Since the end of January, it has been my joy of joys to lead a house church for preteen girls in Harar. The week before the first meeting, I had a hard time sleeping because I was so excited about it! Now Girls Only Church is here and I feel a sense of completion in my spirit. God is so good!
Our first week, Tshay and I had three girls attend. These are girls that we know and which have made a commitment to follow Jesus but are in need of teaching and discipleship geared specifically toward them. Each week, we follow the structure of the early house churches in Acts 2:42-47. We spend the beginning talking about the week, eating something sweet and building relationship with the girls. Of course they are still very shy, so this part is very important! After this, we play some kind of interactive game or ask silly questions to “break the ice.” Then Tshay helps me to lead them in discussion questions and a lesson built on the Word of God. Afterward, we give them a challenge, pray and encourage them before helping them to get home.
Beza (left) is one of the precious girls in the house church. One week she came all the way from Shoawber - about a 25 minute walk - by herself for the program!
Last week, Tshay and I were able to visit with all the girls at some point outside the program to present them with an Amharic New Testament and challenge them to begin reading the Gospel of John. I will never forget Eden’s face when I gave her the Bible. She lit up with a big smile, opened it randomly and thanked me several times. Several of the girls have been asking Tshay for a Bible for some months. We are so happy to be able to grant this request for our new disciples!
Last Saturday, Fraser, one of the women in the church came to the house church with a new 11 year old girl in tow. Fraser has been witnessing to her on a weekly basis when she comes to her house to be tutored after school. Saturday, Magdes decided to follow Jesus and we led her in a salvation prayer!!! This is what this house church is all about, reaching the unreached youth with Jesus’ love and training up strong young women in the Word of God. I am brought to tears when I think how beautiful Jesus is to give us this task.
Fraser (right) with one of her neighbor's children. She is a beautiful exuberant young woman who loves children!
Please keep these young and hungry disciples in your prayers. In Ethiopia, it is a unique challenge to get women to commit to fellowship and attending church regularly. They are the workers in this society! The women are strong, working every day to cook, clean, shop, wash clothes and dishes in addition to caring for their families.
In many homes, it is the elder daughters – like the ones in our house church – who work almost as hard, caring for the younger siblings, working in their parents’ shops or helping with housework. And of course they still have homework to do!
Pray that Tshay, Fraser and I will be effective in reaching and pulling them to the house church so that they can become strong young women who change their homes and villages for the Kingdom of God! I believe that they are the keys to this city’s salvation.
All of our girls are the only, or one of the only, Christians in their homes. Pray for strength and encouragement for them since the devil will try to uproot the seeds of the Gospel that have fallen in their hearts. Pray that they learn spiritual discipline toward fellowship with other believers and personal time with God. Pray that they hear the voice of the Holy Spirit!
This is my main update for this month – of course many other things are happening, but this is where I am really requesting your prayers. As things continue to transition here on the base, please also keep me in prayer (I am requesting a week long break next month to really get some rest so that I will be energized for the remainder of my time in Ethiopia). As always, pray for our Bible School students and disciples in the church to be focused in what God has called them to and that they continue to grow in strength and love for the people of Harar.
God is up to so many good things. I love this missionary life!
Me with another of our young disciples. Hawan is an amazing and mature young lady who takes care of her younger siblings. She is quiet but has a contagious laugh!
This is so beautiful! The love of Jesus is so apparent in your eyes and also in the pictures of the sweet girls. I love that you’re following the house church example in Acts. I learned in some of my history classes that it was oftentimes the women that led these… and they grew to be very large at times! And you are following that example… who knows what the Lord will do through this!! Praise Jesus for the salvation of Magdes. I pray that God continues to strengthen you! You are so beautiful – inside and out!! Much love xo
Andrea!!! thank you so much. Wow I didn’t know that about the early church that’s really REALLY cool to know! It’s certainly an adventure and I love it – still learning something every day! I love you so much art sister – continue to rock heaven and terrify the devil as you worship with all that you are!!! HUGS!
Sarah,
Thank you for sharing these precious girls with us. They are all soooo beautiful and I loved reading about all the happenings that the Lord is doing through you and Tshay and Fraser. I was so blessed to be able to talk to you today and then see these lovely pictures of you and your new girls. I love you soooo much!! Continue sharing your gifts with Ethiopia. And your chance to have a vacation is so deserved. May the Lord continue to shine upon you!!
Love,
Mom
They really are amazing! The girl who was saved last week has already read through the book of John on her own!!! We only challenged them to start to read chapters 1-5. She is one of the youngest and already a leader. I am so amazed by Jesus :) And thank you so so so so much!!! I was so happy to talk to you too and hope we talk more tomorrow. I really miss you and being able to call EVERY day! haha I LOVE YOU MOM!