Jason and Nevaeh travel to Ethiopia

Dan Germo does an excellent job taking pictures. During the week in Ethiopia, Dan would send pictures to his wife Nancy in Minneapolis. Nancy would then send them to me in Kenya. Most of the photo credit goes to him.

So far Jason has gotten to take our two eldest daughters on two international trips during their senior year of high-school and the younger two girls are eagerly awaiting when it will be their turn. Dan Germo, Jason and Nevaeh arrived in Addis Ababa to gather with Ethiopian believers who are ministering to unreached people groups in their country. They had an encouraging time of collaboration. We have learned there is a massive movement of Christians in Ethiopia that are training and sending out their own missionaries to other parts of the world. So beautiful to serve the same God and have a heart for His kingdom. 

Many of the men were impacted by Nevaeh being there, seeing what her Dad does when he travels so much. Nevaeh's presence challenged them to invite their own children to be brought along in their travel for ministry. Nevaeh was able to share that she is unsure where she should go to college. Not only did Dan and Jason get prayed for but Nevaeh also got lifted up before the Lord. There was one man who approached her afterwards and said he would be praying for her daily so that she would be confident in her decision. Even though Nevaeh's name was super difficult for the people to pronounce there was no question about how they cared for her as a fellow believer. 

Jason explaining about the different levels of engagement. 

Praying over Nevaeh and her future.

Capturing some tears that were shed. 

Here they are with church leaders from the first part of their trip.

Jason slaughtering a goat to be eaten for dinner..

A big part of every culture is their food. Ethiopians are known for eating Njera which is made out of teft flour. They can easily eat it at every meal. One afternoon Jason slaughtered a goat so that the meat could be prepared 3 different ways. The three ways were Minced, pan fried without bones, and grilled with the bone in. There was dancing done around the fire before dinner was eaten. Nevaeh was showing me a video where one man had a stick and would pretend to hit someone and they would dance away from him. So lighthearted and fun times just being under the moonlight. Ethiopia is also known for their very strong coffee that is drunk from a tiny mug. Jason and Nevaeh had this delicious coffee everyday there.

Goat meat.

Sitting around the fire.

Nevaeh said she would have joined in dancing if her sisters were there to dance her.

Njera with the shiro made from chickpeas.

Ethiopian coffee.

2 missionaries were beheaded at this location. 

The Bible tells us we will encounter present suffering but will have future glory. Dan, Jason and Nevaeh were brought to one location where 2 missionaries were beheaded. That reality shows that sometimes that is the cost in following Jesus. Way too often the false prosperity gospel is preached. People truly think that if you become a Christian your life will be better, you will become wealthy or if you are sick you will get better. The Bible doesn't promise any of this. Jason, Dan, and Nevaeh were taken to another location where a church was burnt down as an act of persecution but has been rebuilt and now has 1,000 members. This reminds me of scriptures in Romans 8: 18-21 " I consider our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.  For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the One who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into freedom and glory of the children of God."

We will have troubles and will see things be destroyed but one day Jesus is coming back to right all the wrong as the Righteous judge. What a glorious day that will be!

Overall Jason and Nevaeh had a wonderful time traveling together. We have less than 2 months here in Kenya until we go to the States for our Furlough.  Stay tuned for the dates.

This church was burnt but now has been rebuilt and has grown to 1,000 members.