Sunday, Sept 27

What an amazing day. We started the morning at Beza International Church in Bole. Our driver, Ephrim, joined us- awesome. I cannot even tell you how powerful the service was. It was everything I thought worshipping there would be and more. The service was in english, and the congregation was mostly Ethiopian- but we actually did meet a few Americans :). The worship pastor was unreal. He was dancing and clapping and singing his heart out. There was such freedom in their worship. In no way am I slamming our church (or our worship pastor :) )- but I could totally worship like that every Sunday. There was a palpable energy there- and a palpable passion and joy in the Lord. The message was absolutely incredible too. Based on Judges 15, where Samson is bound and then unleashed upon the Philistines. He talked about so often Christians are alive- but bound- and therefore unable to truly experience the freedom and joy that are ours for the taking in Christ. I was crying the whole time.
After church we were invited to our new dear friend Jared's small group for lunch. What a blessing. There were about 20 Ethiopians, Jared, us, another American and a woman from the UK. They barbequed kabobs and burgers and had pasta salad, fruit salad and chips and salsa. Hilarious. We enjoyed sitting around in a circle with all of them, fellowshipping and enjoying a meal together. They asked up to share our adoption story, It was an incredible opportunity to share how God has worked in our lives to call us to this place and share the most important thing about adoption- that it is the best picture we can give the world about our adoption into God's family through Christ. Adoption on earth is the Gospel personified in it's best representation- and we love giving God the glory for the fact that He has called us to be part of this story. Ther people were kind, loving and generous. It was susch a blessing to be invited into such an intimate gathering. As we were leaving, one of the young men told us we would always have a family to come to when we come back (which we will!) to Ethiopia.
After dinner, which included traditional "tips" (lamb) and injeera (soft bread that is very sour, used to dish up the tips with)- I opted for a coke and som almonds when we got back to our room- we had a time of worship in our guesthouse. Mark played the guitar and 4 of the other families staying here all gathered together in the living room to sing, pray and offer our hearts to God. What a blessing to gather together with people 5 days ago we didn't even know existed and sing praise to our God. It was amazing.

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Kip and I miss the worship at Beza so much. I am so glad you got to taste that. Hope it catches on here in every church. Our heart cries out to worship God like that...people do it at football games and concerts...but not in church? I am so glad you were able to taste the good part of life in Addis, too, and not just the overwhelming sadness and despair! Bless you guys!