You Can Tell a Tree By it's Fruit

Saturday, February 26, 2011
Sorry this is a day late friends! I hope you make it to the end of my short novel :) - Allie

Today was the last day our group visited the Shone Community. It has been an eye opening experience thus far, but today was the day our hearts opened too.

When we arrived at the ADP office this morning, there were about 20 young adults hanging around outside. After an exchange of smiles and handshakes (mixed with some broken Amharic on our part), we found out that these kids were university students waiting for transportation to the college. When Samuel, the ADP manager, came out to greet us, he said that all of the kids were grown-up sponsored children. Translation... they're doing it! They are making something out of the opportunity that was given to them by their sponsors overseas. One of the boys spoke up and said that he had been sponsored since he was 14-years-old and that attending college was only possible because of World Vision.

We had the students go around the circle and tell us what they were majoring in. We heard majors from clinical nursing to human resources to agriculture to biology. The greatest joy was when we asked how many of them are Christ followers and every hand shot up. Amazing! More Kingdom workers!! GOD IS GOOD, and these kids would be the first to tell you so!

The big event on today's agenda, however, was to visit a local farmer. From the moment we entered the property, we knew something was different. Most of the land that we have seen (in all our driving!) has been barren... lots of open fields, a few trees, maybe some huts with precious kiddos running around... but open and bare. All of a sudden, we entered into a lush and fruitful garden. Truly the Eden of Ethiopia! I remember questioning, "Where are they getting the water? Is there a spring below?"

We were greeted with such warmth and hospitality (a reoccurring theme we have experienced each and every day that we have been here). Elias was his name, and can I just say, Old McDonald's got nothing on this farmer! He is one of the most charismatic men I have ever met... although he didn't speak a word of English, it didn't matter! We were hooked all the same because this man lives and breathes Jesus... and it is contagious! Through translation we learned about his life including his rough beginning, how he married his wife... and about his garden (please ask one of the team members more about his life as each story has a connection to Jesus, but for now, I'll focus on his farming).

Elias said that everything he knows is from the Bible, including how he learned to grow his garden. He says most farmers in the area are "Lazy Farmers". They don't prepare during the dry season so when the rain comes and they haven't received the gifts they're expecting... they are disappointed (which by the way, rain, is the only source of water for his plants). He keeps a space in his garden barren to teach the local farmers.
"But someone will say, 'You have faith; I have deeds.' Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do." - James 2:18 Elias is a "doer". He lives out his faith by preparing his fields during each dry season and waits in great faith as he knows God will provide, without question! And... He does.

Elias received two National Awards from Ethiopia in addition to many more awards from the Ministry of Agriculture. From all of these awards, he received a piece of land which he sold for 27,000 Birr ($1626 Dollars). With this money, he purchased 6 oxen and gave them to his fellow farmers who had none. He did this simply to show God's love for them.

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

- Matthew 6:19-21

Elias is eternally minded. He is "no fool [to] give what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose" (Jim Elliot). His treasure is in heaven and so is his heart.

To me, this is beauty. This is Jesus' heart expressed in Elias' life. "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven..." Elias is a kingdom worker.

Lets back up 15 hours or so to the night before during our group devotional time. I had just confessed that I was still waiting for something. I was waiting to connect my heart with someone.... a child, a mother, a father... anyone! We have learned so many wonderful things and have seen big movements, but have yet to have some one-on-one time to just get to know the heart of the people.

Now flash back to the farm and back to the tour of the garden. God answered my prayer and everyone on my team got to witness as a little boy sought me out. While we were all gathered around Elias, listening to his stories, this little boy (who looked to be around 6-years-old) walked up to me and held out his hand to offer an avocado. Imagine this sweet boy with perfect, smooth, chocolate skin, in tattered clothes wearing a Barbie sweatshirt, loving innocence radiating from his presence, stretching out his hand to offer me the very best gift he could give. It was at that moment a little boy broke through every barrier - language, cultural, age... - to bless me, to love me. By his action, God said, "I hear you, Allie."

This opened a door to have that heart-to-heart that I've been searching for. With the help of our friend and translator, Tamiru, I was able to find out that his name is Fetene, he is 8-years-old, has 6 siblings and they all live with his Mommy and Daddy. I then gave him a picture of my family. He gasped as if he was given gold! This was the first time I saw a smile. I pointed to each member of my family and explained who they were. We were connecting hearts!

When we finished the tour, we were invited to sit and have lunch at a table in the shade of a tree and enjoy fresh produce. I will never forget the look on Elias' face when he presented us with an extra large platter of fruit. He had the biggest smile which was pushed forward by his pride. Not an arrogant pride, but a healthy pride. A pride that boasts in the Lord. He was beaming as he gave us the very fruit that he grew. All his time, sweat, labor, faith... on a platter. How can I throw a respectable dinner party after that?

We feasted on avocados, exceptionally fat bananas, roasted barley, and coffee - organic of course! His family gathered around as we ate. It was then that I found that Fetene was Elias' son!

Before we left, we prayed for Elias and his family. This picture has also been branded on my heart. Here was a family who - in the eyes of most Americans - had nothing and at the same time, had everything. There he sat, next to his beautiful wife, surrounded by their 6 children, and received our prayer. The image of this family is picture perfect to me. The love that they share is evident as is their heart for Christ, lead by the man of the household. The youngest child was 2-years-old and he prayed quietly with the rest of us as he rested his sweet head on his mother's chest. This was a Christ centered family.

Before we left, I asked Tamiru if he would help me translate something I wanted to ask Elias. By that time, I had given a picture to each of his children by request (it's so strange to me still, but the children received the pictures as treasured gifts!). I wanted him to know that all of his children had pictures of my family. I asked him if he would ask his children to pray for my son, who just turned one. I asked if they would pray for his heart and that he would be a light that would shine for Christ, as he does for his family and anyone who meets him. Elias told me that his work is not just to tend to his crops, but to the hearts of people, and not just people there but people all over the world. Yes, they will pray for my son.

Mothers and fathers out there, you can imagine my heart at that moment. Having a family on the other side of the world support my child - in the name of Jesus!- was an indescribable feeling! Here was another connection of my heart (Jesus was all over my prayer request that day!). My son, Ethan, is my world, my heart, my treasure (in the healthiest way possible, not to undermine Jesus!). There is nothing more I desire than for my son/my children to not just survive their time on earth, but thrive! *Light bulb* My desire for my child is no different than the other mothers in this country. They want their children to thrive too! And the connections just keep on comin'... :)

Families who are reading this and who are sponsoring a child through World Vision, you are touching a family in ways you cannot imagine. Even though I am in the midst of it all right now, I still don't completely understand the extent of our blessing... but I got a piece of it today.

In a way, Elias' family is "sponsoring" my child in El Dorado Hills, CA through prayer. Ethan has prayer partners on the other side of the globe! Seriously?! It's beyond amazing.

It's funny. God's funny. Here I am, on my missions trip, to learn how I can help the poor and the needy. In visiting Elias' garden and his family I am reminded that he is rich, so rich in spirit. At the end of the day, I was the one asking... needing... his help.

Touched and Encouraged,
Allie
　
　
　
　
　
　

Ethiopia Stories from Pastor Brad

Saturday was our last day in Shone. This ADP (Area Development Project) is almost completed. World Vision will pull out in a couple more years. As we were getting ready to pull out for the night, I was stopped by one of the men on the ADP staff. He pulled me aside, and asked, "Would you pray for me with your cape?"

Now, I'm no super hero. Not even a minor hero. And I have no cape. So I questioned him. "You want me to pray for you with my cape?" I asked.

He said, "Yes, please pray for me and I want your cape." Then he pointed to my head. I was wearing my brand new Lakeside hat. He wanted me to pray for him, but he really wanted my "cap"!

So I prayed for him. Then I put my "cape" on his head. He was so happy. So was I. It's not exactly like giving the shirt off your back, but it was pretty fun. I hope my prayers for other people will make them as happy as that cap made this man. And I wish I had a cape!

*****

On Sunday our team drove to Abaya. This is the ADP where so many Lakesiders have sponsored children--200 of them. It is also where we are considering further investments in this group of people.

We received a brief overview of the needs in Abaya. Then it was time for church. We walked into the service after it had begun. (I was late for church; how did that happen?) Of course, everybody stared at us. We stick out a little. (Or maybe it was because we were late.) They seated us close to the front too.

The worship time was fantastic. Gabriel Wilson would have loved it. The people of the church are passionate followers (and worshipers) of Jesus. About 500 people gathered for this service. I was invited to give them a greeting, so all of you Lakesiders reading this blog, you were represented.

I have no idea what the pastor said. A lot of fire in that message, but that's all I could tell. I do know, however, that he referred to two scriptures. The first was Exodus 17 where the people of Israel were needing water. And God provided. The second scripture was Genesis 21. In this story Hagar and Ishmael had been sent out into the desert. They needed water. And God provided.

The irony of these stories might be clear to you. We came here to see if we might help bring clean water. Earlier this week we saw a water project that was just about ready to slake the thirst of 45,000 people. Today we heard a sermon on the power of God to provided blessings...through water. Hmmm.

A Day of Miracles

This is Pastor Brad writing in the Ethiopia blog today. Pour a cup of coffee and settle in for a little journey. We had an amazing day today.

First of all, about that coffee. Ethiopia has the best coffee I have ever tasted. I'm not much of a coffee drinker, but the macchiatos here? Whoa!

Today we drove to the Shone ADP (area development project). After 19 hours of flying on Tuesday and Wednesday, and five hours of driving on Thursday, we drove two hours to Shone today. We met with Samuel, the Director of the Shone ADP, to understand his role and the mission of the ADP. World Vision's mission is all about serving children with the love of Jesus in very practical ways. Samuel told us about projects to provide clean water and sanitation, health care and training, food production and security, education, and Christian commitment. It was a very helpful presentation, including some really funny misadventures in communication. (I can't write about these, but I'll tell you about them when we get back. If you ask. More than once. And buy me a macchiato.)

After lunch we drove to the water development project in Shone. Water is a major challenge for developing nations. I was reminded today how much I take for granted the basic gift of fresh, clean, safe and instant water. I have at least 15 sources of water in my house, not counting the case of bottled water in the garage. In Shone we watched as thousands of people (yes, thousands) trekked across country to find this precious, life-giving gift. They traveled on foot, on carts pulled by donkeys or horses (all of these animals also needed water), in tiny crowded buses, in three-wheeled taxis and on bicycles. They came from everywhere because everyone needs water, and nobody has it in their home.

We eventually made our way up to a spring in the hills. (Another 40-minute drive.) That's when we saw the first miracle today. (Actually the first miracle might have been that I got to take a warm shower in the hotel, right inside my own room. Amazing.) World Vision has capped a spring in Shone to provide water for the region. Before doing anything with the spring, though, they built a complex system of laundry and bathing facilities for the locals who would be affected by the capping of the spring. So these local people were cared for first.

Then World Vision's engineers and contractors built a new outlet for the spring a little ways downstream. At that location they built a pump station. They have run a pipeline up the mountain another seven kilometers where they also built a reservoir. (I asked if I could climb down into the still-empty reservoir. They said Yes. How cool was that?) Next week the electrician and engineer are installing the pump in the pump station and within a month water will be flowing up the hill, into the reservoir, out the dispersal pipes and through a network of pipelines taking fresh, clean, life-giving water to 45,000 people! That is 45,000 people who will no longer have to walk to a well. 45,000 people who know little girls who can go to school because they don't have to spend their day carrying water for the family. 45,000 people who may suddenly understand the implications of Jesus' words: I will give you living water. In one month, 45,000 people will believe in miracles. You might not think of it like that, but then, you've probably never lugged water to your house from a spigot half a mile away, three times a day every day your entire life. Yup: miracle!

After this water miracle, we drove to the site of the second miracle. One of World Vision's goals is to encourage the Christian commitment of the people with whom they work, or to bring people to a faith commitment to Jesus. Ethiopia is about 65% Christian. I believe it is about 19% Muslim. In one particular region of Shone there are six churches and eight mosques...and a whole lot of orphans. AIDS is not the epidemic in this part of Ethiopia that it is in some parts of Africa, but it is still a problem. Just ask these kids who have lost Mom or Dad.

Well, in the region of Shone with the mix of mosques and churches, a local Muslim imam and a pastor of one of the churches are friends. They grew up together. They like each other and trust each other. And they began to talk about the problem of these orphans. Who was going to care for them? When someone "appropriated" their family land, who would stand up for them? The pastor and the imam decided they would. They approached World Vision to ask for help. Then they brought together their colleagues from the mosques and the churches to explain the problem and the solution. Together these people are caring for over 200 orphans in peace and harmony. (We can't even get Presbyterians and Baptists to agree on an agenda. These were Christians and Muslims!)

We sat in the community building of these neighbors today and listened as the imam told, without rancor or apology, of the compassionate work of these unlikely teammates. Then one of the Christian pastors told, with grace and truth, of the partnership between them that was making the life of these orphans bearable. We watched and cried as these men (it was not even the women, but the men) told their story of the loving, giving nature of God. In the end they let me pray for them. That was one of the most holy moments I have ever experienced.

Now, some people may say Christians and Muslims should not be joining together for such purposes. After all, we don't believe the same things. And that's true, we don't. But Jesus taught at least two things that were miraculously evident in Shone today: love your neighbor and love these little children. I saw it happen. It was a miracle.

First day

We arrived in Ethiopia Wednesday night, went to be and then had an amazing first day. We spent the morning at the nation headquarters for World Vision in the capital city of Addia Ababs.

We had the privilege of being briefed in three areas of World Vision ministries.

Sponsored Children: WV has 231,000 children sponsored in Ethiopia alone. Every one of these children live in what's called an Area Development Project (ADP). This is basically a 50 square mile radios where WV works with the community in the areas of water, health and sanitation, food and agriculture, education, and eceonimc development. There are 65 ADPs in Ethiopia with 1,300 national staff. We are going to visit the Shone ADP tomorrow.

WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene). Over one-half of childhood deaths csn be prevented in children had access to clean, reliable drinking water. WV staff spent some time with us discussing some if the exciting projects they have completed and the ones they are still working on. We will visit a water project tomorrow.

Christian Committment: WV is a solidly Christian organization and has a process to ensure that every staff member is being spiritually fed and experiencing growth. A leader in this division of WV spent some time explaining this process and it was encouraging to see the high priority placed in this area.

After our meeting at the headquarters, we drove about five hours to s town called Hawasa, where we had dinner and devotions.

We are excited to see how God will work through us this upcoming week.

Scott

Tuesday!

Today we had our commissioning at the "Ten" at church. It's hard to believe we are leaving in 2 days! wow! I'm not sure about the rest of the group, but I have started my malaria meds today. I'm sure the others have as well. We are allowed 1 bag and I have been wrestling with trying not to overload it. :) Some have decided to bless Seifu and will carry books in another bag to Ethiopia for his village. About 3 years ago my class gathered about 1,500 books for Seifu's village of Archebar. We are still trying to get all the books there!...little by little!

Please pray for us as we prepare to leave. Pray that we will make wise decisions and discern what the Holy Spirit has to tell us. And, of course, pray for safety in travels. (If you know me, you know I am terrified of flying.)

We hope to take turns updating the blog while there.

Pam