Our Third Trip

I just got back last night from Hosanna. This was a trip Randy and I both had planned on going on, but the uncertainty of our adoption had us planning and re-planing things daily. So at the last minute I realized I was going to Ethiopia 24 hours before I was to leave.  I was to meet up with John Bremmel and Larry Lotzer Police Officers and members of our church. Our Senior Pastor Bill Bohline had originally planned on going to speak at the Lutheran Leadership Conference held in Addis, and then on to Hosanna to speak at the church service on Sunday.  Unfortunately Pastor Bill's  father passed away so he was unable to go. It was an honor that Bill was asked and a sign to us of the relationship those in Hosanna already have with us.

Dr. Gemechis who went with us on our last trip to Ethiopia led the conference. Many Lutheran Pastors and leaders were represented from around the world. It was so powerful worshiping together, learning from each other and anticipating what is to come. John replaced Pastor Bill at the Leadership Conference and did a wonderful job representing our Church.

Besides the Leadership Conference the other main reason for this trip was to connect with the Police Department in Hosanna. As I shared earlier we had had a great connection with the Mayor and Cheif of Police in Hosanna. We knew right then that this was going to be a great avenue to strengthen relations in Hosanna and to build up the leaders as they spread it to the rest of the Nation. When we were in Hosanna in November and met and prayed for the Police, we knew John Bremmel was to be hooked up with these Police officers.

John has a ministry called Influence International in which he teaches ethics to police officers all over the United States and in Kenya and now Ethiopia. After Pastor Bill was unable to go, he asked Larry Lotzer to take his place. Larry is a retired Police Officer and has been on the board of Influence International with John helping teach the classes.

John and Larry did a great job teaching the Officers ethics and how to be honorable and respectful, and create an atmosphere of honor. It was very well received with enthusiasm and great fervor. There were over 400 Officers present from all over the Hosanna region. It was fun to hear the excitement and comments from the crowd. A lot of this were new concepts to them, and know they will be implemented and modeled as they desire for such things. It was obvious the impact the conference had on all the Police when they were told we were opening the end up for anyone who would like prayer. 95% of the officers we up front and on their knees. What a sight to see 400 Police Officers on their knees committing their life and work to the Lord.

The Cheif of Police was again very hospitable to us. He allowed us to tour the prison one morning. It was a wonderful opportunity as Larry spoke in the chapel service and I was able to pray a blessings and prayer over the several hundred inmates who attended chapel. Larry prayed a prayer as almost all of them raised their hands and repeated the prayer to follow Jesus. It was so awesome. They were very enthusiastic, and for a bunch of felons they were so soft and really desired Jesus. What a sight to walk around the 400-500 inmates. It was eye opening, yet wonderful to see how they are being reached out to through the Police. God is so good. We were also able to go into the women's prison. This was very sad to me, as there were women and their children all living within the prison. Definitely and area of ministry in the future.












We were also able to tour the Mekene Yesus Lutheran Churches Deaf School.I had known about the school, yet had not been able to visit it yet. To give you an idea of the effectiveness and largeness of the school. Larry told us that the Minnesota School for the deaf is known as being one of the largest in the country with 200 deaf students. This school has 180 students. They all are taught school, and several trades as so they are independant when they graduate. It was very impressive. Much I want to learn from here, and again a great avenue for ministry or just a great model for ministry.

We were also able to meet the many street women who have once worked the streets, but are now trusting in Jesus to meet their needs. It was a humbling experience as I was able to speak to these women and pray over them. They were all crammed in a tiny little room about 20 or so with all their children. Beautiful women each with a story they will take to heaven.

We were blessed with an unexpected blessing with Pastor Alam (on the far left) Dr. Gemechis asked if he would accompany us to Hosanna from the Leadership Conference. Even though it was not on his agenda he graciously accepted. It was wonderful to have him has he was helpful in translating and with the culture. He was very interesting as he was born in Ethiopia, grew up in Sweden and Pastors a Lutheran Church in St. Paul Mn. He was very well received as the pastors in Hosanna have asked him to come preach several times. This was his first time in Hosanna and proved to be a blessing for all. He took Pastor Bills place preaching in the Sunday morning service.

It was said one of the highlights of the trip was when we went to the orphanage to meet our little girl. Larry and John really wanted to come along. It was hard for me to see her and again say good bye, yet it was the most memorable time for me as she was so excited to see me. She was very affectionate, and we really bonded. We colored, giggled, kissed, and brought goodies to the workers. Priceless. I was truly thankful. The guys were touched by the sweet little children who were all taking a nap. What a sweet sight. Wish I could show you pictures... but soon!!! Keep praying as this process has been hard, and long.

I was blessed to connect again with the people and leaders of Hosanna. It was wonderful to hear many stories, and many different people stating the change in atmosphere and in the people since we were there last in November. Many times they thanked us for what we are doing and for the partnership we have with them. It is so beautiful to see what God is doing as we take one step at a time. I said when we were there that God does nothing small in Hosanna. It is so fun to be a part of.