an interview by Vicki Tierney
A little over a year ago my husband and I joined a Calvary small group. An unexpected blessing for us was meeting Mame Buta, and her husband, Bekere. They are originally from Ethiopia, but have been part of our Calvary family since 2016. If you haven’t had the pleasure of meeting my dear friend Mame, I’d love to introduce her to you! On a snowy Saturday in February, Mame welcomed me into her cozy kitchen with her warm smile, excellent coffee brewed in her Ethiopian jabeena, and her homemade bread, so we could chat about her story.
Mame was born, raised, and married in Ethiopia’s capital city, Addis Ababa. Her mother was a homemaker and stay-at-home mom to Mame and her siblings (Mame was the baby of the family). Her father worked at the U.S. Embassy as a gardener, but eventually their family inherited some farmland outside the city and he began to farm. I asked Mame about a favorite childhood memory, and she shared with me that it wasn’t one particular experience but the caring and incredibly strong community in which she grew up. Her family’s neighborhood operated like one giant, extended family. The children wandered the neighborhood in safety and thought nothing of stopping at any of the homes for a meal or a snack. Every adult took responsibility for correcting the kids and keeping them safe. This warmth and care was not only for the little ones, but extended to the elderly as well. She told me when her mother would bake bread some would go to elderly neighbors and someone was always available to lend a helping hand. Mame’s childhood neighborhood was a living, breathing example of the “it takes a village” concept.
I asked Mame about her faith journey and how she came to place her faith in Jesus. Mame was a fourteen year old high school student when she and another school friend would, in Mame’s words, “hide” and listen in on the prayer time and worship of an adult neighbor friend. This woman eventually noticed the girls and said, “Stop hiding! Come in and I will explain all of this to you!’ Her neighbor shared the gospel, and Mame came to know her Lord Jesus whom she loves so much.
Another one of Mame’s great loves is her dear husband, Bekere, and I inquired as to how they met. At the time, Mame was working at a hair care center. A colleague and friend of Bekere’s also worked there part time. Bekere came to visit this friend, met Mame while there, and as we say…..the rest is history! Their first date was on a boat ride, and they married three years later in Ethiopia.
Mame and Bekere’s story eventually led to the United States. Bekere applied for assylum and arrived in Maryland in 1999. Mame joined him there two years later with their firstborn son, Raba. I asked her about what she found particularly difficult about moving to the the United States and she shared several challenges. Leaving loved ones and friends behind, as well as losing the incredibly supportive and tightly knit community, especially with the challenges of being a young mother, were very hard for her. Also, adapting to a new language is never an easy task, and she missed her culture and social life. Something that was an unexpected blessing upon her arrival in the United States was the extent of free speech liberties here. Both she and Bekere said that it is a blessing to be able to speak your mind here without fear of criminal consequences.
In 2004 Mame, Bekere, and Raba moved to Rochester, and it was here that their second son, Geda, was born. Bekere took a job at Mayo in a lab, and just completed 20 years of employment there! Mame works at Mayo as a patient care assistant and has also worked as a patient care technician. She draws much satisfaction from her work.
Also, Mame has some big news! In April she will, for the first time in fifteen years, be traveling back to Ethiopia for a month long visit. Her son, Raba, will be joining her for two weeks. This will be the first time he has returned since he was a baby. Mame eagerly anticipates spending time with family and feasting on the Ethiopian cuisine. Despite these joys, the time will be bittersweet since some loved ones have passed away since her last visit. She said this opportunity to return to her birthplace will help her grieve these loved ones.
In Mame’s free time, she enjoys cooking, cleaning (She really does! I asked!), and knitting. I personally have been blessed by her amazing culinary skills. Our small group has feasted on her homemade Ethiopian injeera bread, and her expertly spiced salad dressings, vegetables, and stews. Being graced with a jabeena brewed cup of coffee served in beautiful little cups by Mame is a true privilege! She even adds a hint of cloves to the ground coffee. It’s delicious! Mame loves being home, enjoying simple pleasures with her family. A favorite verse of hers is John 3:16. I’m so thankful the Lord has given me Mame’s friendship.
