//Week # 4//
Wow, I cannot believe it is time to say, “goodbye Africa.” The last three months have been so full.
At the end of week three we stuffed our backpacks and said goodbye to our Bihar Dar family. I headed back to Addis Ababa on the ten hour bus ride.
When we arrived in Addis one of our squad mates picked us up and filled us in on the recent tragedy. A local dump experienced a landslide killing hundreds. Squatters homes were demolished and the owners buried alive as the trash fell from the top of the colossal mountain.
We spent our last few days in Africa walking to the memorial, praying with those who are mourning and doing anything we could to help. Each time we walked down there it looked a little different.
The first time we met a young man named Prince. He connected us to a neighborhood not too far away where we met Paunche and Mike at a local shop. These new friends introduced us to Tigest. Tigest is a beautiful young woman who rents out her house. She gave us a discount because we are missionaries so we could stay in a safe haven – in our budget! Praise the Lord for His provision! A living room, kitchen, beds for all and hot showers were such a gift.
One morning we had some free time. We remembered a dream that was spoken in the waiting. We went on a walk singing songs of freedom expectant of what the Lord would do. People opened their windows and walked out of their homes as they heard melodious sounds from the guitar. It reminded me of Belle in the opening scene of Beauty and the Beast. We stopped at our friend’s shop and sat for coffee.
Liz and I began a conversation with our friend Mike about the freedom we have found in Christ. He asked a host of questions trying to differentiate religion that orthodoxy and catholicity have taught him and this freedom we were talking about. While Liz was still talking a young man named Brooks tapped me on the shoulder. He straight up asked, “what must we do to accept Jesus Christ into our lives and experience this freedom?!” It took everything in my being not to laugh or cry. Liz and Matty join our conversation as the Holy Spirit transcended language and softened their hearts to the gospel!
Matty and Walter left to find Bibles for our new brothers Benjamin and Brooks. And the Lord provided! They were led to the Protestant church in the neighborhood and were given free Bibles. We were able to connect them to the church and other believers! Praise the Lord for His faithfulness.
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