I LOVE Thanksgiving Day. A time to see old friends and family members you haven't seen for way too long. A time to eat... and then eat some more. A time to catch some (American) football (if you're Stateside, or have a good internet connection). And while these are all reasons for my love for this holiday… I love most that it parades thankfulness. Thankfulness for God's provision in so many ways, but of unparalleled importance--Jesus. Wishing all of you a very Happy Thanksgiving! I'm reminded that each of you--at some (or many) point(s)--have given my family reasons to be thankful.
Meet Abate.
I wanted to introduce you to a friend of mine. His name is Abate. I met him shortly after our arrival to Ethiopia, as we both attend a men's fellowship at the Ayele's home. He's since began attending our Saturday Bible study, and recently we've been meeting one-on-one studying the Bible together.
Abate is 76. He's been serving Christ in Ethiopia through the times of an emperor, a military regime, and--most recently--prime ministers. A school teacher/administrator by trade, he has been involved in ministry for longer than I've been alive. He has led many to Christ--primarily in the rural villages and towns. He has some great stories. What I've been encouraged by the most is his desire to continue to serve Jesus, and his appetite for the Word of God. I recently shared some Inductive Bible Study DVDs... which he has grown to love. I once told him that if I reach his age, I hope I am still as teachable and "hungry" as he is. I am thankful for this man and his example of serving Jesus.
A couple of weeks ago he asked me to accompany him in teaching the Bible to pastors and congregations in rural areas. The first opportunity to do so will be tomorrow, Thanksgiving Day. We will travel by bus and foot to meet with seven pastors for a time of pouring the Word of God into them, prayer, and conversation(s). I was reminded today that what I can offer them--in human terms--is very little. I could give them my limited scope of experiences, methods, principles, and stories… hoping that it will relate to their world. However, that is not what they need. Instead, I would like to give them what we all need more of... JESUS.
...SO thank-full.
Prayer Requests.
- Please pray for our travels, conversations, and times in the Word with our brothers.
- Please pray that we would leave different men than when we arrive--because of Jesus.
- Please pray for health and strength, as I was recently diagnosed and prescribed meds for beginning stages of typhoid.
All the best in Jesus,
Shaun
Like!
ReplyDeletethanks ed! when are you headed this way?
DeleteWow, thanks for this encouraging update, for letting us "meet" your friend!!!
ReplyDeleteFather, I thank You for this wonderful opportunity for Abate and Shaun to
share Your Truth with these pastors tomorrow - sounds like the best program
for Thanksgiving Day. Keep them safe in their travels, fill them with Your
Holy Spirit to be able to speak Your Word with power, so that the lives of
these pastors will be further changed for Your glory, along with Abate and
Shaun. Please, enable my brothers for this task, strengthen them and heal
them so they can complete this mission You had set before them and can
continue serving You in Ethiopia.
Bless these pastors and as they get filled with Your Truth, enable, empower
them to take Your Word and feed their flocks in the villages.
Oh, how wonderful and amazing You are, gracious Father. Receive all the
glory this Thanksgiving and every day of our lives. In the name of our Jesus
the Christ.
thanks for your prayers, isabella.
Deletesuch an encouragement.
We are so encouraged by your updates and how God continues to use your family as a light for His kingdom. We are definitely praying. Love and miss you guys!!!
ReplyDeletewe are encouraged by you guys as well!
Deletelove and miss you guys too...