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!

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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.