Tuesday April 30, 2013 12:56 AM Texas 8:56 Ethiopia
This is my last blog post before we begin our 20 ½ hour flight back to the states. Our plane departs 10:15 PM Ethiopia time, stops for fuel in Rome, lands in Washington DC 8:30 AM EST on Wednesday and finally at DFW 5:15 PM.
Yesterday we visited a child care program, El Ollum, that assists mothers who live in the city dump. 58 infants and preschool children, capacity of 100, receive very good care and a kindergarten level education. They counted to thirty and did their ABC’s, in English, as good as any American child. It is a remarkable ADERA program, making a significant difference in the lives of both children and mothers. Some of the moms are taught a trade so they at least have a chance to put food on the table without scavenging through the refuge of others for a morsel of food.
We then visited another ADERA program, the feeding of 164 children, k through 12th grade, who attend a government run school. The only meal these children eat is the lunch, plate of rice or pasta, ADERA provides when they are in school. After all of the children had been served, we presented them with the St. Matthew provided uniforms from our Birthday Gift to Jesus. Photos to come, but many of their uniforms were so tattered they could barely keep them on their bodies. We presented them in the name of Jesus on your behalf and they erupted into joy. Some of the children were Muslim, others from homes who did not believe in God. Way to go St. Matthew!
Later in the day we visited the church of Alemayehu, our Ethiopian contact. Their church has outgrown their facilities and St. Matthew helped them fund the second stage of their construction. The project was going to take them 4 years because of minimal funds. Our $5,000 gift cut the time frame in half. Again, way to go St. Matthew!! The pastor, elders and members of the building committee met us there and joyfully expressed their gratitude, photos and video to come.
We ended the day by eating in the home of Alemayehu. We met his family and shared traditional Ethiopian food. Well, Joe and Claudia shared the traditional food I tasted it but thought better of it and ate the pizza they provided for the wimpy stomach. That would be yours truly. I took two or three bites and thought better of it. We lingered in their home for some time, visiting and praying with his wife and children. It was a very full, good day.
Today’s Schedule
8:30 AM Breakfast Meeting with local
10:00 AM Check out
11:00 AM Inspect Hostel Furniture
Lunch
2:00 PM Visit local church and visit with pastor
4:00 PM Attend Festival, Goat BBQ , with Mom’s and children at El Ollum
5:30 PM Supper
6:30 PM Head for Airport for to Check in and Lobby for choice seating
10:00 PM Departure
It has been a very successful trip but we are ready to be home. Thank you for your prayers, encouragement, generous Birthday Gift to Jesus, excellent participation in Change the World Weekend, loving each other and loving those who do not know Jesus or have a church home. We are a blessed people and I am humbled to serve as one of your pastors. I will see you this weekend in worship!
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8
Peace,
Rick
