NCF

Syndication Test 2

11-16-10

And looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him…Mark 10:21

Our day began with a beautiful sunrise over the Ethiopian jungle with smoke rising in the distance from the numerous huts tucked away in the hillsides. We began to gather on the deck outside the dining hall. A few of us were journaling, some were in quite meditation, and others in light conversation.  It’s very peaceful with the sounds of the jungle slowly coming alive. Today fells like the beginning of the end of our journey.

After breakfast, Gebe shared with the team on Mark 14 & 16. It was about the woman who poured expensive perfume over Jesus’ head. In Chapter 16, it talked about Mary Magdalene going to Jesus’ tomb to anoint his body with spices. The take away from Gebe’s message is that we need to have our priorities straight and be discerning about timing.  

In getting to know Gebe this past week, it is apparent he is a solid man of God and a very gifted leader. Gebe is and will be one of the Ethiopia’s future leaders.

Our team then transitioned into our first debriefing sessions. The leaders of our team have realized we all need help in making sense of the physical, emotional, and spiritual experience we have just come through.  They want to prepare us, before we return to our families, friends, and jobs. Many people shared deeply and emotion from their hearts.  

We get on the road again to the Sabana Lodge on Lake Langano with a stop at Lake Awassa. After a short one hour drive, we arrived at Lake Awassa with an unplanned detour to the Haile Resort.

The Haile Resort is a luxury hotel only six months old.  It was built by Haile Gebresalassie, a NYC Marathon winner and national hero.  It just so happened that Haile was a the resort today. I couldn’t have been more excited, being that I run marathons too. When I got to meet him, have my picture taken with him, get his autograph, and personal phone number, my heart was pounding. This experience put the explanation point to my time here.

Boat rides out on Lake Awassa to see the hippos followed by macchiatos on the patio concluded our short stop at the Haile Resort.

Then we were back on road again for the final leg of our trip to Sabana Lodge. Traveling the streets and highways of Ethiopia has become one of the experiences I will remember most about this country and it’s people. Everywhere we travel there are countless people and children along the roads and standing in the doorways of their huts and houses. You can’t help but catch their eyes with yours, respond to their eager waves, or react to all the infections smiles.

As I look into the faces of all these anonymous people, I can’t help but feel a deep love for them.  For at the very basic level, when we strip all our stuff and layers away, I know they are just like me.  The have hopes and dreams, they love their wives, children and families, they laugh, they cry, and I’m sure they struggle with the questions of life too.

God, please help me to continually see others with your love.

-Jerry Pederson 

11-13-10

Today we split up into groups of 3-5 people and went off to different churches. The church I attended today was the Timtichu Church which is a Kale Hewett church. It was in a very rural area and is a nice building compared to most we have seen.

Jim Van Grundy, Paul Miller and myself along with an interpreter (who is a pastor from the Kale Hewett headquarters) were introduced to the church. After some song, which is very beautiful, we were asked to share some scripture. That was really out of my comfort zone! Around 300 people were in attendance with most eyes on us during the service. Now I know how others feel coming to speak at Life Center.  Jim took many pictures while a few members took pictures of us during the service.   

We were asked later on to give certificates to the people that have met their goals in the CHE programs. There where around 20-families that did. After the service we shook hands with many and were invited for snacks in the church office. They had many charts on the walls of the office that showed the demographics of the people, who had clean water, latrines etc.  It was very evident that CHE was working for this church. We prayed for help in evangelizing the area, for the people to hear the gospel and for the children. While I did not understanding the language, it a wonderful place to be.      

Large concrete Church with metal roof. It used to be a prison. Greeted by the music leader, and then they erupted in song. There was a sound was a sound system and a keyboard. A gentleman in the congregation came forward and sang several songs. The pastor preached out of the book of Thessalonians verses 1-3. The pastor preached the sermon in three separate languages. Fortunately, he did a quick translation for out English speaking team. We were fortunate to have a place of honor up front so we could see and experience first hand their service.

The points he presented to all out of the Thessalonians were thanksgiving to all our brothers in Christ, to pray for one another, How we do our own personal ministry to further the Kingdom and to hope together for the second coming of Christ. Our new friend, Nagash, sang a beautiful song of praise and they all sang along. Then he spoke encouraging words to his people.

I marveled at the Spirit filled participation. The only way to describe it was like being at a sporting event in the U.S. and you have just won. That was the roar of praise expressed to our God.

Our fearless leader, Mike Stemm, expressed his love and fondness for the body of Christ in Ethiopia. He shared some scripture and introduced the rest of the team. Each in turn shared with the congregation.

We then had more singing to the Lord. Then another leader gave us a little history of the church we were visiting. They asked for us to pray for them. For their ministry to share the gospel and for their children’s school.  John 14:6

-Karl Ziegler

Dilla

Diane Samson 11-10-10

We arrive in Dilla!  After a long bus/jeep ride and one macchiato stop, we land at a beautiful, new hotel.  We expected to possibly sleep in netting, using our bug spray and not having water, let alone hot water.  Our bedding has a silk cover, hot and cold water (thought not always), windows that close and a toilet seat!  The power is a little iffy.  Lesson learned…use your electricity when the power is on.
 
We were told to go to Werku’s church and meet the church planters.  So we loaded up again, no rest, no showers.  To our surprise, we were greeted by 30 or more elders and their wives and church members.  There were two girls and two boys, dressed formally, who greeted us with flowers.  Werku saw Greg and I, the Craig, and did not know we were on this trip.  Werku hugs Craig and lifts him off the ground, leaving Craig’s legs dangling.  All the women are crying for this grand receptions and obvious affection for us, most who they have not met.  It was overwhelming.
 
We entered the church and we all sat in the middle, the place of honor, with Craig and Mike in the front.  A special sign was made in our honor: ”Welcome Our Guests from USA Via NCF - Nov. 11, 2010.” 
 
Werku announced his delight in our arrival.  Bocu, an elder in the church, 86 years old, prays over all of us. The emotion we experience is son overwhelming…to greet Werku on Ethiopian soil.  Amazing!
 
We were ushered into another part of the building, a large room with tables and chairs and sodas on all the tables.  We notice two beautiful cakes, “Welcome our guests from the us.”  Greg and I cut one cake, Jani & Mike cut the other, while everyone was clapping.  We knew this was a great honor.
 
Though we have traveled all day and are eager to shower and change clothes, we immediately go to Werku’s house, where Hallelujah is waiting, as we want to honor Hallelujah for her efforts in preparing dinner.  After dinner we hustle back on the bus.
 
Their house is lighted by candles and the table is set for dinner.  We later find out the power has been out.  The scene is beautiful and peaceful, and no worries of no light.  We humbly accept their hospitality.  Hallelujah is excited to see us…her joy is evident by her scream as she hugs us.
 
A joy and a blessing to be so far from home, and united with our bothers and sister in Ethiopia.  God is good all the time!  All the time God is good.

CWA Ophanage

Angela Barnes 11-09-10

I genuinely liked Stephne Bowers the moment I met her.  How could you not.  She is a beautiful mix of God-given strength and tenacity with deep tenderness and compassion.  As we walked the grounds of CWA, I could see her likeness in the facility itself.  CWA is a refuge - with walls strong enough to protect the precious lives it holds inside.  CWA is also tenacious enough to advocated for and work toward creative and lasting solutions for the children in represents.  The marked impression through is one of love - love that is compassionate, love that is long-suffering, and a love that endures with these children.  The blessings of this love given by Stephne and the rest of her staff can be seen in one special little girl that I had the great joy of cuddling for one hour of our visit.   She is three months old and born prematurely to a mother who died during childbirth.  She was brought to Stephne only a few hours old.  She loved and nurtured here, kangarooing her for weeks until she gained her strength.  Stephne describes kangarooing as keeping the baby in your shirt, skin on skin, most of the time.  In this, they feel secure and attached.  The blessed evidence of this is obvious when you interact with her now.  She is not only healthy and strong physically, but bright and alert emotionally as well.  As a mother of three children myself, I can see in this sweet girl, a well adjusted and happy soul.  She truly astounded me!  She is so engaging and alert.  As she would make eye contact with me she would give me a full-body smile.  Her eyes and face light up, she coos and gurgles trying to communicate, and her whole body wiggles.  Not once, but the entire hour I held her!  Looking into her beautiful brown eyes, I see God’s hand upon her.  She is able to love so easily because she was loved so well first.  Her mother gave the first gift, life.  Stephne gave her the second gift, love.  Because of this love and nurturing, her heart is open and able to easily love too.  This gift will bless her the rest of her life.
 
1 John 4:19 - We love because He first loved us….

Trip to Soddo

Mark Barnes 11-8-10
I was fascinated as we started the day winding through the streets of Addis.  So many sights, sounds, colors, animals, and carts.  A couple of hours into our journey we were delayed due to engine problems with our bus.  The driver stopped in a remote area near a little store and tea shop.  Almost immediately, little children with tattered clothes started coming up.  So, several people in our group started to give them life saver candy through the bus windows.  Soon we decided to get out and take photos.  They laughed gleefully as we showed them the pictures we had just taken on our digital cameras.  Paul Miller played hand ball with them.  On of the balls was made of some kind of cloth material sewn together.  Brad Green drew a picture and patiently played over 40 games of tic tac toe with the children all in a swarm around him.  Several of the small children carried their little brothers and sisters around on their backs in little wraps.  I was struck by how happy that they seemed and how quick they were to laugh at almost anything.  We taught them to  high five and bump fists to their infections grins and happy smiles.  I could not help but notice that most of their clothes were little more than rags. 

A local man showed up who could speak English and claimed to be a business broker.  He said that we were in a tribal region that spoke another language other than Amharic.  I asked if they were Christian or Muslim and he said they were Muslim but not the terrorist kind.  What a relief…Ha!  We could see a large lake in the East?  His teeth were black and in need of repair because he chewed a narcotic plant (chat).  I noticed that some of the young men were also chewing on the plant. 

After a couple of trips we were all shuttled back to a hotel that we stopped at earlier to take a coffee and bathroom break.  The bus company had dispatched a new bus from Addis, so we decided to have dinner which must have been a little overwhelming to the staff.  Angela and I and several others decided to make it safe and ordered a half chicken.  Wow was that bird was tough.  I knew that he must have been tough to live this environment 

Soon we were back on the road in a new bus.  The laughter quickly died down to the hum of the engine and most people were sleeping.  Everyone sat up with a start as the driver hit the brakes as a large hyena crossed the road in front of us and then stood on the side watching us with big eyes and round ears.  I never knew that they grew so large. 

I noticed that some of the grass and mud huts had a faint glow of oil lamps.  Some of them did obviously have electricity, but it was certainly not the norm.  At times I could see stars in the black night and wondered about those precious children that we had met just hours before.  Were they safe from the hyenas?  We continued on our journey to Soddo.  What adventure lies ahead.  What will God teach us in the coming days?

CHE Sites

11-12-10

We traveled by a 4-wheel SUV over the roughest road I have ever been over. We climbed high up into the mountains seeing beautiful scenic vistas. We finally reached a place near the top where we were headed, the Kale Heywot Church. We were blown away by the amazing greeting from the church members. They were singing, clapping, moving rhythmically to the drum that a man was beating. Some were dressed in choir robes and the children presented us with bouquets of flowers. We felt such a Spirit of the Lord flowing out of them.

We followed them into their small church. We all sat down and were greeted by the elders. A male CHE leader shared with us how they have been teaching this group of people from Yirgacheffe. He was so pleased to tell us they all had pit latrines at their homes now and that they had one on the compound. All the church members have chickens now, so everyone has eggs. They have been taught about gardening and are all growing their own gardens.

A while earlier, they were all tested for HIV and found only a few of their community were positive. They have since lost two of them, but the others are being cared for. They all know how to drink safe water and they are given chlorine tablets or powder to put into their water to make it safe to drink. They have made drying racks outside their small huts to dry their dishes out in the sun for cleanliness.

For the children they now have a school on the compound where before they had a long way to walk and were usually late. There are 300 children in Grade 1-3. The church supplies shoes and clothes to all the children. There are five orphans and ten very elderly that they all care for.

For the men they have classes to teach them and separate classes for the women. The men don t share with each one another what they are taught, but the women talk freely and share their new teachings. In the culture of these people the men have everything, make all the decisions, and treat the women very poorly. Women are not allowed to own anything or participate in any decision making. With the teaching and the partnering of CHE the men have started to realize that God has created men and women equal. They ask their wives what they think. Women used to give birth and right away start working after one week. Now the men are helping them.

Childbirth used to take place in their huts with some bad outcome for the mothers and the babies, but now at the first sign of labor they are taken to the hospital. The women are taught about childbirth and the care of the infant after birth, vaccinations, cleanliness, and care of the mother.

Family planning is a huge idea they are being taught. These Ethiopian women would have 9 to 12 children and now they have the knowledge about birth control and options available to them for free. This whole concept of family planning was hard for them at first, but now they understand.

One great way they have learned to share their knowledge is during the coffee ceremonies. This is where they will discuss HIV, family planning, gardening, and other new ideas they are learning from the CHE leaders and volunteers.

We had the privilege of hearing a lot of this information from a delightful young CHE woman leader.

After our great visit at the compound we went to visit some of their homes to see what they had learned and put into practice. They were so proud of their new pit latrines and their chickens. I was impressed with their gardens and how clean their little huts were. I guess it is easier to keep things picked up and neat if you don’t have much. We prayed for them and then took our leave.

The next CHE site was up on another mountain top. The view was spectacular. We went into this huge church that 1200 brothers and sisters join together once a month and have church. One of my favorite parts was the children gathering together and singing two songs to us without adult participation. It was so exuberant and full of life. They had hand hewn benches in the church, pretty rustic, but I bet it rocks out when all 1200 gather once a month.

We wandered down the road with the people and all the happy children. We saw their health clinic and visited a few homes. Up in a tree we were privileged to see several black and white monkeys with long bushy white tails.

My greatest reflection of the day was all the sweet smiling faces of the children. As you wave along the road, they all smile and wave back. What a genuinely happy and friendly people. If we could be that happy.

-Jani Mylner 

Food Distribution

Diane Samson 11-10-10

People have been standing in line outside the big gate, which opens to the Kale Hiwot church.  Waiting to enter.  Waiting to get their maize (corn).  They needed their coupon to show they were chosen by their pastor from their church.  These are the poor peoples.  These are chosen, on this day, to receive grain to supply their family for 2-3 months.

I watch, I observe.  I am on the outside looking in.  I see them.  I touch them.  I hear them.  They are the poor. They are the needy.

Kids are leading two blind women into the common area.  The men are trying to organize the area to pass out corn.  Do they need a woman’s hand?  They appear to be indecisive.

Singing begins, all praising God, all 13 churches united.  They all say “Amen!”

Paul, one of us, stands and talks about God calling Moses.  An Ethiopian man interprets.  God told Moses to go.  God told Paul to go.  Paul said, “I don’t know, I am not strong enough to go.”  God said, “Your strength comes from me.”  God is very big.  Theres is nothing He can’t do.  Stephne prays over this day, over the grain being given.

The corn is dumped on a rug.  The families are grouped per church and line up to give their coupons.  People who can’t see, their fingerprints are taken.

One woman had 3 or 4 children.  At each birth, the baby died.  She is here to gather grain.

One women is a beggar.  She is led by her son.

The grain is being scooped into bags each family has brought, four at a time, by men volunteers.  They carry out 20 kg (44 lbs) of corn on their backs.

A woman with crutches carries her 44 lb bag away.  She looks adept at this, how many miles does she walk to go home?

Sam has brought shoes that were donated to the orphanage.  He has brought them for those who need shoes.  Some people, who have mossy foot, leave with a pair of shoes, new to them.  The mossy foot makes their feet and ankles swell.  They look like elephants feet.  If it is untreated, it will spread, and kill the person.

A lady is in line with severe cleft lip.  

They keep bringing in bags of corn, opening the bags and scooping the corn.  The line seems to be endless.

Emotions??  Yes.  Humbling.  Saddened.  Heart Wrenching.  Unbelievable.

And then….drained emotionally.  Eyes dry from tears.  Sober.  Silent.  Contemplative.

God, you love the poor.  Your heart reaches them in the depths of their despair.  May You draw them to Yourself, Father.  May they know You…..

Wolaitta Village Dedication

Jerry Pederson 11-10-10

God doesn’t call the qualified, he qualifies the called.   -Max Lucado

What truly fitting words as we witnessed a group of obedient and humble servants bring about the start of the vision God placed in Stephne and Harry Bowers hearts.

After breakfast our day began at the Bowers Home on the Soddo Christian Hospital compound.  Harry and Stephne presented the preliminary site plans prepared by the Arizona State University Masters graduate students.  Even though this project is a Christian undertaking, there were graduate students lining up to take part and committing to see it to its completion.

After the presentation, group worship and prayer, we re-boarded the bus and headed out to the Wolaitta Village site.  When we arrived, we were greeted by the other dignitaries and dozens of children.  The children, greeting us as we stepped off the bus, set the atmosphere for all God is doing in and through Wolaitta Village.  As we walked down the dirt road, holding children’s’ hands, we were led to a side trail and through the bushes where it opened onto a clearing with magnificent views overlooking the city of Soddo below.

Stephne Bowers welcomed everyone and proceeded to tell the story of the vision God had laid on her heart for the children of the Wolaitta region, the poorest of all Ethiopia.

Stephne told us that in the beginning steps, she asked her husband, Harry, “How is it possible God can use us?”  At this statement and seeing all that they have done, up to this point, the Holy Spirit flooded my eyes with tears.  I can only hope one day God will impart to me such genuine love and humility to him and his created.

Dr. Kelemu spoke next and compared the Wolaitta Village project to Moses and God’s calling him to build the Temple.  Dr. Kelemu said when God gives a completed vision, he has alreaded put in place all the people, talent, and resources needed as if it was already finished.

Mike Stemm, New Covenant Foundation, then spoke to us and gave God the praise for what is happening with the Wolaitta Village project.  In the beginning of New Covenant’s involvement, Mike said Craig Meredith and he were so overwhelmed and they felt so unqualified for what God was calling them to do.  Mike’s words drew me back to my reading an devotions this morning and what I read that Max Lucado had written.

Others spoke and we all concluded with prayer.

I am humbled tonight for being a witness to God’s intricately woven tapestry of what is becoming Wolaitta Village.  I wonder why I have been called to Ethiopia at this point in my walk with Jesus.  After I got past the shock of being here, I too felt so unqualified!  Maybe thats the beginning point of genuine humility.

CWA Ophanage

Diane Samson 11-9-10

Stephne Bowers is the director of the CWA orphanage, who helps infants through around 12.  These children are all adoptable and looking for homes.  

One way this organization is different than most is it there is any chance of reconciliation with at least one parent or relative, no adoption will take place.  The priority is always to be reunited with one parent.

When you walk into the orphanage you have to walk on a rocky, uneven, red dirt path and then go through a huge gate, that is guarded by some able bodied Ethiopian young men.  A bustling city is just outside the doors, while inside there are currently 35 children.  They would like to have 25, a more manageable number.  Thus, the reason for at least 18 children, ages 3-9, in a very small room being cared for by a nanny.  In the other rooms there was a nursery, toddler room, and crib room for sleeping babies.

Greg and I spent our time with the older children, mostly boys.  They were intrigued by our presence.  It didn’t take them long to crowd around me while I read them stories and played patty cake with Greg.  They were energetic, laughed, smiled, and wanted to be noticed.  They are just like any other children wanting to live and be loved.