... 

Nov. 22nd, 2002

More Bibles have been purchased and have arrived in the region. There are only a small percentage of literate people in the region but just the presence of a Bible in a home gives the family assurance that it is acceptable for them to learn what the Bible says. Pray that these Bibles will be given to people who are already searching for truth.

... 

Nov. 15th letter from northern Ethiopia

Last night I talked with some folks who would love for you to help them out with their English classes. They run a youth recreational and educational program here in the city. They asked if they could have your email address and write you to explain their program to you. There are also a couple of other possibilities. We will explore all of those and see which one will best fit your skills and interests. As you will find, there are many opportunities for teaching English here. So, we want to find the one HE has in mind for you.
I wanted you to know that C&C will probably be contacting you soon to explain their program with the youth centers so it wouldn't come as a surprise.
Blessings,XXXX

Adwa Mount 

Nov. 14th letter (response) from Ethiopia

Dear Andy,
Glad you are ready to come! I need to tell you a few things about how we get volunteers over here. I will need to talk with my bosses and figure out a schedule. Then I'll need to fill out a special form we are required to do in order to have volunteers. When this form is submitted it assures that you will have insurance through the company while you are on the field. This form is submitted to the regional leader for approval and then we will be legally able to accept you. I know it sounds like lots of red tape but since this is such a big group it really needs to do things in a very organized way if it intends to maintain credibility. I will try to get all the paperwork taken care of in the next few days. I'll keep you posted on everything and let you know as soon as we have a fairly firm schedule for you. We will work within the dates you have scheduled with your flights. Getting up here from the city is not too difficult. We have a system in place that provides for pickup at the airport and delivery to a hotel for overnight. The ticket up here will be purchased for you and you will reimburse the person who brings you the ticket. The ticket costs $250 US dollars. I will meet you at the airstrip here and bring you into town. Staying in a hotel here can get rather expensive but since I'm living alone, the culture will not allow me to have a single male staying with me. I will check into the possibility of some less expensive accomodations that will still be acceptable. I'll start working on your in country schedule today and keep you posted as things develop. See you in January!
XXXX

Many rural Orthodox have cross tattoos on their foreheads. 

Letter to Ethiopia-informing of my plans to come

Dear XXXX,
The drought I heard about in Ethiopia recently has made me aware, more than ever, of the need to help you there. I hope it's still not too late to join you in teaching English to the Tigrai people January/February of 2003. I just purchased an airline ticket from the internet. I wonder how I will be able to get from Addis Ababa to where you are in northern Ethiopia. Any information you can give me would be greatly appreciated.
Take care & God bless,
Andy

without hope? 

Letter sent out to Bible Study members

Shalom all!
I just HAD to share what God has put on my heart and has done for me since we met yesterday! (Awesome!) When I got back home, I was reading previously completed sections in our workbook. (Prompted by Neil's sharing of reviewing old notes in the meeting.) My mind kept going back to the only answer to "What does God want you to do in response to today's study?" which I hadn't done. (page 125) "Has God led you to do something that you did not do because you lacked faith?" My response was "Yes! Trusting Him in preparing all things in going to Ethiopia to work with XXXX." Well, while I was having difficulties at work, I cancelled the whole idea and emailed saying I couldn't go. After my work situation improved and even after it seemd I would still be working at The Catholic University, I was afraid of looking "wishy-washy" and also afraid that if I said "yes"again, something might pop up to cancel it once again! Talk about "self-centred" and little faith!!! The Holy Spirit laid it on my heart last night at about 3am, so I got up and ordered a ticket on-line. I'm going!!! XXXX has been contacted and it seems that God IS indeed sending me there to work with her and the Tigrai people!!! It's hard to explain the joy I feel today. Not because I am "going" or "doing" but because God finally gave me the faith to just say "Yes, Lord!" It's also awesome to know that the course we are studying, your testimonies and words of encouragement have made me AWARE of God's will and guidance. You guys have been around "the spiritual block" more than this spiritual puppy and you have ALL helped me in coming to the realization that this is not MY decision to do something for God, but confirmation of His will. God bless all of you and have a great week.
Laying down my sorrows, pain and fear for the joy of our Lord,
Andy

Tigrinian kids 

Nov 13th-Famine in Ethiopia

I found the following article on the Internet this week.

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia--Ethiopia is facing a famine that could affect as many as 15 million people, the country's prime minister has warned.
Meles Zenawi called for urgent international aid to help avoid a catastrophe on a scale that woud dwarf the country's 1984-85 famine.
"The latest information we have is that the number of affected people could be as high as 15 million."
Christian Aid spokesman Andrew Pendleton said part of the problem was Ethiopia's commitment to repaying international debts.
"Ten percent plus of the Ethiopian government's revenues are spent on repaying international debts."
"This is an enormous amount of money to take away from a country that is crititically poor."
"In the long term, we have to take a look at why this keeps happening again and again. Now we have to respond to the immediate problem."
He told the BBC's Today programme: "The disaster we had in 84-85, the number involved was roughly one-third to one-half of the number of people involved now. If that was a nightmare, this will be too ghastly to contemplate."
Ethiopia needed huge amounts of food aid from international donors to avoid another famine.
"Even if we had the food available in the domestic market the government doesn't have the money to buy this surplus food for redistribution," Mr. Zenawi said.
"The current draught is unique because the short rains and the long rains have failed."

I asked "XXXX" through email (who was in Ethiopia) whether the Tigrai region had been affected terribly. Here is her response:

Yes, it is a problem. We got much less rain than needed and most of the farmers in this area experienced more than 40% loss in their harvests. People from the countryside are already drifting into the city in search of food or jobs that may help them provide more food for their families. The area is extremely dry and many farmers have also lost livestock. Just like the people here, the livestock is always living on the verge of starvation anyway. Just a slight set back puts them in danger of starvation. Please ask people to pray that relief will be available for the farmers here in the area.

Subsistence farmer trying best he can to provide food for his family. 

encouraging email I received Nov. 7th, 2002

Oh Brother Andy,
What a blessing God has provided with our group study. The encouragement from the group last night was tremendous. By the time I left, God lifted the guilt from me. As I think about our group, I see, hear and feel spiritual maturity. A diverse group, hand picked by God to bring us all to a closer relationship with Jesus. I've come to realize the fear of God is the first step to wisdom. Tim provided much insight on how to deal with the guilt of sin. Guilt being Satan's weapon will get us if we don't guard against it. Bottom line-wake up and turn all things over to God. I just got pulled away. Thanks you for your message. I have more but got to go.
Thank you for your prayers.
YBIC,
Mark

Oct. 24th, 2002

Jesus taught by parables and stories and by reading the scripture for them. His method is used today among the remote people of the region. Storytellers who live in the farming areas are beginning to share the gospel just as Jesus shared the good news, though stories taken from the Bible. But more storytellers are needed.
As Jesus said in Matthew 9:37-38, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Pray for the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field."
A ministry partner will be funding an effort to expand the storyteller training to train 50 more storytellers in the next 2 years. Please praise God for His faithfulness.

Tigrai people are so beautiful! 

October 10th, 2002

Three young women; Tigist, Selam and Mariam met for tea at Selam's house one day this week. Sunday had been a special saint's day and they were discussing the saint's day and they were seen while in the church courtyard on Sunday morning. Tigist has recently become a believer and was praying that the Holy Spirit would give her an opportunity to speak to her two friends. Her friend, Selam, a very strong follower of the traditional church was talking about how they needed to protect the traditions of the church from people who were talking about new ideas. "According to our traditions, we must give to the poor in the name of the Virgin Mary if we expect her to allow us into heaven! And remember we are to treat the church with respect and kiss the gate and the wall of the church. Acts such as these will not go unnoticed by the Holy mother Mary. She will see all that we do to honor her and tell Our Lord to give us a place in heaven."
Tigist saw this as an opportunity to ask her friend a question, "Selam, do you know for sure you will go to heaven when you die?" Selam told her friend that no one could. Selam told her her friend only God. Carefully, Tigist began to explain the gift of Free Salvation given to those who confess Jesus as Saviour and Lord, and told her how she could be sure of her salvation. Pray that Tigist will have many opportunities to share the GOOD NEWS with her friends.

Adorable! 

Oct. 6th, 2002

Mesfin, who dreamed of sharing God's word through audiocassettes and radio is presently involved in work that will make it possible to record on audiocassette the Chronological Stories of the Bible in the language of the people of this region. Once the stories are recorded they will be broadcast by radio throughout the region. Many obstacles and problems are interfering with the completion of this project. These problems are efforts on the part of the evil one to prevent the spread of the TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL among the people of this region. He and others working with him need prayer to protect their work and encourage them to work with boldness and assurance.

Sep. 30th, 2002 (request #2)

Tadela is a priest in a small village tucked away on the side of the mountain. For twenty years he has risen at 2am every Sunday morning and walked to his church in order to recite the Gospels in an ancient language that neither he nor the people listening can understand (Ga'eez). There is a longing in his heart to hear these words in his own language so he can understand them. God has heard that silent desire and has led people to begin working on a project that will make the word of God available on audiocassette. This effort, Project Day Break, will record the New Testament in dramatic, audio form. The plans for distribution will make the recording of the New Testament available to church all over the region.

Ethiopian Orthodox priest 

Sep. 30th, 2002

God filled Mesfin's heart with a desire to spread the word of God through radio and mass media. He shared his dream with fellow believers and God opened a door for him to become involved in the production of the Chronological Stories of the Bible on audiocassette and for radio broadcast. As he became involved in this, he heard about Project Day Break. Mesfin is now seeing his heart's desire come to pass. He has been asked to helped with the production of the New Testament and selected stories from the Old Testament. The selected stories from the Old Testament and the entire New Testament will be recorded in drama form, reproduced on audiocassettes and distributed with cassette recorders to churches throughout the region. This is definitely a God sized job. The initial stages of the project (recording and producing the cassettes) will take more than a year and many people working in harmony. Please pray for this project.

Tradition is very much a part of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. 

second one on Sept. 23rd, 2002

Hadat lives in the countryside on a small farm plot with her husband and six children. She attended school for two years as a child but was needed on the farm and dropped out. She remembers some of the letters that she learned but can't remember enough to make sense out of the few signs in her village. She heard someone in the village brought back a holy book from the city. Hadat wishes she could read the book for herself and know God's word but she knows she will never be able to read those words.
Will she ever know what God really said? The priests tell her only what they want her to hear. She wants to know it all. God has heard the desire of her heart and has given some people in her country a vision for sharing the Gospel in stories which she can not only understand, but learn to repeat herself to her friends and her family.

Sep. 23rd, 2002

This summer many prayer warriors responded to the call for workers on the field. they walked the roads with the farmers, taught eager young students and shared the camaderie of the basketball court. They had opportunities to walk through towns and villages and send up prayers for specific things they saw. They carried a part of these people back in their hearts and are now home praying more fervently than ever for the spreading of the gospel among the unreached. Thank God for their willingness to follow His call and make the journey to Tigrai.

Girl selling Ethiopian fruit known as "beles" for mere pennies a day almost. 

Sept. 16th, 2002

New believers are faced with much opposition. They have seen the light and believed the message of the Gospel but are still surrounded by the culture that taught them the false way to salvation. Each day they must face the questions and accusations of their family, friends and neighbors. Please pray for the new believers here and also those around you. Satan would like nothing better than to make these new believers ineffective and fill them with despair and defeat. But, before the prayers of the righteous, he will have to flee.

Stuck halfway between the darkness and the light... 

Backbreaking work part of daily life here. 

Sep. 9th, 2002

Have you ever wanted to reach out and Touch the Future? Make a lasting contribution that would endure far beyond your lifetime? This summer, 20 people had that opportunity. Through their efforts, 65 people were exposed to stories of the scripture from Genesis to the coming of the Holy Spirit. From that group, a few have made life changes. Several others have begun to meet regularly to study the scriptures for themselves and even more have expressed interest in the scriptures and a desire to know more.
God promised that His word would not return void and these 20 people have experienced that promise. His word is indeed reaching out and touching the hearts and those who have heard. Who will those 65 people share with? Will they go back to their families and friends and tell the stories they heard? Will they be the instruments God uses to bring others to Himself?

September 5th, 2002

The Holy Spirit is touching the hearts of the young men and women of the region and they are trusting in HIM. As they make this gian leap in faith, they are turning their backs on centuries of misguided traditions and family culture. These young people love their parents and want to honor them. They also have a burning desire to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with their parents. Many are attempting to go and share their newfound faith with their mothers and fathers.
They need prayer support in order to know how to approach their families without insulting them and bringing dishonor to them in the community.

My brother in Christ, Kibrom, being so kind as to point out the location of Mekelle, northern Ethiopia, on the map! 

Letter to Andy from the Ethiopian field, September 2nd, 2002

Hi Andy,
Glad to finally hear from you. These lost emails are a puzzle to me. I will talk with my supervisors about you coming in February and we will work on some possibilities. Right off hand, I can think of several things you might like to do and really enjoy. We are coming to the end of the rainy season and as the clouds begin to disappear, the temperature is climbing. In February, we are dry and dusty with cool nights and very warm days. Tell everyone hello for me. I'll get back to you soon about possibilities for February.
Blessings, XXXX

Absolutely precious! 

Sep. 2nd, 2002

God is answering the prayers for more workers in this region! During the next few months, many people will be answering His call to come work among these people. One new worker has just arrived. Soon a family will move in. Several years ago, a family born and raised in this region left to find better opportunities. In just a few weeks, they will be returning to live and work among their own people. Other families will be returning after extended stays in their home countries.
These people needed to be lifted up in prayer.

Even basic eye care is not available in remote areas. 

August 30th

A young man and his family moved into a small town in the region. Immediately everyone in the town began to ask questions. "Who are you?" "Where did you come from?" "Why are you here?" The young man answered, "I have come to open a tailor shop." The suspicious community began to watch this young man and his family. They heard he rented the small shop next to the post office and set up a sewing machine. The women of the town went over to take a look. They saw several bolts of cloth that would make beautiful dresses and decided to see if this man was a good tailor. After several weeks, suspicion tapered off and the new family began to make friends. The young man is a believer and has learned the chronological stories of the Bible. Soon, he began to share these stories with his new friends. He is a missionary among his own people. He is one of the many who have learned the Chronological stories with a desire to share them with their people.
Pray that:

• Other believers will be called to follow in this young man's footsteps and develop plans for small businesses that can be opened in towns around the region.
• God will provide investors with seed money to get them set up in businesses around the region.
• The Holy Spirit will go before these "missionaries" and prepare the hearts of the people.
• God's word and will will be heard and received and that many will come to a saving knowledge of the Saviour.

90% of the people live in rural areas surviving on hand-to-mouth farming 

August 6th, 2002

Jonah has a dream. In his dream, he is sitting in a tea house with his neighbor, Immanuel. As the men in the tea house chat, Jonah begins to turn the discussion towards questions about God. Immanuel seems very interested and asks many questions. Jonah wakes up and prays for the Holy Spirit's direction in how and when to approach Immanuel. The Holy Spirit leads Jonah to invite Immanuel to his home for coffee. As they drink coffee, Jonah asks Immanuel if he would like to learn some of the stories of The Holy Book. Immanuel becomes excited about this and invites Jonah to come to his house and teach him the stories. After Jonah and Immanuel have met a few times. Jonah asks Immanuel if he would like to invite a few other interested people to join them in their discussions. Immanuel agrees and a house group is formed.
Immanuel is "a man of peace"-someone who is interested in the scriptures, and is willing to use his influence to gather others to hear the message. Men like him are needed in the cities and in the countryside. They provide a safe meeting place in the their homes for small groups of interested people to be engaged with the Gospel.

Eritrea and Northern Ethiopia 

July 6th

In just a few short days, there will be visitors here working and praying. With the increased need for discretion in conversations and actions, these people will be under extra strain. Prayer support from the TAG team will give them grace and wisdom as they face the challenges.

July 2nd, 2003

People of Vision - There are local believers who have a vision to see the word of God spread among their people. Their vision has included several different methods of approach and delivery:

• story telling,
• radio broadcasts,
• tape production.

Over the past year, many prayers have been said on their behalf. Praise God, He has answered many of those and the work has moved forward. They rejoice in those answers that have allowed their methods to be successful in reaching people and continue to pray and move forward, responding to the leadership of the Holy Spirit. Pray for these people of vision who have a desire for all their people to hear the MESSAGE OF TRUTH in the scriptures.

June 26th, 2003

A young man gave his life to Jesus. He had seen the truth in the scriptures. Believers who had witnessed and shared with him rejoiced with him and for a short time came to pray and study with him. After a few months, the believers' lives became filled with other things and their visits and times of teaching ceased. When the young man's family came to visit with him and he shared his new ideas, his family was quick to remind him of all that he had been taught as a child.
They told him these new teachings were false. Soon a battle raged within the young man. At night, he dreamed the devil was coming to get him because he had ceased to pray to the saints and Mary. He was afraid to sleep at night. One day an old black cat appeared in the neighborhood and the young man knew this was Satan coming to watch him and his fear increased. Luckily, for this young man, people were praying for him. As the believers noticed the fear in the young man, they began to realize they had neglected their responsibility to teach and mentor him. One among them began again to teach the young man.
Please pray for this young man and the other believers in Tigrai.

"Country with 13 months of sunshine" (That's one of their promotional quotes....) 

Just so you know where wer're talking about: Ethiopia, located on "the horn of Africa". 

June 25th, 2003

In the midst of persecution, work goes on with the special Bible listening project. Work is being done to prepare the studio so it will be ready as soon as the project can continue. Partners who have agreed to help are still eager to continue and are earnestly praying that God will use the opposition for His glory.
Right now, there are people here training the local volunteers how to use equipment and work with the people who will be the voices on the tapes. Pray that the Holy Spirit will make His presence known during the training and that the peace that passes all understanding will bathe the entire process.

June 18th, 2003

Many Tigrai have left their homeland and moved with their families to cities all over the world. There are several cities in the United States with large communities of Tigrai. Some of the people who join you in praying for the Tigrai in Ethiopia are also involved in efforts to reach Tigrai people who live right around them.
Right now a youth group from a church who prays for the Tigrai is headed to a city near to them to work to reach the Tigrai in that city. This is groundbreaking work and needs much prayer. Please pray for these youths, their leaders and the Tigrai people that they will encounter.
Tigrai families often return to their homeland in northern Ethiopia for long visits with family members that they left behind. They carry stories of the cultures where they live and their life there. What if they also carried home the stories of God's SON?!

June 14th, 2002

A project to begin Bible listening groups throughout the region has suffered a set back. Extremists are pressuring leaders who support this project and the initial steps in recording the project have been postponed. Satan is doing his best to prevent the WORD from reaching these people. Pray that God who is greater will give the people working on the project protection, discernment and boldness to move forward with the project.

June 11th, 2002

As you have been praying, people are getting ready for a special project this summer. There have been new challenges today about the location for the project. With the recent rise in persecution and intense questioning quite a few people who were once very friendly to efforts like the summer project are now backing away. Please pray and ask others to pray that God will take care of these problems and a place will be provided. The man who has the power to give an okay for the project site was out of town this past week. He spent the weeek "in the lions' den" so to speak. When he returns he will have listened for a whole week to talk about Tigrinian people who are straying from traditional beliefs and adopting a "foreign religion" and how this will hurt the culture and the existing traditional church. Pray that God will not allow him to become prejudiced against the summer project, but instead will lead him to embrace the project and give it his full support. Remember that 95% of the people are in the hand of the traditional church. If access to them becomes even more limited than before, many Tigrai people may not have opportunity to hear the truth.

June 7th, 2002

(Romans 8:28) "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."

After the attacks on believers in a town a few weeks ago, the police jailed several rioters. Among them were both believers and rioters. One of the rioters jailed was witnessed to and gave his life to JESUS!!!!
In the midst of persecution, God is at work! What other wonderful things does He have in store for the people? As opposition continues, fervent prayers must continue.

Mon. June 3rd, 2002

In the past year, many Tigrinian people have become new believers. As they begin their new lives the old traditions still surround them:

• the prayers to Mary and
• the celebration of the saints' days,
• the religious rituals that are a part of their daily lives,
• old habits that are hard to change.

Even though the Holy Spirit has touched their hearts and shown them the truth and even though they have seen and embraced the cross and salvation through Jesus, they still live in the same old world. These new believers, these babes in Christ need help and discipling. This discipling may come through small groups forming to study the Bible and pray together or through a mature believer who can mentor the new believer. For some, help is readily available. Others are isolated, alone in the villages and mountainside. Pray that God will provide the support and encouragement they need to continue to grow in their faith.

May 30th, 2002

In February, a project helping street boys was the topic of prayer. God has been providing for these boys both physically and spiritually. Through requests made to one of the government development projects food for a year has been supplied. A foreign volunteer has begun to teach them English. This volunteer is using the Chronological Stories of the Bible as listening exercises during each English lesson. She has been able to use the flannel graph materials brought over last summer by the ESL teachers. The boys have responded to this foreign lady showing great love and affection for her. In turn, she is demonstrating God's love for them.
A local lady has volunteered to tutor the boys in their math and health. These boys who only a short while ago had nothing, now have a house to sleep in, food to eat, young men who spend time with them and two women to teach and love them. GOD cares for his children and responds to our prayers.

January 25th, 2003 (12:20am)

5 1/2 hours to go before leaving the house and only 9 1/2 hours to go before my flight leaves for ETHIOPIA!!
I'll probably be up all night long without any sleep (like most nights before flights!) packing, praying and preparing; mentally, manually and meticulously.
Just got backfrom a "pc bang" (computer room) to print out copies of my "testimony" for Song Bok (who asked) and decided that I might as well send one off to Mom and Dad and another to Gram and George.
Was reading old emails from/about Ethiopia and so I printed them out to add in this journal to remind me of the steps that brought me to this point.

Different Site for a Different Spot!!

Here it is on a holiday (Arbor Day) at Handong University in Pohang, South Korea! I was thinking of posting more photos and such for family and friends and I realized that "Andy in Korea" would not REALLY be relevent for photos of me in Canada or Ethiopia....SO-Here we are with a different site!! (In addition, I have NO IDEA how much space they allot me on "Andy in Korea" so it might be a good idea to spread out some pics over other "blogspots"!)