Off To Ethiopia!

There was an atmosphere of excitement and expectation as the group gathered in the downstairs fellowship hall of the Bethel Mennonite Church (Elora) this past Monday to send off their mission’s team to Ethiopia. Surrounded by their friends and family, ten men and women were ready to travel across the globe in order to make an impact for God in another part of the world.

When asked whether they were nervous about being so far from home, Crystal Clement, of Zion Mennonite Fellowship, said that if you had asked her a month ago whether she was nervous, her answer would have been yes for sure. “But I feel God has eased that by being able to spend time with the team. I am already really enjoying getting to know them.” Crystal, and Cassie Lachance, also from Zion, were invited to join the Bethel team in going to Ethiopia.

Tom Altwegg, who has been part of the organizing committee for this mission’s trip, says that he feels truly blessed and amazed at how this group has managed to come together. “I know that no matter what happens, this special group has the love, ability and enough positive energy to do it a hundred times.”

It’s been several years since the dream was planted in Tom to take a missions team to Ethiopia and see what God is doing in this nation which, 20 years ago, was undergoing severe Christian persecution under its communist regime. Today, the Meserete Kristos Church is the largest Mennonite affiliated church in Ethiopia with an annual growth rate of eight percent… and about one trained leader for every 1,000 members.

The Bethel group plans to spend three weeks in Ethiopia in order to learn about the culture and witness, first-hand, some of this massive movement in church growth that has been happening there. Part of their time will be spent at the Meserete Kristos College in Debre Zeit, which trains some of the much-needed pastors, evangelists and teachers.

Tom says it is wonderful that Christ is so prevalent and moving in Ethiopia. “In one of the most impoverished places on the planet, Christ’s word is finding its way into the hearts of thousands. My heart starts pumping just talking about it.”

The contact with the college came through Dianne and Fanosie Legesse, both members of the Bethel Mennonite Church. Serving as volunteers with Mennonite Church Canada in Ethiopia, Fanosie now teaches theology courses to students at the Meserete Kristos College.

While on the outside, Bethel may look like a small congregation with approximately 80 members, its impact is felt all the way in Ethiopia.

Dianne says that many people have heard of Bethel there through their generous giving and support of different projects. “It has been a long awaited and prayed for visit so we know that God is already at work and has things still planned and prepared that we do not even know about.”

Dianne believes relationships are the most important thing in this country. “To have westerners come and see what they are doing here is huge!” Someone to listen to their joys, their concerns, and their hopes is a great encouragement for them, she says. “Making the effort to come, and spend time with them, to show love in a practical, hands-on way will touch Ethiopian hearts like nothing else could.”

Aside from the interaction with the students at the college, Tom Altwegg says one of the things he is looking forward to the most is the interaction with the orphans at the Joseph’s Children’s Home in Nazareth, one of those “projects” that Bethel has been supporting financially over the past few years.

The team from Bethel is planning to spend several days with these children in order to show them that there are people who think about them and care what happens to them. “I am willing to travel to the other side of the world to show them this,” says Tom.

The team has been getting incredible prayer and financial support from people in the church and even in the community, according to Tom. “There are many people praying for us, both in Canada and Ethiopia.”

Pastor Linda Brnjas agrees. “The trip to Ethiopia has been a source of encouragement to many in the congregation.” She says, there has been a lot of enthusiasm and teamwork that has gone into the planning and preparation of this trip. “I can't wait to hear all the stories when they return!”

However, there were some reservations at the beginning, says Robert Musselman, Bethel Mennonite Church Missions Commission chairperson. He wanted to avoid the mistake of turning this mission’s trip into of a religious holiday for those going, one of the issues that he became aware of after he read a couple of articles on the cost of short-term missions. But Robert says that he trusts that “with careful planning we have avoided duplicating some of the concerns raised.”

Tom Altwegg agrees that the Bethel Mission’s Commission has been doing a lot of research and preparation to make sure this trip is done the right way, and it was a struggle. “Sometimes you can get discouraged, but don’t. If you don’t do it, how should others be encouraged to do it? And if you do manage to make it happen, think of the motivation it brings to others feeling led to do mission’s work.”

“All those going know that they will need to be open to interaction, work, or whatever God has in mind,” Tom says. “I can’t help think that this forces people to have no personal agenda and be truly open to God’s leading. Of course we should approach all Missions work with this attitude, but in this case, it is like God has led us in this way specifically.”