Today, Quin and I went into the field together. We had a mixed bag of experiences. We had some people who agreed with the message but needed to think about it, some people who accepted, and a couple others who rejected/opposed what we shared. We also spoke with a woman who told us how she had successfully persuaded two of her children NOT to go the Middle East searching for a job so they could send back money. So she was well acquainted with the trafficking problem. In another home, a man who did not a(ccept our message but was very open to it requested a Bible in his native (Oromo) language. What made this a personal connection for me is that I also had asked (my parents) for a Bible before I had become a Christian. I remember my father remarking how he had never heard of that before. Nor had I until today. Speaking of my dad, thank you all for your prayers. He is doing remarkably well in his recovery.
As for numbers, Quin and I had 5 of 25 people accept today. Overall, we spoke to 287 today and 128 became believers.
Tuesday
Rachel and I went into the field together today. That is always a special time for me. (A little less so for her.) We had what I can only call an easy day. Every person we shared with accepted Christ. And while we were told this could be a hard area, Rachel and I experienced just the opposite. Some other teams did have a harder day. One of our interesting moments of the day was finding that we were in the home of the “chairman of the village”. He was away for a meeting during our sharing, but members of his household accepted. We are very confident that this man will also believe shortly.
Rachel did tonight’s devotion on spiritual warfare. She reminded us that while by ourselves we are vulnerable, with Christ and the Holy Spirit we are not on our own.
Overall, our team at large shared with 352 people, and 146 accepted today.
Monday
Today was the first village day. Lots of highlights and interesting things today. Rick and I were a team today. We had a fantastic day. All but one of the people we shared with received Christ. And that one lady wanted to think about it. We are very hopeful that she will also become a believer soon.
We met a person of peace today, in our first home. He offer us gifts (sugar cane), was eager to hear what we had to say, and followed us to the next couple homes, in his excitement as a new believer. He also is a/the agricultural worker in the village, so he is well known there.
Our hosts from multiple homes told us of an evil presence in the village, and asked for prayer (which we did then, and as a team that night). Also, during the team meeting we heard that nationals who witnessed in this village in the past have been beaten. Additionally, several reported either witnessing to people, who currently worship the devil, or of hearing reports of it.
Yet through all of that, today 57 people came to faith in Jesus, and 202 heard the message. And, one team reported an instant healing of a lady who suffered from chronic headaches.
For a couple fun items, in the homes Rick and I visited today, our hosts served us meals three different times. We ate at two of them, as three was just too much. In that other home, they also served “spicy milk”. While there are jokes about people not being able to handle spicy milk, today I saw literally spicy milk. They put milk in a tray, and then put at least a half-cup of the local red spice, and stirred it around. The milk had an almost strawberry milk appearance. We politely declined
Sunday.
Today we returned for a 3rd time to a certain village. Last year, we returned to visit several home churches. This year, as it is Easter today in Ethiopia, we visited what I think is several home churches meeting together, in part to celebrate with us. As usual with Ethiopian church services, they started before we arrived, and continued after we left. In short, it was a great, great time.
We listened while they had a message and prayer. Then they worshiped, and we worshiped with them, as best we could. At some point there should be pictures and maybe video to share. It was awesome. Then our team spoke, bring a testimony, a message (Easter based), and an invitation for salvation. We had one rededication. After that, they served us a meal. And their hospitality was its usual stellar self.
My highlight of the day was getting to see Giftu [sic?] again. I met her last year, where I learned she was the leader of a home church, despite being in 8th grade. I recognized her, and a tranlastor confirmed for me that she was in fact who I thought she was. Just before we left, I took the opportunity to speak with her a little, to encourage her (I hope), and to let her know what an encouragement she is to us – to me. It was so thrilling for me to see a young person continue to love and serve God. (Hmm… it seems like just yesterday I recall hearing someone say something like that about me. Where does the time go?)
Saturday.
Rachel led worship time this morning. She surprised me by picking as one of the songs “How Great Thou Art.” I guess some hymns do stand the test of time.
We went out today and visited some home churches started in connection with our visits here last year. I went out as part of a team of four. We visited two differemt home churches. These are small, having 6 or 8 members they told us. Because of the persecution in the area, they have some fear to share their faith. We hope we gave them some encouragement, as they encouraged us – both from seeing the growth and results from our visit last year, as well as seeing their faith in God in the midst of severe trials.
Two extremely encouraging stories from today. First, in our second home, we met a woman who had been bedridden for six years. Last year, one of our team prayed for her healing. At that time, they did not see her instantly healed. However, when we saw her she stood and walked. And she walked without trouble. When we regrouped, we found that Mia (who is with us this year, and was also here last year) was one of the people who prayed for this lady.
Also in the second home, at one point we asked about a commotion going on. The translater told us the woman of the house said, “That lady is against us. She doesn’t want anything to do with Christians.” Later that lady came into the home, and seemed to me to be pretty unhappy to be there. Even so, we shared the gospel using the Evangecube. Both that lady and another man came to faith. So I think I can safely say she no longer is against Christians!
Water watch – showers today. Don’t tell, but I even had hot water for the shower!!
Friday.
We travelled to Fiche today, just after breakfast. I got to share the devotion today, and my theme was courage and trust in God.
We did a little sigthseeing, and sat in on training for our disciple makers.
Water watch – no showers, and no running water in the Fiche hotel (C-Lale). Instead, we had bottled watter showers.
Thursday
First thing. Thanks everyone for praying for my dad (his name is John). He is making progress day by day. He’s written his first name, and said the word “ok”. H’es also been able to do some other things.
First day in Addis, for me, was pretty typical by now. It is always a pleasure to visit Cherry’s ministry, as well as Make Your Mark. For anyone new, Chery’s minsitry (Women At Risk is the organization) works to take prostitutes off the street and share both Jesus with them, as well as give them life skills to allow them another way to earn a living. Make Your Mark has a similar approach, but focuses on street boys.
I was moved listening to Carmen speak, as she told her story and the conditions the street boys live in. It was also very uplifiting to have a time of worship with the women at Cherry’s. As part of the worship that day, we all participated in a foot washing ceremony. So virtually everyone, including the Americans, had their feet washed.
Water watch – no showers, as the water pressure at the hotel (SIM house) was insufficient to support showering
D Helfrick 