Last FRIDAY here on Africa’s Horn… as the sun began to set for the evening, disciples rolled into our compound to the smell of fire and sizzling goat and ox. Church of Joy had a barbeque! Samuel and Philip built the pit and cooked 7 kilos of meat for a traditional dish of Ethiopia “tibs” eaten with injera and dabo (flat, sour, spongy-ish pancakes and bread). Kati made popcorn.. I made the aninas juice.. the big red carpet, mats and pillows were laid out under the stars.. and then we ate to our stomach’s delight while enjoying the sweetest fellowship under heaven.
When our plates were empty once again, Samuel gave a short salvation message and Mohammed shared some scriptures about the promises of God. The night we had been praying and preparing for was a HUGE success! Thanks Jesus!
After our church family returned to their homes, our own family laid out on the popcorn-infested mats and starred at the diamond stars with smiles on our lips, until our eyelids could no longer keep themselves opened. What a night!
Swedes, Ethiopians, Norwegians, American... my family :)
SATURDAY in Shewaber… was remarkable. Maja and I planted a women’s house church last week among our new-saved and not-so-new-saved disciples. We gather in one woman’s house that sits in the heart of the city, feed each other rice and bread with our fingers, sing mesmor to Jesus, read the word, pray.. it’s phenomenal. This week Maja shared an incredible word about being chosen by God. God has created this house church to be such a safe pl
ace for these women. Many are coming from muslim families, are poor, alone, young mothers… but when we gather together as sisters in Christ, there is a strength that manifests in ways we never could have arranged on our own. The freedom of God broke out this week too! We were dancing, jumping, shouting and singing at the top of our lungs… loving on our Jesus together. Wow..
At the same time our church was gathered, the boys were mee
ting on the other side of the city with a men’s house church. It’s amazing to know that Jesus is being preached in many places all at once… Harar is sandwiched with Holy Spirit on Saturday nights!
When we returned home again, Samuel led the team in a time of prayer, blessing and communion together. What a special kiss from God this night turned out to be for us all. I’m madly in love with my Harar family. Thank you Jesus for putting me here. We are pioneers, warriors, brothers and sisters… sharing life together with Holy Spirit as we usher the Kingdom of God to Africa, “experience” fikas, play soccer, lay under stars, study Amheric.. wow wow..
SUNDAY morning in Church of Joy… was indescribable! There was such a spirit of excitement and anticipation before the service started. We are an international church-- which proved itself true this week as we gathered Ethiopians, Somalis, Swedish, Dutch, Indian and an American(ME)! Kati and Maja opened the morning with a dance, then we worshiped.. Kati also created a new drama about the battle for our souls between satan and God. Every arm was filled with goose bumps when the music ended… Holy Spirit was speaking strongly to our hearts… the stage was set for Samuel to share a salvation message. One man responded with the most genuine of hearts.. receiving the gift of Jesus for the first time!!! Then Ashagre preached about Holy Spirit!
POWERFUL! At the end we received the third offering toward our first keyboard in Church of Joy! The spirit of poverty is being broken in this region!!! We are proclaiming the standard of God’s kingdom over our Ethiopian kingdom.. one of blessing and abundance!! Hallelujah!
MONDAY… was our free day. Free days are simply adventure days in disguise. During breakfast, the guys and I decided that we would go to Jijiga. Within the hour we were packed into a minibus and on our way through the mountains and dusty streets.. headed toward Somali’s border.
Erik and Philip.. by minibus..
Somali hut
What a special land I’m living in.. here in the Eastern part of Africa. The people are stunning, the strongholds are thick, but the breakthrough anointing of the cross is invincible. We ALWAYS have the VICTORY!
TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY and FRIDAY morning this week all began with team prayer and strategic vision planning… we are getting ready for a big reveal this Sunday in Church of Joy! Log on soon to hear more…
Me and Samuel in Jijiga
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