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Ethiopia is in East Africa and has a population of 36 million
that is 56 percent Christian. Life expectancy is 42 years. At
an elevation of 4,500 feet above sea level, the country is made
up of forest and grasslands. The weather is pleasant in the dry
season (November to May), but it rains heavily during the other
five months.
The joys and the frustrations of work in Africa are not foreign
to the Haspels. They were both children of missionaries and were
reared in Africa. They have been serving as mission coworkers
since 1974, first in Ethiopia, then in Sudan, and now again in
Ethiopia. During their tenure in Sudan, the station where they
worked was attacked and John was held hostage for 16 days by rebels
attempting a military coup.
"It is the truth which has brought us here and enables us
to keep going. It is the truth which keeps all the hunger, violence,
hatred, and pain in perspective. If Jesus had not risen, then
indeed there would be little hope for the starving," write
the Haspels as they witness the dynamic growth of the African
church amid adversity. They often write of the baptism of a hundred
people at a time or of churches so vital and crowded that they
expanded to four services on Sunday only to have worshippers stay
for all four services.
The Rev. John Haspels was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and
grew up in Ethiopia. He attended high school in Alexandria, Egypt,
and is a graduate of Sterling College in Sterling, Kansas. He
received a Master of Divinity degree from Fuller Theological Seminary
in Pasadena, California, and was ordained in 1973. Before starting
his mission work, John worked in development and church planting
for the former United Presbyterian Church in the United States
of America (UPCUSA) in New York City. He has continued this work
in Africa.
Gwenyth Adair Haspels was born and reared in Sudan. She also
attended high school in Alexandria, Egypt and then Sterling College.
She received her RN diploma from Wesley School of Nursing and
worked as a nurse in Pasadena before becoming a mission coworker.
She has continued her medical work as a clinic supervisor in Africa.
The Haspels are members of the Halstead Presbyterian Church in
Halstead, Kansas. They have four children: Desta born in 1972;
Charles born in 1973; John born in 1977; and Heather born in 1985.
Birthdays:
Gwenyth - October 12
John - December 6
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