotive energy of what I'm about to share, "I'll tell my friends it's not much different than home." She stopped. I did too, then continued, "Your parents sleep on animal skins that cover a dirt floor—mine on a TempurPedic mattress. That's different. But really they're both just trying to maintain right-relationship—to love each other and love their God. The only real difference is your people don't wear shoes."

We both laughed for a moment. Cried. Then laughed some more.

I want to live a life that's open and honest. If I'm consistent, then my photography will speak this same language. This is why I'm bringing you the whole story from Ethiopia. I won't shame you into donating your lunch money by parading distended-bellied children before you.

The famine of 1985 is over. Thirty years of war have ended. These hardships are not Ethiopia any longer, but they should not be forgotten either.

Suffering does still exist, but a new, more fertile Ethiopia of dreams and promise has emerged from the dry ground. I was daily overwhelmed by the joy of the people and the fabric of society that's being rapidly rewoven despite impossible odds.

I met students from rural villages with joy-filled lives fed by promising educational opportunities. Their passion and dreams are already inspiring lasting change in their communities.

What I learned that evening visiting Zehafta's village is that these elements of joy and sufferring exist in every corner of earth. My village in the USA is no different. We just wear shoes.