The following is an update from DownLine 2011 Team, a small group from DownLine Ministries in Memphis, TN, who will be serving as short-term missionaries at Onesimus Children Development Association and throughout Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in September 2011. We’ve invited our ministry partners to post their trip updates and prayer requests here on the TFC blog. You can learn more specifically about the goals of the trip by going to this post. Enjoy their journey and all God has in store...
Written by Nicci Feathers
God is using us each in mighty ways already! This morning started with us all heading to several different churches. Nega arranged for several of our team members and DownLine ministry teachers to preach at some of the Christian churches in Addis. A couple of of these churches are highly persecuted because they are in Muslim communities but the people are faithful to our God and to being ambassadors for Him.
Jimmy Whitaker, the youngest member of our team, gave a sermon on Psalm 1 at one of these churches. In describing his experience he said, "It is such a great privilege to be used as an instrument from God. In some ways, it is intimidating to teach to the people of the churches here, because there is so much I need to learn from them. The passion of the Ethiopian Believers is truly incredible, and it was a great honor to share God's word with them."
After church, we were able to fellowship together over lunch before splitting up to complete several different tasks. The DownLine training portion of the team went back to finish up their conference with the seminary students while the rest of us stayed behind to sort ALL of the medical supplies. We counted and sorted different medicines for what seemed like hours.
Around 4 pm, we headed to join the DownLine group for the closing ceremony of the conference. What a powerful experience AS ALWAYS! We worshiped with the students and celebrated the ending of their discipleship training. It is so amazing to be in that moment and know that God designed that moment just for you and His glory. We praised Him and thanked Him and worshiped His eternal goodness.
Afterwards, we headed back to the guest house to continue preparing for tomorrow! We all pitched in and counted an endless supply of pills to be given to the children and their families during the medical clinic this week. The clinic starts tomorrow and we are all very excited about being there and sharing the gospel with the 150+ beneficiaries of The Forsaken Children/Onesimus.
Thank you so much for all of your prayers! We are very excited to see the children tomorrow!
Please pray that God will bless the clinic and the medical team as they prepare to provide some comfort and healing, as well as teach them about Jesus Christ and what He alone is capable of doing in our lives.