News: ERM- USA Team In Ethiopia

In June 2009, Ezra Rural Ministry-USA team members flew to Ethiopia for the graduation ceremonies in Hosanna and Butajira to be held in the first week of June. The team had packed the maximum amount of weight in their luggage and carry-ons, taking much needed items for ERM staff, family, and others, including gifts to be presented to several churches associated with Ezra Rural Ministry, computers, digital cameras, inspirational dvds and books, clothes, toiletries, even a wedding dress!

The team suffered no ill-effects and traveled the next day to visit family. George Eaves met with his Compassion, Int’l “adoptive” son from Awassa, then traveled back to Addis Ababa where he assisted ERM Director Dereje Shiferaw and David Suda distribute blankets, wheat, and oil to area widows and orphans. David and Becky traveled several hours south to meet with her biological family living in Arsi Negele. After three days, all the team members were back in Addis Ababa preparing for the graduation ceremonies.

The first graduation took place on June 6th in Hosanna with 44 graduates in the two-year Diploma program and 19 graduating with one-year Certificates. Each of the members of the Team-USA had a chance to congratulate the graduates, passing out diplomas, certificates, and gift Bibles. Dereje presented gifts from the Church in America to the various churches associated with ERM in Hosanna and ERM Board member David Mantha presented Dereje with a gift congratulating him on five years of ministry in Ethiopia through Ezra Rural Ministry.

The next day, the team traveled to Butajira where 27 graduates were presented with their two-year Diplomas and Enseno where 27 graduated with one-year Certificates. The graduation ceremonies were celebrated with fellowship, worship, and the preaching of the Word. The Team-USA has reported how impressive the Ethiopians are as they worship God in song and prayer. The freedom in the Spirit that Christians in Ethiopia have to speak boldly the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ was what impressed David Mantha the most.

Before leaving for home, the team members met with the ERM Board to discuss the needs of the ministry in Ethiopia, their concerns, and their mutual desire for the ministry to grow. Later, they met again for a meal together to say goodbye and wish each other well.

Thanks go out to all of you who supported the Team-USA, prayerfully and financially, as they made their way to Ethiopia and back. It was by God’s grace, in answer to your prayers, that all indeed did go well.

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