One year ago!

A year ago this week we had stepped foot in Hosanna, Ethiopia for the first time. It is so hard to believe that it was just one year since our journey to Hosanna began. So much has happened, and we are still in awe and wonder of what God has already done, and what He is doing.

Yesterday was Palm Sunday and what an appropriate week and day to celebrate our first year then to sing it in with the song Hosanna! I love this song, and wanted to write to words to it here on our site as it is so appropriate as we celebrate Palm Sunday, and ponder all God has done since this time last year.

Before we went to Hosanna Ethiopia for the first time, and as we constantly prayed for God to show us His will every time we would sing the song Hosanna it was nothing less then a powerful experience for me. As we would sing I would envision Jesus standing high above the town of Hosanna... His glory shining down all around the whole city and beyond. This is still the case when ever I sing this song. I see Jesus in His rightful place sitting high above with His love, favor and presence for all to receive.

It was Palm Sunday when Jerusalem was celebrating the passover. The people of Jerusalem were once again under oppression, and was waiting to be set free again as in the day of Moses. Crowds heard JESUS was coming! They prepared the way with the Palm branches laid before Him on the ground. Declaring Him Lord of Lords and King of Kings. They shouted HOSANNA! Which means SAVE US! Palm Sunday was also known as the day of Passion! I like that the day of Passion. Shouts of Hallelujahs for the Kings is here, He saves, and we will shout it for all to hear!

Here are the words that I see so appropriate as we partner with our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ singing Hosanna.. God Saves us, with Passionate hearts and a longing for a redeemer the King of Kings to change us, break us, renew us, break our hearts for what breaks His, and love like He loved!

I see the king of glory
Coming down the clouds with fire
The whole earth shakes, the whole earth shakes
I see his love and mercy
Washing over all our sin
The people sing, the people sing


Hosanna, hosanna
Hosanna in the highest


I see a generation
Rising up to take the place
With selfless faith, with selfless faith
I see a new revival
Staring as we pray and seek
We're on our knees, we're on our knees


Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like you have loved me
Break my heart for what is yours
Everything I am for your kingdom's cause
As I walk from earth into eternity

As we celebrate this year of what God has done, and celebrate this Easter week, let us rejoice for in all things He is sovereign, He is Victorious. He came to die an awful death so that He may lavishly love on us. Let us reach out to all those He has put in our sphere of influence to lavishly love on them. This is which we were called for, this is why He died, and this is why we will forever live and reign with Him. Hosanna! Come Lord Jesus!





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.