On Friday Pastor Amanuel invited us to take a short road trip to Sululta, we had been there before on our way to Fichee, but this time instead of stopping for lunch we would be visiting a satelite church of ours in Burayu. Sululta is a rapidly growing community just to the north of Addis. We crossed over a high mountain range and were stopped by Federal police to check our passports. It is election time in Ethiopia, security is a bit tight.
Sululta is located on the edge of a wide open plain at the bottom of the mountains.There is a tremendous amount of industry here, water bottling, dairy production, flower farms and cement factories. There is construction every where you look. We wandered around on some terrible side roads and finally found the little church. It was just a mud and stick house, 3 rooms, situated in a grassy tin fenced compound. The congregation had gathered anticipating our visit and we joined in their worship . Sandy and I each spoke to the congregation and I have to say that Sandy really let the Holy Spirit shine through. She fairly lit up the room. She encouraged the congregation to keep the Gospel of Salvation foremost, that this life and its struggles are fleeting but our life in Christ is Eternal.
We joined in with their worship . I always enjoy the simplicity of worship here. The evangelist played a traditional stringed instrument and a young woman played a jerry can drum. No electricity for speakers and microphones and overhead projectors, not even light bulbs. Pastor Amanuel asked Diriba and the congregation the reason for requesting our visit. Their primary concern was for Oromo Bibles. Secondary was for money to pay for electricity for the church .Thirdly for Kibinesh to be healed of her sickness. Fourthly, for support money for Evangelist Diriba to support his family while preaching to this congregation.
I pray that electricity doesn’t become a burden rather than a blessing. No electricity , no bill , no burden.
What is the need for this church, aren’t there other churches in Sululta? There are other churches in Sululta, but this is an Oromo speaking congregation in a predominantly Amharic speaking community. The other churches will not allow Diriba to preach in their churches in afaan Oromo. We are not talking about a doctrinal problem here ,we are talking about language. This group of believers has had to provide its own facility to meet the needs of the Oromo speaking population. I counted about twenty adults and numerous children. All very poor, another problem with being Oromo in this community.
Are we not all ONE in Christ? There is no place for cultural, racial or financial pride in the Body of Christ. Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek , there is neither slave nor free , there is neither male nor female ; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
How do we measure up? Where is our pride? Is it in our God and Savior or in our status? Is there someone who we think doesn’t meet our standards? Who we don’t want to worship with?
I am praying that Sandy and I can afford the afaan Oromo bibles for this little congregation. It seems lately every where we turn some one has their hand out to us. The money seems to fly out of our wallets faster than we can count it. We pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit to give us discernment and wisdom. Who is truly in need? What is the greatest need? Our first priority, as Sandy so poignantly pointed out, is to share the Gospel of Salvation. <>< Carole
With that in mind this weeks prayer requests are:
Afaan Oromo Bibles for the Sululta congregation
Healing for Kibinesh,evangelist Diriba’s wife
Financial support for Diriba and his family as he brings the Gospel to the Oromo people of Sululta
Humility and unity in the Faith of true believers
A tale of the wisdom of God.
May each one of thee prayer requests bear the fruit of His glorious purpose and
will in His perfect time. Amen
In prayer, love and blessings Judith
James 3:13 The Amplifiled Bible