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Letter from my new brother in Christ, Kibrom

Dearest Andy,
Gentleman, how is life going on?
I am quite well and hope respected my brother. Also I hope this finds you in the best of health as it leaves me here. That is my all times prayer and ambition to have a long live. I like to think back and enjoy again the many good times we have had together.
Will you come to Ethiopia again? I am longing to see you so much. Oh! How much it is difficult to separate from you even for seconds. Sometimes I ask my self Why God makes us together and apart? but it is the law of "nature". Ever since you left me, I have been thinking about the wonderful time I spent with you. Especially your lovely jokes, clever approaches and attractive hospitalities. Really you are the one who makes me happy; the one I always want to be around. What a lovely joker you are please!
Thank you very much for visiting my village. That is my pleasure to pass my time with you. Because you make me smile when I feel lonleyness; you make me forget as I am not orphane. I worried when I think whey I am alive alone with out mother in the world. But now no more suffer and cry. Because God gives me condolence and assistance everyday. Truly I was very sad when you told us your life history. On the other hand I am happy since you give your life to Jesus. I pray to streach His hand on you. And I hope I will meet you in heaven for ever. So, my brother, work hard to be a winner and I will follow your foot-print too as much as possible. I proud to call you my dearest brother.
I am grateful for all things you did every single of my life here. Thanks! Ever so much for a great lunch and dinner with you many times. I appreciate having had the opportunity to speak with you and meeting you. I am wealthy having you. Luck to have brother like you. You are given me strength and courage like no one else ever has. No one can take your place in my heart. May God give you His power and wisdom repeatdly.
Now I have received the ESLCE result. So, I get the chance to join to university. This was my desire for a long time. I would like to thank you for God to this achievement. Of course I am not satisfied with my mark but it is ok relative with the other students. Now I plan to do the best since education is mainly important here as no more educated people compared with the vergion resources.
In Ethiopia there are 6 govermental and 3 nongovernmental universities. Each of them receives around 1500 students/a year. (Those who scores above 100). All most all students are between 100 & 200. In the earlier educational policy the point was registered by A,B,C,D and F. But Now it is depending on the total marks. So, I send the copy of it inside here.
I am in Jima University now. I study agriculture. It is 981 km away from Mekele. (260 from Addis Abeba). I meet many new students from the whole part of Ethiopia. Out of the campus, the people has their own culture different from Tigrai even though they are Ethiopian. I go out to the town with the native students and contact with the common language (Amharic). So I am okay with my new life. Most of them confuse with the social life. However, I have teh experience on my village. That is why I enjoy it again.
Carol and Gebre teaches us Bible on Thursday & Wednesday at the village for 2 hours. Hey also invited lunch to grade 12th (room mates) who join to university last week. They shared advices depending on their experience. We enjoyed the time watching biblical video (Gospel song and Jesus' history in Israel). Really it was a lovely day. I know you were in university too and now lecturer of freshman in korea. So if you have something that you want to share me from experience, please write me on the next letter.
Please do not send money as I told you here. When I say this, really, it is from the bottom of my heart. You should save it as you are young. There are a lot of things to do in your plan. If I need your shoulder, I will ask you frankly. Firstly I seek your precious health and comfort life. Now if possible try to send me books and clothes.
The rest every thing is fine with me. What about you? Did you arrive safely? I think i shall be looking to your reply. (**only when you have spare time) I understand you are too busy since you have many jobs to do.
Please convey my best regards to marry. (I am sorry having not written a letter since I am busy to fulfill the forum what i study but I hope next...) And all my friends asked me to greet for you and her.
I know it has been so long since I did not contact with you. But make sure that I never give up writing for such a lovely brother. So I will have another news on the next letter. Until then good bye. "A friend in need is a friend en ded."
God bless you and take care of you!...
The beginning of wisdom is to fear God. Proverbs 1-7
Your loving Kibrom

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Letter from Abadi - Student and Friend

Dear Andy Brown,
How are you? How is every thing? Is life going on in a wonderful manner? I hope so. Right?
Dear Andy, I'm wonderfully fine. But I miss you to death. Because you were my special teacher I ever had, my brother as well. I guess I don't dare to say my brother. Because you treated me like your brother during your stay in Mekele. You advised me to be a good boy just not to do things which are bad before God as my brothers do.
Andy, after you left Mekele, I'm having a good time, but it's not as good as it was with you. I'm not just over doing it I'd a grand time you know I've never been that happy but with you in that short time it was nice always to be with you. You know why life is easy then to going on just laughing, sharing love and happiness.
Andy, I've been to my village and I told my parents, brothers and sisters all about you. They were all very happy and grateful about you and I gave them one photograph of you and me so they won't forget you, your great deed as well. I wrote this note feeling awful for not writing you early. Write me soon for I'm keen to hear from you and remember me to Mary. Bye
Great Best Wishes!
Sincerly Abadi

Letter from Amanuel Wolday - Shoeshine Boy

My Dearest Andy Browen,
Many Many thanks for your kindness and for your invitation the lunch. really thanks again for your heartfelt support.
By the way How is your life trip. I hope you are in a good mood along with your closest friends. Thanks alot for your help.
You know what I want to told you. I have had introduced several people who come abroad but you are unique for me, because I introduced you for a moment buy you have done me alot.
You probably may know that Ethiopian New Year is left only with three weeks, and people is going here and there to celebrate it colourfully, and me too, with my family.
Currently in Ethiopia, you know it this time is a rainy season, it is showering heavly and the crops are growing. Well and we are hoping the drought might be easier than before.
Please say hello to all your families and to your friends too. and I hope you will never ever forget me at any time.
I still working busy with the shining shoes.
I hope God will save you at all, because of your generousity to poor people. Me for example.
So this is enough for today, I am in love to see your letter.
Wishing you all the best. So, I am openning my hands to receive your letter.
Yours ever,
Amanuel Wolday.

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A very special letter from a very special student

Dear teacher (andy),
Hello, andy how are you? How did you get the flight of your family? I hope you get every thing ok. Andy when you read this letter I know you'll get alot of fragment sentences, but please try to understand b/c I write this letter for you when I was at work and I was in a hurry. Please understand this dear teacher.
The past 6 weeks we were having fun with you teachers and we got alot of experience from you and I would like to say thank you very much for helping us. Andy to tell you frankly before I met you guys, I don't like any white men or a foreigner b/c I heard alot of very bad things about a white people, but after you teachers come I know and realize that I was wrong and I forget all about that bad idea and start to love you. I get not all white people are the same and you were very kind for us. so thank you so much all you did for us.
Andy you spacialy 've been very good teacher for us and we love you very much. The last day you were celebrating and I found out that you will live after two days my heart was broken and I wants to cry but I control my self and I went home to cry there.
Andy I have to go now I am sorry my boss is coming ok.
Until we meet by another letter it is enough for now. I am waiting for your letter. I'll right you another time bye.
I wish you all the best and you are my wonderful teacher for ever.
With love,
Netsanet Hagos.

Email from Mary (Jan 19/2004) night before leaving on Mission Trip #3 to northern Ethiopia

Dear Andy,
Hey, how's your packing?
I pray that you wouldn't have any difficulties and the Lord give you wisdom in being ready to leave for Ethiopia.
For the last few days some insights came on my mind and I think these are godly thoughts so I want to share them with you before you leave.
1. I pray that you would never tire of doing what is right right so that you won't miss any of His commands and callings He asks of you to do.
2. I pray that you would go without looking around(ungodly ways) on your way.
3. May the Lord put you on the full armor of God tomorrow morning and may He put you on the armor of God every day - the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, feet with the gospel of peace, shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit.
4. May the Lord bless you and keep you;
May the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
May the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace;
So you will put His name on the Ethiopian and He will bless them.
in Him with prayers
Mary

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Email from George Hart - January 17, 2004

Hey Andy.
I have been meaning to get in touch for ages now but haven't gotten around to it. So sorry for that.
So how have you been since we met one whole year ago (almost)? Patricia told me that you were in Mekelle for a while in the summer. I would so love to go back there. I miss all the people so much. They were just so much nicer than the people that are here in England.
Well, the rest of my time in Mekelle was really good and I was sad to leave. I continued with the teaching of the English for a while and it went really well. Everyone told me that they thought you were crap compared to me (joke). Well I was nothing special but all the media that you gave to the centre was a big help and I maxed out the usage of Gogo.
Its brief, but I would love to know what you are up to now and what you have planned for the future.
Much love in Christ, George.

Email from Ethiopian family January 16, 2004

Dearest Professor Andy Brown
“ God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son JesusChrist our Lord, is faithful”.How are you?I hope you are very happy by the New Year and marry x-mass. Today in the town of David a savior has been born to you; he is Christ the lord. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-andthis not from your selves, it is the gift of God not byworks, so that no one can boast.Andy please forgive me for the long delay. So I am very busybecause my sister lemlem is birth baby (female) and manypeople are to invite her so there is many work in thathouse. Half day in my Job and half day in my sister housethen I am busy. So I can’t write a letter to you.I heard your letter form Tatek I am very happy because youare coming to Ethiopia.
Grace and peace to you from God our father and the LordJesus Christ.
Spiritual Blessing in Christ Bye for know
Say hello Ethiopia, Ruta, Tegest and Bethel.
Your sister Tsadkan Hagos/ mother hen

Dearest Professor Andy Brown
“ God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son JesusChrist our Lord, is faithful”.Greeting in the Name of the lord Jesus Christ! Andres my brother how are you? I miss you so much how wasevery thing? Andres my brother you will come soon so we arevery very happy. We love you so much do you know this?Andres I send to you letter two wise and I didn’t get anyresponse from you so may be you are busy. Andres you are mygreat full not only for me but also for my family.The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love to all ofyou in Christ Jesus. May the lord bless this letter.Your sister Ethiopia and my family.God Bless you

Ethiopian traffic jam

Dear TAG Team,Just imagine....Millions of Tigrai people who cannot read the Word, able to switch on their radio at a specific time each day or attend a local listening group to hear the LIVING WORD of GOD. It will be like water poured out in the desert. You've been praying that final permissions would be acquired so that the project to record the NewTestament in Tigrinya could continue. Many folks have worked on this project for the past two years. It has faced enormous opposition from the enemy. The permissions HAVE BEEN SECURED and are now in the hands of the organization who begins the next step in the project!! Even the Express Mailing of the permissions (a process which regularly takes 1 or 2 days) was delayed. The items had to be tracked to be found and were 10 days in transit. If our enemy's opposition is any indication of how effective this will be, then we can look forward to a huge number of people responding to the gospel while listening to the Audio New Testament. Now pray for next steps....the Holy Spirit's continued anointing in each of these areas: Preparation of the scripts over the next 4 months. (The recording is dramatized.) Pray for the right people to be chosen to prepare the scripts.... the translators. Pray for the training of these workers and that their commitment to the work will be zealous. THIS WEEKEND (JANUARY 16 & 17, 2004 IS THE FIRST MEETING OF THE TEAM OF TRANSLATORS THAT WILL REVISE AND PREPARE THE SCRIPTS.) Pray for the people who will speak the parts on the recording. Pray for the logistical details of the entire recording project.Pray even now for those who will hear the Word, that their hearts will be open.....ready to hear.

Email from my brother, Tatek, October 30, 2003

Grace to you from God
My dearest brother Andy,
How are you doing my beloved brother Andy. I am so much eager to see you physical,I missed you so much. You have been very kind to me in supporting and extending assistance not only to me but including my family and grace will go to you from the almight God. God will be on your side so that your trip would successful and peaceful. TELEPHONE # 251-04-406338
I thank you very much and God bless you.
Your brother
Tatek

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Email from Sheba College Student Oct. 21, 2003

How are you my sweet friend Andy? Are you fine? I hope you and your sweet family are fine. Andy I wrote a letter for you using P.O.BOX do you received it. But I am not received a letter from you yet. I cant stop emailing for you until you send me a letter, because I love you very much, words fail me to express haw much that I love you. But I would like to say I am sorry because of my English.
I want to hear from you sooner
Love
Michael

Letter from Youth Center Student October 2003

Dear Professor .
How are you? Are you fine like a powder? How is life in Korea? I hope it’s wonderful. I miss you from deep. Deep down of my intestine. You know why? Because you were like a friend and big brother. You invite me in Axum Hotel and you that which is makes me happy because I’m egger to visit foreign countries and foreign people too. So Andy just you are such a good person. I wish your happiness, luck and success where ever you are and where ever you go.
Andy sweet as candy.
Thank you for every thing.
Your, sincerely, Eskedar.

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Testimony after Mission Trip #2 - July 1-Aug.20, 2003

Many prayers in the book of Psalms include vows to praise God in anticipation of the expected answer to prayer.
Psalm 7:17 is a good example:
"I will give thanks to the LORD because of His righteousness and will sing praises to the name of the Lord Most High."
Psalm 13:6 is another quick example:
"I will sing to the LORD, for He has been good to me."
and finally, Psalm 52:9 as a last example:
"I will praise you forever for what you have done, in your name I will hope, for your name is good. I will praise you in the presence of your saints."
I strongly believe that praise MUST follow deliverance if God is to be TRULY honored.
I am here in front of you to thank God for being faithful and true once again, for keeping Mary and I as the apple of His eye and keeping us safe in the shadow of His wings.
I thank God also for the support of Neul-Sa-Rang church members, both financially and spiritually.
Your prayers were greatly appreciated and effective, and I am eternally grateful.
Mary already spoke a good deal about our trip so I want to share one main idea with you that I truly came to learn again on this trip:
That is, that God answers SPECIFIC prayers.
I had the privilege of seeing 3 specific important prayers answered.
First of all, I prayed that I would have more opportunities to give testimony and share my faith with others on this second trip and God gave me SO many chances to do that, both publicly, in class, and privately, in students' homes.
We taught a total of 64 detailed bible stories starting from the creation story all the way to the giving of The Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
God says that His Word does not return void. We can read this in Isaiah 55:10-11:
"As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."
We saw this to be true in Ethiopia as a large number of students from last year's English bible classes have become believers.
My 2nd answered prayer was for my Ethiopian family to know the truth of Christ and the Bible versus the traditions of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.
The second time Mary and I went with them to their home, they asked us if we would regularly teach them the Bible while in Mekelle.
Mary and I went to their home no less than 2 or 3 times a week to sing hymns, read bible stories, share our faith and answer any questions they had.
My 3rd personal prayer was specifically for the salvation of my old student, Kibrom, wholives at an orphanage about 5 kilometers from Mekelle.
We developed a close friendship on my first trip and we continued that friendship through letters.
Our group went to his orphanage unexpectedly and 2 of us were asked to give our testimony on the spot in front of the 57 children.
I was one of the people asked and I was nervous but I was obedient to the Lord and shared.
I told them that I had more in common with them than they might have guessed because I too had been rejected by both my parents when I was young.
I shared with them how God took care of me throughout my life (as He would theirs) and how He gently pursued me until I accepted Jesus as my personal Saviour.
I pleaded with them to do the same while they are alive and have the opportunity.
A few days before leaving Mekelle, I learned that 9 children from the orphanage accepted Jesus as their Lord and Saviour, including my old student, Kibrom.
Even now it amazes me.
Who am I that God would use even someone like me to change the eternal destiny of someone's soul?!
I plan to return next summer if it is God's will.
The English Bible classes are so popular that it is our hope to expand to 2 other cities beyond Mekelle.
One of the cities we hope to teach in is Axum, where Ethiopians believe they still have the Ark of The Covenant.
It is a spiritual stronghold of the Orthodox Church and it is my personal prayer that we might be able to bring the light of Christ to that city.
The problem is that we need to have many, many more people come if we expand.
Please pray that other members from SIBC (Seoul International Baptist Church) will join God in His work there next summer.
If anyone here believes that God is calling them to northern Ethiopia, please let me know, as there are many opportunities there, no matter what your field.
As Jesus says in Matthew 9:37-38 and Luke 10:2: "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field."
Thank you once again for your patience, your attention, your fellowship and your support.

Ethiopian Vision Trip Summer 2003

I held so many filthy hands
as I walked down the streets.
So many times I wanted to unlace my shoes
to cover anothers bare feet.

Invited so many times into a cube,
somebody called a home
They would sit on a muddly floor next to you,
just so you wouldn't sit alone.

They feel you popcorn and coffee,
and give you their last piece of bread.
They have so little to offer but
they will make sure that you are fed.

They are devout to their God,
but they don't even know His name.
They spend a whole life doing good works,
that all end up in vain.

I am humbled that God let me hold
a salvation shovel in my hand
To dig and plant seeds that will change the
destiny of this land.

I walk away leaving so much behind,
but taking with me so much more.
How foolish it is to hesitate
when God opens every door.

So a challenge I leave to all of you.
Continue to run this race
For one day a seed you planted
may meet you in heaven, face to face.
(Jennifer Phillips)

Ethiopian Mission Trip #2 - Mekelle, July-August 2003

We celebrated Tsadkan's birthday by getting the Axum Hotel to make her a special cake. She was so overwhelmed with praise to God. (Diplomacy is remembering a woman's birthday but not her age, am I right?! ha!ha!)

This sweet child of God, Hiloo, who is mentally retarded, lives on the streets of Mekelle. He would always come up to us and give us BIG hugs and refuse to let us go. I pray that God will continue to use the kindness of people to provide for this man.

"The Oreo Cookie" pic! Doug having fun with the students on our last day together.

Immanuel with his girlfriend and girlfriend's friend on "graduation day" of our language course. He insisted on getting his picture with the Jesus poster (of Rev. 3:20) which was given to each student.

precious little Bethel!

This gentleman didn't speak any English but he is a real character. He is paid to come to attention and salute every guest as they come in and out of The Axum Hotel. Naturally, we told him he didn't need to do that for us but he continued to do so for fear of losing his job I guess.

Very sad to see one of my previous youth center students (from last mission trip) forced to sell crackers on the streets of Mekelle to feed his family...

What a cute boy!

Village children out by one of the rock-hewn churches of Mekelle.

Our other Tigrinian bible reader and brother-in-Christ, Wayonte (who is a professional actor) and Ruth who came from America as a 2 week volunteer.

Mary and one of the Kelamino orphans

The "cooking shed" at Kelamino Orphanage

My brother in Christ, Kibrom!! (used to live at Kelamino Orphanage and is currently studying at Jimma University-Praise God!)

She was definitely one of our favorites-Yerusaliem. (or "Jerusalem" as her nametag says but the Tigrinian pronunciation is closer to the actual pronunciation used in Israel!)

One of our Tigrinian bible readers, Eyob ("Job" in English) making sure the students hear the bible story of the day in their own language as well!

Tim teaching the class "Every Move I Make" which they absolutely LOVED!

Hayelom, beaming his charming grin once again!

This student is SO clever and has a real great sense of humor. Eden named after the "Garden of Eden"

Andy and Tsadkan going through the bible

Adorable!

Ahh! The beauty of northern Ethiopia!!!

End of course completion party. Anwar was so proud of his certificate and Frankie looks pretty impressed herself.

Students were SO excited that they were able to keep their thesaurus and calculator as gifts!

Students listen attentively as new vocabulary is presented. (Notice construction going on across the street-very distracting at times!)

Group work as students prepare for their class skits.

Mary and Tsadkan. Unfortunately, Tsadkan's husband has to work in Jimma in the army to help support the family. She only gets to see him a few times a year.

MY Ethiopian family-Tsadkan Hagos (aka-"Mother Hen"), Tigiest, Andy, Ethiopia, Rutha, cute little Bethel and Tatek.

The hospitable Hagos family once again treating Andy and company to good food and good fellowship

Even going out for a stroll sometimes draws a large crowd of curious children!

"those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eages; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (Isaiah 40:31)

"The boys" hanging out during class break.

Mary sure knows how to draw a crowd

Mary, Kibrom and Tatek-3 of my favorite people! (Dressed in choir gowns of course-at Kelamino orphanage about 7 miles just out of Mekelle)

These were some of the best students I have ever taught. Respectable, inquiring, diligent and sweet as sugar!

Bible story comprehension question time!! (My favorite time of class, of course!)

An Ethiopian Orthodox, a Canadian Christian and a Muslim were in a classroom and....sounds like the beginning of a joke, huh?!

This was during one of our weekend excursions. This charming village girl didn't mind getting her photo taken at all although several other children were spooked at the idea.

Jeannie Buchanan sharing her time, her life and her music with Abrhet and Britty.

Abadi and Mary enjoying some chit-chat during a special coffee ceremony students prepared for us

Smiles that could warm the coldest of hearts!

Doug helping a student present his summary of a magazine article to the class

An Orthodox priest proudly showing his old collection of "holy books"...This was at a monastery which was on a high cliff which could only be reached by climbing a long, OLD rope. Only males were permitted here. Unfortunately, my computer crashed and I lost many precious photos...