January 2009

Greetings Friend,

On my return from five weeks in the United States, I found a rhythm and balance that suits me well—a very comfortable two-bedroom home kept by my helper, Marema, along with the food she prepares (mostly Ethiopian lentil or other bean dishes, which we eat with enjera). There were many friends who called to welcome me back and ask “How is America? Did you vote?”

While I was away my friend the Reverend Ayano, country director for ANERELA+ (Africa Network of Religious Leaders Affected by or Living with HIV and AIDS) was hospitalized after his body was ravaged by the virus—taking his hearing, his ability to speak, and his ability to move his legs. Often it is said that AIDS does not kill, but the opportunistic infections that invade a body with a very weak immune system can be devastating. In his case, it was tuberculosis. I found him in his home, a weakened man who had lost 20 kilograms and was now attempting to take all the pills—anti retro-viral and TB medicines as well as others. Now I know what “care and support” means.  Many of my nursing skills kicked in without rehearsing them. While he can speak, he doesn’t hear my voice very well so I jot things down. His hearing is returning but not enough to have a spontaneous conversation, which is frustrating to both of us. Now he is in the middle of 14 acupuncture treatments attempting to return his body to balance. His liver is enlarged (probably the effect of the toxic drugs), he has anemia and persistent hiccups, which is accompanied by vomiting keeps him from sleeping. This is Stage 4 AIDS, which can be reversed or can lead to death. Can you imagine how exhausted you would be? He is walking around his home and compound, dressing and bathing himself, feeding himself and taking his medicines as prescribed (though both food and pills usually return). These are indications that he is stronger than when I arrived here six weeks ago. He has resources—a salary, food, comfortable home, helpers, and friends.  Many in Stage 4 have nothing and die alone. Please continue to pray for him and the many others who suffer.

A mother of 3-month-old twins waits for her turn to be vaccinated.

I spent Thanksgiving with PC(USA) mission co-workers John and Gwen Haspels at their home 477 kilometers from Addis Ababa. It was work, rest, and a bit of extra stress when I realized that my passport and cell phone were missing from my backpack. One day we traveled to three remote villages to give immunization clinics and teach HIV prevention. The chief who walked with us had his honor restored by imposing Surma justice. (Surma is the name of the tribe there.) After two weeks and two days, both passport and phone were returned to me!

In December I continued to provide care and support to Rev. Ayano, but I chose to return to Dembi Dollo for Christmas (my third Christmas there). Although Janelle and Mike McCarty and their daughter Carolee are no longer there (I miss them very much), my three-day visit with Sharon Curry, our volunteer teaching at Berhane Yesus primary school, was a rich blessing. Travel was facilitated by joining the Muldrow team, who were visiting at the same time. The Reverend Bill Muldrow (retired PC(USA) missionary), accompanied by his two adult children (one of whom, his daughter Margaret, is a doctor) and a second physician, inspected water projects and toured the health facilities. I found rest and recuperation by walking with Sharon to BESS (Bethel Evangelical Secondary School) and up the mountain, the highest in western Ethiopia at 10,900 feet. We did not make it to the top (this time) but have plans to return. It was heart-warming to be remembered by elders around the church in Dembi Dollo as Murray Russell’s sister.

The Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY), the partner church with which we work, underwent some incredible reconciliations this fall with forgiveness and joy. Congregations who were jealous and filled with misunderstandings have rejoined after splits that occurred nearly 18 years ago. On January 17 and 18 a Jubilee celebration is planned that will focus on the accomplishments and future of the church. Dignitaries from the numerous partner churches are expected, but the best celebration will be “Members Day,” on Sunday, when thousands (maybe a million, as this is a 5.6-million-member church!) gather at Millennium Hall for a day of worship.

Now, in January, I have many challenges facing me here. Instead of belaboring the problems and discussing possible solutions in this letter—as I would have in the past—I will simply say that I have learned that my Jesus really wants to hear about my challenges and problems (not what I think are the solutions)! This has led to a new way of praying, of thinking, of expecting! And it is really delightful. Of course I slip back into human fretting, postulating, and planning, but step-by-step I am learning how pleased Jesus is when I send problems to Him, rather than solutions.

Please pray for Ayano and the many others suffering from AIDS. Pray for the Ethiopian Evangelical Church—the forgiveness and reconciliation is praise, but also pray for the glory of God to shine through the events of the Jubilee. Pray for my ability to let go and give problems and challenges to our Lord. Pray for those who are impoverished and now, with inflation, do not have enough to eat. (I am hearing of children passing out at school, skipped meals, begging for a meal from a neighbor, eating only one meal a day.) And continue to pray for the members of the Jaja community (see my letter of April 2008) where a widow has died leaving her four children orphaned.

Prayerfully,

The 2009 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 35