Dear Friends,

It has been a long time since I have written to all of you, and the longer I put it off, the harder it is to know where to start to bring you up to date on happenings here in Ethiopia. But I can say that during these last months, even though there have been some hard times, the Lord has been very good to me, and I have nothing but praise for all that has gone on.

With that rather enigmatic start, let me begin with a report on the progress of Bible translation. Yesterday I made proof print-outs of the first half of the book of Ezekiel, that is, chapters 1-24, which we of the team will now proofread and correct, and then I will make copies to send to the reviewers committee in Gambela. We have been working on this book since the latter part of last year, and though there are many things in the book that are really hard to understand, there are some gems there too, and it is a thrill and a blessing to come upon them as we slog through some pretty grim material. Ajulo and Desalegn, the two translators, have continued to forge ahead on drafting, and I am so thankful for them.

The other books that have been completed since I last reported are Isaiah, Ecclesiastes, Hosea, Obadiah, Zephaniah, Haggai, and Zechariah. This leaves us with only Job and Song of Solomon to translate after we finish Ezekiel. It is encouraging for all of us to be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel growing a little brighter, and we are thankful for all the prayers that have gone up on behalf of this project. Please keep it up!

Wearing my other "hat" as health coordinator for the Pokwo and Gilo clinics, I made a visit to both of them last week. I am happy to report that Pokwo clinic has taken a turn for the better, and they are seeing more patients than they have for some time, with corresponding increased income. The clinic staff have received encouragement and inspiration by the working visit of Jack Jordan, who contributed his vacation time to come and do some much-needed repairs at the clinic. He is a hard worker, and he also involved a number of others in his efforts. There seems to be a new feeling of hope and life there, in addition to the improved looks of the buildings.

Gilo clinic, on the other hand, is experiencing a sort of slump, due in part to discouragement on the part of the health assistant who is in charge. He has been living for the past three years under the threat of being killed in revenge for his brother’s having murdered someone. Under their system, they are not satisfied to kill the murderer, but choose the best one of his relatives to kill in revenge, and so he was singled out. There is a possibility of paying compensation for the death, but the price the family has asked is so high that they despair of being able to raise it. So the man, our health assistant, feels he must try to leave the area if he is ever to be safe. I can sympathize with him entirely, but it would leave a gap at that clinic which we have no prospect of filling in the near future. Would you please pray with us for a solution to this dilemma?

Last fall we welcomed back Dr. Dan and Jane Reynolds, who formerly worked with these two clinics. Now that he is retired, he decided to come to Gambela to "operate" on old dead outboard motors, of which there was an impressive collection. He and his crew of local volunteers were able in a month to get 5 of them running, and assess what further spare parts were needed. This is a big help, as travel in that area (to Pokwo clinic) has to be by river for about half of the year, due to the flooding of the road.

As for my personal life, the first half of 2001 was spent in the United States, and I enjoyed seeing many of you during my interpretation assignment. It was also one of the best family times I have had in all my times in the States, and included the wedding of one of my nieces, which was special, as it was the only one of the family weddings I have been able to attend.

The other big event of 2001, back here in Ethiopia, happened on December 2, when I had unwelcome visitors—five armed, masked men who entered and ransacked my house, taking mostly money. Thankfully, I was not harmed, and not seriously injured. But the bright side of the whole incident was the massive and overwhelming expression of love and support that came from all sides—Ethiopians, Anuak, expatriates. The upshot of all that was that I was persuaded to move to another house, and I now live in a nice split-level apartment in a compound which is inside another compound. It is quite comfortable, though smaller than the former house, and the guards are very particular whom they let inside, which I like.

For several years there has been an Anuak language church service here that has met in various homes, and most recently in my home. The attendance varies from around 25 to as high as 50 or 60. With my move to a smaller house, there was not room for this group in my living room any more, but I soon discovered a classroom in our compound, which we have been able to rent for our Sunday morning meetings, and so even for this need the Lord has made abundant provision. Recently also, two other groups have begun to meet in other parts of the city, and some of our group have been going to help those groups with leading and preaching. One in particular, which meets in the center of town, has attracted a number of people who have real problems. Some have been churchgoers in the past but have stopped, and gotten into bad ways, and now have come back to the Lord. So this is turning out to be a much needed ministry in the city, which we have prayed for for several years.

I want to thank all of you for your friendship and prayer support, and those who give financial support as well. I continue to be aware that we are in a battle here, and your being there is so important for anything that is accomplished here.

Yours in His service,

Marie Lusted

The 2002 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 32