Posted on February 22, 2009 at 7:30am.
Two weeks ago we were worshipping in a church in Ethiopia. It was a wonderful picture of just how big the Church, the Bride of Christ really is. While I couldn’t understand a word of what was being sung, prayed or said the joy on the faces of those worshipping was a universal language. I sat there and soaked in their love for Christ and found myself worshipping as well. I hope that when people come to CAC they encounter a people who radiate their love for Christ.
Posted on February 21, 2009 at 7:45am.
We start our third Habitat house this weekend. At last count I understand that we have over 150 folks signed up to work over the next thirteen weekends - thank you to those who are helping. This represents more than a house it is a new beginning for the Pring family. It also is a tangible opportunity for us to be the hands and feet of Jesus. We get to show his love note only to this family but also to everyone who we come in contact with during these next weeks. Won’t you join me in prayer that God will use our efforts to bring glory to his name.
Posted on February 20, 2009 at 8:00am.
One of the more emotional times for me was praying for a group of HIV/AIDS workers in Wonchi. I had met some of them back in 2007 when I was last in Ethiopia. Eight of the ten workers have accepted Jesus as their savior. Since then they have moved into a new building (which CAC helped to fund) and their work continues to grow. As our time with them was coming to a close we asked if we could pray for them. As we stood to pray they dropped to the ground and put their faces into the dirt floor. I found tears forming in my eyes at their humility. The thought that ran through my mind is we were the ones who should be on the floor, faces in the dirt. What a wonderful picture it was of the Body of Christ coming together to support each other.
Posted on February 19, 2009 at 9:02am.
The observation that made the most impact on me about the Ethiopian believers was how prayer is their first option. When facing any kind of difficult situation they turn to prayer. I don’t mean a quick “God help me” but rather a focused belief that he will act in the midst of whatever is going on in their life. If I am honest prayer isn’t usually my first option. My thoughts run to what can I do to bring my resources to bear to “fix” the problem. My hope is that as I saw these dear saints in action their response will become a life lesson for me. I want to pray believing God will act.
Posted on February 18, 2009 at 7:56am.
It seems like forever since I wrote on my blog and I guess it is. Well, I am going to seek to do a better job then the past few weeks at putting my thoughts down. The first couple of blogs are going to focus on reflections from our recent trip to Ethiopia. It was a great thrill to be back in Ethiopia with a wonderful group of folks from CAC. We had fun, had our hearts stirred and accomplished a good deal of work. One of the recurring themes I heard was the encouragement it brought to nationals just to have us come. I know that is hard for us to appreciate but the gift of presence is huge. I believe it translate back here as well - just showing up in a friends life can and will be used by God.
