Members of an Ethiopian seminary are in mourning after a flash flood killed eight people, including three children.

Mekane Yesus Seminary is located in the city of Addis Ababa, and was hit by heavy rains the afternoon of August 17. A post made that day to the school's Facebook page said that four people had died. Since that time another four deaths have been confirmed.

The school has been asking for prayers and receiving letters of support and condolences from Christian organizations around the world. 

"We don't have the answers but together with you we cry out to almighty God, asking for his help, his comfort, his strength," Rev. Kerstin Oderhem of the Swedish Evangelical Mission writes in one of the letters.


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Along with the loss of life the school's buildings suffered extensive damage and many staff and students lost all their belongings.

Rev. Eric Stinnett, a teaching missionary at the school, says that he barely escaped with his wife and children. He tells the International Lutheran Council, “We are truly thankful that our Lord spared our lives."

Stinnett says that when they saw the rushing water they sent their eight-year-old running for higher ground, and their 16-year-old carried their three-year-old through waist-high water. Stinnett and his wfie grabbed a few belongings and were able to escape as the water reached their chest.

People stand on the roof of a building. Water is up to the bottom of the roof.(Screenshot: MYS/Facebook)

"While we did lose much of our possessions, they can all be eventually replaced. The situation is much more difficult for many of the other families affected by the flood," Stinnett tells the ILC.

The school lost over 20 buildings in the flood. A GoFundMe has been started to support families who lost loved ones as well as help the school rebuild.