PARKS' NEWSLETTER (No. 23) |
|
From the land of Cush
PLE 23
Dear friends, We send warm greetings from Ethiopia to all of you! Have you ever heard that a basket of roasted bally was sold by auction? One day we were requested to attend a fund raising programme to build a church building at Gotera KHC Church (Kale Heywot Church which means the Word of Life church), one of the Addis Ababa KHC churches we work with. It was the longest programme that we have ever experienced in Ethiopia, but it was the most touching and wonderful program. The program started right after Sunday worship service finished in 2:00. In the programme one man came out to give his testimony and contributed 100 Birr. Some ladies followed him to contribute their earings and rings. Others also contributed in different ways. After that one funny man shouted, 'Can you buy a basket of roasted bally?' 'Who wants to buy it?' And he called an auction to make the programme fun for everybody. One gentleman started it calling 1,000 Birr. One lady called 1,200 Birr. Another man did 1,300 Birr. It went on and on, at last the bally was sold for 14,000 Birr. It means that the first man paid 1,000 Birr and the others paid the difference of the former price. So the last person got a bally, even he didn't pay the whole amount. Anyway, they raised 170,000 Birr on the programme This reminds us of the Corinthian church who are willing to serve their churches with joy and generosity (2 Cor. 9:10-14). This program showed us the maturity and independence of Addis Ababa KHC churches. We like to share with you for the items of praise: 1 For God's wonderful preparation to provide us with a 4-Wheel Drive Car (Toyota Land cruiser 1996) that we have prayed for long time. 2. For the peace agreement between Eritrea and Ethiopia. 3. For the fund raising program to build two worshipping places by Mekanisa and Gotera KHC churches. 4. For reaching 2,100 non-Christian children in Addis Ababa with the gospel through puppet drama during the Christmas programme. 5. For the programme '2001 Vision Addis Ababa churches', which enabled 20 Addis Ababa KHC churches to be equipped and to be encouraged with various church programmes. We like to ask you to pray for: 1. The pastor system to be established in Addis Ababa KHC. Some of the leaders of Addis Ababa KHC have this idea as their vision to influence other churches. JongKook and Pastor Gejatu will report about the introduction of pastor system on the board meeting of Addis Ababa KHC fellowship, at the end of March. Pray for the wisdom of the speakers when they report ideas and issues in the meeting and for the unity of the leaders to consider and handle these matters. 2. The Orthodox man, who recently came to Christ through JongKook's evangelism group. This caused him trouble with the leaders of Orthodox Church. He has been trained 7 years to be a priest of Orthodox. He likes to remain as a 'born again Orthodox Christian' in the church. Pray for his safety and his spiritual growth. 3. The four homeless girls on the street who are doing Bible study with us. We supported them for their room to live in, but they were forced to move out by the strong appeal from the neighbours. We found two of them are pregnant. Pray for the direction of their future and for the change of their life to start in a right way. 4. The Rehabilitation Center of Juvenile Delinquency where there are 80 kids from 9 to 15 years old, to open its door to be reached by the Gospel. We were invited to show them the puppet drama there last Christmas(7 January 2001). Then strong opposition arose from the kids and staff and we were not able to witness to the Gospel. We were asked to give regular counselling to kids whose life can be guided and changed in the right direction. 5. Sunday School teachers' fellowship to start with 14 churches in Addis Ababa KHC. Grace wants to organize the fellowship and wants to help Sunday school teachers to be encouraged to develop the Sunday school programme by the regular fellowship. 6. Jason's High School: he has to go there next school year: Jason applied to go to a high school in Kenya from 9th grade 6 years ago. He is on the waiting list. Bingham Academy, which Jason and Anna go to, are trying to establish a high school here from Jason's grade. It's still in the process of finding a principal and teachers, making a curriculum and administration. We ask you to pray for the Bingham board (JongKook serves as a board member) for wisdom and unity as they face many issues for the new high school because it is a major issue for many mission families here in Ethiopia. And pray for us as we need to decide where Jason goes for high school next year. 7. Young people's fellowship in Addis Ababa KHC to grow in their vision. Over 70% of the church members are young people in Addis Ababa. Some churches have conflicts between the church leaders and young people. Pray that the generation gap can be reduced and young people can be at the core in serving the churches with joy and willingness. We thank you for all your concerns and prayers that may enrich our fellowship and our work with Ethiopian churches. 'I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being.' (Eph. 3:16) Love from Jong kook, Grace, Jason and Anna Rev. Jong Kook & Grace Eun Hye Park
|