Andy in Ethiopia: 2005-05-01

10 Ways to Avoid Becoming a Missionary

Ignore Jesus' request in John 4:35 that we take a long hard look at the fields. Seeing the needs of people can be depressing and very unsettling. It could lead to genuine missionary concern. (John 4:35-"Do you not say, "Four months more and then the harvest?" I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.")
Focus on achieving socially legitimate tagets. Go after a bigger salary. Work for a job promotion, a bigger home, a better car, or future security.
Get married as soon as possible, preferably to somebody who thinks the "Great Commission" is what your employer gives you after you make a big sale. After marriage, plunge into the socially accepted norms of settling down, establishing a career and raising a family.
Stay away from missionaries. Their testimonies can be disturbing. The situations they describe will distract you from settling comfortably into the materialistic lifestyle of your home country.
If you happen to think about unreached people, restrict your attention to countries where it's impossible to openly do missionary work. Think only about North Korea, Saudi Arabia, China and other closed countries. Forget the vast areas of our globe open to missionaries. Never, never listen to talk about "creative access" countries.
Dwell on your own past failures. It is unreasonable to expect you will ever be any better. Don't even think about Moses, David, Jonah, Peter or Mark, all of whom overcame failures.
Always imagine missionaries as talented, super-spiritual people standing tall on lofty pedestals. Maintaining this image of missionaries will heighten your own sense of inadequacy. Thinking that God does not use ordinary people as missionaries will smother any guilt you may feel about refusing to even listen for a call from God.
Agree with people who tell you that you are indispensable where you are. Listen when they tell you that your local church or home country can't do without you.
Worry incessantly about money.
If you still feel you must go, go out right away without any preparation or training. You'll soon be home again and no one can ever blame you for not trying!

(Inspired by Stewart Dinnen's list in How are you doing? (Bromley: STL Books, 1984))

Northern Ethiopian Mission Trip #1 Testimony - Upon Return to Korea

Here is the testimony I shared with SIBC church members and NeulSaRang church members after God faithfully brought me back from my mission trip in Mekelle Jan 25-Feb 18, 2003.
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
It's an undeserved honor to stand here before you and tell you about how faithful God was during my short term mission trip to northern Ethiopia.
Before I give you some details about my trip, I'd like to read to you from Psalm 115 to put the whole thing in context, so you understand the purpose:
"Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto they name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake." (Psalm 115:1)
It's amazing how many friends and different people think that going to Ethiopia has somehow put me in "God's good books" or earned me bonus points with Him.
Such thinking is not much different from the "works related religious area" I went to minister in.
It's not about us or what we do. It's about God and what He did for us some 2,000 years ago on the cross of Calvary.
That's what grace is: undeserved, unmerited, unearned favor with God.
In acknowledging God's gift of love while we were still rebellious, the natural reaction to this gift is a grateful willingness to be obedient to Him.
Now, if that point is clear, let me tell you a little bit about my trip:
PHOTO 1:
This here is a photo of the Plante family: Chris & Cynthia Plante, Sarah Grace, Stephen and Joshua James.
Chris is the director of the Mekelle Youth Center. They have given up everything to move full-time to Mekelle, Ethiopia, to minister to the Tigrai people.
The government has allowed the center to open as a trial test. If the center is successful, there is a strong possibility that they will open similar centers in many similar buildings throughout the city and also throughout the province of Tigrai.
Just through word of mouth, kids have been flocking to the center in hundreds. It can be quite overwhelming at times.
There are 4 areas of ministry in the center:
Sports ministry, which is a great way to first get the kids interested in coming.
We also have a library there, which even as primitive and lacking as it is, is one of the best in the city.
We teach them the rules for different sports, respect for others, sharing and teamwork.
The second area is education; English and personal hygiene. Of course, there is a strong focus on HIV-AIDS prevention which is the biggest killer in Ethiopia.
17% of the population above 14 years of age have AIDS and it's hard to meet a student who hasn't had at least one family member killed by AIDS.
The ages between 5 and 14 are known as "the window of hope" in HIV education as the infection level is so low.
Our goal is to teach them about the prevention of AIDS through Christian principles, which is the only solution.
80% of the population is sexually active, both in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and in the Evangelist church, estimated at 2% of the population.
There are many kids having kids there.
Condoms is not the solution, but a change of heart leading to changed behavior which can only come from a real relationshiop with the living Christ.
They just opened up a computer room the week before I left. Computer education is very lacking there, as you might imagine.
It's awesome to see God working among the Tigrai people. There is at this present time such an opportunity to call people to Him.
There are 4 great opportunities available for God to work through.
Actually, we know He can work through a million different avenues (let's not limit our God!) but there are 4 apparent methods openly available.
These youth-centers is one way. They are also working on getting bibles accepted by the Christian Orthodox Church. 20,000 were recently distributed but only to the priests. (There are 4 million people in the region!) They are trying to get audio tapes of the bible made. They plan to buy radio time for the sharing of the gospel.
Please continue to keep the Tigrai in your prayers as well as the missionaries who have chosen to live in that spiritually dark land in order to minister.
IF God lays it on your heart to want to do something for these people, (whether it's donating books for the library, helping out with the computer teaching program, or making a trip to the area yourself to see God at work) please don't hesitate to approach me and ask questions. That's why I'm here.
It's amazing what God can do through us if we are willing and obedient. Just think about what the kids at SIBC have done. They raised $500 for radio time for the gospel to be shared last weekend. $500 is a huge fortune in the North of Ethiopia!
I believe that God is calling me back to Mekelle for July and August and it is my prayer that someone from the church might join me there, to be where God is at work.
Now, I'd like to play a 3 minute slide-show on northern Ethiopia. Perhaps someone could play the piano while we watch.

Images/icons of Mary take centre stage in many Ethiopian Orthodox homes. Many of the beggars are heard crying "Sayla Maria"-"In the name of Mary".

Jesus is often "seen" in homes in Ethiopia, but rarely exalted. (He is often given an equal or lesser role to Mary, to the great heartbreak and anger of God above.)

One of the more well-off citizens of Mekelle, one of the desk clerks at Axum Hotel invited us to her fine home for yet another coffee ceremony.

Someday to be a reality. "The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion will feed together; and a little child will lead them." (Isaiah 11:6)

Tsadkan's sister, LemLem and her sweet daughter.

Tsadkan serving a traditional coffee ceremony while Bethel (holding little boy) cares for the neighborhood kids.

After the baptism celebration, Feb. 15th, Tsadakan (my Ethiopian mother) invited us all over for coffee.

Ephreim, with his little cousin, showing his not always apparent softer side. Precious!

The guys from the youth center having fun at a local "baptism celebration". All babies are baptized after 40 days in the Ethiopian Orthodox church.

George and one of the head neighborhood Orthodox priests. (Ephraim's father - or "guardian" anyway)

The computer room set up and ready to start teaching students basic computer skills.

Quiet reading/studying in the Mekelle study room

This twig is known as the "Ethiopian toothbrush" and yes, it is what most people do use as toothbrushes in country areas.

Ladies shifting out the chaff...(Psalm 1:4)

Danny, who drove up from Addis Ababa, installing the new computers in the NEW Mekelle Youth Center computer room, Feb. 11th, 2003

One of the youth center favorites, Ephraim.

Marshalee getting students to explain "personality vocabulary" in the university/evening class

Ethiopian Orthodox art work of Ethopian Orthodox priests doing what Ethiopian Orthodox priests do

Good fellowship, food and fun at the Plante's house

"Caution-objects in camera view are closer than they appear"

Tatek's fighting pose. Are you surprised that many people call him "Michael Jordan"?

This is my Ethiopian brother, Tatek. One of my original students (as was his sister, Ethiopia and their "half-brother", Hilikiros). We really bonded on this trip and I ended up visiting him and the rest of my Ethiopian family every trip. God is really doing a mighty work in this young man's life!

I love this scene. Students dilengently working away at classwork! (This here is the future of Tigrai!)

Azeb (R) and Worknesh (L) preparing tea for youth center staff.

Marshalee leading the kids in "Stand up for your rights" by Bob Marley.

Hey kids, can you spell "idiot"?!

Traditional Ethiopian dish. (the bread is called "anjara") My Korean friends would love this food as it sets your mouth on fire! :-)

Youth Center English class discussion; Chris Plante, Andy Brown and Marshalee Brown (no relation!) from Jamaica.

George filming me filming

Ethiopian art at "Gordano's restaurant", Mekele

The front of "Axum Hotel" in Mekelle looking through the restaurant window.

With my writing, it's amazing anyone learns anything in my class!!!

Atto Atagawi ("Atto" means Mr/Sir) Although he speaks almost no English, he is a WONDERFUL man.

Deep in thought

Scardar doing the splits. (This girl's English was phenomenal!)

A little game of "pictionary" going on...

Can't you just hear those wheels grinding?! :-)

Students trying to figure out what their teacher is asking...

All the girls hanging out

They say that if one of this little guys were to spit in your mouth while you slept you would die...

This is Worknesh, a very kind servant-hearted helper of the youth center and also another student of mine. (She joined the elementary students as she wasn't confident about her English.)

Now perhaps you know why Tigrinian women are known as the most beautiful of Ethiopia.

Sherwit, one of my evening students and sister of Azeb

Ezana cutting his 2nd birthday cake February 2nd, 2003

Azeb (helper at the youth center and owner of the convenience store next door), her son, Ezana celebrating his 2nd birthday and Teddros, one of my wonderful students and son of one of the youth center guards

Me and Temesgen, one of Chris' "right hand men" at the youth center.

Testimony Before Going to Ethiopia

I almost forgot to share my testimony that I presented to "NeulSaRang Church" before going off to northern Ethiopia Jan 25 - Feb. 18, 2003.
Here it is in full:
Dear brothers and sisters,
It is a privilege and an honor to stand before you and God and give testimony of what God has done, is doing and without a doubt will continue to do in my life.
First of all, you should know that I am not worthy of standing here and actually none of us are but only through the precious blood of Jesus Christ are we made righteous.
There are a million things I could tell you about what God has done in my life or about God's grace but the topic which the Holy Spirit has placed on my heart to share with you is the fact that God DOES speak to his people TODAY.
It is written by the prophet Amos, "Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets." (Amos 3:7)
Jesus said, centuries later, in the New Testament, "He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God." (John 8:47)
Let me ask you something. Do you believe this to be true? Do you REALLY believe that God speaks to His people today? This is a vital question to ask yourself.
Our God of the Old Testament is indeed the same loving, patient God of the New Testament (despite what a small number of people will try to tell you) and He is the same Sovereign God who speaks to His people today.
Or more eloquently said in Hebrews 13:8, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."
God does not need to speak to us through a burning bush. He has given us 4 ways (at least) in which we may know His will and hear Him loud and clear.
1) The Word of God - The Holy Bible
2) Prayer
3) The church (other believers) and
4) circumstances
Let me share with you, as an example, how God called me to Ethiopia on a short term mission through these 4 modes of communication.
I'll start with "circumstances":
XXXX, a woman serving in northern Ethiopia, was invited to speak at our church about the Tigrai people in northern Ethiopia and about how God was at work there.
There is a big spiritual battle taking place there because Satan's influence is used through the Orthodox Church which seeks to control the people through traditions, superstitions and fear and therefore few know a true, personal relationship with the living God through the grace, knowledge and faith of our resurrected Lord.
I was moved by her presentation and felt God pulling on my heart-strings.
I had an opportunity to thank her for her sharing her testimony in our church lounge. I told her about my experiences of meeting several Ethiopian Jews while living in Israel and that I had always been intrigued by the history of Ethiopia and the presence of a small Jewish minority in that country.
I was quite shocked when she directly asked me if I would consider coming to Mekelle, a northern town in Ethiopia, to help teach English and do what I could to help out. I told her that I would seriously consider it but weeks later it slowly escaped from my mind.
When reading the bible in our intensive 12 week bible study at SIBC (Seoul International Baptist Church), the following verse hit me like a hammer:
"Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by Himself; He can only do what He sees His Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does." (John 5:19)
The biblical principle which Jesus showed through His living example (and even His death!) is to rely COMPLETELY on God, the Father. We are to seek where the Lord is at work and join Him there.
If you reread the gospels with this in mind, the Holy Spirit will reveal to you exactly what I am talking about.
This principle of "joining God where He is already at work" is the reason why I decided to teach English here at Neul-Sa-Rang-Church. I know that Pastor Choi has been faithfully coming to Ansan for a LONG time and saw that God was doing powerful things in his life, so it was my pleasure to join him here at this new church.
This is why, like Pastor Choi, I truly enjoy sharing fellowship in Ansan church every Sunday evening as well. Because you can truly feel that God is at work there.
Too many Christians try to invent a new program or try to think of something else to sdo to help God (which is human thinking) rather than join God at work where the Spirit is already at work.
Anyway, after much prayer, I came to realize that God had invited me to Ethiopia by directly inviting me through the body; (another believer-XXXX) . Being asked to join her was not "pure luck" but God's invitation.
As you see, God spoke loud and clear through 1) the Bible, 2) prayer, 3) the church and 4) circumstances to lead me to where He wanted me to go.
To tell you the truth, I have no idea what awaits me in Ethiopia.
BUT, I trust completely in the LORD who has called me there.
That is what "faith" means "F.A.I.T.H.-Forsaking All, I Trust Him."
Psalm 32:10 tells us, " Many are the woes of the wicked, bu the Lord's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in Him."
Also, in Psalm 34:7, "The Angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear (respect and revere) Him and He delivers them."
Again in Psalm 91:11, For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways."
By the way, this may sound strange to some of you, but this trip, in itself is really nothing special and of little importance.
God does not want our "motion" as much as He wants our "emotion".
Jesus said it best in Matthew 22:37-38,
"Jesus replied, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment."
Our duty as Christians is not a one time mission but a DAILY faith and reliance on God Almighty.
In God's loving eyes, each of us in which the Holy Spirit lives must consider ourselves as a MISSIONARY.
At the same time, every heart that does not know the love and peace which can only come from Christ is a potential MISSION FIELD.
Whether those non-Christians live in homes thousands of miles away or work in a desk inches away from ours in our office.
I hope that you wil l pray for God to prepare the hearts of those He will cause me to meet there and that He will continue to bless those already there who have diligently been serving Our God over a long periiod of time; people like XXXX, the English teaching missionary and Chris Plante, the director of the children's school i will be teaching at and his wife and 2 children.
The ultimate prayer is that God'm promise in Psalm 68:31 (which many consider to be a prophecy concerning the conversion of Ethiopians) will be accomplished"
"Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God."