Ethiopian Worship Service

Sunday-- a day of rest and worship and did we need it! It felt so good to have a leisurely morning breakfast because we didn't need to be ready till 10:15. Our teachers were picked up in their 14 seater van and we followed with Sarah, Judy, Jake, Mitiku and me. Ike stayed home to rest some more since he's been fighting a cold. We're so dependent on each other in our teaching team that we don't want to get sick and not do our part of our the day:) We covet your prayers for Ike to feel healthy and strong and for all of us to stay healthy and strong.

When we arrived at the church, the service was in full swing. They already had their first hour of prayers and now it was time for the worship team and choir to sing. That took at least an hour-- lots and lots of praise--all in Amharic. The children were called to the front for a blessing-- all 100 of them- and then they left for their Sunday school lesson. An offering was taken by the deacons-- all women 60 years and older.

This is the entrance to the church-- our SS teachers are walking on the rough stony pathway.

Judy presented her message with her translator, a former Muslim who converted to Christianity and is now a prominent leader in this church. Our SS teachers were following her every word in English and taking lots of notes. Just before the message, Jake started feeling oozy so he left to go to the back and get some air. I had flashbacks of him fainting in Juba so Mitiku went out with him to make sure he was OK. After some time he felt a lot better and while he was standing outside, the Sunday school teachers asked him to come into their classroom and help lead the lesson:) He taught the kids" My God is so Mighty-- My God is so big-- they caught on so quickly!

Sorry the quality is so poor--this little fellow sat with me for most of the service.

The service lasted over 2 hours but we were so glad to worship with God's people in Ethiopia, Africa-God can be praised in many many languages, cultures, and formats-- we felt the communion of saints--and the love of our brothers and sisters in the Lord.

The choir--lots of mikes and a good sound system ( very loud:)

Jake met this ' business man" on his walk home from church--literally a walking store:)