Pre-Trip Post

This will be my 4th trip into this region of Ethiopia for Teaching and Training.  My last trip was in January of 2014 - you can see the blog here.   Last information we exchanged, there were to be 2 - three day conferances.   One is going to be in Debre Zeit and the other is to be in Dukem - a small city that is about 15 out of Debre Zeit.   Each of these conferences are to be 2 or 3 days in length and have between 100-125 pastors, leaders and evangelists.  The last group we are to meet with is about 50-75 students.   I don't know their ages - so we will have to make that one up as we go along.  (smile)

During the conferences, we will teach on the Doctrine of God; Important Themes in the Book of Acts and the Diagnostic Way of Bible Lesson Preparation.  I am carrying with me over 1100 pages of worksheets in Amharic.

Also, on this trip we are starting a new ministry.  "Seeing Clearly" is a simple ministry in which we will be distributing 144 pair of reading glasses to pastors, leaders, evangelists who need them.

I will be updating this blog as often as I can - hopefully daily - to keep you informed of the goings on of this trip.   Many of you made this trip - this ministry - possible by your generous gifts and support and I want you to see your investment in action.   Thank you again for being a ministry partner!

Keep me in your prayers!

Post One: Arriving at Debre Zeit at First Afternoon of Teaching

It was good to arrive at the Tommy Hotel compound in Debre Zeit.   After covering over 7400 miles and 30 hours in the Air and sitting in Airports it was good arrive at my "Home away from Home" for the next week.   This is the 4th time I have stayed at Tommy over the years and we have developed good relationships with many of the staffers here.   On trips like this there are plenty of "unknowns" - it is good to be able to stay at a place, eat at a restaurant that is a "known."

This afternoon we went to the Praise Church Campus.  It is a church that is very active in their part of the Debre Zeit community.  Each week they have a meal that serves about 250 homeless people, allows them a place to wash their clothes, shower and have a meal.

This afternoon we met with 50-60 young men and women.  In the group there were those who were future pastors; evangelists; those studying for degrees in engineering and public service; and many pursing their higher education.  It was a great group of 20-30 year old.

 We studied God's Call on people who have been called to great tasks of leadership.   Looking back at Joshua 1 where Joshua was called to lead the Children of Israel after Moses's death we discovered that God called him - and us to be strong and courageous.  When God calls you to a task, He promises to be with you, guide you, empower you and give you success if when you do things His way utilizing His Word.  It was a privilege to talk with these future leaders of Ethiopia.

We also looked into Deuteronomy 8 and discussed what happens when a Nation forgets God.  We talked about the cycle that is found not only in the children of Israel, but in many nations including America when they call out to God, He Delivers and Blesses them, then the Blessings are valued over the on who gave the Blessings and the countries decline begins.

We then had a great time of question/answer/discussion about everything ranging from the acceptance of Gay Marriage in many Churches in America, the struggle for the Church impact the culture rather than adapt to the cultures influence and of course about Texas!  

It is my belief that Ethiopia in the beginning phase of this cycle.  God has delivered them, they are in a time of both spiritual and economic blessing, but as future leaders they must take care not become so enamored with the blessings that they forget who delivered and blessed them.

Tomorrow we go back to Peace Church and start the two-day conference with Pastors/Evangelists/Leaders of churches in the Debre Zeit Area!

Post Two - Teaching Diagnostic Method and Doctrine of God in Debre Zeit

Dawn brought a beautiful day in Debre Zeit - clear skies in the mid 60's quickly gave way to the high 80's.

Behind the Peace Church is a huge hill of Red Ash which was placed there many years ago by a volcanic eruption.  In the past few years this hill has provided red ash for road bed construction.   At the base of this hill is a butchery so there are buzzards constantly circling looking for some Ethiopian Cuisine. 

Here is a picture of Girma.   He is the contact and coordinator for the teaching here in the Debre Zeit area.   I have known him for about 3 years and have discovered him to be a mighty man of God.  

Before the classes began, I wondered around just talking to some kids. 

Then the people began to arrive.  By foot, by motorbike, by bike and even by donkey!   They arrived!

Our study began with a time of prayer.  Times of prayer in Africa are amazing.  They start off softly with someone talking softly calling them into a time of prayer. It increases in its intensity with each person praying/singing/praising individually but seemingly in harmony with the rest of the group.   It is an amazing thing to behold

There were a few of the students that were here last year, so rather than teaching the full complement of lessons of the Diagnostic Study, we reviewed it and then assigned the groups the passage of scripture of Ephesians 5:15-21 to work through. 

I know these are a lot of Photos, but it is so inspiring to see these men and women intently studying Gods Word together.

This is Derge - several years ago he was a Ethiopian Orthodox Priest, but after he came to faith he left the Orthodox faith and is now a preaching evangelist at one of the local churches in the region.   What a great story!

Mid morning break time with Hot Tea and Cookies!

When I returned for the afternoon the class has determined to meet outside.   It was a beautiful setting ... In the shade ... Breezy.   It was awesome!

Of course - you know I like playing with the kids!   Here are a few pics of us having some fun.

It was a great day!   Tomorrow we will start with book of Acts!!!!

Post Three - Training and Preaching in Debre Zeit

This morning when Colonel Girma picked me up, he simply said, "We have a problem."   On Training trips that is something you often hear.   Oh?  I replied.   "Yes - word has spread of this teaching and we are expecting many more to come today!"  What a great problem to have!

I prepared for 2 Conferences of 100 - printed worksheets, etc.  Yesterday we had 124 registered!   And perhaps more are on the way today!  Jesus multiplied loaves and fishes - wonder what he will do with worksheets!!

There are always kids around Peace Church!  Before we started teaching today I took photos of just a few.  The first looked like a character out of Little Rascals!   Bright shiny mischievous eyes and a beautiful smile.

 The morning session went well as we worked our way through the book of Acts.   

The afternoon session - again outside started with great singing.   Over 100 people raising their voices together- no instruments- singing praise to God!

Here was the Group Picture of those involved in Training!

Sunday Morning I had the opportunity to preach in Colonel Girma's Church.

  

Post Four - Training in Dukem Full Gospel Church

Many times I am asked what kind of churches I teach/preach in.  Most of the time I don't know - but this morning there was no doubt.   It said Full Gospel on the sign and the pre-session prayer time was much more animated than other places.   Even though we may not see eye to eye on everything - they are my brothers and sisters in Christ and I thoroughly enjoyed watching there worship!  Looked a lot like Zumba to me!    Not in good enough shape to worship with my Ethiopian brothers!

The sessions took place in the building that was a big pole barn like structure.  It is their auditorium.  I learned a little more about Dukem - it is an industrial village that has many truck drivers that pass through. It is a very difficult place to have a church, but through the village there Te 9 evangelical churches.   The cooperated together for this training for the have very limited training opportunities.   There are about 75-80 people here from the 9 church's.

The morning break time was again outside!

At the end we presented them with Certificates.   We had 95 Certificates presented and there were a few more that were there for the second day only who did not get a certificate.  During the last session, there was a mighty storm blowing - we had no electricity so we started to stop.   But the insisted we continue - so we just scooted in closer and talked a bit louder!   Here are some of the pics of the people getting certificates.

Here is the group picture.  We had about 95 students for both days.   Probably 10 or so more came the second day.   It was an amazing time!

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