Two Lepers in Yergalem

One doesn't travel far in Ethiopia without seeing beggars.   Young, old and all between are just part of the fabric of this nation.

My prayer is that God quickens my spirit when He wants me to respond and He did so this morning.  

This morning I met these two men and visited with the just for a moment.  As I talked with them I became aware they were lepers.  There hands were gnarled and feet were covered in sores and one man was missing toes.

Leprosy in scripture is a living picture of what sin does in the lives of people.   Sin steals, kills and destroys.

I gave each man what I felt God would have me give.  I told them Gid had sent me to give this to them and let them know God had not forgotten them and They mattered to Him.   We then had prayer and then I went on my way.

It was one of those biblical moments that only God arranges.   

Photos - People, Places, Stars

These are photos I took along the way.  Many of them were taken from the car as we traveled.  Or were taken with the extreme zoom of the Nikon P900.

Teaching at Yergalem

After 36 or so hours of travel (30 by plane/layover and 6 by car) we arrived at Yergalem and immediately began to teach.   They had been praying/praising/worshipping all morning waiting for us to arrive.  

We had about 120 from 15 different churches and 10 different denominations.   We also had a few that travelled long distances because they had heard about the training.  God is using word of mouth to open doors throughout Ethiopia.

Here is some background about Yergalem.   During the communist reign of the Derge many pastors/church leaders were arrested and inprisoned in a jail in Yergalem.  Many believers from all over Ethiopia travelled to see the Pastors.   So much so that the Derge moved them 120 kilometers to the edge of the desert where they held them for 8 years until the end of the reign of the Dirge ended in 1991-1992.    Many of those pastors/church leaders are still alive today!

Putting the training into action is very important to reinforce what has be taught in the Worksheet Sessions.  Breaking off and allowing each group to study and then present their passage of Scripture is always one of my favorite times.  Seeing leaders read, discuss and then teach Gods Word is amazing!

Pastor Wogene does an amazing job interpreting and communicating with the people.

Often the people give gifts by which we remember them.  The saints at Yergalem gave us a traditional vest and scarf!   Here I am as an Anglo Midel of an Ethiopian Tradition!

Pre-trip Post

This trip we will be heading to Southern Ethiopa again.   I am to arrive at 6:00 Monday Morning then be driven about 5 hours to Yergalem where we will start teaching about Noon or so.

The next two stops will be Dilla and Aleta Wondo.  I have never been to this placed but I think we may have driven through them during the March Trip to Shakiso.

Already we have received 2 more invitations to new regions in Ethiopia.  Please pray as we finalize plans for September and October.  

I'll keep you poster as the trip developed.  Thank you for your prayers and support.