Hello everyone! Thanks for checking back for this month’s prayer points. As usual, there is a lot happening here in Harar, Ethiopia, and I definitely appreciate your prayers!
March happens to be one of my favorite months in the year – as much for St. Patrick’s Day as for the seemingly bipolar changes in weather. I hope it is getting warmer where you are and that things are especially green for you this month! Blessings to all of you and very many hugs!
How You Can Pray…
Pastor Ashagre preaching in Church of Joy!
New Church Compound
Harar Church of Joy has been renting a compound in the Shoawber area for over 2 years now. But the owner has significantly raised the cost of rent beyond what we can afford. It is our prayer and confidence that God, who has started this church, will provide a new location for us to meet. Pray that the church will obtain land of their own and be able to build a compound of their own. Pray that God provides what is needed! The present contract expires in 1 month.
Kids’ Leaders
Pray that God will supply new adult leaders for our kids programs. Currently Tshay and I handle the Saturday Kids Church, and Frazer has been helping us with the girls’ house church. I am praying for additional leaders – especially men – to come and stand alongside this incredible work. Because [in Ethiopia] a woman’s word becomes more effective when supported by a male presence, it is very important that men are established as leaders for our children (To mentor and disciple our older boys and to strengthen the ministry being done by the women leaders). I have my eye on a few people in particular; pray that God lays children’s ministry on their hearts!
Bible School Students
Despite some current challenges among our Bible School students, they continue to hunger for God and His plan for their lives. Right now Pastor Mohammed is teaching them about Evangelism and in about 1 week, they will go out on their first official outreach! Pray for these amazing men and women who are facing struggles in their personal lives; Satan truly desires to take them out and destroy the work God has started. But in Christ they are victorious! Please pray that they be encouraged and strengthened as the classes draw to a close.
Looking over the edge of Jugol toward the mountains in the east
Jugol
Pastor Mohammed, who heads up our incredible evangelism team on Saturday mornings, has received a strategy from the Holy Spirit about reaching the area of Jugol, which is Harar’s “Old City” and home to the largest community of Muslims in Ethiopia. Last Saturday the team surrounded the area and entered Jugol by each of its five gates, praying for specific things as they walked. Some of these include: salvation for the people living in Jugol, the birth of new house churches, and miracles to take place. Pray for our bold disciples as they continue to focus on this area in prayer and evangelism!
Additionally, during the last week’s Sunday service, Pastor Mohammed preached and 2 men were saved – 1 of these lives in the Jugol area! Praise Jesus for this breakthrough! Several of our children in Kids’ Church also live in this area!
Girls House Church
In my email that I sent out for the month of March, I wrote about the strength of these young girls and how they have chosen to follow Jesus despite persecution from, in some cases, their own families.* Please keep these girls in your prayers for they are changing this city! Pray that they be encouraged and strengthened in the face of trials and that they continue to grow in the knowledge of Jesus and His Word. Pray that they will each hear His voice in their lives!
We currently have about 6 active members of the house church, but more than that have come at least once. Here is a photo from last week’s house church. Pray that Tshay, Frazer and I will continue to build relationship with these precious ones and thus earn the ability to speak more truth into their lives.
*To read a more detailed story, as included in this month’s email, of what I learned of one girl’s challenge at home, go here.
My Vacation
The day is almost here! I am truly longing in my heart and spirit to go away for a while and be with Jesus. I will be on vacation March 14-23, spending some time with a girlfriend in Addis Ababa and then will be returning to Florence, Italy!!!* Jesus has truly blessed me and I cannot believe how good He is.
I was reluctant to consider a vacation at all at first, but through close friends’ and leaders’ confirmation, I am now packing my bags! Please keep me in prayer as I am traveling and seeking rest. My desire is to be romanced by Jesus, hear His voice and receive what I need to continue my work here in Ethiopia. I appreciate all of your support and prayers while I am on break!
*Some of you may remember I had lived there for a semester several years ago, studying abroad. This is a city I know and therefore a much safer place for me to go alone than, say, a resort in Africa.
That’s everything for now! I love you all – don’t forget to wear some green and eat some corned beef and cabbage on the 17th! I will be listening to plenty of Irish music, to be sure! Happy St. Patrick’s Day! :D
