International Miners Mission

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International Miners Mission Introducing Miners to the Master Celebrating the

BLESSING IN Ethiopia November 6th- 11th 2014 Testimony of God s Grace Michael

palpable feeling of great anticipation and excitement among a small group of

London Heathrow airport to catch our flight with Ethiopian Airlines to Addis

We had heard over many months of the Lord s blessing among a group of churches in

that had been unfolding in a faraway place that most of us had never previously

1 International Miners Mission Introducing Miners to the Master Celebrating the work and witness of IMM in mining communities around the world SHOWERS OF BLESSING IN Ethiopia November 6th- 11th 2014 Testimony of God s Grace Michael Jarvis, IMM UK Trustee, shares his experiences and insights Shakiso There was a palpable feeling of great anticipation and excitement among a small group of Trustees of the International Miners Mission (IMM) and friends as we gathered at London Heathrow airport to catch our flight with Ethiopian Airlines to Addis Ababa on Friday evening 5th November We had heard over many months of the Lord s blessing among a group of churches in southern Ethiopia and here we were about to see for ourselves the wonderful story that had been unfolding in a faraway place that most of us had never previously Some of the representatives of International Miners visited. Mission from the five member Committees (UK, Switzerland, USA, South Africa and Australia.

and recovering our luggage, we emerged from the terminal building to walk a short distance to the car park.

2 The flight was uneventful and we arrived in Addis in bright morning sunlight. After disembarking, each of us being checked for any signs of Ebola and, along with a plane load of Chinese workers, passing through immigration, changing our pounds and dollars into Ethiopian birr and recovering our luggage, we emerged from the terminal building to walk a short distance to the car park. There waiting to welcome us was Beletew Kebede, general secretary of the Ethiopian Addis Kidan Baptist Church and Matthias Feurer, a member of the IMM Swiss Council working in Ethiopia on Bible translation for Wycliff Bible Translators and who had worked hard to organise the IMM International Conference and Beletew Kebede and his family visit on our behalf. Warm greetings were exchanged and we were then driven to our accommodation in Addis, the Blue Nile Consultant s Guest House! Several colleagues from other countries had already arrived and the remaining participants arrived during the day. We rested awhile, visited a local restaurant and then moved to a nearby Addis Kidan church for mutual introductions and a briefing about the programme for the conference. Addis Kidan church mission Ethiopia is Africa s oldest independent country and its second

For many of us, Ethiopia is associated with terrible periods of drought.

3 largest in terms of population. Apart from a five-year occupation by Mussolini s Italy, it has never been colonised. It has a unique cultural heritage including the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, one of the oldest Christian churches, and a monarchy that ended only in the coup of 1974 (BBC News website). For many of us, Ethiopia is associated with terrible periods of drought. In there was a dreadful famine in the Ogaden region of eastern Ethiopia and the pictures we saw on our TV screens left an unforgettable impression of disaster on a massive scale. On another note, Ethiopia is also the original home of the coffee tree and we were treated to some wonderful coffee whilst with our friends but more of that later. The programme for our short visit was a busy one! Following our briefing on Thursday 6 th November we rested ready for an early start on Friday. Promptly (fairly!) at 0600 the following morning we boarded a small bus and set out for Shakiso in southern Ethiopia, our principal destination. It was a long journey, some 225 miles, on some very good roads and some very rough ones. We paused for breakfast at Molo and then for lunch at Awasa. We eventually reached Shakiso, a town of some 35,000 inhabitants, some 14 hours later very tired but elated to have arrived at our destination near Kibre Mengist of which we had heard so much. Stuart Burns IMM USA studies a coffee tree. Interest by the local communities wherever our bus stopped

We passed through some beautiful countryside and had the chance to see much that we might not have otherwise done.

separated from the chaff often by teams of bullocks walking round and round over the crop.

As we approached the Shakiso region we climbed out of the African rift valley and into a heavily wooded upland region, certainly far from the desert we had associated with Ethiopia before our visit.

4 We passed through some beautiful countryside and had the chance to see much that we might not have otherwise done. Thus we saw many fields of teff, the staple grain of Ethiopia, being harvested largely by hand with a sickle type of tool and the threshing floors where the Storks in the tree tops at Awasa teff was separated from the chaff often by teams of bullocks walking round and round over the crop. We also saw large numbers of storks over the lake at Awasa and bee-eaters on the telegraph wires along the roads. As we approached the Shakiso region we climbed out of the African rift valley and into a heavily wooded upland region, certainly far from the desert we had associated with Ethiopia before our visit. Shakiso high street John Massink makes friends on an earlier visit to the Shakiso church The International Miners Mission (IMM) has been supporting evangelists in the Shakiso region since IMM had learnt of the existence of gold mining in the region through John Massink who was the pastor of the church IMM Trustee Vicky Yorke was attending. John had contacts with the Addis Kidan church through his work for TearFund. So in God s wonderful way of linking His servants with the needs of His kingdom, Vicky was encouraged by John to visit Ethiopia and explore the possibility of IMM helping in the evangelism of artisanal gold miners in the Shakiso region. The full

!) there are to-day after 15 years of working together six local churches and nine preaching points (embryo churches) in the Shakiso area, each with pastors and elders.

5 circumstances of this wonderful story can be read on the IMM website. The outcome is that following one man s evangelistic efforts in the town of Shakiso (his name was Neguse and he spent his first two months in the town on his own in prayer before contacting anyone!!) there are to-day after 15 years of working together six local churches and nine preaching points (embryo churches) in the Shakiso area, each with pastors and elders. On Saturday 7 th November, after finding some breakfast in the town (scrambled eggs with chopped spring onion was the commonest dish on offer although the more hardy among us tried out the spongy teff-based injera flatbread eaten with meat and using fingers only!) we moved to the Shakiso Addis Kidan Baptist church. Matthias, Stuart and Mohau enjoy their injera The church building is situated on a plot some 2600sq m in size and was built by the fellowship themselves. There are some 120 members and they are led by Pastor Girma, himself a former gold digger who has lived in the town for some 27 years. Their welcome was effusive and genuine. Inside the church we were greeted by the fellowship with kind words of appreciation and affection. Gathered there were all the pastors and elders from the churches in the Shakiso district and one-by-one they were introduced to us and they talked to us about their individual fellowships. What an amazing gathering it was and it somehow summarised all that God has been The pastors and elders from the Shakiso region churches

doing over the past decade, the blessings of souls saved and lives lived for the Saviour.

Among all the workers there, one individual has been especially used in the Lord s service.

There is also the self-supporting volunteer co-ordinator Gobena who travels between all the churches in the district helping with their needs and concerns.

6 doing over the past decade, the blessings of souls saved and lives lived for the Saviour. Our hearts were truly overwhelmed by what God has done and how His kingdom has grown apace in this corner of Ethiopia. Among all the workers there, one individual has been especially used in the Lord s service. His name is Pastor Jeremias and he is responsible under God for establishing a number of churches going to them and encouraging them all on foot. He was described as a modern Paul! There is also the self-supporting volunteer co-ordinator Gobena who travels between all the churches in the district helping with their needs and concerns. IMM hopes to be able to make his and others journeys easier and faster by providing a motor cycle for use by the these travelling ministers. Blowing up the footballs distributed to each of the pastors and elders Pastor Jeremias Pastor Girma and coordinator Gobena With the welcome and introductions completed, gifts we had brought were distributed. IMM Committee member Vicky Yorke had thoughtfully organised the purchase of footballs, one for each fellowship. There was great excitement as the balls were handed to the pastors and elders and it wasn t long afterwards that they were being put to good use. In addition there were loom bands (coloured bands) for the younger children. Ronna Dring demonstrated how the bands could be made into colourful bracelets and necklaces and they

Although there are commercial opencast gold mines nearby, most of the local people are involved in looking Men, women and children as young as six often work looking for gold for gold in the gravels

7 too were soon being enthusiastically connected together by many little hands. After lunch the visitors and pastors boarded the bus for a trip into the surrounding countryside in order to see the gold digging and mining in action. Although there are commercial opencast gold mines nearby, most of the local people are involved in looking Men, women and children as young as six often work looking for gold for gold in the gravels along the river valleys. It is a very wet, dangerous and dirty activity with very little precious metal to show for all the effort that goes into seeking it. The miners have to get permission from the land owner before they can look for gold and the same land owner requires the lion s share of what is found. The process of mining involves digging the gravel, removing the larger stones and then using the panning method to find the few flakes of gold that might be present. It is hard back-breaking work day-in and day-out all day long. A highlight of the visit to the miners was a stop we made in one of the villages where panning for gold was in progress. Everybody got out of the bus to have a good look at the activities and before long a crowd of about 100 had gathered to see what these unexpected Mohau points people to follow Jesus while Beletew (in white shirt) translates

He said something like: You are all working hard here looking for gold but I have something in my hand which is real gold, the Bible which tells us about Jesus, the Son of God and the Saviour of the

8 visitors were up to! For brother Mohau Mofokeng (IMM sponsored pastor from South Africa) this was too great an opportunity to miss. So with his Bible in his hand he called for attention and began to tell the people why we were in their village just then. He said something like: You are all working hard here looking for gold but I have something in my hand which is real gold, the Bible which tells us about Jesus, the Son of God and the Saviour of the world. As Mohau preached the Word the people listened intently. When he asked after about twenty minutes if anyone was interested in learning more about Jesus some 20 of those present raised their hands in response. It was an amazing sight to see God at work whilst Mohau preached. We all looked on with great joy and continued on our journey rejoicing at the unexpected opportunity to share the gospel with a spontaneous audience of mainly young miners. Temporary church building at Sembaba with Matthias Feurer in foreground below Inside the church The next day was Sunday 8 th November and the visitors were split into three groups so that we could share worship and ministry with three different local churches. The first group joined the local Shakiso church, the second group travelled to Kibre Mengist church and the third group went farthest to Sembaba. In each church there was a warm welcome and some wonderful enthusiastic, joyous, vigorous lively worship. In Kibre Mengist, Ian and Ronna Dring found the path to the church rather muddy after the recent rains

This Church and the one in Kibre Mengist had floors of bare earth and rough squares of cardboard was handed out for the people to kneel on for prayer.

9 but had the subsequent privilege of having their feet washed by the elders. In Sembaba the church met in a temporary building made of a rough timber coated inside and out with traditional baked red mud. There were no windows and a candle was used to read the scriptures by! This Church and the one in Kibre Mengist had floors of bare earth and rough squares of cardboard was handed out for the people to kneel on for prayer. Our visit was now fast drawing to a close and the last event was a traditional coffee farewell. We gathered again at the Shakiso church and there we found that coffee berries from trees around the church had been dried and were roasting over a brazier. Preparing the coffee Eventually the beans were ground and we sat around in a circle drinking some wonderful coffee all derived from the trees around us. Excited children show off the bracelets made from the loom bands Meanwhile the young people were making good use of the footballs given to them on the previous day. And the boys and girls were also showing off the bracelets they had made with the coloured bands. Sadly it was time to depart. We had to make a very early start the next morning for our long journey back to Addis. So we committed each other to our Lord and Saviour, said our good-byes and returned to our guest house for one more night. We were up at crack of dawn on Monday 9 th

10 November, had some breakfast in Kibre Mengist (scrambled egg and onions again!) and then set off. We made one more short stop at one of the preaching points along the road called Bocco and then drove to Lake Awasa for lunch. We were taken to a lovely spot right on the lake front. Later we continued to Addis arriving there quite late in the evening. The Pastors and Evangelists from the Shakiso area. Our last full day in Addis Ababa, Tuesday 10 th November, was used to spend time thinking about what we had witnessed. Without exception everybody testified to the amazing development of the work in the Shakiso region and we brought our praise to God for so blessing the work there. We also heard about the history and vision of the Ethiopian Addis Kidan Baptist church from their General Secretary Beletew Kebede. He highlighted the opportunities the church hoped to follow. In particular there is a pressing need and desire to establish a Bible College to train and equip their leaders and pastors and obtain transport in order to reach out to other mining communities in other parts of Ethiopia. Colleagues from IMM around the world updated us on what was happening in their areas and we prayed together about our ministry asking the Lord to continue to richly bless the evangelists and pastors we support around the world. How we all long to see miners from all corners of the world saved and brought into the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! The IMM UK group left Addis very early on Wednesday morning 11 th November so grateful to our God for giving us the opportunity to

witness at first hand the astonishing development of His church around Shakiso and encouraged that what has happened and continues to happen there among the gold miners demonstrates that nothing is

Seeing totally different people who also belong to the Lord that I m serving. I m also grateful that I could serve in the conference.

11 witness at first hand the astonishing development of His church around Shakiso and encouraged that what has happened and continues to happen there among the gold miners demonstrates that nothing is too hard for the Lord anywhere and at any time. Hallelujah! Pastor Mohau writes: Indeed we had an awesome time in Ethiopia. It was an experience to me. Seeing totally different people who also belong to the Lord that I m serving. I m also grateful that I could serve in the conference. I saw that angry man, but to me it was an indication we were on a divine mission. The open air was not planned. To me it happened so fast. I saw people hungry for the good news. So I shared about the rest that is found in Jesus, who is the way, the truth and life. Initially about 60 people raised their hand to accept Jesus. The people who came forward were about 20 predominantly miners (men) and a few ladies. All those who came forward were handed over to a local pastor to follow them up. Whilst most of us were visiting Shakiso, David Shillitoe had remained in Addis Ababa and was very busily engaged fulfilling several appointments in local churches there. David writes Abraham stands in front of Addis Kidan Church While staying in Addis Ababa (which I learnt means New flower in English what a lovely name for a city!) my host was, Abraham Equbay, who is a member of the Ethiopian Addis Kidan Baptist Church working at Headquarters. Here he is standing in front of the very

12 modest corrugated iron buildings, from which the whole church group administration is run. He and I travelled around Addis in the church transport an elderly 4x4 truck with a very high mileage on the clock. I was glad Abraham was driving as the traffic in Addis Ababa was often quite hair-raising! I cannot relate all my experiences, but one does stand out. I was asked to speak at an Ethiopian Addis Kidan (= New Covenant) church in a suburb of Ethiopia called Yerer. Abraham drove me for well over half-an-hour to the church, picking up Joel on the way. Joel was to act as my interpreter. Yerer church is only four years old and as the picture below shows, it is simply built of corrugated iron sheeting for the roof and walls supported by rough wooden posts. Many of the churches in Ethiopia are like this. Seated ready to preach, I witnessed the members of the church fellowship e n t h u s i a s t i c a l l y participating in the worship of praise and prayer - Amen! Praise the Lord! Hallelujah! The singing of the songs was very loud lengthy and David Shillitoe waiting to preach at Yerer hearty. They listened to the message I brought with careful attention and afterwards the pastor applied what I had said to encourage the congregation. What a privilege to share ministry with these joyful Christians, many of them relatively new in the faith of Jesus Christ. Correspondence address: David Shillitoe: 5 Old Rectory Court ~ 61 Wood Street ~ Barnet ~ Hertfordshire EN5 4BL visit IMM s website at David s address: dshillitoe@minersmission.com The International Miners Mission (Glynn-Vivian Miners Mission Incorporated 1906) is company limited by guarantee and registered charity Registered office: 5 Old Rectory Court ~ 61 Wood Street ~ Barnet ~ Hertfordshire EN5

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