EntryTwo - Thursday - Bahir Dar

Started this morning with breakfast at the hotel - had a great view and Buna - STRONG Ethiopian Coffee

From there we went to Ethiopia Ammenuel Life and Light Church Bahir Dar Branch.   This is one of the churches we are trying to partner with to feed, clothe and meet the spiritual needs of the children.

On the left is Pastor John, the pastor of Ammenuel Church.  

There are 185,000 people Bahir Dar and only about 3000 believers.  Most of the churches are in the better part of town.  

The children/people we saw yesterday were from the Negede Woyto Tribe of about 20,000.  They have been rejected from the Muslim Community- really from all community.  They are considered inferior in society.  The children are not attending school but are expected to collect garbage, firewood, and shoe shining to help support their family.  On a good day they may bring home 10 birr - about 50 cents.

The program we are trying to develop is providing food, school clothing and school supplies for these Children while working through the local church such as  Life and Life Church.

Here is a group picture of some of the leadership them in Bahir Dar.

We went back to the IHS office in Bahir Dar and reviewed some proposals that will be presented to various National Government Organizations (NGO) we are working to partner with.   Afterwards I was able to talk with 5 students that were about 17 years old.   None of the young men had fathers at home - 2 had died - 1 had left.   The young ladies went to school and provided for their families by doing domestic help.

We talked with them about breaking the cycle of poverty in their tribe.  We talked with them about not only meeting short term needs, but also being a change agent of the culture of their Tribe.

I had the privilege of speaking to the leadership of the Bahir Dar Full Gospel Believer Church on Thursday Evening.   The pastors name is Pastor Lewoyehu Sinshaw.

This is one of the larger, more influential Evangelical Churches in the community.   They are going to be one of the Churches that are going to be involved in helping the Negede Woyto Tribe.  Whenever we can we partner with Churches to reach into their community

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We had a great time speaking to the Pastors and leadership from 4 different churches.   It was a great time of encouragement and instruction.

Tomorrow is a long day of travel.  We will drive to Gonder - about 3 hours, then fly to Axum and from there drive to Shire.   I think we will be there for 3 or 4 days.   At least that was the plan when I went to bed ... but these things change ever so quickly here!  (grin)