Archives for June 2012

“No Holes-Barred Praise”

We took an hour plane ride into Gondar from Addis. We woke up early and prepared ourselves for another revival conference! I had great expectations about the power of God released in a Third World Country where poverty abounds and hearts and spirits are thirsty!

The driver took us as far as he could up a hill until he reached an impassable ravine. We walked the rest of the way, maybe about 40 yards all uphill! I was already having church by the time I reached a flatland because I was praising the Lord all the way, believing I  could make it up that hill in thin, dusty air. Rabbi Gedamu and a friend stopped and looked back at me. I motioned them to go on ahead. Though I was bringing up the rear, I did not want to be responsible for anyone else lagging behind and missing out on the worship experience that I knew was already going forth.

I could see the top of the church just around the bend. Pilgrims were descending a hill from the far right and some from the far left. And there I was, ascending — ever so slowly — to meet them at Marakie Full Gospel Believers Church that sat completely surrounded by the Gondar Mountains! Its cinder-block, corrugated-tin-roof-and-windowless frame stood majestically in all of its incompleteness. It was even more majestic to me because it would afford me a chair on which to sit. 🙂

As I approached I could hear music through speakers that sounded out their death knell. That did not impede, however, the atmosphere that was created by such pure worship. We were ushered to the front row and I immediately joined in the worship by college students from the University of Gondar just beyond the nearest hill. Their passionate, spiritual sounds coupled with their lost-in-Him expressions drew me in and I worshipped Yesus Kristos with them.

Then they called forth Caleb Ab, a worship leader that Rabbi Gedamu had brought from Addis. As I wathched them move back the chairs in which we sat, I knew I was about to climb the ladder of worship.  When Caleb Ab started singing with a lively Calypso kind of beat, the whole assembly, well over 700 of them on the floor and balcony, erupted into a joyous, no-holes-barred praise. It was INFECTIOUS!

CHILDREN WORSHIPPED

YOUNG PEOPLE GAVE THEIR LIVES TO THE LORD

EVERYONE WORSHIPPED

And I was among them, praising a God who could move such impoverished people to such radiant joy.

Someday, I want to bless Marakie Church in such a tangible way. It and all of its people changed my life!

What I Leave in Ethiopia

My last day in Gondar came as a “sweet sorrow.” I awoke wondering what I would leave here in this Land of Cush. I had asked the Lord to show me who to bless today.  When we arrived at Ruth’s Souvenir Shop (owned by Rekebena’s daughter Hewott), we met two young men who follow Jonathan Bernis’ ministry. One of them, Emmanuel (the one on the right), became our unofficial guide for most of the day.

As we, TesFaye (Rebekenaha’s husband), Aminta, Emmanuel and I walked through the marketplace, I saw several boys walking together. I noticed their feet, all of them dirty; one of them wore no shoes; he would be the one I would bless. Tesfaye took me to a place where we could get a good price on a pair of tennis shoes for him. May the Lord bless this little boy as he walks the streets of Gondar with blessed tennis shoes. May he know I was sent by You, Father, to bless Him!

Another little boy came, his face as soiled as the boy’s feet, and he was carrying a heavy burden; maybe it wasn’t so heavy but it was bigger than he. I wanted to take his picture, then give him a Dollar Store toy I had purchased in America; it wasn’t much, but it would momentarily make his load a little lighter. I had taken the toys with me on this journey so I could bless the children of Ethiopia with them. Father, bless this little boy. Show him how to make his burdens even lighter as he learns to cast every care upon you. May that toy serve to bring him a little joy, and may He be reminded of the lady from America who blessed him in Your Name!

I would see several more boys whom I felt led to bless–the one at Gondar Selassie Church who waited outside with the priest; the two on the street. Each walked away happy! Father, bless these little ones with your joy. As Rebenekha would sing to us, “Everything’s alright in my Father’s house! There is joy, joy, joy!”

Leaving the church, I saw two old beggars. I guess they knew about Acts 7 also, because that’s what I thought of when I saw them. It is true, I did not have silver and I did not have gold, but what I had I used to bless them– a few birr (Ethiopian currency) and a prayer for a blessing by God. They gave me the same, a prayer.

On the streets of Gondar, I left a blessing, that every place I walked be holy ground! That every life I touched would in turn touch others!

I leave a love for the land and the people, both rich in tradition and Biblical history!

Goodbye, Goha Hotel, where I met Asnakew and the beautiful staff. Where your balcony overlooked the entire city!

Goodbye, Rekebeeha’s house, where we ate a standard Ethiopian dinner almost every night dinner; where we received beautiful kisses by everyone, children and adults! Where we felt the greatest hospitality and amazingly loving fellowship.

Goodbye Hewott and your Ruth Souvenir Shoppe that became the hub for our forays into the countryside; where we could leave our bags for pickup later; where we bought some of the cutest trinkets and souvenirs.

Goodbye Marketplace, where animals, children, beggars, men & women — young and old — congregate to sell their wares:

Goodby Marakie Full Gospel Church that sits in a hollow surrounded by mountains over 6,000 miles above sea level. You touched my heart with your vibrant worship and hunger for God!

You will forever be in my Spirit.

May Adonai bless the land of Ethiopia and its people!

Sent from my iPhone