When we say 'pioneering Ethiopia' we do so because that is exactly what took place. We arrived in Ethiopia with nowhere to go, nowhere to specifically serve and nowhere to sleep. After being chased out by airport security we recall sitting outside in the parking lot weighing our options. We could either set up camp across the airport in a field or risk our low budget by sleeping at a hostel in expensive Addis Ababa.
We went with the latter option. So we found ourselves praying and seeking the Lord that we would do His will and that He would make a way for us. The very next day Marié, our Cappie felt led to contact a lead she had. As God would have it, this lead was coincidentally landing in Addis that day and could meet us. It turned out to be a Pastor overseeing all Lutheran churches in Ethiopia - he had something for us to do.
Full of excitement and thankfulness we boarded a bus in the early hours of the morning to Harar. We stayed over in Harar for two nights until we heard from the Pastor that we could move on to Dire Dawa.
It was late afternoon when we got on a typical African taxi that would take us all the way to Dire Dawa. Children carrying leaves used as drugs greeted us along the way, waving and smiling. The beautiful Ethiopian landscape came to life as we made our way through it.
Dire Dawa is the second largest city in Ethiopia. Our host Adonite greeted us once we arrived at the church compound and welcomed us saying we are family. It was here that we ministered in churches, sharing testimonies and short messages. We worshipped along with the Ethiopian body of Christ, ate with them and grew to love them. Children's ministry also became a big part of our time there.
Unfortunately, we were also faced with many challenges there as group members got sick, infected or bitten by mysterious elements as well as attacked by countless mosquitos impossible to guard off.
We endeavored to complete two projects there. The first, a building project entailing that we level the foundation of a church being built. This included carrying around rocks (both large and small) and sand. In the end this project did reach completion. We had the privilege of attending a conference where this foundation was used as a stage overlooking the audience. We were surprised to see it completed so quickly and knew that it was the Ethiopian team of builders who moved so fast. For us it was merely a privilege to be a part of it.
The second project was 'Project Sedat' - in Ahmaric meaning to clean. Stian had this initiative to clean and tidy up the compound where we were living at. Weeds and unkept gardens had crept out giving the compound a disfigured face. To inspire the youth to throw their trash away and to learn some basic gardening skills we invited them. To our surprise they showed up! And a lot of them too. That day we worked hard, pulling out weeds, trimming plants and trees and picking up trash. We are happy to say that afterwards the compound had a new, fresh feel to it - a friendly face that greeted all who entered. Our work was not finished yet. Sponsorships from South Africa made it possible to donate gardening tools and trash cans to the compound to help them in the lifestyle of keeping things clean. We painted encouraging words and inspiring phrases on them for motivation.
With thankful and satisfied hearts we left Dire Dawa. We ended up in Awassa after Dire Dawa through another lead God had miraculously led us to.
In Awassa we had lots of time for introspection and deep conversations, our host only requiring of us to give classes at the local school in the compound and 'spiritual activities' as it was referred to over weekends. So we did a Sunday school program, sang songs in church and Lelani delivered the message in church. This message was translated twice. The service was a mixture between Ethiopian worship and South African flavour. It was beautiful.
Ethiopia was left with a bumpy ride over dirt roads in an overcrowded bus. And just like a scene from a classic movie we walked across the borders from one country to the next.
This concludes our actions in Ethiopia. A truly remarkable nation with a deep need for God and a joy that overflows in the midst of poverty.