A CHAPLAINS' CONFERENCE VISIT TO ETHIOPIA
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Trustee Mike Ducker, together with Ernie Lofthouse from the PF prayer group in Northallerton were able to catch up on the work of Justice for All – Prison Fellowship Ethiopia and to explore together the focus of our ongoing supportive involvement.
Mike has sent the following report:
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Mike has sent the following report:
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The week began with a 2-day Spiritual Conference for 45 of the Coordinators who manage the work of JFA-PFE in the field.
The Conference is funded by donations from FPFE, and is the only time in the year when these committed people who work "at the sharp end" can get together to share testimony and encourage each other. Again, as in previous years, the fellowship was uplifting, and the praise and worship together was worth the trip in itself! Seven new Coordinators attended the Conference this year including the very first female coordinator. Once a prisoner herself she has now been called to minister in the prison from which she has only recently been released. One of the other new coordinators is also an ex-prisoner - a murderer who found the Lord in prison. He is now an evangelist and planting churches with a team including other ex-offenders! Following the Conference, 4 prisons were visited at Assela, Shenno, Debre Birhan and Addis Burayu. In each of these the extreme needs were obvious but equally striking was the positive atmosphere of acceptance and goodwill among the prisoners. There are Christian Chapels in each of these prisons, and a brief time of praise and fellowship was enjoyed in these. In Assela, the word was preached and 14 men gave their lives to Christ. 3 men were also healed of stomach complaints. It was very encouraging to see the local evangelical churches beginning to get involved in ministering in the prisons and we witnessed part of a bible teaching class given by a local evangelist at Debre Birhan. He comes in twice a week on a voluntary basis. In each prison, Ernie gave the women and children gifts donated by friends in the UK, and the delight on the faces of little children who received even the simplest of gifts was truly humbling. Back at Head Office in Addis Ababa, a meeting was held with the Director of Women’s and Children’s Ministry, Moges Abey, when the future potential of the Twinkle of Hope child care project and the Refuge sponsorship programme were discussed. The whole trip was rounded off on the final Saturday when we had lunch with Pastor Daniel and his wife Enku who made us feel very proud to be a small part of this amazing ministry. The only disappointing aspect of the trip was the weather – it rained nearly every day! |
Click here for details of 2013 visits to Ethiopia Click here for details of 2014 visits to Ethiopia