"The Fast I Choose" - Steve Bell's Journey to Ethiopia
“There is reason for hope.” That’s what struck singer/songwriter Steve Bell most in his recent trip to Ethiopia where he witnessed the work of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank. Not long before the trip, Steve had begun contemplating what his response to hunger should be. He began fasting as he prayed for direction. A few months later Steve had arrived in Ethiopia, visiting villages where people are struggling to cope with changing climate, unfair trade rules, and overpopulation. He connected with people through music and storytelling.
“There are incredible things happening there,” he continued. “We visited a place where a whole village has been transformed by a water diversion project. Access to water means that they now have enough food to eat, but the impact goes much beyond that. Their children are now attending school. There are new businesses appearing in the village. Their young people are learning new trades - building dams, digging ditches, and planting and harvesting gardens.”
One of the most important messages he picked up from his travels in Ethiopia, Bell says, is that we as Canadians are intricately connected with people in Ethiopia. “The Bible talks a lot about how we treat our neighbours, but I don’t know if I’d ever really internalized the fact that Ethiopians are my neighbours and the choices I make can impact them.”
“Where it hit home the most was in the Afar Region,” he continues. “Historically, this region was hit by drought every ten to twelve years. Now, because of global warming, the droughts have increased to every five to seven years. The pastoral lifestyles – following their cattle from one watering hole or grazing field to another – can no longer be sustained. The Afar people are being forced to change the source of their livelihoods. While their livestock was once their primarily source of food and income, they now have to learn to plant and till and harvest.”
A camera crew accompanied the Steve and his wife Nanci on their journey, and the short film and music video are being distributed to all churches affiliated with the Foodgrains Bank’s member agencies.
Click here to visit Steve Bell's website
To order a copy of this video Contact us at foodjustice@foodgrainsbank.ca