INCREDIBLE!!!
John just returned from Africa a few weeks ago. As always, it was a life changing experience. Read below to get a sense of the incredible stories of what took place while they were there and the work that was done for each of our African Ministries.
Ethiopia:
During their stay in Ethiopia, John and the team was able to build a fence to secure the orphanage. It was a major blessing for everyone and it’s nice to know that orphanage and the children there will be better protected. They also visited a few other orphanages including our new orphanage in Debrebirhan, and an AIDS orphanage, which was very heart wrenching to say the least. They were also able to go with Joey & Destiny La Tourneau, who is new ministry partners for our M.A.R.K 10:14 program, onto the streets of Addis Ababa where they have an amazing ministry called Operation Daniel aimed at the orphaned street children. Here is a small excerpt from their trip.
“We went with Joey to see the street kids. We took a bus (NOTE: picture crowded people, animals all over, smells, etc) and then walked a little bit. When we got to the area, the kids began showing up. Today, there were about 8 kids between 6-12 years old. They were total street kids: filthy torn clothes, beat up shoes, some orphaned; but since becoming a part of Operation Daniel, have given their hearts to the Lord and are changing their lives and the lives around them. Joey started by asking how their week went and their stories were unbelievable. Joey had asked them earlier to not beg for money but to ask God to provide. One boy said he did that and God provided. It was awesome. One boy said that he showed Jesus’ love by obeying his family. He would normally not listen and just run away but this week he listened and obeyed. One kid said that the money he made, he bought things for his family, not himself. One kid shared the gospel with his friends and family. Joey then shared a story and then the kids worshipped and we all prayed. They are great kids who have absolutely nothing. Some of them have “homes” to go home to at night to sleep, but all day they are trying to sell things or just hanging out on the streets”.
Sudan:
The primary reason for the trip to Uganda was to meet up with a few of the Lost Boys to price out building materials and complete bids for the school in Sudan. In order to build in Sudan, you have to purchase everything in Uganda and then bring it in. John Dau, who was in the movie “God Grew Tired of Us”, is one of the lost boys John met up with. From the money he made in this movie, he was able to build a medical clinic and we are now working on a building a school in the same region. The people are returning from over 20 years of exile and have NOTHING! John said it was incredible to meet him and that he had an incredible presence about him. He is truly a hero! They were able to get everything accomplished which left time for them to pursue other ministry opportunities in the area as the Lord is calling us to this region. Read below for the most incredible journey John has had yet.
Uganda:
We are thrilled to see how God is going is moving in the beautiful country of Uganda. John had the chance to visit there in December with two other men, and of every trip he has taken, this was the most riveting and unforgettable. Before his departure, we had tried for weeks to set up in country meetings for him to check out on his 2 days off there. Though we were praying continuously for the Lord to show us what need He wanted us to get involved with there, it seemed as though He was closing every door. The missionaries just so happened to be visiting the states, other ministry offices were closed, etc. So John ventured out not having any idea where God was going to take him. It was a total step of faith entering a foreign country not knowing what move he would make next, and just praying that God would show up and open doors. Needless to say, did HE EVER!!! At first, they went to Youths for Christ (YFC) office, but the office just so happened to be closed that day. So they decided to go down to Calvary Chapel Kampala. While there they met up with a young man named Andrew, who had a ministry in the slums. He was getting ready to head down to the slums right when they showed up. The timing was too perfect. Had theYFC office been open, they would’ve never run into him. So they agreed to go with Andrew, though he warned them that not even Ugandan’s would enter this area. What he saw there was nothing short of heart stopping. Here is an excerpt from John’s trip.
“We met up with the guys from yesterday and headed out. We stopped by the outdoor shopping place and purchased clothes for the street kids. We went to a couple different markets so it was a great experience. We got 30 shirts and shorts/pants and then about 12 pairs of shoes. We then went to the slums. The kids were all very excited to see us again. We went into one of the rooms with all the kids. We each said a few words to the kids. I spoke about the Christmas story and what it means. The kids then sang a song to us and then I prayed over all the kids. One of the kids got up and wanted to pray for us. It was awesome. We then started to pass out the clothes. Derrick and martin had to push the kids around so they would be calm. There were a lot of different kids than yesterday. A lot more babies. Again, I cannot do it any justice with words. I got tons of pictures of the kids and their new clothes. Just breaking our hearts. We stayed there for awhile and then the guys took us to another part of the slums that was indescribable. The people here are from the eastern part of Uganda. This was the worst part of the slums, remember slums of Uganda not America. I went into one of the rooms (houses) and my heart stopped. There were about 3 ladies and about 4 kids. UNBELIEVABLE! They were not in good shape. Half naked and very skinny. Something you don’t want to see but when you see it you will never forget it. These people were living in the worst possible situation in Africa. That says something. We then went around and saw where the street kids sleep at night when there is no more room in the little buildings. It was a pile of trash and then there was a small wooden shed. I walked up and there were about 5 older boys sleeping in there. Around the back there was another boy sleeping in the mud. Again I cannot begin to describe these conditions. Worst of the worst. We then walked around more through the slums. Indescribable. Again it was an unbelievable day. Seeing the slums is something that will be with me the rest of my life”.
Now that John is back we know that God had put these children HEAVILY on our hearts, and in an urgent way. In fact, in the time that John was gone, his words were haunting me at home. I would weep just thinking about the immense suffering of these forgotten children. We are now praying heavily as to how the Lord wants us to meet the need He has brought us to. We will keep you updated as to what were working on and how you can help to get involved.
Mark 10:14
We are excited to announce a new ministry partnership we have with missionaries Joey & Destiny Le Tourneau who serve with Youth for Christ International. They coordinate YFCI’s global youth prayer movement, Operation Daniel. Operation Daniel is focused on seeing youth empowered by God through prayer. Daniel was so very young when he began to make such a huge impact with the Lord, yet Daniels impact didn’t come from his earthly position or qualifications, but through his intimate prayer connection to his Lord. Daniel 11:32 states: “The people that know their God shall be strong and carry out great exploits”.
Though Operation Daniel is geared towards youth of all ages and circumstances worldwide, much of its strategic focus begins with seeing at risk children, who are orphans or who live on the street, begin to realize their God given purpose stored deep within their hearts. Despite their unfortunate circumstances these children are being taught that like Daniel, they too have a purpose in life and were created to change the world around them. All these children need to find their purpose is to connect intimately with their Savior, Jesus Christ. John was able to stay with them while in Ethiopia and was blown away by the work they were doing! Here is a small, but awesome write up on the work they are doing:
“Melles and Kibrom (street kids) began speaking in Amharic quietly when they turned and asked for an Amharic Bible. I ran upstairs to get one, brought it back downstairs and they continued. Next thing I knew Melles and Kibrom were praying together as Kibrom asked Melles for Jesus to be the Lord of His life! It was so cool to watch Kibrom’s response afterwards, he wasn’t necessarily bouncing off the walls excited, but the day held so much meaning to him. His eyes were welled up and he couldn’t get over the fact that Jesus had just saved his life! Before we went further into the prayer time together, we took some time to really try and celebrate Kibrom.
Kibrom looked across to me just after we ended prayer and asked what the date was. I replied that it was the 23rd of December and he wrote it down on his exercise book for school. “I’ve never known my birthday.” Kibrom said. “I think I will make today my birthday. My life is changed.” Just feeling his heart, it was hard to contain myself.
Alex, Melles and I couldn’t help but ask if we could take him out to dinner to celebrate. We walked to a nearby hotel restaurant called Golf Club. It didn’t even occur to me that he hadn’t ever been to a place like it before. We ordered a few pizzas at Kibrom’s request, as pizza is a fairly popular food among a majority of restaurants in Addis. Kibrom had just taken a bite when I asked him if he really liked pizza. “I don’t know, I’ve never had it before,” he responded. “But it’s good!”
It’s been amazing to watch what God has been doing among so many of His children here in Addis. But even in a city like Addis it is easy to forget the lives these kids have grown up in, and Kibrom is much better off than many. Especially around Christmas, it was one of those nights together that you’re just in awe of God and how He is moving. The whole way home Kibrom asked question after question, trying to find out how He can begin spreading the love of Jesus He is now coming to know to the other boys at the home. “I want to help change their lives,” he said. Kibrom didn’t just want to know Jesus’ love; he decided right away that he needed to help lead the way for others. We felt blessed to be a part of Kibrom’s story tonight, so we felt we had to include you in his story as well.”
Why are you doing work in Africa, when so many people in our own country are suffering”?
I think it’s a great question and want to take the time to answer you. First, Gods word is very clear that we are supposed to go to “all nations to preach the gospel”. These were His final words before he ascended to the right hand of the father after his resurrection. If you were on your death bed, your last words to your children would probably not be general conversation, but the most important things you wanted them to know since you were soon no longer going to be with them. That is why these words should be so important to EVERY ONE OF US. God doesn’t only have a heart for American children, because in His eyes, every child on earth belongs to Him and it is his hope that “none should perish but that all would have everlasting life. God is not bound by their geographical location so why are we? After we die, will it matter that we met a need in Africa as well as on our own continent? His heart is that all who are suffering and living without Him would come to know Him. While we are involved in ministries on our own soil, and truly see an enormous need here, we have also seen firsthand the increased intensity of poverty & suffering in the other countries we are working in. It s not something that can be described by words alone. Approximately 75% of Americas poor has a refrigerator and a microwave and yet at the same time there are over 6 million orphaned children in Ethiopia alone. Orphans who are sleeping on the cold, muddy street or in piles of trash where they also scrap for food. They have no blankets, no roof over their head, no hospital that will treat their diseases, and no parents to care. They have NOTHING!!! We’ve seen precious 2 year old girls selling items on the streets at night!! Please tell me where the severity is such in America? It is a tragedy where ever it exists, but the extent of suffering there requires our attention.
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