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?

When a Witch Doctor Meets Jesus

Mark and Sidney Launder are living and ministering in a poor neighborhood in Soddo Ethiopia. This story, shared by Sidney displays the personal God who loves us all and graciously transforms us.

The story of Gopeeleo is one of magnificent change and a stunning picture of what it means to be a new creation in Jesus Christ.

It was 10 years ago that Gopeeleo came to this same compound where Mark and I now live. He came with a two-foot machete in his hand, walked up to our pastor friend, Tesfi, and said, “Why did you bring Jesus to this place? I keep hearing Jesus in my ears—I am going to kill you!”

The night before Gopeeleo’s visit, Tesfi had been praying and asking God to touch the people on this hill—Tesfi lived here for seven years amongst the thieves and drunks. Although Gopeeeleo had once lived in town, he moved out here to Otonna to get away from some evangelists that had moved into his old neighborhood. Ha! I smiled as he recounted the last time he stood on this same ground, despising even the Name of Jesus.

Now that same angry man is a believer, and he’s laid his machete down.

Gopeeleo arrived at our home with the sunrise. 6:30 a.m.

His eyes grew big as he came into our garden to be greeted by our dikdik, Tazo (smallest member of the antelope family). Gopeeleo stared in amazement and couldn’t believe Tazo was so friendly (dikdiks are usually eaten by Ethiopians whenever they can catch them).  I told him Tazo was our dog, which made him smile. Tesfi, the praying pastor, was also with us as we sat down to talk about Gopeeleo’s new life in Christ. 

Gopeeleo was so anxious to tell us how different he feels, evidenced by his sparkling eyes and the peace we now felt in his presence. We prayed over him as he stretched out his hands, sang songs to God and proclaimed his love for Jesus. 

He is going to church with us tomorrow, and told us he wants to be clean physically as well as spiritually. He had already cut off his long grey dreadlocks (symbolic of his old craft) and asked for a razor to shave off his beard. Then Tesfi and I cut off his leather necklace (which was a symbol of worship to Mary). When he took off his purple turban (symbolic witchdoctor hat), Mark gave him the wool cap he wore on his climb to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro. Gopeeleo was delighted to have this. 

These gestures were all physical aspects of repentance for him. He no longer wanted to be known by his old clothes or appearance. So later that day, Tesfi and I went to the open air market and bought him two pairs of pants, two shirts, a coat, some socks and shoes. His face lit up when he tried on his new clothes! He said “I feel like I have had a new birth…much better than the first one! Bravo! Bravo!”  He is so excited about going to church with us tomorrow.

This is a new beginning for him in every way. As of today, he is done with selling tobacco, alcohol and “traditional medicine” (witchcraft) as well. He told us he does not want to make God angry, because God might pick him up and throw him across a field. I cringed inwardly, as I knew this had happened to him before when he was serving demonic spirits. It will take time for Gopeeleo to learn the love and gentleness of the one true God. This will all be a process. 

Now he is wondering how he will provide for his family. He accepted Christ knowing that he would have no means to take care of them for awhile, but Mark and I have a couple of ideas for new work. If we can purchase a few donkeys for him, he can haul water (which is at a premium right now). It costs about $80 to a $100 per donkey.

Pray and ask the Lord if you would want to help him in this way. The day he gave his heart to Jesus, he told us how the demons were angry at him and killed his only donkey. His journey towards God has been full of intense spiritual battles.

The neighbors have been finding out that Gopeeleo has given his heart to Christ, and they are rejoicing! Some fall to the ground in thanksgiving. It is amazing to watch their responses. We will write you again soon and share about his first time at church.

Well dear friends, I cannot thank you enough for all your prayers God is FAITHFUL!  

Amen and Amen.

Lovingly,

Mark & Sidney Launder

Praying For Power in Soddo … And Using Generators to Share Jesus

{This letter came from a friend of ours who supports our ministry partners in Ethiopia, Mark & Sidney Launder. They come from up here in the the Northwest, but they’ve recently relocated to Soddo to live with and reach with Jesus’ love the needy and oppressed in their community. Soddo’s main power plant underwent an explosion and destructive fire this week. Here’s what Sidney has to share.}


   One of the things that Sidney & Mark Launder are involved with is witnessing to the local Ethiopian people through their “Jesus Film Ministry”.  They have acquired a projection system that can be run off of power from their home, and on Friday nights the past few weeks have been showing Campus Crusade’s Jesus Film (translated into Amharic) to all comers.  They hang a white sheet in a tree by their home to project the film onto and invite the neighbors - last Friday they had over 150 in attendance.  Sidney is working with local pastors who issue an “altar call” after showing the film - last week 20 people gave their lives to Jesus. 

The entire area continues to be blacked out by the destruction of the Soddo power plant.  Only those who have access to a generator (such as the Soddo Christian Hospital) are able to have any light at night.  The Launders have a small generator, big enough to run a few lights and a couple small appliances, but as fuel sources are extremely tight they are limiting its use to a few hours a day.  There also is a critical water shortage throughout the whole area as there is no power to run the pumps that move the water through the local water system. 

 Here’s an excerpt from an email Sidney sent me last night:

“I am not sure how long we will be able to stay here, until they get this fixed. We did Donkey water yesterday and they are saying that the source is drying up. We have 2 full tanks. Which in normal use is just 3 to 4 days worth at best. …Rationing I don’t know. People are really sad about this. I went down to the power plant with Gold and I preached for a while to the people about bending their knees to God and repenting and having a relationship with him, as there are many people there staring at the charred remains. We will be the only light on the Ottano hill tonight as we will be using our precious fuel to show the Jesus Film right under the power lines….how about that…Showing them the real Light of the World. Pray.”

(“Donkey Water” is water hauled from a local polluted river or town water taps in jugs on the back of donkeys and as demand increases, so does the price). 

PLEASE CONTINUE YOUR PRAYERS -

 Pray for:

 - Many to come to know Jesus as Lord in the midst of this severe trial.

- The showing of the Jesus Film to bring many into relationship with Christ.  Sidney is showing the film on Friday night, which is 8AM-10AM Friday morning (today) in Spokane.

- Wisdom for Sidney, Josh & Lindsey Roe and other local missionaries as to how best minister to the people

- Protection and Provision for basic needs (water/fuel/food) for the Launders and Roes, and for all the Ethiopia people affected by this disaster.

And remember, we know a God more powerful than disaster, more illuminating than electricity. Remember to pray for his Spirit to woo the souls of the lost in Ethiopia and that they might respond to the God of all Power who died to save them and lives to make them free.

Isaiah 51:15-16

For I am the LORD your God,

who stirs up the sea, causing its waves to roar.

My name is the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.

And I have put my words in your mouth

and hidden you safely in my hand.

I stretched out the sky like a canopy

and laid the foundations of the earth.

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.

Water in Soddo…Tears of Joy and Sorrow

Please click the link to the Bowers’ blog to read the full text:

http://thebowersinafrica.wordpress.com
The pipes have water in them today! This is the 2nd day that Soddo Orphans has water after moving in 11 weeks ago!! We all rejoice - we allow the children to just wash and play a little bit before lunch! They love every drop and I delight in the joy of the few extra drops that bring such tremendous fun! We fill every possible hollow container - unsure when the next water would be available!
The pipes have water in them today! This is the 2nd day that Soddo Orphans has water after moving in 11 weeks ago!! We all rejoice – we allow the children to just wash and play a little bit before lunch! They love every drop and I delight in the joy of the few extra drops that bring such tremendous fun! We fill every possible hollow container – unsure when the next water would be available!

Our malnourished little one receives a good wash before she is taken to the hospital - but she did not enjoy the touch - her body is aching - she simply tolerated the moment - the staff stands strong and encourages her, plays and love on her..... but inside, we are all weeping......
Our malnourished little one receives a good wash before she is taken to the hospital – but she did not enjoy the touch – her body is aching – she simply tolerated the moment – the staff stands strong and encourages her, plays and love on her….. but inside, we are all weeping……

Source: thebowersinafrica.wordpress.com

A Taste of Life in Soddo

-Kristi Burns

Friends,

Staying with the Bowers is very eye-opening.  Life in Ethiopia is filled with challenge.  There is still no rain and water supplies are drying up everywhere.  We finally have water coming into the orphanage again by donkey.  Thank you Lord!  Last night I worshiped at the Bower’s home with the missionaries working at Soddo Christian Hospital.  They sing praise songs and then have been following the sermons of David Platt who wrote the book Radical.  He has been preaching on Galations.  Last night was on chapter 5 and 6 and very good.  Life here is hard. The Bowers also have a friend, who is a surgeon.  He and another surgeon took out a four foot stick that was lodged in a 7 year old boy’s leg last night.  He will be okay but it was a gruesome surgery. 

The big crisis right now is the orphanage.  Last night eight of the older children who we believed were ready for court dates and adoption, were sent back to Soddo because certain paperwork could not be provided that the international courts now require.  They will probably be here for 2 months.  Since they departed from Soddo to Addis the orphanage has filled up with more babies and toddlers so it is at capacity and now…..8 more children.  We don’t have even mattresses for them to sleep on.  Today, Stephne will hold a staff meeting.  She tries very hard to have the Ethiopians who are employed at the orphanage serve as the problem solvers….but it is hard, very hard.  The Ethiopian culture is not geared toward problem solving.  So pray for mattresses.  Please pray for paperwork necessary to get the children back to Addis to come together and overall pray for the crisis in Ethiopian adoptions right now.  The head of Christian World Adoption is trying to work with the state department who will in turn work with the Ethiopian government.  Thousands of children and their future parents are currently in limbo until the Ethiopian Federal government completes a country wide inspection of all orphanages….and that is just one of the problems.  The orphanage in Soddo under CCC is a model orphanage but they still have to go through inspection.

On another note, life here is hard.  You can feel the heaviness of spiritual warfare.  Sidney Launder is getting over malaria (she and her husband Mark are the people overseeing the building project for Wolaitta Village) and two days ago, Sidney scalded her foot.  They are having huge water problems at their house and need a well that will likely cost $35,000 because they are on a hill.  I have been helping them think through their fundraising needs.  I’ve also been able to help the Bowers sort through who will assist them in raising the needed support for the Wolaitta Village Managers home and for the completion of the entire Wolaitta Village project. 

I took a tuk-tuk (like a taxi) by myself from the Bowers to the Launders two days ago and walked up a huge hill to their home for a visit and dinner and then I took the tuk-tuk home again in the dark back to the Soddo Christian Hospital grounds.  You simply have to trust God for all things here.  The driver was a Christian who spoke some English.  So please keep praying.  I am not joining the rest of the group at Sabana Lodge.  I will be returning to Addis on Wednesday.  We fly home on Thursday.  Pray for wisdom.  I am helping with daily life; homeschooling for Carmen Bower; fundraising for multiple families and projects; spiritual encouragement and help at the orphanage…….there is simply so much to do.

KB

NCF Trip Update

Friends and family,

This will go down as the trip with tons of technology challenges. Mike Stemm’s computer has not been working. The team has left for Dilla and I am in Soddo at the Bowers helping them with fundraising; helping their daughter with homeschooling; washing dishes…well just a little of everything. Please pray for the health of our team. Mike was quite sick yesterday but seems to have rallied today. Everyone else was holding up well.  We still need water in Soddo.  Yesterday we were here for a baby rescue for the orphanage which was nice. We have enjoyed time with our Ethiopian friends, Melaku, Sharon, Gebe, Zillie, Boozie (not sure how to spell his name…he’s our driver). We can feel the prayers. Below are the updates written by team members.

-Kristi Burns

February 22, 2011  |  CCC Orphanage Recap  |  Carrie Cole

This afternoon we visited the Children’s Cross Connection (CCC) orphanage. Ato Hanok gave up his successful business to start this orphanage. These are children that are mostly school aged and are not adoptable. The children are placed in family groups. The staff parent is to be involved in each child’s life. The older children also mentor the younger children to create a family atmosphere. Each of the kids also help with cooking, cleaning and other jobs to learn life skills for when it is their time to move out. The children are supported by people like us from the time they come in until they are through with university or a transitional home where they learn to live and work in the community. This allows them to have the education and training to be productive citizens in their home in Ethiopia.

What’s Happening With MItten  |  Vickie Stemm

The mitten production has moved outdoors in the side yard of Bowers’ home on the Soddo Christian Hospital (SCH) compound. The move was necessitated by the relocation of the CWA orphanage to a temporary smaller facility. The situation is cramped and far less than desirable. The product  is so coveted by the caretakers at the 4 orphanages and the hospital staff that the production must go on! Mittin is the nutritional supplement developed her to help improve the health of children in care of the orphanage. It is a combination of 11 regional grains which are washed, dried and hand ground here in the yard. This coarsely ground product is then taken to a mill to be made into a fine powder, which can be mixed with water for the children to drink as a nutritional supplement. Being outdoors in this cramped space is not a great situation. This time of year is hot, and that adds stress for the disabled Ethiopians who do the work… The rainy season is coming in July –September. It will be very difficult to get the grains dried. This is just one of the needs that will be met by the building of the Wolaitta Village project. Every one of the workers here is excitedly awaiting its building and completion.

February 23, 2011  |  Wolaitta Village Site Visit, Soddo, Ethiopia  |  Kevin Cole

Gorgeous is the way to describe the property for the Wolaitta Village project. Set on a west facing hillside overlooking the city of Soddo the site is the future home of the CWA orphanage. The multi-building complex, designed via a collaborative effort coordinated by the University of Arizona School of Architecture will provide a secure and welcoming place for the children that CWA cares for. The children are currently housed in a crowded temporary urban facility in the city and consequently the need for the complex to be constructed is urgent. While much has been accomplished there is much work to be done. Many people continue to devoted their time and talents to His service working towards the vision of the Wolaitta Village project.

11-09-10

-Angela Barnes


I genuinely liked Stephne Bowers the moment I met her.  How could you not.  She is a beautiful mix of God-given strength and tenacity with deep tenderness and compassion.  As we walked the grounds of CWA, I could see her likeness in the facility itself.  CWA is a refuge - with walls strong enough to protect the precious lives it holds inside.  CWA is also tenacious enough to advocated for and work toward creative and lasting solutions for the children in represents.  The marked impression through is one of love - love that is compassionate, love that is long-suffering, and a love that endures with these children.  The blessings of this love given by Stephne and the rest of her staff can be seen in one special little girl that I had the great joy of cuddling for one hour of our visit.   She is three months old and born prematurely to a mother who died during childbirth.  She was brought to Stephne only a few hours old.  She loved and nurtured here, kangarooing her for weeks until she gained her strength.  Stephne describes kangarooing as keeping the baby in your shirt, skin on skin, most of the time.  In this, they feel secure and attached.  The blessed evidence of this is obvious when you interact with her now.  She is not only healthy and strong physically, but bright and alert emotionally as well.  As a mother of three children myself, I can see in this sweet girl, a well adjusted and happy soul.  She truly astounded me!  She is so engaging and alert.  As she would make eye contact with me she would give me a full-body smile.  Her eyes and face light up, she coos and gurgles trying to communicate, and her whole body wiggles.  Not once, but the entire hour I held her!  Looking into her beautiful brown eyes, I see God’s hand upon her.  She is able to love so easily because she was loved so well first.  Her mother gave the first gift, life.  Stephne gave her the second gift, love.  Because of this love and nurturing, her heart is open and able to easily love too.  This gift will bless her the rest of her life.
 
1 John 4:19 - We love because He first loved us….

11-8-10

-Mark Barnes


I was fascinated as we started the day winding through the streets of Addis.  So many sights, sounds, colors, animals, and carts.  A couple of hours into our journey we were delayed due to engine problems with our bus.  The driver stopped in a remote area near a little store and tea shop.  Almost immediately, little children with tattered clothes started coming up.  So, several people in our group started to give them life saver candy through the bus windows.  Soon we decided to get out and take photos.  They laughed gleefully as we showed them the pictures we had just taken on our digital cameras.  Paul Miller played hand ball with them.  On of the balls was made of some kind of cloth material sewn together.  Brad Green drew a picture and patiently played over 40 games of tic tac toe with the children all in a swarm around him.  Several of the small children carried their little brothers and sisters around on their backs in little wraps.  I was struck by how happy that they seemed and how quick they were to laugh at almost anything.  We taught them to  high five and bump fists to their infections grins and happy smiles.  I could not help but notice that most of their clothes were little more than rags. 

A local man showed up who could speak English and claimed to be a business broker.  He said that we were in a tribal region that spoke another language other than Amharic.  I asked if they were Christian or Muslim and he said they were Muslim but not the terrorist kind.  What a relief…Ha!  We could see a large lake in the East?  His teeth were black and in need of repair because he chewed a narcotic plant (chat).  I noticed that some of the young men were also chewing on the plant. 

After a couple of trips we were all shuttled back to a hotel that we stopped at earlier to take a coffee and bathroom break.  The bus company had dispatched a new bus from Addis, so we decided to have dinner which must have been a little overwhelming to the staff.  Angela and I and several others decided to make it safe and ordered a half chicken.  Wow was that bird was tough.  I knew that he must have been tough to live this environment 

Soon we were back on the road in a new bus.  The laughter quickly died down to the hum of the engine and most people were sleeping.  Everyone sat up with a start as the driver hit the brakes as a large hyena crossed the road in front of us and then stood on the side watching us with big eyes and round ears.  I never knew that they grew so large. 

I noticed that some of the grass and mud huts had a faint glow of oil lamps.  Some of them did obviously have electricity, but it was certainly not the norm.  At times I could see stars in the black night and wondered about those precious children that we had met just hours before.  Were they safe from the hyenas?  We continued on our journey to Soddo.  What adventure lies ahead.  What will God teach us in the coming days?

11-10-10

-Diane Samson

People have been standing in line outside the big gate, which opens to the Kale Hiwot church.  Waiting to enter.  Waiting to get their maize (corn).  They needed their coupon to show they were chosen by their pastor from their church.  These are the poor peoples.  These are chosen, on this day, to receive grain to supply their family for 2-3 months.

I watch, I observe.  I am on the outside looking in.  I see them.  I touch them.  I hear them.  They are the poor. They are the needy.

Kids are leading two blind women into the common area.  The men are trying to organize the area to pass out corn.  Do they need a woman’s hand?  They appear to be indecisive.

Singing begins, all praising God, all 13 churches united.  They all say “Amen!”

Paul, one of us, stands and talks about God calling Moses.  An Ethiopian man interprets.  God told Moses to go.  God told Paul to go.  Paul said, “I don’t know, I am not strong enough to go.”  God said, “Your strength comes from me.”  God is very big.  Theres is nothing He can’t do.  Stephne prays over this day, over the grain being given.

The corn is dumped on a rug.  The families are grouped per church and line up to give their coupons.  People who can’t see, their fingerprints are taken.

One woman had 3 or 4 children.  At each birth, the baby died.  She is here to gather grain.

One women is a beggar.  She is led by her son.

The grain is being scooped into bags each family has brought, four at a time, by men volunteers.  They carry out 20 kg (44 lbs) of corn on their backs.

A woman with crutches carries her 44 lb bag away.  She looks adept at this, how many miles does she walk to go home?

Sam has brought shoes that were donated to the orphanage.  He has brought them for those who need shoes.  Some people, who have mossy foot, leave with a pair of shoes, new to them.  The mossy foot makes their feet and ankles swell.  They look like elephants feet.  If it is untreated, it will spread, and kill the person.

A lady is in line with severe cleft lip.  

They keep bringing in bags of corn, opening the bags and scooping the corn.  The line seems to be endless.

Emotions??  Yes.  Humbling.  Saddened.  Heart Wrenching.  Unbelievable.

And then….drained emotionally.  Eyes dry from tears.  Sober.  Silent.  Contemplative.

God, you love the poor.  Your heart reaches them in the depths of their despair.  May You draw them to Yourself, Father.  May they know You…..