In Which a Witch Doctor Goes to Church

“Today we took Gopeeleo to church for the first time.

He arrived before the sun was up and was waiting at our gate dressed in his new clothes. I had told our guard to let him in when he arrived, and there he stood with a big smile on his face.

We still had an hour before we were to leave, so we invited him to have breakfast with us. I don’t think that he’s ever been in a firengee’s house before (“firengee” means white foreigner, which is what all white people are called whether you’ve been in Ethiopia five days or 50 years). His eyes were wide with wonder as he glanced about our house and watched me cook (I realize it is a great wonder to see me cook…Ha!)  When we ate he had a hard time navigating the fork (people eat with their hands here), so Mark and I put our forks down and ate our eggs and toast with our hands.

Then a beggar woman came to walk with us to church. One of our neighbors had taken her in, and had brought her to us for help. She only believes in the power of Mary, but we’ve already had some good talks about Jesus. So here she comes with no shoes, dressed in rags with a huge goiter (from lack of iodine) on her neck, and next to her stands our former witchdoctor in his new clothes! We must have been quite a sight walking down the road.

Gopeeleo was struggling bravely to walk in his new shoes (he kept insisting that they fit fine, but they’re really a couple of sizes too big). He was having such a hard time walking that Mark finally ran back to get our motorcycle and give him a ride to church. 

So Mark and Gopeeleo got there a little earlier than the rest of us, and Mark said that the people were singing when they arrived. Gopeeleo just joined right in, raising his hands in worship and praising his new Lord and Savior.

At the end of the service Gopeeleo went up to the front of the church to testify of his salvation (Mark and I went up with him), and the people began rejoicing with us! As the oldest of the elders slowly walked forward to pray for him, the whole congregation got on their faces to pray. The elder took his shoes off and prayed half an hour for Gopeeleo, and then he tenderly held Gopeeleo in his arms and thanked God for his salvation.

I sat in stillness awe watching these two men who were once opposing forces, but now have become brothers in Christ.  Many people came up and hugged Gopeeleo, and I know he was touched by the acceptance and love of all the people that day.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for your prayers. This journey in Ethiopia is arduous, exciting, exhausting, joyous, frightening and hopeful—all at the same time. I’m praising God with you…and for you.

Sidney”

Dear friends, please keep Mark and Sidney and the person-to-person ministry God has called them into in your prayers. They are on the front lines against the strongholds of darkness that have long held the remote parts of Africa enchained. 

Also, as read the changes in Gopeeleo’s life, we can learn some universal truths sharing the love and good news of Jesus.

1. We can make Christ available. Offer his hope to those WE are in contact with and let them decide. 

So often we keep our mouths shut tight and don’t even make an offer of this good hope we have in Jesus.

2. Be generous.

Mark and Sidney have generously reclothed this witch doctor, they have given their time and money to walk him through the doorway into victory. They share meals and the good food of the word of God.

3.Be flexible.

We like it when the Holy Spirit moves in our time-frame, but this doesn’t always happen! God knows who he is going to bring and when he’s going to bring them to our doorstep or in our path. Be willing to trust that God knows who is responding to the Holy Spirit’s leading. We can “put down our forks” and we can let the unexpected visitor come along. It’s a privilege to participate.

4. Be willing to step out.

Mark and Sidney began this journey several years ago when they volunteered for a short time at the Soddo Christian hospital. They took a step in faith to serve. Then they came home and waited. They are in Soddo now because they walked in faith, then waited for leading and walked in faith again.

We can pause and pray for the Launders. We can also pray that we might be listening, too for God’s call in our own lives.

Where is God calling you today?

A Light on The Hill {A letter from Sidney}

Please thank EVERYONE who is praying for us. Your prayers are more vital than ever to us here in Ethiopia. I must say that it has felt a bit grim these past couple of days.  We were able to fill up our water tanks using donkeys carrying water from the river (they strap 4 old plastic cooking oil jugs on the donkey’s backs and haul them to our house). We are not sure how long we can depend on this source as everyone is trying to get donkey water. Of course, the price went sky high. We were on an absolute ration of water, not taking showers or even flushing the toilet but once a day. 

 But PRAISE GOD the government brought in an emergency generator for the two hospitals in town as one had to close their doors. The Soddo Christian Hospital remained open as they have a huge generator and two good wells. The only problem is that the fuel to run the generators is very difficult to get and very expensive. 

As soon as the fire stopped we sent our guy down to get petrol for our generator. So we are limiting the use of our generator, using it just enough so the fridge doesn’t get warm. But yesterday with this emergency generator coming they are only giving power to the hospitals and we happen to be on the same line….so PRAISE GOD we got some power for a few hours yesterday which also allowed us to get some water.

 I cannot tell you how what a blessing that was. Everyone hollering with praise and tears. I just dropped to my knees, weeping and thanking God for His goodness to us. This is a temporary fix, so PLEASE KEEP PRAYING that the government thinks the power plant is important enough to fix in a timely fashion. It’s Africa…so one never knows what will happen.

I feel like I’ve been on the front lines for a long time, and everyday has such major demands. I have people at my gate daily asking for help. I feel spent and keep pressing on, but sometimes I’m just worn out. Please pray for my stamina. I love it here and am witnessing GOD doing amazing things, but it’s a hard life. 

We showed the Jesus Film last night under the broken power poles on top of the hill in front of our house. We were the only light on the hill (using our generator), sharing with the Ethiopians that Jesus is REAL LIGHT OF THE WORLD.

Hundreds came, and you should have heard the cries of the people as they watched Jesus being crucified. They wailed beating their chests…their crying went on for at least 15 minutes. But the cheers at His resurrection were so loud and joyful. Many are giving their hearts to the Lord weekly as we show a Jesus film every Friday night.

We sing  ”YES….JESUS LOVES ME…..YES JESUS LOVES ME ….YES JESUS LOVES ME, THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO”  each time before we start the movie. I am so blessed as I hear the kids across the way singing it to themselves throughout the week, and when they’re playing together I hear them singing it over and over. 

 Since we have been showing the films more and more people come to our gate…the lame…the blind…the sick and the dying. The needs are endless. 

Love and thanks,

Sidney Launder

Fall 2011Trip — A Witch Doctor, A Drunk and A Bar Owner

In Soddo with Mark & Sidney Launder

(Tuesday 11/1)

by Team Member Rachel Archer

Anticipation swells as the van climbs the side of the mountain.  We wonder if it will make it.  Children shout to us as they chase.  As we round the bend, coarse mud huts contrast with beautiful foliage.  People in tattered clothing, some shoeless, wave at us “feringies” their word for foreigner.

Slowly we approach a gate.  A little, almost totally toothless man raises both his arms and looks toward heaven.  He seems to be crying out “Hallelujah!”  His joy warms my heart.

The gates open to a different scene.  Peace and order dwell behind these gates; the Holy Spirit is certainly here.  Finally, we have arrived at Mark and Sidney Launder’s home. The Launder’s are missionaries here with NCF. They moved to Soddo, Ethiopia in the Wolaita region last year. Nearly four million people live in the region about 125,000 live in the city, and this little haven of hope shines like a light in darkness. Smiles and welcoming embraces greet us.  I look around me.  Beds planned for vegetables, fruit trees, and sweet potato plants showcase practicality while wind chimes, a fire pit and little dik-diks (tiny deer-like animals) foraging in the yard add beauty, warmth and unique homey feel.  

After a few moments, we gather in the living room to hear Sidney’s stories of God’s work.  She tells of their nearest neighbor, a drunken blacksmith named Yeselamso, who beats his wife and child when he’s been to Liquor Mama’s bar.  Sidney was able to tell him of the unfathomable peace of God and that he could trade his unrest for it.  He believed on Jesus’ name and his countenance changed and now a man called “Danger-man” is renamed “Peace-man” —for he is a new creation.  Alcohol has a stronghold here. His blacksmith hammer is heavy and sometimes the pain in his back is too much to bear.  Peace-man goes back to his drink. Somehow LiquorMama doesn’t mind when Sidney comes and drags Peace-man from her bar. He repents and has found a church home where he can be discipled and grow. 

Liquor Mama isn’t ready yet for Jesus to be her Lord and her husband is hard-hearted, but her step-daughter ready to know Jesus! Liquor Mama is a king pin in this town. God has a plan for her life.  Although she is resistant to a personal relationship with Jesus, Sidney has developed a relationship with her and the family. Liquor Mama has allowed The Jesus film at her bar to a packed house. Already He has used her and her bar to change people’s lives through the Jesus film.  Imagine if SHE chooses Jesus…

The local witch doctor, Gopelio, is another influencer. Sidney is focusing on his wife’s sever goiter condition (more common in developing nations caused from a lack of iodine) and has arranged for her surgery.  Gopelio recently reported frustration because he feels he is “losing his power.”  Sidney has prayed God’s love around this man’s house. Someday soon, perhaps he’ll know the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. 

She tells us stories of bandaging wounds, cleaning worms from children’s feet and embracing bug-infested people.  Mark and Sidney live and rub shoulders every day with their neighbors. Their work requires patience and prayer and persistence.

Sidney asks if we want to walk around the neighborhood. I can’t wait for our walk.  I hope I can embrace these people too and that they can feel God’s love through me.  My heart is about to burst as we start our walk.  Sidney introduces the groundskeeper of the property outside the gate—the old joyful man.  As I get a closer look at him, I notice his shoes are about 5 sizes too big and his clothes are dirty and torn.  I shake his hand, bump shoulders and embrace him.  He is so tiny and so strong.  Sidney tells us he is a Christian and that he sings all the time.    

On our way to his home, we meet (Yeselamso) Peace-man’s two mamas.  They are so old and frail. Yeselamso leads us to a hut made of sticks and a thatched roof.  Inside the smoky room, a farmer sits and waits while his tool is heated and pounded into the correct shape.  We squeeze in to watch the blacksmith’s skill.  Dana Cowger, from our team, takes a turn at the bellows.  We all laugh at his lack of skill.  I hold the 10-pound hammer comprehending how hard this work is.  No wonder his back hurts incessantly.

Many children follow us down the red clay dirt path carrying schoolbooks. Intricate braids adorn the girl’s hair. I wish I could converse.


Sharon Abebe, one of the CHE trainers is with us. She shows me some different plants. Eucalyptus abounds here.  Originally imported from Australia, the fast growing hard wood makes it a great resource here.  She pulls another leaf from a tree.  The leaves are used to clean the pots before alcohol is made.  The fragrance is amazing!

We gather together again and Mark shows us the possible sites of future projects.  Cows graze nearby.  Two goat kids capture our attention as they forage on the land we pray over.  

My heart is full! 

Mark & Sidney Launder

(Tuesday 11/1)

By Team Member Kristi Burns

A few years ago, Mark and Sidney spent a few months serving at the Soddo Christian hospital. God planted seeds of love in their hearts for the people of Soddo. Their time was complete, however, and they returned home to Idaho and waited for the day they could return. Sidney Launder had a dream. We know throughout the Bible that God spoke to his people through dreams. Today, God is the same God of the Old and New Testament and sometimes chooses to direct us through dreams.  In the dream, she was told to go back to Soddo and the Lord spoke to her of laying a foundation for a home. Another dream was about a food line.  Today, God has built her home overlooking Soddo and he has engaged her in a ministry of bringing Jesus to the poorest of the poor in Soddo.

Once the Launders were in their home, God opened up countless ministry opportunities for Sidney and Mark.  God pointed out three key people in Sidney’s neighborhood, a drunk, a witch doctor and a women business owner - a key person in the community because she runs the local bar.  Through the ministry of building relationships with these people, the drunk came to Jesus; a Christian woman is now living with the witch doctor and the owner of the bar agreed to show the Jesus Film in her bar!  Jesus came to minister to the poor and the sinful.  Mark and Sidney Launder came to Soddo, Ethiopia to do Jesus’ work, and he’s led them to the same kind of people that Jesus loved.

The bar owner, “Liquor Mama,” as Sidney calls her, loves Sidney and is open to her love.  Sidney dances with her and hugs her and has told her that she believes that in three months God will send her a new business.  Today our group gathered in ‘Liquor Mammas” establishment and prayed that she would come to Jesus and that God would bring her a new business.  It was a powerful time of prayer for all of us.  You could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit!  “Liquor Mama” is coming to Jesus - you can already see her heart changing.

Sidney and Mark are helping the poorest of the poor build new huts.  It costs about $600 to build a hut.  The Launders don’t give the people money, but they help with medical assistance and clothes. When the neighbors see the Launders caring for them, it begins to change hearts.

They also have a vision for trash clean-up in the city of 125,000 people and no sanitation systems.  Sidney says they have gone in and cleaned up areas and the neighbors are astounded.  This opens the door to spreading the Gospel.

Mark Launder took us to the property recently acquired by the Mossy Foot Foundation. It is next to the Launder’s home site.  Now, New Covenant Foundation is pursuing the acquisition of a third parcel of land where they have a vision for guest housing for short and long term teams.  This could be the property for the well that is needed and the future Mittin plant that will be built by New Covenant Foundation.

Join us in prayer for the completion of the business plan for the Mittin factory, the smooth acquisition of the property, and a clear vision for the guest housing. 

Please pray for opportunities to show the Jesus film to larger audiences. There is a central marketplace that could hold thousands of people. Arrangements for generators and projectors need to be made and the costs for projectors range from $1000-7000. The Jesus film has proven to be tremendously effective and there are Christians from India who help with following up with new believers. 

Our God can do anything.  We are simply to be still and know that He is God and that He will whisper his directions to the right person at the right time.