The Chapman 6: Starting to See the Sparkle

Pastor Mamusha Fenta, his wife Lette
and our friend and tour guide, Genaye --
meeting over Ethiopian coffee, of course!

One of our goals in coming to Africa was to learn more about what is going on in the African (or specifically, Ethiopian and Kenyan) church, and on Friday we hit the jackpot as we spent the morning with Pastor Mamusha Fenta and three other staff members at Equip-Ethiopia Ministries. Equip spreads the love of God through two tracks: training and equipping emerging Christian leaders and serving those in need through programs like child sponsorship. What makes their ministry so exciting is that they have been working in Ethiopia long enough to see some incredible fruit from their labors.

When they started Equip, the country was just coming our of an oppressive communist regime during which Christians were tortured and imprisoned. But at the same time, an undercurrent of Christian revival was taking place, especially among young people who met secretly in homes. After the Communist regime fell, Equip was available to help train these new leaders, who then spread throughout the country planting churches and building relationships with non-believers. Mamusha and his three Canadian colleagues, Brian, Jeremy and Val, had story after story of miraculous events in which persecutors became converts and then crusaders -- not only through human proselytizing but from incredible Damascus Road-type experiences where God spoke directly into people's lives. This movement has changed the country for the better with a reduction in radicalism and corruption.

What I appreciated about their stories was their humility in insisting that they didn't have a plan for any of this. They simply stepped forward willing to serve and then let God invite them into His work. That's something I've been ruminating about lately in my own life, the difference between trying to create kingdom movement where there is none versus simply making oneself available to be used wherever God's kingdom is already at work. The Equip staff is clearly concentrating on the latter, and God is using them in incredible ways.

So much construction in Ethiopia. See if you can spot
the worker on the fourth floor balancing on precarious wooden scaffolding--yikes!

Another thing I gained from this conversation was a new perspective on Ethiopia, not simply as a "flies in the eyes" people overwhelmed by poverty but as a strong and vibrant nation. Since then, I've been able to notice not just the great need here -- of which there is much -- but also the great promise. There are high-rises under construction, modern coffee shops packed with young professionals and thriving restaurants and spas. The streets are crowded and noisy, but it no longer feels oppressive, it feels more like a community that enjoys being out and about, talking, eating, playing in public, rather than behind fences and closed doors. Good work is being done by foreign NGOs but also by the people here, who want their country to thrive. Ethiopia may be a diamond in the ruff, but she's starting to sparkle, and it's great to be here to catch a glimpse.