The sun was shining over Addis Ababa on Sunday, March 23, morning, but it wasn’t just the athletes making the city’s streets glow. As Safaricom hosted its annual 5km Women’s Run, drawing top city administration officials, former track and field legends, and a host of notable personalities, another kind of race was taking place, one for the heart and soul.
Amid the energy of the event, the Literature Evangelism team of Living Parchment Ministry was on a mission. Led by the ministry’s Circulation Head, the ever-dynamic Lizibie Fentaw, the team transformed a sporting event into a moment of spiritual generosity. Their tool of choice was the timeless classic, Christ’s Object Lessons.
What made this outreach so special was the beautiful way it came together, a true community effort. The cost of the books was covered in two parts. A portion came from church members who bought special event t-shirts, their simple purchase helping to unlock the price of a book for someone else. But the real backbone of the day’s success was the generous donations LPM has been receiving through its ongoing “3 for $5” book campaign.
“We are endlessly thankful for our donors,” Lizibie shared as the team moved through the crowd. “Their support isn’t just a donation; it is the backbone of this work. Without them, moments like today wouldn’t be possible.”
The rain began to fall as the team moved through the venue, but that did not dampen their spirits. They pressed on, and the books were received with a warmth that caught even them by surprise. Notable figures, including vocalist Hamelmal Abate and talk show hostess Dirshu, graciously accepted copies, pausing for a moment to appreciate the gift. Dozens of other women, runners, spectators, and families happily took the books, many promising to dive into the pages as soon as they got home.
But it was a small, unscripted moment that truly defined the day.
At one of the distribution points, the books had been handed out so quickly that a little boy was left empty-handed. Everybody was trying to get a book, but they ran out before he could get one. His face crumpled, and he began to cry, not with a whimper, but with the bitter, heavy sobs of a heart truly disappointed.
The team noticed him immediately. Without hesitation, they went back to their station where they had the books kept in boxes, retrieved a copy, and placed it in his small hands. The crowd was still there as they brought the book to him.
The transformation was immediate. The tears stopped. And then came the smile, a priceless, radiant smile that seemed to light up the entire venue.
“Who knows what this boy will be in the future?” one of the team members reflected, watching him clutch the book to his chest. “Maybe he’ll grow up to be a leader, a teacher, or a man who will look back on this day and remember that someone saw him, and someone gave him something precious. We are sowing seeds we may never see, but we trust the harvest.”
LPM as a ministry extends its deep gratitude to everyone who participated in this work, from those who bought t-shirts to the faithful donors who make such moments possible. LPM, together with the team, asks for continued prayers for all those who received a book today, from the vocalists and talk show hosts to the crying little boy whose joy became the highlight of the event. May the words within those pages find the soft soil of a prepared heart.
