Project Updates

Every year the Ethiopian Orthodox Church celebrates what is called ‘True Cross’. This is the symbolic receiving of the Cross Jesus endured. Coincidently the Gumuz also have a cultural ceremony on this day however, it is not in the light of redemption and love. This particular holiday is focused on the local village hero (the most skilled warrior/hunter) who will honor his village by taking the life of another. This hero is placed in isolation to concentrate on the charge he has been selected for and when the time comes he will kill either another Gumuz or Ethiopian man.
The Gumuz have a deep history of animism amongst their tribes and villages. This belief subjects the Gumuz to a constant fear of the dark world, evil spirits and appeasing the organizer and inflictor of it all – the Devil. Sacrifices and offerings are commonly seen around the villages in order to deter evil spirits from bringing harm to their life. Sicknesses are often thought of as punishment from the dark world for not pleasing their requests. Animism holds the Gumuz in a constant fear of the unknown.
On the way into the Gumuz in January we stopped to collect bamboo seeds as the bamboo plant only seeds every 15 years or so. As we stopped to collect seeds we discovered a body. There was a group of visiting Canadians that were traveling with me- they were a little bit nervous as we continued our trip into Gumuz land.
We have helped the KHC church start an outreach program to the Gumuz through agro-forestry. This project is going well and my sister Beth, who visited in February was able to introduce valuable concepts for the Health component. The church has also had an impact spiritually with the Gumuz with about 80 believers now in the 4 targeted villages. They were meeting under the trees but have recently built two multi-purpose church buildings for meeting and training. I am making an urgent appeal for funding for this project as it is critically in need of funds to continue. To read more about this project and help support it click here .
February saw the official opening of the multi-purpose centre with more than 350 people in attendance. This project started with memorial gifts given at my Dad's funeral almost two years ago. A simple block maker was purchased and work began not knowing where the rest of the funding would come from. God provided and the work has taken off in all directions with computer lab, library, People Living With AIDS and micro-finance project, Vocational Training programs, the re-opening of the Bible School, Compassion Project for 250 of the poorest kids in the area and 5 fold increase in the number of members in the church.
After 4 years in Ethiopia we have come to the decision this will be our last term. From the beginning we wanted to make sure that whatever we did we would work with local partners so that when we left the day to day operations would continue on and not depend on us. This enabled us to be involved in starting numerous projects from everything to working with commercial sex workers to a Big Brother/Sister program with the University Students and the many projects with the KHC Church. We are no longer needed in the day to day operations of these projects and will be able to continue to be involved from Canada raising awareness and funding for numerous ongoing issues. Devxchange is also rapidly expanding into new countries with numerous partners that require administrative support in Canada. I hope to continue to make annual trips to Ethiopia to encourage and support the work as well as channel volunteers to assist in various needs. We plan to end our term in Ethiopia the end of June but will continue part -time with Devxchange in the home office so hope many will want to continue to support us in this new phase of ministry. We will keep you informed as things develop.

Christmas in Ethiopia 2007

Christmas in Ethiopia was celebrated January 7. We met with some of the Big Brothers and Sisters from the University and the street kids. We helped start this program a couple of years ago with the Christian university fellowship. The university students become big brothers and sisters to the many street kids in Bahir Dar. This program has really taken off and has now spread to a second university campus. Every time we meet with them there are new members and new street kids that now have a big brother or sister to look out for them.
Earlier in the year our niece, Gypsi Fellows (with a degree in psychology) assisted in conducting several workshops for the university students on being a "street educator". It is very encouraging to see the development in relationships between the university students and their little brothers and sisters. They have really helped change the lives of the street kids. They used to see themselves as creatures destined for the street. They didn't see themselves as children or adults but creatures with only blackness as the future. Many are now attending school regularly and can be seen studying under the street lights at night.
One of the little sisters is now old enough to work full time and we were able to enroll her in our vocational training program for hair dressing. The university students are able to share their lives and Christian faith in a way that is transforming lives.
Sue and Sarah took on a big challenge to share the Christmas story in Amharic using flannel graph material donated by Allon Mack of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Barrie. Sue did an admirable job telling the story in Amharic and Sarah followed right along putting up the appropriate pictures on cue. The story was well received and they asked many questions upon hearing the story. The street kids all come from an Orthodox background and the story of why Jesus came is something that is often misunderstood.
We have exciting news from our last update where we talked about the crisis of people living with AIDS around the church. Women were showing up at the church in tears saying they were on their way to dying with no one to help. So far we have been able to help over 50 individuals, with more than 120 dependents, start small businesses. They are involved in just about every business including small shops, selling oil, making injerra (the staple), painting, horse and gary, carpentry, cutting hair- the list goes on and on. For many it has been a life saver. We organized them into accountability groups of 5 or 6 and they will pay back into the revolving fund every month enabling us to help others. They are asking church members to come and pray for them when one becomes sick.

People Living With AIDS

"We are on our way to dying with no one to help!" We have somewhat of a crisis looming with people living with AIDS (PLWA) in the community around the KHC church we are working with. Every day crying women are coming to the church pleading for help saying that "they are on their way to dying with no one to help." Their condition speaks for itself many are sick and malnourished and they say within two months they will be dead. It is not only them that is of concern but they have many dependants. The support group has about 60 members with over 150 dependants. In Ethiopia 70% of women with AIDS are infected through their husbands. In the group surveyed 40% have already lost their husbands and now they are left infected and with many dependants. Close to 80% of the group have no monthly income.
We have been using volunteers to research the situation. While there are many groups, government and NGO trying to do something for the crisis in Bahir Dar, this particular group have tried all resources and have not been able to get help. It has been particularly frustrating for me as well as I have tried to push my contacts and sources to do something. It reminds me somewhat of the story of the Good Samaritan. Everyone has a good reason why they can't help the man bleeding and dying in the ditch. Thank God that some good Samaritans from Australia (Steve Mackay and Noel Towns) responded to the need and have raised most of the funds needed to help. Our plan is to help setup small retail businesses for those well enough to work- to provide some immediate cash flow. We will provide additional interventions for those not well enough to work. In the long term we want to get them recognized by the government and see land provided for them for urban agricultural products. This is a real opportunity for the church to demonstrate the love of Christ to those forsaken and rejected by all. Click here to contribute to the vocational livelihood fund or for more information.
In November, 14 young women were enrolled in the Vocational Training Fund for Hairdressing (See picture above). This kind of training is to help in keeping young girls out of the commercial sex business, which around 10,000 young girls in Bahir Dar are currently engaged in.
Also in November the new multi-purpose centre was completed and they were able to have their first service. Amid much persecution the church has persevered here in Bahir Dar and it was encouraging to see a small group of less than 30 members a few years ago now with more than 200 worshipping on a Sunday morning and many in small groups in the community throughout the week.

The Gumuz agro-forestry project is well underway. I wrote much about this group in my last update about their values of murder and treachery. For details about this project click here. Much funding is still needed for this project.
With the help of Gypsi (my niece) we were able to conduct several days of training for the Big Brother/Sister program with the University Students. This program reaches out to some of the 6,000 street kids of Bahir Dar by linking up University Students as Big Brothers and Sisters. The students are very enthusiastic about this program and there are many new members this year.

Gumuz Agro-Forestry

Murder and treachery these are values held highly by the Gumuz as a symbol of power, manhood and status. The more men you kill the higher your status. Last year we began to research starting an agro-forestry project among the Gumuz as there seemed to be a desire for change among them including the establishing of several churches through the KHC (Kale Hewett- Word of Life) Church. However, during the recent rainy season June through September the killings have continued even escalating from previous years- a sober reminder of the challenges ahead. Last year the police did a sweep attempting to clear the weapons out of the area but they are all back and in greater numbers. The Gumuz typically hunt and forage with bows and arrows but these days they have machine guns and AK47 assault rifles.
We are setting up a base camp in the town of Gilgel Beles the regional centre for the Gumuz. Two of our volunteers Dan Rossi and Jesse Town accompanied me to help set up the base. They visited an agro-forester with the SIM Janet Winch- who has been working with the Gumuz for several years in an area south of the area we are targeting. While they were there at least 6 killings happened in the villages surrounding the base camp. The SIM runs a school for the Gumuz and 5 of the students had been shot at in the past few weeks with 3 escaping and 2 being killed. 5 of the Grade 10 students have been killed this year so far.
The Gumuz have little or no knowledge of forest management, improved agricultural and health practices or water management. They have been neglected in the provision of services because of their reputation for killing and taking revenge/ payback. Through the KHC church and the efforts of their evangelists some believers and new churches have been established among the Gumuz. These churches and new believers will be key to seeing changes come to the entire tribe. The president of the region is a Christian and is encouraging us that now is the time to do something. In addition to the agro-forestry project we want to see established a leadership development centre and Bible School in the town of Gilgel Beles that can train up Christian Gumuz leaders.
So far this year we've had six volunteers , through Devxchange, over to help us in everything from Teaching English to helping set up vocational training for FCSW's (Former Commercial Sex Workers). They have been a real boost and have fit right in. They are involved in local sports programs through the church as well as music, art, English, micro-loans, people living with AIDS, street kids and vocational training. They have been a real blessing and their enthusiasm has really gained them a place in the heart of the people.
Sue and the girls are doing well. The girls enjoy having so many Aunts and Uncles around (Volunteers). Sue is busy in many things and is continuing her Amharic Bible studies that she started last year. They are now being led by one of the participants (Demelash). They are encouraged by the hunger and growing in faith of the participants. One of the new participants had nothing but a glazed look on his face for the first 3 sessions this year (and he couldn't read), but he is now learning to read and the lights are coming on

Gumuz Startup

This next week I will be leaving for Assosa with Tadesse and Amsalu (two elders from KHC) where we hope to sign an agreement for work with the Gumuz. It is a two day trip one way over treacherous roads so we will be gone for at least a week.
Thank you for all who have helped us transition to Devxchange and ICCM. We are still affiliates of SIM in Ethiopia and the work we are doing remains the same but our funds are now channeled through Devxchange and ICCM.

The Year of the Volunteer

It is now only about a week until we return to Ethiopia and a good time to update you as to developments for this next year. Our departure date has been set for July 29.
Our partner church in Bahir Dar recently had the graduation of 18 from the Bible School. It is the only Bible School north of Addis Ababa. These leaders will be specifically going into church planting ministries throughout the north. We have a real need to find resources and teachers to keep the Bible School open and see a new group of students for this next year.
We have many volunteers coming out to help us this next year. They are coming from 1 to six months. We thought you would like to know who they are so that as we give updates from Ethiopia you will recognize them and pray for them.
Amy Hyong is coming out for August and September to help set up a program through the church for People Living with AIDS. Nearly 1 in 4 in Bahir Dar are HIV positive. The issues are complex but the situation is not hopeless. The church has a real opportunity to play a major role in the community in stopping the spread of AIDS, sharing the love of Christ to those suffering and providing vocational training.
Jessie Town and Gypsi Fellows (Daughter of my sister Beth) will be teaching English at Bahir Dar Academy as well as helping out with the multi-purpose centre and the Big Brother/Sister program.
Oliver Veit, Dan Rossi (Photo not available), and Lizzy Delani (Photo not available) will be helping to get an agro-forestry project going with the Gumuz. Dan just finished as the team leader of a 2,500 kilometre walk charity fund raising drive from Halifax to Markham. Here is a quote from a newspaper "Mr. Rossi said the secret strategy to surviving the often difficult conditions, including heat, stinging insects and cramped rest quarters was to begin their daily 3:30 a.m. walk with a prayer and to never go to sleep angry." The article can be found at http://www.yorkregion.com/article/36191. Dan will be in excellent shape for work amongst the Gumuz where long walks through searing heat is an every day occurrence. The details of this project can be found at http://www.devxchange.org/agro-forestry.asp
Carol Van Overloop with Bachelor of Science in Commerce will be helping to set up our micro-loan credit and financing through the KHC church. Just before I left in May more than 100 prostitutes came to faith in Christ through a special outreach program of a church in Bahir Dar and are in need of finding alternate professions for livelihood. We are hoping to get many of these into vocational training and help them set up viable businesses. Details of this project can be found at http://www.devxchange.org/hair.asp
We also have one volunteer coming from Australia -Alexandra Bennett (Photo not available). She writes "I want to be able to make a difference and to make an impact on people's lives in the name of Jesus. To serve and encourage and help those who struggle to meet the basics ... "
We have greatly appreciated the encouragement and support as we have made the transition from SIM. This next year will be an exciting challenge as we try to get many of these projects off the ground with the help of these enthusiastic volunteers that want to make a difference.

African Adventures

"Who did it?". The Mechanic scowled as he looked at my back wheel. "I did!", I replied. At that he broke out in laughter. It really was no laughing matter, however, when we were on a dirt road, over 2 days way from our destination - Addis, and we saw the sickening sight of our wheel passing us and felt the car coming to a crashing halt. It all started when we had a flat tire. No big deal- we changed the tire and continued. We weren't too far down the trail however, when the wheel fell off. Absent mindedly I had failed to tighten the lug nuts after lowering the jack. Here we were in the middle of nowhere, nearly three days journey from Addis, no phone coverage and our wheel sitting in the middle of a field. Extensive damage had been done to the back wheel and bits and pieces of brake and shrapnel were everywhere. Miraculously within 15 minutes a trucker came along and stopped to help. He disassembled all the broken bits and pieces and somehow was able to secure the wheel minus brakes, drum, and other parts. We were able to make the trip to Addis through mountainous terrain (complete with storms, mud and fog!) with brakes working on three wheels and no emergency brake. Needless to say, we were very thankful to God for the many ways He protected and provided for us throughout the entire experience.
My sister Beth, and a group from Canada that included Susan Black (my nephew's wife who brought the "Sue Black" count up to two!) had come to Ethiopia to assist with some survey work and project planning for our work here. The first part of the trip involved returning to the Gumuz area where we had first looked at a possible agro-forestry project among the Gumuz. Jocelyn Green, one of the survey group members, remarked that this was as close to the end of the world as she had been. The landscape had an eerie surreal appearance as the Gumuz burn the land every year to clear undergrowth and hunt animals.
The Gumuz have so many destructive cultural practices that keep them in chronic poverty and poor health not to mention the environmental disaster they are creating. The good news is that through the Kale Hewet Church over the past three years efforts have been made to contact this group. They have established good relationships and an openness to learning in several villages and one of the towns in the area. Now is the time for the church to reach out to 14 of the villages in the area. Unfortunately there are no roads to most of these villages. The survey team had to walk up to three or four hours in searing heat to visit some of the villages. Even though they took as much water as they could carry, they ran out long before they returned. Some were so parched they could hardly talk.
Water is a major problem for the Gumuz. Finding adequate clean water will be one of the major challenges.
In addition to the agro-forestry project among the Gumuz, the multi-function centre continues to develop in Bahir Dar. In addition to the multiple programs from the centre including English, computers and sports, there are two projects we would like to help launch. One is working with local burial associations and community leaders to develop a program for People Living with AIDS in the community. The second program is for Orphans and Street Kids. We currently have a list of 150 kids we would like to enroll in this program.
This is Sue here. Bob asked me say a little something about a Bible study I'm involved in. A number of months ago I felt a real desire to try to start an Amharic Bible study in our home. So with much prayer, and an Ethiopian friend's language help, we started. After the first study, one woman said to me that she had appreciated it when I gave her the Bible last year because she thought it was good for warding off evil spirits, but she had never thought to read it! She said that she was now very excited and happy to be apart of this study group. She said she didn't realize that God loved all people - she said she was going home to read more. Most people here follow a lot of religious traditions and have many superstitions and fears. Many acknowledge the Bible and Christ, but people usually either don't have access to a Bible and/or they aren't allowed to read the Bible, and especially not the New Testament , and as a result they don't know what the significance of Christ's death and resurrection is. They've responded with such love and gratitude towards God as we've studied the book of Romans together and they've started to discover for themselves what God has done for them through Jesus. It has been an incredible blessing for me to get to be a part of this.
Next year we plan to continue as affiliates of SIM but our donations and receipting will be handled through Devxchange. We will be mailing a written letter shortly with details concerning this.