Today is Christmas Day in Ethiopia. Like in the US, many businesses are closed, and people travel home to be with family. However, most of the churches meet together in the morning for a special program and to share a meal. With these things in mind, we planned an abbreviated program so those who walked far would have more time with family.
I was excited to go to Tita today. It is an hour and a half of winding up the mountain with great views. David Holder calls this the most beautiful place to preach in Ethiopia. Typically, they set up a tent in an open space overlooking the mountain. Unfortunately, they didn’t do that today. Since it was a holiday, the crowd was only the local church, so we met inside their building. I was disappointed by the venue change, but it made sense. However, we probably should have set up a tent outside. We packed nearly 150 people into the small church house.
The program was pretty “standard”, but I was greatly impressed by the faith of these people. They were both humble and reverent. When they prayed, the entire congregation got on their hands and knees, many with faces bowed to the earth. The songs were of their need for God and thankfulness for his mercy. When I commented on this later Mesfin replied, “Ethiopians are not afraid to get on the ground and get dirty to be humble before God.” I cannot judge the hearts of the people, but their expressions of humility were powerful and profound.
At the end, a request was made for us to pray on behalf of Demeka’s wife. Demeka is the local preacher and has been there many years. His wife became partially paralyzed due to complications from hypertension and struggles to function. This happened immediately after the sudden death of one of their children. Needless to say, this has been a difficult season for them and the church. As they discussed this with us there was a sense of desperation, but also hope. These people believe God is a Healer and he can do all things. They understand we cannot control things, but God can. As I sat before this woman and prayed, the congregation gathered around. I recognized in that moment what trust and humility look like. We did not hope that God will hear us; he did. We did not go through the motions and remain in fear; we positioned ourselves, in body and spirit, before our Maker and made our petition. We do not know what God will do, but we trust he is good.
Following lunch, Demeka presented me with a list of people who would like bibles. Typically, we just give them to the preacher to distribute. But these were young people who wanted bibles and they wanted us to present them. We went outside and he called their names. One by one they came and received their bibles from us. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen people so happy to receive a bible.
Our way home was uneventful, and we took rest for a bit at the hotel. That evening we went to the home of Abera Mishamo for Christmas dinner. He is Mesfin’s brother-in-law. Their traditional Christmas meal is kitful. Basically, kitful is raw meat. They hold chunks of it in their hand and cut it with a knife. Abera was very proud of the kitful, and even showed me a picture of the cow he had slaughtered. I did not eat the kitful, and neither did Ryan. We were both content to eat the eggs and pasta they served us.
After dinner, we had several hours of conversation about the gospel work in Ethiopia. It is interesting how they have the same concerns we do. How do we prepare the next generation to walk with Jesus? How do we maintain unity in the church when we don’t always agree? How do we bridge the gap between generations?
We had much discussion but took comfort in God’s grace. We discussed our limitations but ultimately brought ourselves back to the power of the gospel. It is not in us to produce results but to put our trust in God. We are messengers and servants. We share a message of hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Many things will draw people away; many issues may arise in the church; but if we are faithful stewards of the gospel, God will do his work through us. This is a message for any culture, any generation, any person of any time. The gospel unites us. As the Ethiopians have said, it is what has brought us together.
I am 8,000 miles from home, but the gospel has not changed. Jesus died to save sinners like you and me. That is a powerful message of hope and transformation. We can have life and purpose now and forever when we walk with him by faith. My friends, that is good news we all need to hear.
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