We concluded our training today in Hosanna. I wish we had another week to do this together. These young men and women have touched my heart with their honesty and desire. I have spoken to them freely and they have shared with me their hearts. As I concluded my message today, I was moved to tears. It was a strange emotional moment. I was full of joy for their sincere faith. I was sad to know I would not see many of them for a while. I was grateful that God had allowed me to serve them. I was humbled that my work made such an impact on them. We came here with no pretense but to preach the gospel and help others grow. In our short time, God has rewarded our efforts and supplied us with fulness and joy. I sat down after our session and these scriptures came to mind:
3 John 4: I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
1 Thessalonians 2.19-20: What is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy.
I think I may be starting to understand what this means. God’s blessings for my labor are mutual and profound. To see others grow in spirit and truth is the reason we teach. Their growth strengthens me to trust God and hope in the gospel. What a beautiful relationship God has blessed us to enjoy!
Following our session, I had many personal interactions with these people. We hugged and took pictures. They gave us thanks and begged us to come back. They shared how powerfully the message of the gospel touched their hearts and minds. They expressed their thanks to God and love for us. To capture the fullness of today is impossible. We enjoyed fellowship in body and spirit. I am excited for the future of this work because the Lord is raising up a generation that is committed and eager.
We determined to make these sessions a regular part of our work in Ethiopia. It is both effective and efficient. There are financial and logistical challenges to rent the space and arrange transportation for so many people, but I am confident it will work out.
We ended around lunch time and took some rest at the hotel for the afternoon. I had a chance to talk to Kelsey and the kids on FaceTime before they went to school. I miss them. My wife is capable, and we have a great support system, but I long to be back with them. They have sacrificed themselves to allow me this great opportunity to learn and grow. I pray God will help me serve them more perfectly when I return home.
This is the last night our countryside team will be together for a few days. Tomorrow, Zerihun and I will travel to Addis. I will meet up with Jordan Holland on Saturday and spend my remaining days in Addis with various groups. Ryan, Randy, Mesfin and Elias will head to Nazarit for a few days and then meet up with us in Addis to pick up Jordan. Teshale left to go home to Durame.
In some ways it feels like we’re just getting started. But as I reflect on our work, I also feel like we’ve crammed a lifetime into a week. Our time in the countryside and in the training sessions have opened many doors and initiated many relationships. But I am especially grateful for how this work has developed my relationships with my co-workers.
Ryan and I started this trip on our own with Mesfin due to Randy’s travel complications. It forced us to step up and learn to work well together. He is a godly man, father and servant who loves people. He is not a preacher, but he knows his bible. Ryan and I often joke that we only know each other in Ethiopia because we met here and have spent more time together here than anywhere else. I am confident in his ability and pray the Lord gives us many years together in this work.
Our translators were both wonderful and skilled. Teshale is a wise and honest man. He is centered in God’s word and convicted about his work. He treated us with respect while also guiding us as a spiritual father. He often gave me counsel about how to navigate things in this work. I look forward to more time with him in the future. Mesfin has been a key man in this work for quite some time, but now I know him intimately. He and I have a similar “fire” in our practice of faith, and he gave me confidence in my teaching. We shared many private moments together discussing our life and sharing our prayers for one another. My heart loves him deeply and I am grateful for his zeal and commitment to the work.
I am also grateful for Randy and Zerihun. Because of Randy’s late arrival I didn’t get to spend as much time with them as I would have liked. Even still they offered me much encouragement and insight in key moments.
We spent the evening at Abera’s house again. Mesfin’s parents were there, and we enjoyed a meal together. There was no agenda; just spending time together as family. They cooked us a meal we could all eat together: pasta, boiled eggs, beef tips, and avocados. I am happy and so is my stomach.
This was the first time I have to say goodbye to close friends before I leave. I haven’t said much about Abera but he has been around for most of this trip. He is the kind of guy that just enjoys being with people and has a laugh that is infectious. He is a delight to be around and loves us deeply. He walked us to the car, holding my hand all the way. Under normal circumstances this would be weird. But that’s just how he shows love. He bear-hugged me, kissed my neck and we left.
Tomorrow turns a page in this work as we will go separate ways. We will teach together one more time but not in the countryside. It is bittersweet. I am ready for the next part of this mission but hate to be separated from these good men. However, I have peace in my heart knowing we have done all we can, as best we can. Most importantly, I am confident that God will continue to work through our efforts in the coming days.
Comments