Our last two days in Ethiopia...

Sorry, it has taken a few days to finish our blog entries on this latest mission trip!  I have just finished three days of flying and to be honest I became very tired and weak the last day in Ethiopia. I kept the schedule but didn't feel very spunky and couldn't eat anything, even though they had set up a special luncheon with the staff in Addis and a nice dinner that evening!  We left late at night that day to return home and I slept for hours and hours on the plane!  But now God has restored my strength and I am even a little spunky! :)

Juan Carlos and I left for home Wednesday night,  August 31st. Since Gabrielle wasn't with us in Kenya, she wanted to stay 5 days longer in Ethiopia. The  Monday that preceeded Juan Carlos and my departure we visited a friend's orphan adoption ministry.  He and his staff at "Hope for the Fatherless" ministries are doing a great job placing orphans in wonderful homes and they have become great facilitators networking with many other ministries who have similar objectives!  I love the non-self promoting, Kingdom building teams that are truly serving God's work and not consumed by their own fiefdoms!  

After lunch we drove to the other side of the City to spend time with two of our dearest friends -  Deme and Marta Gabre-Tsadick.  Marta was the first woman senator in Ethiopia's history until they had to run for their lives when the communists took over in 1991. Their story is miraculous, compelling and spellbinding as you read through the account of their escape in the book, "Sheltered by the King"!  They and their small children had to start all over again but eventually God led them to begin a ministry back in Ethiopia to one of the most desperate areas anywhere!  Today that ministry is thriving and larger than ever, even though it has had to persevere through a myriad of trials, attacks and heartbreaking disappointments! "Project Mercy" has started schools where no schools existed before, a kindergarten(600), gradeschool through high-school (1900), a hospital, dental clinic, nursing school, cattle ranch, agriculture program and has also developed an amazing coffee bean plant that not only produces wonderful Ethiopian coffee but it bears fruit twice a year instead of once!  

Many of our friends in the U.S. know these dear saints who love, work and lead with dignity, humility and God-inspired creativity because of our trips to Yetebon and Deme and Marta's trips to see us in Seattle!  

I know many of you are anxious to hear an update on their condition. Deme has been battling a debilitating disease for over five years that has kept him in bed that entire time and now the only mobility I observed on this trip was his ability to move his neck and lips.  But Deme has a stunning memory and a gentleness that makes you feel like you have just touched the hem of our Master's garment!  Marta is full of energy, loving, fun and still beautiful but she is having a difficult time with her memory.  She is aware of this but even the biggest challenges never seem to dampen her spirit!  

On that last Tuesday we spent time with the former First Lady of Ethiopia who now lives in Denver, Colorado but travels back and forth to lead a ministry to care for widows and orphans (James 1:27).  There are so many of those here and so much hopelessness but God has His servants who sacrificially have found a way, by God's grace, to change the lives of 1000's!    

That evening, our friends planned a surprise birthday party for me, totally undeserved, but an amazing gift!  They brought pizza, gifts and a lot of love!  At the end, as usual, it was clear that whatever the event, it is always about Jesus!  We heard sweet stories, listened to Ethiopian worship songs, waited on the Lord as He spoke prophetic words over us and at their request, I spoke about God's demand on His people to "Forgive"...Matthew 6:14,15/ Matthew 18:21-35  

This topic was probably the most fitting  way to end this amazing journey through Israel, Kenya and Ethiopia, because there is fighting and heartbreak in every Country He has sent us to! When will we learn...?  

Thank you dear partners in Christ for your loving prayers, fasting and gifts! God has multiplied each of these like "fishes and loaves" to feed a great multitude!  Our God will remember your reward for serving Him so faithfully and your names are etched even deeper into my own heart!!  

Be assured of my love and prayers for you as well!  In Christ's love,  jerry