Marcie Erickson is in this photo with her husband Sefinew Birhan Mengistu and 10 of their 12 children. Originally from Naples, FL, USA, Marcie is the Executive Director and Co-founder of Grace Center in Ethiopia. She began serving as a full-time missionary at age 18. She has spent most of her adult life in Ethiopia and has a background in photography, videography, music, and childcare, among many other gifts. Grace Center started after she received her first three children through adoption and more children in Ethiopia were in need of services.  

Marcie has written two books, Glimpse Africa: The Women of Bahir Dar, sharing the stories and photos of people who have come to Grace Center and Mama Meheret: Memoir of a Missionary that shares Marcie’s personal journey of her life as a missionary.

Sefinew Birhan Mengistu began serving at Grace Center in 2008, helping Grace Center find rental housing and vehicles to assist in their operations and even assisting in Marcie’s adoption of her oldest daughter. Marcie and Sefinew were married in 2008. Sefinew now utilizes his law degree to assist Grace Center in having all necessary documentation needing to continue operations. He also assists in the growth, helping Grace Center to expand outside Bahir Dar and serve other locations.