Last update: Thu, 4 Dec 2008 22:18:45
Subject: Last from Ethiopia
Hi All
As I write this last (if we catch the flight) email from Ethiopia, I am trying to sum up in my mind how the trip has been and what impact it has had. We certainly did a little work; some of the team will say a lot of work, this I think was the lesser part of the trip. The team spent a lot of time meeting and communicating with local people, this I think had the biggest impact; people were genuinely amazed that we would take the time to help them; we had visits from numerous people to the site to praise God for the work and support of Ballydown. Thirdly, we have learned so much of Gods grace from the people that we met, their humility and faith is difficult to put in words. It has often been said that African Christianity is a mile wide but an inch deep; we certainly met Christians who had a deep love and close walk with God. This trip will live long in the memory of the team.
We plan a morning’s work tomorrow (Friday) with a leaving ceremony in the afternoon then wash, eat and fly at midnight arriving into Dublin around 15:00hrs.
In summary, the work that was achieved is as follows:
· Walls plastered in three classrooms inside and out.
· Mud floors dug out and concrete floors laid in three classrooms.
· Timber ceiling installed in three classrooms to provide sound proofing against rain on the tin roof.
· Fresh water storage tank installed to supply the school replacing rusty smaller one.
· Base for ‘long drop’ made.
· Foundations for new five classroom building dug and stone/concrete base laid.
It should be stressed that we mainly laboured to local skilled labour that we contracted to complete these tasks, Ethiopian building methods and so different to ours that we couldn’t really have completed some of the tasks. It was good to act as labours’ for them.
In addition we also built a house for a ‘long drop’, shower room and store in the compound belonging to a girl who works at Bingham Academy.
I have attached a picture of Ethiopia which sums up its beauty and in some ways, much like Northern Ireland; it’s not the side that the world generally sees.
Thanks for your prayers and I’d ask that you remember our partners at home, Bill & Margaret in Uganda, Stef as we leave her and for continued safety and health on our last day in Ethiopia then an untroubled journey home.
Stef has represented Ballydown very well, I had a conversation with the Director of Bingham who could not speak highly enough of her, many teachers come here and teach but Stef has not only done that but she has also reached deep into the community showing a real concern for the people.
Thanks again and see you soon.
Trevor
Tues, 2 Dec 2008 23.30
Hi all
It’s Tuesday evening and all is well in Ethiopia.
The girls visited a Fistula hospital today (you’ll have to ask them for the detail on exactly what that is) and came away so impressed with what was happening there and the support to woman who, without it would be treated as outcasts from their community, being left to die in isolation.
The men, who are still unsure if they’re mad dogs or Englishmen, battled the midday sun digging foundations and labouring to the local tradesmen whose pace puts us to shame, apart from James ‘JCB’ Martin that is, who we think secretly drinks diesel to keep that engine that he must have, running.
Five or us head off to work tomorrow on the second project, a long-drop and shower block, more on that later.
Bill and Margaret depart tomorrow morning (Wed) for Uganda, Margaret had a slight accident yesterday cutting her leg but all is now well.
Mary and Jimmy are heading out tomorrow morning to look for text books and a computer for Lemma’s school, resources at the school are woefully inadequate and a small amount of spend will make a huge difference.
As we enter the final phase of the project, we’d ask for your prayers on the following points:
· Safety for Bill and Margaret as they travel.
· Safety on both sites for the team.
· Guidance as we decide how to allocate the monies raised.
The two pictures attached show the foundations going in for a new five classroom block; this is a project that we didn’t even expect to start, also a picture showing some of the team playing with the children.
Thanks again for your support.
Trevor
Sun, 30 Nov 2008 17:14
Hi all
Its Sunday evening approx 20:00hrs local and we’ve just returned from the evening service where Bill spoke (rather well).
This morning we attended Lemma’s traditional Ethiopian service, very interesting. The service started at 09:00hrs, we joined in at 10:00hrs for an hour of prayer (in Ethiopian), one hour of praise (in Ethiopian) then one hour sermon (you’ve guessed it, in Ethiopian), we sang and Bill spoke briefly then we made our exit after 3½ hours but it was truly an amazing experience.
The team will split on Monday or Tuesday to commence the second smaller project, progress has been fantastic and we’re well ahead of schedule due mainly to the help given by the local Ethiopian tradesmen. In truth, we have mostly laboured to them as their traditional building methods are alien to us.
Apart from the odd upset stomach, we are in remarkable health and great form, spirits are good and the team has bonded well.
Please be assured that your prayers are being answered, we see that on a daily basis and please take encouragement to continue.
Pray for continued health, safety on site and in travel, the roads and driving are awesome!
Attached are two pictures, one of the traditional service and one of Lemma, his wife and family. This family is quite incredible with a remarkable vision for the area which they have maintained for over 20 years, his labouring is humbling to see and most apparent. I think for me, humbling will be the keyword of this trip.
Please continue to pray for us, I will send updates but the power and internet situation is poor. Remember Bill & Margaret who depart for Uganda on Wednesday morning.
Thanks
Trevor
Sat. 29 Nov 2008 21:07
Evening, can't get on email 'cause of power cuts so update by text only! All going very well, please pray for team health, for Bill preaching tomorrow evening, for the team as we split on Mon to start the 2nd task. Prayers are being answered and we are gaining so much from this trip. Thanks Trevor
Wed, 26 Nov 2008 ...
Caption competition No. 2
Wed, 26 Nov 2008 ...
Hi to the team in Ballydown from the team in Ethiopia.
Just an update on Wed evening.
You must all be praying hard as the prayers are being answered!! Keep it up please.
Making great progress at Lemma’s, work is hard (for some!) but when you see the conditions, you can’t help but want to help them improve, I think humbling will be the word most used.
Please continue to pray for the health of the team, so far, it’s been pretty good.
The second project has been given the go-ahead so the team will split on Monday in an effort to complete both and so far, we are on schedule to do that, thanks again for answered prayer.
Stef sends her love; she is keeping very well and enjoying the company.
Attached is a picture of Marcus working very hard and I send this as an appeasement for the one that I’m about to send with him!!
Look out for a series of emails that I’m about to launch called ‘Caption Competition’!
Trevor
Hi All
Welcome to our new Caption Competition,
Have a look at the attached picture and send to me your suggestions, mine for starters is ‘Yvonne, why did you send me here?’
Thanks
Trevor
Mon, 24 Nov 2008 22:11:08
Hi Guys
Latest from Ethiopia
1st days work completed and no injuries!
We are overwhelmed by Ethiopia, it is indeed a country of extremes and you are continually surprised, sometimes amused, sometimes shocked by what you see but always thought provoking beyond words.
The team dynamics are excellent and we hit the ground running, Bertie true to form is setting the pace and standard for the younger guys!!
The people that we are helping are so appreciative, but their situation is desperate, life is tough in Ethiopia for most, but a happier people I have never seen. Their dependence on God is stronger than ours because their need is greater, who is then the richest?
I’ve only attached three pictures as the internet is a little slow; however I am gathering a file of interesting pics which I’ll keep for later!!!
Thanks and please continue to pray for site and travel safety, for Stef and Lemma.
Trevor
Sun, 23 Nov 2008 08:40:25
Hi from sunny Addis Ababa
So far, so good!
All flights, customs etc ran like clockwork, met Stef and two other
teachers at the airport and had our first glimpse of Addis Ababa,
fascinating!!
Everyone seems in fine spirit, plenty of chat and banter, no major
fights.
Please pray for the arrival of a piece of official paper required to
allow us to commence work on the smaller task that we hope to complete.
More updates later.
Trevor
Click on photos to view full size.
Impressions of Ethiopia
Challenged by the extreme poverty we saw and the hardships that people endured.
Impressed by the friendliness and dignity of the Ethiopian peoples
Overwhelmed by the hospitality and generosity of the people we were working with.
Well looked after (despite the bed bugs!)
The team bonded very well, and not only did we work hard but we had good fellowship and good fun together.
It was good to worship with other Christians in traditions and circumstances very different to our own and to be encouraged by their wholeheartedness and enthusiasm.
We were very conscious of the team back home praying for us and taking an interest in what we were doing... we couldn't have done what we did without that kind of support.
It was a privilege to work alongside the African workers and get to know them. We couldn't speak their language but we communicated in other ways.
It was an honour to be with a person like Lemma and his family and experience their graciousness and generosity and see their total committement to Christ and their community.
It was good to see work completed... ceilings put in... walls plastered... concrete floors laid, foundations dug and a long drop built. I think we all came away feeling that things had been accomplished.
It was good to be involved in mission... good for the team members and good I think for us as a church.
What we were all able to do was an immense encouragement to the folk in Ethiopia and I feel that our involvement will make a difference to the lives of children in Burayu.
On top of all this, I think each of the team learned a little more about themselves, about each other, about mission and about their own walk with God.
We are grateful to God for the many ways in which He helped us... for safe travel, for reasonable good health... there was only a few tummy upsets. The building site had all the potential for accidents with a total absence of health and public safety, but we had only one casualty that required a trip to the hospital.
God bonded us as a team and he helped us to get substantial work done... so yes "Praise the Lord"
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