Students Embody 'Gateway to Service' on Mission Trip to Ethiopia

Story by Everett Wiles

Six Washington Adventist University (WAU) students recently returned from a transformative mission trip to Ethiopia, where they served underserved communities, engaged with children and cancer patients, and deepened their spiritual walk through hands-on outreach.

The group–accompanied by WAU Chaplain Jiwan Moon–partnered with organizations in Ethiopia such as the Mary Joy Ethiopia Foundation, Sunshine Philanthropy Foundation and a local autism center. The students offered encouragement, prayer and music while learning powerful lessons in resilience, faith and gratitude.

“This experience reshaped how I view service—not just as giving, but as learning from and connecting with others,” says Taurin Euler, one of the student missionaries. “The joy of the people, despite their hardships, inspired me to live with more gratitude.”

Student Isabelle Cipriano shares, “The connections I made were unforgettable. The children at Mary Joy were so welcoming, and dancing with them was a highlight. This trip reignited my passion for mission work and helped me grow in my relationship with God.”

As part of their service, the students also committed to raising funds to furnish a hospital room in Ethiopia in WAU’s name—leaving a lasting impact and extending the university’s legacy of compassion.

The mission trip was made possible through the generous sponsorship of WAU Trustee Henok Tesfaye, founder and CEO of U Street Parking Inc. Tesfaye encouraged students to embrace service as a lifelong calling and reminded them that their presence and actions would leave a lasting impression.

WAU President Weymouth Spence commended the mission team, stating, “Through initiatives like these, WAU lives out its motto as the ‘Gateway to Service.’ We are committed to cultivating a culture of faith, learning and community impact. I’m especially grateful to Dr. Tesfaye for making this experience possible for our students.”

WAU continues to empower students to become global citizens and servant leaders—equipping them to make a meaningful difference both locally and abroad through faith, academic excellence and service.