Hey guys. Here’s what’s been happening this last week. My teammate wrote a great blog that explains everything so well. Here it is.
When the Miracle lies in Little Details By Edna Stoltzfus:
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Here’s Jinka so far…
Well, let me just start by testifying how good and wonderful our God is!! He has blown my small mind out of bounds by His working miracles in some even small, but very significant and very beautiful ways.
Even before we ever left for Jinka, God has been confirming His direction here and His favor on us in such amazing ways!
We met a wonderful missionary family at a restaurant whom we became friends with very quickly. They loved us so well and set us up for success on our trip to Jinka, providing us with valuable information, including an emergency plan, and beautiful encouragement. They took us to the best restaurant in Addis where we could have an authentic Ethiopian cultural experience in a meal. They took us shopping and are even holding some of our luggage for these two weeks so we could travel lighter. They gave us a large bag of fresh cinnamon rolls, (please recognize how truly great that is!), and a Jesus film on flash and CD, also plenty of gospel tracts and the gospel of John booklets in the language of the people we would be ministering to. Josh, Crystal, and family, you are amazing! Thank you!
Our journey to Jinka took place in the span of two days. We spent the night in Hawassa, then continued our journey, 13 more hours on an African bus the following day. We had early morning adventure which continued in some form to the closing of the day. At 5:30 in the morning Jenny, Kimbra, and I found ourselves waiting in some random Bajaj (a little blue taxi buggy, much like the Asian tuktuk), while the rest went to buy our bus tickets. We never realized how alone we were, but for some armed person who really did not look like any sort of officer to me. We thought all this time our driver was waiting outside with us, but no, he had left. Of course, God was with us; Praise!
What an eventful journey this was! The sights, sounds, and smells all around us were both foreign and fascinating, and frequently had my mouth hanging. I’ve never seen so many goats or donkeys in my whole life. They were all over, including the middle of the road. We saw herds of camels and wild monkeys, people bathing shamelessly by the river along the street, and yes, the lush landscape and majestic mountain ranges did exceed the Lion King Africa I had envisioned.
At each stop, a dozen people would board the bus and make several rounds trying to sell their goods, or asking for money. Or they would hold up their large tray of nuts and seeds to our window for a solid 10 minutes. Although we felt rather obligated, we managed to convince them we don’t want to buy any. For the sakes of our vulnerable stomachs not accustomed to, nor strong enough to handle just anything, we take precaution of what and from where we buy.
We did accept the enjera meal that was served at one of the bus stops. Enjera is quickly becoming one of my favorite foods. It is a sourdough (fermented) crepe-like food that is served with various meats and sauces, sometimes noodles or rice.
Typically, bathroom breaks were made in the middle of nowhere where bushes were provided.
We make friends very quickly here. People are very friendly and kind.
We arrived at our “home” in Jinka, already our fourth in Ethiopia, greeted by a large happy family. They were very gracious to us. They served us coffee and corn on the cob. We visited awhile, the best that we could, for the serious language barrier, then we set up our tents in the living room and settled for the night.
The next morning after some awkward communications we had finally been able to convince them that it will be best for all of us if we don’t stay at their house for the duration of our two weeks in Jinka, and that No, it is NOT because of the condition of the toilet that we want to leave.
Samson took a few of us to the market to buy vegetables, which even now, two days later, nobody really knows when or how we will cook them.
The children here are so easily befriended. They trust and love us immediately and quite often jump on our train and follow us to wherever we are going.
In the afternoon we moved to a guesthouse which turned out to also only be a brief stay, because it is a bar with very noisy and active nightlife into very late hours, including yelling and fighting right outside the doors of our sleeping quarters.
So after the second night there, we find ourselves at the Jinka resort, a beautiful restaurant and cabin resort nestled in the woods. It is so good to be here. And oh, there’s actually WiFi! (And a mirror, Lol!)
Yesterday Jeshua and Shepherd took us to the OMO Children’s Home. As usual, as we’re walking, we’d collected quite a number of children walking with us. There’s the language barrier, yes, but that does not seem to hinder much at all. They chatter much, as if we understand it all, so we do the same. Although there’s little actual conversation, both parties seemed to have gained the mutual agreement that this is great and of course we can be friends!
This morning we circled up for prayer before entering the gates of the children’s home. Our street friends all quieted, seizing that moment of prayer with us. One young lad whose hand he’d tucked into my own, started talking but was silenced by an older boy who motioned for him to pray. Some had their hands folded and eyes closed. It was so precious.
Leaving those children, we entered the OMO Children’s Home, warmly welcomed by the wonderful staff there. Most of the children were in school, but we were given a tour of the place. The buildings were beautifully painted and everything was clean, neat, and efficient. “Mommas” were busy washing clothes and a few were cooking.
We met with one of the main leaders who told us all about the operation of the home, (Please check out their website here.), the practice and beliefs about Mingi, and also his personal testimony. Ico has us moved to tears during most of his speaking. We asked him many questions and he was so gracious and patient in answering.
We asked about Levi Benkert, the author of the book I’d mentioned in my last blog, and he confirmed that yes, he is actually living back in America, but he will be in Jinka on Monday, in fact, and we could potentially meet with him! (Whuuuttt?!!) How awesome is that?!
Ico told us that with Lale’s approval, we could go with them to the tribal villages to minister to the people there. We would bring our tents and stay several days. How we want to! I am praying that will work out. I have really come to love what I learned to know about the OMO home and the staff.
We are also welcomed to return to the home any day after five to play with the children.
Pray for us as we continue the work here!
Thank you for following our journey. I hope that through our stories you could get a good taste of this rich experience.
Blessings!
Edna
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I would really appreciate your continued prayers for our health and that we would be able to get to the village of the tribe we are trying to reach. We also want to show the Jesus Film so please pray that we would get a generator to be able to power the laptop and projector that the Lord has already provided. We are one step closer to this.
I am still so excited to be here and look forward to the miracles that the Lord will do. That is my word for this month. MIRACLES! Our God is a God of miracles. And He’s been doing miracle after miracle and providing so many opportunities each day. Thanks everyone!
