Ethiopia Ministry
GOSPEL OUTREACH TO ETHIOPIA
WOODWARD PARK CHURCH OF CHRIST 7886 NORTH MILLBROOK FRESNO, CALIFORNIA 93720
January 23, 2006
Dear Brethren and Friends of the Gospel Outreach to Ethiopia,
Brother Behailu arrived back in Ethiopia with his wife, Alem, on Thursday, January 19th. Hopefully the political situation there will not be a danger to him any longer. At least two church leaders of faith-based groups have been imprisoned and are facing some very serious charges. Many thousands arrested during the recent unrest have been released but more than 100 of the opposition party leadership are still in prison, along with the editors of the independent newspapers. You can obtain updated daily news reports on: Google Alerts. Click on Ethiopia.
Ten men graduated from the Level 1 Nekemte School of Preaching last month. The training schools at Santariea and Jajura are still in session. The lessons being taught are special advanced courses that emphasize two things: The absolute authority of God’s Word and the need for total committed evangelism in every congregation and by each individual member. A special emphasis is being given for the purpose of countering the discord and division being promoted by the anti-institutional members of the church who have come into Ethiopia. The Lord must certainly have a prepared place for any who would come into the church and cause strife among brethren. (Proverbs 6:16-19, Matthew 18:6-7) Already more than 30 new congregations have been planted and thousands have been converted and baptized by the brethren who have attended the special training sessions. The gospel truth is as powerful today when it is preached as it was when the disciples were scattered and went every where preaching! (Romans 1:16, Acts 8:4)
Construction is scheduled to begin soon on a new dormitory for the Level 2 Preacher Training School in Addis Ababa. Until now there have been 10 graduates a year in the Level 2 program. With the addition of the new dorm that number will be raised to at least 20 and perhaps more. Level 2 graduates make up the teaching staff at all the bible training schools and seminars. The work is growing so much that the demand for more and better-trained teachers never ceases.
Brethren have also started the process of obtaining land in the city of Jimma on which a kindergarten will be constructed. This will include a new auditorium for the church and possibly a school of preaching in the future. Jimma is one of the fastest growing cities in Ethiopia and we need to be ready to answer the calls for the gospel from the lost in that area.
The water project crew has been busy the last month installing pumps on the new completed wells. Drilling on the last 50 well project has been completed and now we will sign a new agreement for 30 new wells. Hopefully, the agreement will be signed soon and Curt King can be back in Ethiopia by the end of February. The new wells will be drilled in the Badewatcho area. The church is very strong in this area and we believe that many of our members will benefit from the good water. We appreciate the hard work of Curt and the three brothers he is training. According to a government report the 124 completed wells are providing clean water to more than 400,000 people.
Please be assured that your prayers and faithful support for the Lord’s Work in Ethiopia is being used very effectively and efficiently. Our Ethiopian brethren are totally committed to the challenge before them. They constantly express their appreciation for all of you and although they don’t personally know you or the congregations that provide the resource for the work, they never fail to remember you in their prayers. They are constantly aware that all of you are their co-workers. May God continue to bless all of you as we work together in this great Cause.
John Ed Clark