2015 VISITS TO ETHIOPIA
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February visit - a brief report
February visit - a brief report
Back in February Jean Davies made another visit to her beloved Ethiopia accompanied this time by Delycia Quinn.
After visiting the offices of our partners Justice for All PF Ethiopia, and getting updated on some of the projects, along with Tesfaye, they headed off south to visit the prisons in Arba Minch, Gidolla, Chencha, Awassa, Shashamene and Assela.
At a practical level, these visits contain challenges relating to the enormous poverty related need as well as providing valuable opportunities to understand priorities and so provide relevant focused help and support.
Part of the focus of these visits was to find ways to try and improve the experience of women in prison and also to support the care of children through Twinkle of Hope (children in prison with their mum) and Refuge (children in the community with parents in prison).
SKILLS TRAINING
In recent years a number of projects have also been introduced that give the prisoners opportunity to learn a variety of skills which in turn can both contribute to their wellbeing and also prepare them for release.
These skills include working with livestock - cattle, sheep, goats and chickens - and developing fruit and vegetable growing. One of the more recent projects amongst the women is in crochet work and there is even a shop ready to purchase their work.
CHANGED LIVES
The interaction which is a significant part of this practical focus also provides opportunity to get to know some of the personal needs of the prisoners and to pray for them for healing etc. and to share the gospel message both one to one and also addressing all the prisoners.
A result of this is that lives are changed not just for now but for all of eternity – Praise the Lord!
Reporting from Arba Minch, one of the prisons visited - Jean reported that she had asked for testimonies from last year.
She was told that nearly all those who had been prayed for and been healed had left but there was one man who had had diabetes, since he was 11. It was reported that, after prayer last year, he was healed and is now medically cleared from diabetes.
The Chaplain in that prison also stated that since receiving teaching regarding praying for the sick, they had seen many men healed from depression and oppression.
In the same prison over a 12 month period it was reported that some 800 men have come to Christ. Bibles were left for them.
ACCOMMODATION
In some of the prisons improved accommodation had been provided for the women and children but in at least one other she described the living conditions as appalling. In this connection fund raising is ongoing for new accommodation for the women and children in another prison - Ambo or Addis Alem, a prison administered from Ambo. Click here for more details.
On their final day of the visit they were able to join the Annual Pastor’s Conference in Addis Ababa led by Rev Kingsley Armstrong the President of International Gospel Outreach and once again to pray with some of these dedicated people.
After visiting the offices of our partners Justice for All PF Ethiopia, and getting updated on some of the projects, along with Tesfaye, they headed off south to visit the prisons in Arba Minch, Gidolla, Chencha, Awassa, Shashamene and Assela.
At a practical level, these visits contain challenges relating to the enormous poverty related need as well as providing valuable opportunities to understand priorities and so provide relevant focused help and support.
Part of the focus of these visits was to find ways to try and improve the experience of women in prison and also to support the care of children through Twinkle of Hope (children in prison with their mum) and Refuge (children in the community with parents in prison).
SKILLS TRAINING
In recent years a number of projects have also been introduced that give the prisoners opportunity to learn a variety of skills which in turn can both contribute to their wellbeing and also prepare them for release.
These skills include working with livestock - cattle, sheep, goats and chickens - and developing fruit and vegetable growing. One of the more recent projects amongst the women is in crochet work and there is even a shop ready to purchase their work.
CHANGED LIVES
The interaction which is a significant part of this practical focus also provides opportunity to get to know some of the personal needs of the prisoners and to pray for them for healing etc. and to share the gospel message both one to one and also addressing all the prisoners.
A result of this is that lives are changed not just for now but for all of eternity – Praise the Lord!
Reporting from Arba Minch, one of the prisons visited - Jean reported that she had asked for testimonies from last year.
She was told that nearly all those who had been prayed for and been healed had left but there was one man who had had diabetes, since he was 11. It was reported that, after prayer last year, he was healed and is now medically cleared from diabetes.
The Chaplain in that prison also stated that since receiving teaching regarding praying for the sick, they had seen many men healed from depression and oppression.
In the same prison over a 12 month period it was reported that some 800 men have come to Christ. Bibles were left for them.
ACCOMMODATION
In some of the prisons improved accommodation had been provided for the women and children but in at least one other she described the living conditions as appalling. In this connection fund raising is ongoing for new accommodation for the women and children in another prison - Ambo or Addis Alem, a prison administered from Ambo. Click here for more details.
On their final day of the visit they were able to join the Annual Pastor’s Conference in Addis Ababa led by Rev Kingsley Armstrong the President of International Gospel Outreach and once again to pray with some of these dedicated people.
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October-November visit
October-November visit
Trustees Mike and Rebecca Ducker visited Ethiopia from 30th October to 8th November to take part in the annual Chaplain Coordinators Conference and follow up on the various projects, which are supported by the Trust.
CHAPLAIN COORDINATORS' CONFERENCE
The Conference was well attended with 55 coordinators and staff members at the Adama Conference Centre. The theme of the Conference was 'Mending the Nets' - a study of the book of 1 John, and an encouragement to return to the essential Gospel message.
Mike and Rebecca shared teaching, and Ato Tesfaye also led a session to reflect on the message in the context of the Ethiopian church. The material led to a number of good discussions about the direction of the emergent church and the dangers of becoming too worldly and diluting our message. There was also plenty of opportunity to hear testimonies from Coordinators and staff members, and one ex-prisoner shared his joy at coming to know Jesus. He is now an evangelist and has led many to the Lord.
There was a lot of evidence shared of the Lord moving in the prisons up and down Ethiopia - in one prison alone some, 500 men have become Christians recently.
During the Conference Mike & Rebecca learnt that in a number of areas, local Christians are now supporting the work in the prison through fund raising and Bible teaching.
In the Tigray Region, a chapel has been constructed using local funding and over 50 men have come to the Lord after many years of patient ministry. More coordinators are needed in this region where only 3 coordinators cover 11 prisons.
In the Oromia Region, the women's farming projects are running well, with Sheshamene prison reported as being entirely self-sufficient in vegetables grown by the women. Not only is their diet improving, but they are also making a profit by selling their produce, and at the end of the second year had a bank balance of ETB 7,000 which they intend to use as seed corn to start similar businesses on release.
In the Jimma area of this region, there are over 8,000 prisoners in 6 prisons, with Mizan Teferi prison accommodating 1,600 alone. The growing number of believers there is more than the capacity of their chapel, and an extension is urgently needed. Some local support has been evident, with one local singer selling CD's to generate funds after hearing about Rebecca's CD's. This is a poor area with high unemployment levels, which makes it difficult for the men to find work on release.
In the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region (SNNPR) the prison believers in Arba Minch prison are now funding an evangelist at ETB 660/month to evangelise the local town. Previously, the Gospel was not being preached in this area!
In addition to the above it was encouraging to learn that a number of new prisons are now being built across the country to replace some very basic old ones so at least the facilities will be a clear improvement.
In Diredawa - one of two chartered cities in Ethiopia - the new prison is expected to be complete within 2 years, but the new prison will not have a chapel unless funds can be raised. It is reported that this area has very high levels of hashish use, which has led to psychological problems, and many new believers require deliverance from these health problems.
PRISON VISITS
In the Amhara Region, the new prison at Debre Birhan was visited on this trip, and was more spacious with better accommodation and sanitation. The moves do mean that new chapels are often required, as the prison authorities do not allow the old chapels to be relocated.
Mike and Rebecca also visited Sheno Prison.
Both of these prisons have an active REFUGE Programme caring for the children of prisoners. During the visits they met with all the children and their parents and asked them about the programme. In both prisons, the programme is highly valued, and the Commander at Debre Birhan talked about it being one of his 'flagship' programmes that he boasted about at regional conferences!
At Debre Birhan, we met 8 children on the programme, and once again there was evidence of a well-managed system. They described saving a small amount of the sponsorship money each month to build up an 'emergency fund’ for the children in case of sudden need such as sickness.
At Sheno, there are 5 sponsored children, with most of them having brothers and sisters who share the funding. One little girl had recently lost her mother in a car accident and her father described her sponsor as 'her English parents'.
SUMMARY
At the end of the visit, a meeting was held with JFA-PFE team leaders Ato Daniel Gezahegne Gemeche, Pastor Minas Teferra, and Ato Tesfaye Teka. It is clear that Daniel is a very capable individual, and has strengthened the headquarters team. Tesfaye is highly committed and works closely in the field with the coordinators. A number of issues were discussed, including how best to support the growing number of women coordinators, the best way of developing a budget cost women's chapel at Sheshamene, the serious heart problem of one of the coordinators, and the need to ensure effective communications through head office.
Updates were requested on the Twinkle of Hope Programme, which will be forwarded separately, and a full photographic list of Coordinators attending the Conference was provided on CD from the Conference.
Overall, another uplifting visit, which was a privilege to be a part of.
CHAPLAIN COORDINATORS' CONFERENCE
The Conference was well attended with 55 coordinators and staff members at the Adama Conference Centre. The theme of the Conference was 'Mending the Nets' - a study of the book of 1 John, and an encouragement to return to the essential Gospel message.
Mike and Rebecca shared teaching, and Ato Tesfaye also led a session to reflect on the message in the context of the Ethiopian church. The material led to a number of good discussions about the direction of the emergent church and the dangers of becoming too worldly and diluting our message. There was also plenty of opportunity to hear testimonies from Coordinators and staff members, and one ex-prisoner shared his joy at coming to know Jesus. He is now an evangelist and has led many to the Lord.
There was a lot of evidence shared of the Lord moving in the prisons up and down Ethiopia - in one prison alone some, 500 men have become Christians recently.
During the Conference Mike & Rebecca learnt that in a number of areas, local Christians are now supporting the work in the prison through fund raising and Bible teaching.
In the Tigray Region, a chapel has been constructed using local funding and over 50 men have come to the Lord after many years of patient ministry. More coordinators are needed in this region where only 3 coordinators cover 11 prisons.
In the Oromia Region, the women's farming projects are running well, with Sheshamene prison reported as being entirely self-sufficient in vegetables grown by the women. Not only is their diet improving, but they are also making a profit by selling their produce, and at the end of the second year had a bank balance of ETB 7,000 which they intend to use as seed corn to start similar businesses on release.
In the Jimma area of this region, there are over 8,000 prisoners in 6 prisons, with Mizan Teferi prison accommodating 1,600 alone. The growing number of believers there is more than the capacity of their chapel, and an extension is urgently needed. Some local support has been evident, with one local singer selling CD's to generate funds after hearing about Rebecca's CD's. This is a poor area with high unemployment levels, which makes it difficult for the men to find work on release.
In the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region (SNNPR) the prison believers in Arba Minch prison are now funding an evangelist at ETB 660/month to evangelise the local town. Previously, the Gospel was not being preached in this area!
In addition to the above it was encouraging to learn that a number of new prisons are now being built across the country to replace some very basic old ones so at least the facilities will be a clear improvement.
In Diredawa - one of two chartered cities in Ethiopia - the new prison is expected to be complete within 2 years, but the new prison will not have a chapel unless funds can be raised. It is reported that this area has very high levels of hashish use, which has led to psychological problems, and many new believers require deliverance from these health problems.
PRISON VISITS
In the Amhara Region, the new prison at Debre Birhan was visited on this trip, and was more spacious with better accommodation and sanitation. The moves do mean that new chapels are often required, as the prison authorities do not allow the old chapels to be relocated.
Mike and Rebecca also visited Sheno Prison.
Both of these prisons have an active REFUGE Programme caring for the children of prisoners. During the visits they met with all the children and their parents and asked them about the programme. In both prisons, the programme is highly valued, and the Commander at Debre Birhan talked about it being one of his 'flagship' programmes that he boasted about at regional conferences!
At Debre Birhan, we met 8 children on the programme, and once again there was evidence of a well-managed system. They described saving a small amount of the sponsorship money each month to build up an 'emergency fund’ for the children in case of sudden need such as sickness.
At Sheno, there are 5 sponsored children, with most of them having brothers and sisters who share the funding. One little girl had recently lost her mother in a car accident and her father described her sponsor as 'her English parents'.
SUMMARY
At the end of the visit, a meeting was held with JFA-PFE team leaders Ato Daniel Gezahegne Gemeche, Pastor Minas Teferra, and Ato Tesfaye Teka. It is clear that Daniel is a very capable individual, and has strengthened the headquarters team. Tesfaye is highly committed and works closely in the field with the coordinators. A number of issues were discussed, including how best to support the growing number of women coordinators, the best way of developing a budget cost women's chapel at Sheshamene, the serious heart problem of one of the coordinators, and the need to ensure effective communications through head office.
Updates were requested on the Twinkle of Hope Programme, which will be forwarded separately, and a full photographic list of Coordinators attending the Conference was provided on CD from the Conference.
Overall, another uplifting visit, which was a privilege to be a part of.
Click here to go to 2017 visits page