We had the privilege of joining the team during the second week of ministry. After a busy last few days at home (Lookout Mountain/Chattanooga, TN) which included a send-off dinner with Andy and Bev Warren, who are there on furlough, we headed for Atlanta and boarded our flight. We arrived in Addis in time for the Lalibella trip on Saturday. Up at 5 am, we were off to the airport again for the flight to the “north country.” What a rugged and vast land of mountains and deserts this is. Lalibella was charming, both from the standpoint of a small town with many more burros and goats than cars, and from that of people. Watching them parade in from the country to the huge marketplace, past grass huts on dirt and then cobblestone streets reminded one of what the pilgrimages to Jerusalem must have looked like 2000 years ago. We were then treated to a comfortable guest house, a fascinating tour of ancient rock churches, a burro ride to a mountaintop monastery on Sunday, and chats with local kids, some of whom had formed friendships with members of the team on past visits. All told this was a lovely introduction to Ethiopia for us.

Henry: Our work has been a rich experience. Besides getting to know a wonderful team here in Addis, we have enjoyed our assignments. Mine have been primarily participating in clinics and going on home visits. The latter have had a particular impact on me. Suffice it to describe one visit, to a Muslim family (most are orthodox Christian) today. Here in small home of sticks and plastic were a husband, wife, and two children, who had moved here from a rural area and found a lifeline with the project. M. had worked as a bus driver, but he had been sick with a cough recently and had been unable to work. Now he was worried that the government might take his home, and that he would have nowhere to go; he worried about the future of his family. Since he was HIV positive he had been referred to the Project and was benefiting from its services; he had even joined a support group, despite holding on for now to his Muslim tradition. If he lost his home he would possibly lose access to the Project that he now had. After hearing out some of his physical needs and recommending a visit back to the clinic tomorrow, we prayed with M. and his wife. He seemed willing, even grateful to hear us share the gospel and some scripture with him in the course of our prayer with him. We pray, and trust that others will, that M. and his whole family will soon receive the whole truth and salvation that Jesus Christ can offer him.

Wendy: I have had a wonderful time conducting Bible studies with support groups at the clinics, while others carry out medical work. These ladies and teenagers are eager to talk together, share needs, and hear some encouraging words from Scripture. We looked up verses on prayer today, and on how Daniel had prayed in reliance on the Lord for his deliverance from the lion’s den and in standing firm for God in a foreign culture. Many of the girls had not heard of Daniel, so I got to tell more of the story, and Henry joined me in singing “Daniel in the Lion’s Den” (we’re trying to introduce bluegrass to Ethiopia!). I have also enjoyed subbing in the pharmacy, and getting to know some of the delightful Project staff. God has truly blessed us in allowing us to be part of such a strategic and effective ministry.

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