July 15 – The People are Amazing!

The People are Amazing!

Who’s amazing?  Both the people of Ethiopia and the people of our mission teams!

Each day our medical and optical clinics were filled to capacity.   Joseph, the school director did a masterful job of controlling the every growing crowd at the gate to the government agricultural facility where we met.  Hot in Texas?  It was cold and wet in Bantu but the people still came.  Wednesday afternoon children shivered July 15, 2011

standing in cold mud and water over their feet.  Dr. Erdaw, Ted, Viola, along with Jerry Bohn, a new doc from Alabama, saw patients from 8:00 until 6:00 almost every day administering health care and love.  They performed several minor surgical procedures.  We had the best, most helpful, most capable group of Ethiopian translators this year that we have ever had!

Greg Rhodes almost single-handed took blood pressure and vitals one every patient until the last day when he dressed wounds and assisted in two surgeries.

Toni Clay, Jim Taylor, Kim Anderson and Robin Bohn were always the last to finish as them filled medical prescriptions for each person.  I thank God for the resources our church has been given just to furnish the medicine required!

Vicki Dossett and Barbara Wright became masters of administering eye exams and fitting reading glasses to people who had not seen clearly for years.  Just imagine the difficulty when you need two different languages interpreted just to ask “can you see this clearly?”

And wouldn’t you know it, Jim Palmer had it all prepared and gave outstanding leadership for this, his fourth mission team in as many weeks!  He’s ready for a rest!

But the most amazing part of the week was the “Spiritual Care” station where the young and energetic Ethiopian pastor enthusiastically shared Christ with almost every person who came for medical care.  Over 50 souls prayed with him to begin their walk with the Lord!  This Sunday, July 17, they will hold their first worship service in the village of Jijaba!  The new evangelistic church in Bantu will come to help with the beginning of the second new church in the region.  Isn’t that the way it is suppose to work?!

The work in the Tolee region will continue into the future and more and more churches will be established.  God is using FBCA and the other TEAM churches to bring hundreds of people to Christ in that little section of Ethiopia.  Praise His Holy Name!

Well, gotta go.  I’m sitting in the airport inIstanbulwaiting to join our next mission team in Latvia.  It is encouraging to know that our church is praying for the teams they send.

God bless,

Steve

July 9 – Free At Last!

 Free at Last – A New Country in Africa!

Today, Saturday July 9, 2011, Ted Mettetal and I sat in the airport in Entebe,Uganda and watched thousands of South Sudanese stand in the hot sun in the new capitol of Juba to hear over 30 representatives of the world’s nations commend, encourage and challenge the newest nation of mankind.  The people of South Sudan voted in overwhelming numbers to separate from the Muslim government of the north.

After years of oppression and humanitarian atrocities the mostly Christian south, have the opportunity to create their own destiny.  Pray for our brothers who have suffered so much.  Here are some of the facts:

TheRepublicofSouth Sudancame into being on July 9, 2011.

South Sudan becomes the 54 African state

South Sudan becomes the 193 member of the UN

South Sudan becomes the 196 country in the world

Thousands of South Sudanese return from the Diaspora of refugees caused by violence toward civilians that have proceeded Independence Day.

Today’s celebration took place in the city of Juba, the new capitol of South Sudan.

Savar Kiir has become the first president of South Sudan.

Secession was created by a referendum election provide for in 2005 Peace Deal.

Independence comes one month after secession.

On Friday night, July 8, the Republic of Sudan, the north, officially recognized the creation of the Republic of South Sudan and pledged their desire to be a good neighbor.

Ted and I will join our Medical/Optical team in Addis Ababa tonight to begin a week of clinics in new villages near Bantu, Ethiopia.  It is our prayer that from this contact new churches can be started in each village.

July 6 – Hope Springs Water in Uganda

Here’s what Ted Mettetal had to say:

Wednesday, July 6, 2011:

Today Steve Akin and I joined Beau Adbulla, who is the country director for Living Waters, Int. here in Kampala,  for the trip to Bunyagira.  We traveled about an hour and a half southwest of Kampala, then met up with Isaac Kaye and his sister Grace Nakaye Rita, left the road and traveled about 20 minutes up into the less populated areas, ultimately reaching Bunyagira.  There we were introduced to some members of the water committee, including Pastor Cyrus, who is the chairman of the committee, and the local mayor of Bunyagira.

We discussed the organization of the committee as well as the other projects of the community.  In addition to the new water well, the community is also involved in assisting local orphans through scholarships in the school, help with foster parents, and are attempting to build an orphanage.

We then walked down the hill to the current water supply, which is little more than a hole dug in a swamp at the bottom of a hill, about one-half mile from the village and three-fourths of a mile from the school.  Walking back from the water source to the village or school is a very steep grade that the people have to walk up carrying one or two 5 gallon Jerry cans of water.  Each can of water weighs 40 pounds, and frequently, children who weigh no more than 40 pounds themselves will be carrying a can up the hill.  Isaac said that the water really needs to be boiled before it is consumed, but often people drink it without boiling it.  Water related diseases, including typhoid fever, cholera, and other intestinal illnesses are still common in the village, and people are very ill and often die as a result of their illness.  Another problem with not having readily available water means that people don’t bathe as often, and dishes and clothes don’t get cleaned as often.  Water for making bricks for construction is also difficult to come by, thus slowing or preventing construction projects in the village.

We discussed the water point with the committee and how the village will need to take ownership in the sustainability of the water supply, including care of, repair of, and protection of their water source.  We feel that Hope Springs Water will need to stay involved with the community and continue to offer support to the water committee in whatever way is appropriate for the forseeable future.  The well itself was started a few days ago, but it was discovered that the soil was very soft, so a different drilling rig will need to  be  brought in next week to complete the well project.  The village is very excited and supportive of the project and can’t wait to have a source of safe drinking water in the near future.  This is seen as a definite positive event in the future of their village.  Tomorrow we will travel six hours to the south to visit a current drilling site that Living Waters has in a different area.

Thanks, Katie!  See you soon!  Ted

New Orleans Youth & Construction

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interns Michelle & Rachel work together so well!

June 21 Post

Here’s a shot of Josh Lambright and Bailey Hilburn serving in the pharmacy at the school in Bantu, Ethiopia on our 2009 Medical Mission.

In just a few short weeks, July 7-17, Jim Taylor, Ted Mettetal, Vicki Dossett, Greg Rhodes, Toni Clay, Barbara Wright, Kim Anderson, Jim & Viola Palmer, Gerry & Robin Bohn and I will host clinics in three new villages.  We are praying that a new church will be created at each site.

The Blog Begins

Well, here goes.  In just a couple of weeks I leave for four back to back mission trips.  New Orleans, Uganda, Ethiopia and Latvia.

With a little practice I hope to use this blog keep our church and the families of our team members up to date on what’s happening and how the Lord is using our teams.  It’s humbling to me to see what God is doing in our world.  I feel honored to be part of such an eternal plan.

Keep us in your prayers.

Steve

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