Dear Friends,
Thanksgiving has been a much-needed time of reflection and celebration this year. All over the world people are facing challenging times. Many of you have faced limited ability to gather with friends and family this holiday, and many are grieving the loss of loved ones. The same has been true in Ethiopia. In addition to the ongoing COVID restrictions and economic struggles, we also have a deepening civil conflict between the Federal government and the leadership of Tigray region in the North which has displaced thousands from their homes. Ethiopian schools have been closed for 9 months, and it is still unclear when they will reopen. Closer to home, one of our church planting partners recently found out his wife has cancer. 2020 has been hard, and Ethiopia needs your prayers for peace, justice, and mercy.
Yet in the midst of these difficulties it has been good to remember all the things for which we are thankful. Our children are growing by the day, and our family has been healthy and COVID-free this year. Our church plants have recently attained legal status with the government through a partnership agreement with Mercy Reformed Church. This will enable us to relaunch our church plants with a full community presence in the upcoming months. We have also started work on translating the Al Massira curriculum into two Ethiopia languges: Afaan Oromo and Amharic. We hope this will provide a helpful resource throughout Ethiopia for engaging friends and neighbors with the gospel.
For all these things and more we give thanks to God who walks with us through difficulty and blessing, and uses all things for His glory. Thank you for continuing in this journey with us, one step at a time.
Trauma Healing Liz continues to use the American Bible Society Trauma Healing materials, originally developed for use in African contexts, to train Ethiopians and other international workers here in Addis. She has a training coming up December 3-6 with people who work in a variety of different ministries. Prayers are appreciated that it would be a fruitful time, leading people to experience God more deeply in the sufferings they encounter.
New Roles In addition to my primary roles as a facilitative church planter and Spiritual Ministry Director for Ethiopia ACT, 2020 has also brought some new leadership roles. I am currently serving as MTW's Country Director for Ethiopia and hoping to recruit some new mission families in the year ahead. Please pray that God would bring the right families to complement our team. I am also leading the Al Massira Translation team for Ethiopia as we work to get these materials into Amharic and Afaan Oromo. I have served on the Board for SIM mission's international Christian school, Bingham Academy in Addis Ababa, for the past 7 1/2 years and starting this month I will begin my second 'tour of duty' as Board Chair. And lastly, I have agreed to assist MTW's incoming Regional Director for East Africa with building ministry and partnerships in the region. These roles provide many hats to wear, and I appreciate your prayers for wisdom and grace in this work.
Year-End Giving Our ministry depends on the financial and prayer support of many individuals and families. We are thankful for each of you. Consider making a year-end donation to support some of our current work: 1) expanding church planning into new neighborhoods, 2) recruiting a new pastoral assistant for the Akaki neighborhood, 3) Amharic and Afaan Oromo translation project for Al Massira curriculum, 4) starting a pastor/church planter apprenticeship program in 2021.
CLICK HERE TO MAKE A YEAR-END GIFT
Email me at JASONANDLIZPOLK@gmail.com to be added to our email list.
With love from all the Polks,
Jason