We have our first Mission Trip Team planned for November 6th to the 16th. I am so excited about this team and how God has placed the very people together He desired to make an impact on our women and Sponsored Children. :)

We have a team of 12 women!! Funny really, how this was open to all, but God led 12 of the most amazing strong, and gifted women to our team. This confirmed that God wanted to focus on the Women and children this trip. We are already seeing His hearts desire for us as a team and for these women and Children. It is fun to see the team bonding already and know this is going to be a powerful dynamic team of Women.

We will be doing a two day Women's Conference and two days with the Orphans doing a mini VBS. We also are being blessed with the Police Officers that went last year to do the Police Conference. (see earlier posts) They will be doing a 2nd Conference and so we will also have a focus on the Police Department. The focus for the Police Department will be to do a follow up of the Ethics classes they gave in February as well as a First Aide course. Most importantly to continue relationships with Commander Adise and the Police Department as they seek to make a continued impact themselves on other communities bringing the passion and love of Jesus to other Police Departments. Wow!! It is seriously amazing seeing God change the way these Police Officers do what the do in the name and love of Jesus. Lives are changing.

We will be going into the Mens and Women's Prison as well and possibly speaking in the Sunday Worship Service in the Prison. We will also just be blessing and loving on the women and children of those who are in Prison with their mothers.

Please keep us in your prayers and we continue to plan the conferences and that we would be listening to all the Lord has for them. We desire for Jesus to be the center and for us to not get in the way.

We will also be doing some assessing on our next trips. What the needs will be and how we can best create a Kingdom Culture in Hosanna!

Our next trips will be the end of April with an emphasis on a building team to build a kitchen for the children's meals, and a second team focusing on basic medical needs and assess possible further needs.

Our Itinerary is as follows:

Itinerary

November 6 Leave Minneapolis

Wednesday 7^th arrive Addis Ababa, get settled into Guest House, and set out to do Ministry to sick in Homes.

Thursday 8^th Leave for Hosanna Ethiopia Check into Hotel and have dinner with Worship/Prayer and prep time to follow.

Friday 9^th Women’s Retreat (see attached)

Saturday 10^th Women’s Retreat

Sunday 11th  Worship Service at Addis Kadan Baptist Church, Prison Visit, Police Conference

Monday 12^th Police First Aide Conference/Orphans

Tuesday 13^th Orphans

Wednesday 14^th Leave for Awassa check into Haile Salasse Hotel

Thursday 15^th Leave for Addis Airport

For the last year we have been working with Childrens HopeChest and Hosanna Lutheran Church in Lakeville to build a partnership with Hosanna Ethiopia and Hosanna Church. It has been fun to watch the church get excited about these precious children and the possibility of having our church building a bridge with this community. "From Hosanna to Hosanna!"

It has taken sometime to get to where we wanted, but God did so much in the process. We went from 180 children to 300!! This was exciting. We have been extreemly blessed to be working with the staff from Children's HopeChest. www.hopechest.org  HopeChest, works all over the world taking churches in the US and helping them Build a Bridge from a community overseas to their church.  They start with assisting with a SPonsorship Program and the goal is to work with the community as a whole not just the orphan. The goal for us and for HopeChest is to help these communities get them the start they need, training and the knowledge of the power and love of Jesus. We then help them to thrive and be sustainable on their own so that dependance on us is not needed long term but a life long relationship will be key.

August 25th and 26th was the weekend of our launch. Wow! What a beautiful and awesome time it was. The team from HopeChest came down to do the launch. Wil Crooks, Teresa Brockway and Juree Wilson. We had many volunteers to help with signing up the sponsors! Pastor Bill gave a powerful heartfelt message. Hearts were stirred, Jesus was present and miracles were happening.

I will never forget the excitement that was felt by all when the last child was held up and Wil announced "here is the last child, who wants him?" and a lady yelled, "I'll take him"!! What a tremendous feeling to know that all 300 children will have a sponsor and these families are forever blessed by doing so. A beginning to a beautiful relationship between a church and a community. Many lives will be changed and hearts touched as together we obey a calling only God could orchestrate. Thank you Jesus!!

In August of 2011, I went to Ethiopia to meet with a couple organizations that specialize in orphans, sponsorship and training women in Ethiopia for us to seek partnership for the community of Hosanna. I meet teams from Children's HopeChest and Children's Home Society and we all traveled to Hosanna together. I was not sure how traveling with both teams would work as I was scoping out the idea of having help on the ground to establish sponsorship programs, feeding programs and training women in SHG Groups. (Self Help Groups)

 I was so pleasantly surprised by the excitement they both gave in seeing our vision for Hosanna.  I shared our vision of working with the orphans, the widows (ex-street women) and Pastors and how we want to have one another working and helping each other to create a sustainable way of living. We would support and send our young men and women to Seminary, they would teach and train our women, and the women would love on bless the orphans.

It was fun to see our vision start to take place in the hearts and plans of our Ethiopian friends. They have seen the effects of their work take place in other parts of Ethiopia, and now wanted to come together as two organizations and with us to help build this community.

Once again, I left Hosanna amazed at what God had done. I seem to always go in with a bit of an "idea" of what we are going to do and God blows us away. Following Gods lead is really simple when you realize your ideas and your ways just are not going to be a sliver to what yours are. He leads, we follow. I picture a daddy dancing and a child standing on his feet. Where are you going next daddy? I so trust you.

 We started working right away on getting permits to work in Hosanna, being established as an organization and profiling the 180 orphans.

In Feburary of 2011, a trip was planned to bring a Police Conference to the many men and Women Police officers in the region of Hosanna. John Bermel with Influence International has taught a Police Ethics course in the United States and in Kenya. Since developing a strong relationship with the Mayor and Police Department, it was surly where God was leading us in these next steps. John and another Police Officer Larry Lotzer were to also go down with Pastor Bill Bohline from Hosanna Church. Unfortunately Pastor Bills dad passed away. At the very last minute I decided to jump on in with them to help out with logistics of the trip.

What a great trip to see Police Officers from the US, connect with the Police Officers of Ethiopia. It was powerful to see what these Police Officers are doing for the good of the people in their community was the same in such far away places. I came away from the conference with a new respect for the Police Officers everywhere and what they do on a daily bases for their communities.

God is at work in the town of Hosanna, Commander Adise has given great efforts to bring Jesus to all the Police. Every morning at 6:00 they start the day with an 1 1/2 hours of worship and prayer before work.  Many of the nearly 500 unmates worship as well, and have come to know the Lord from the efforts of the Police bringing the Power and love of Jesus inside the prison walls. They are changing the town with how they now react to unlawfulness differently. These men and women now fight crime not out of anger but out of a love they themselves are finding in Jesus.

We were able to speak at the service in the Prison on Sunday Morning. It was an eye-opening experience and a very sweet sight to see these inmates worship.

We are very excited about the relationship that our Police Officers at Hosanna! Church now have with the Hosanna, Ethiopia Department. This will be along term relationship that will be cherished both ways.

This relationship we hope to model for other communities and regions of Ethiopia. To train these Officers to go train others.

Ethiopia in April! 7-10-2011

Ethiopia in April! 7-10-2011

We have just made another trip to Ethiopia in Mayof 2011. We were able to go this time as a family for 3 weeks.  This trip was so amazing on many different levels. It was great for us to be able to bring our three kids to show them all what God is doing and let them share in it, and feel apart of it.

We also brought another key person along with us to help us with insight in furthering our ministry to the women. Jill Hall, is a good friend from Hosanna Church, she works for the EFCA, and Global Finger Prints as a Missionary and has studied and helped with Micro-financing in other countries. It was wonderful to have her come with us as she was able to see the women and have insight into our next steps. She also helped me do a one day conference in Hosanna Ethiopia for the women. There were about 90 women who participated. It was good to connect with them as women and share with them the Fathers Love. It was fun as Jill and I both had prepared messages and we spoke back to back and with out rehearsing or preparing together had a message that flowed beautifully. God was present and we were able to demonstrate to them how much the Father Loves them and how much we loved them as well as how to love themselves. All of which were new concepts as they have lived a life of survival and have been used and mistreated. Love is simply foreign to them. We were able to hear a testimony of a women of the life she lived and how she was helped out of a life of prostitution, something she needed to do to survive. She was told, like the other women that Jesus loves her and desires much more for her. She told this as tears rolled down her face, I just wanted to hold her and realized the pain these women live in everyday. My heart was breaking and I am so thankful that we are able to continue to walk this road together with them.We ended with washing their feet, one of the biggest acts of Love in which Jesus demonstrated to His disciples. They had never experienced this before, and were extremely touched I could sense this was a very humbling experience for them. It was a blessings to look into these women's eyes as we were washing their feet and pray prayers of blessings over them. I was overcome with how much the Father loves them, and ached for them to know.

At this time we have had some key meetings in Ethiopia with those we may partner with to help us start a Micro-financing program. This will allow the women to start a small business and pay it back in a year. Our hope is to get them to be mentored by our friends and young pastors whom we will be sponsoring and the women will help us with other projects such as the orphans. It will be a natural flow, and cycle in which each will pour into another. This will bring our several areas of ministry together, all helping another and becoming sustainable within each other.

While we were doing the women's conference Randy and the kids ministered to the children of the women. There were about 60 of them. They played games, soccer, parachute games and just showing them love. The kids themselves were in such great need and you could tell they lived a hard life.

Right now as we prepare to start a micro-financing program our priority is to continue to teach them Biblical values, and the knowledge of Gods love for them. I will be preparing Bible studies for the women, and children biweekly so they continue to learn and we continue to stay connected with them.  It is imperative that we continue to pour into them  the Fathers Love even before we help them out financially.

Also in Hosanna, we met with some of the 180 orphans. We saw the area in which they lived, and met some of the people who are helping to take care of them. We were able to pray with them for their future and Gods leading for us to bring help and aide to these precious little ones who were very sickly and malnourished. This was another key piece to for us to go on this trip to meet with key leaders in helping us partner to get a sponsorship program going to get them fed daily, clothing and medical help that is needed. We are very excited to watch God move in these children's lives. This was one of the most moving and gut wrenching part of the trip to see the severity of these children who have been left orphaned and hungry. But God says, " I WILL NOT LEAVE YOU AS ORPHANS, I WILL COME TO YOU". He has come and we will not stop until we see them safe secure, and knowing who they are in His eyes... they will know.

Pastor Abinet is on the right, he has been taking care of and ministering to the 180 orphans with little help. The women in the picture has been taking care of these street orphans taking the most needy into her home.

Praying a blessing over these little ones and for our future relationship with them. What precious darlings, my heart ached when we left.

Another very encouraging part of our time in Hosanna was seeing that the two churches in which we have been working with have already started working together. We saw this as something God wanted to do, and we were working towards a plan on how to get them to do this. Well, God is at work there so much that He has already done this, this is encouraging as we see this partnership key in the 5 areas we are working in. The Pastors are rallying together to help each other, as well as the Police Chief and Police department. Wow! How awesome to see us being able to be working with all these leaders and they all be working together all for one purpose, to listen to the Lord and and seek him in glorify his name in doing what He has called us all to. This tells us that Gods hand is in this and He is in the midst of bringing Pastors, leaders and Police officials together for long term sustainable impact that will change Hosanna and beyond.

The kids getting ready to lead worship with Pastor Abinet in the Adis Kadan Baptist Church.

I was asked to give a message at the church service this Sunday morning.

Solomon is on the left, he is the President of the Mekene Yesus Church in Hosanna and a very dear friend.

This is the home of Mekonen and Abebech the Pastors of the Addis Kadan Baptist Church in Hosanna. We  love them.... like family. Mekonen's brother had just died this was a solemn but precious visit. 

Police Commander Adise. What a wonderful man who has let the Lord use him to dramatically change the police department and people of the town of Hosanna.

Commander Adise after receiving his new Apple Valley Mn. Police hat given to him by Police Captain John Bermel. Police Officer John Bermel was with me on the prior trip giving a police Conference to the officers in and around the town of Hosanna. See below post for story.

Commander Adise and the Police Department at early morning prayer meeting held every day before starting work.

Commander Adise and Solomon, President Of Mekene Yesus Lutheran Church. Good friends, leading Hosanna to a better future.

The rest of our trip was spent getting to know our daughter. The kids were able to meet for the first time and it was priceless. We have been on a long journey through this adoption and trying to bring her home. There has been many obstacles that have delayed us. We have been very close several times to bringing her home to have our court dates cancelled. This has been extremely hard. We were able to go to her grandmothers home and meet the grandmother... what a precious lady who loves the Lord with her whole heart, and loves her granddaughter enough to let her go to have a life where she will be feed, nurtured and loved. We also met our daughters brothers and found the youngest one to be very sickly and starving. We found out later that the grandmother was giving him up for adoption as well as he will not make it where he is at for much longer. We then realized why the all the struggles with this adoption... we knew we were to adopt him as well. So when we finally get to bring our daughter home, we are double blessed to be able to bring him home at the same time. Wow, we always knew that there was another boy we were to adopt as between us and several others there were 4 dreams of us adopting a little boy. We just had no idea it would be her brother. :)

We believe God has had us on this journey for a bigger reason then just to adopt these two precious children. We know that this journey has taught us so much about adoption, the process in Ethiopia, and above all the desperate situation these children are in and the seeing first hand the longing in the children's faces at the orphanage each time we have been there. We believe that God is teaching us many things in this area as we will quite possibly need to know them in our ministry in Ethiopia and possibly having a deeper bigger impact in the areas of orphans and adoption.

Please keep us in your prayers in all of these areas. Our desire is that God leads in all of this that self diminishes and we resolve to letting God do in us what he needs so He can do in Ethiopia what He needs through us.

Many blessings,
Marybeth

One year ago! 4-18-2011

One year ago! 4-18-2011

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 2-25-2011I 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.

Our Third Trip   2-25-2011

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.

The Story continued! 2-24-2011

The Story continued!  2-24-2011

Since our hearts were in Africa, we decided we would research the possibility of doing the same there. When researching, we came upon a town called Hosanna. Our hearts were telling us something and we could not shake this feeling. We starting sharing what we felt God was saying to us about Hosanna, Ethiopia. While sharing this we discovered that little Teshome Eide was actually from the town of Hosanna, and the Eides had been there when bringing him home. Also sharing this with Jennifer Needham she shared that when she was holding little Teshome, she was looking into his eyes and had a sense that our church Hosanna somehow needed to be connected, but did not know how to go about it. So when I called Jennifer up the day I was researching the town, I called exclaiming, “I just found out that there is a town called Hosanna in Ethiopia!”  She was certainly not shocked and said “I know.” We laugh at this now as we see this was just the start of a continuation of confirmations and open doors that kept leading us to a deep knowledge and anticipation of more of God’s revelations. I knew that when I saw the name and town of Hosanna there was something about this place and I could not stop thinking about it. My heart yearned and there was a deep longing to seek God in what he was stirring inside of me about this town of Hosanna.

During this time of seeking and praying God continued to speak to others about Hosanna, Ethiopia through dreams and words. Many had dreams of Ethiopia like Caroline Hatt about JoAnn Palo being in Ethiopia. Paul Yado had prayed over Randy, Marybeth, Jennifer and Krista Gorman regarding Ethiopia and had very specific words for us regarding the orphans. We later find out, that it was at this very time that the Lord was also speaking in dreams and visions to the Pastors and lay people in Ethiopia about what he was preparing to do.

 God used these people to encourage us to know we were to keep pursuing this journey. Soon after, Tim Hatt received a phone call May of 2009 from a man named Alan Bachman. He had just recently returned from Hosanna, Ethiopia and felt the Lord telling him someone from Hosanna Lutheran Church needed to know about, Hosanna Ethiopia. Alan works for Children’s Home Society and knew Tim, but does not go to Hosanna. He asked if he could come to give us a presentation. He came in August of 2009, to share with Tim, Anna Mansfield, Jennifer Needham, Randy and Marybeth about the demographics, the needs, and the people of Hosanna. He had no agenda of what we suppose to do, but only knew he was just suppose to come and share with us about this city. This was another very big confirmation for us all. This was another very big confirmation for us all.

So with this much of God’s voice speaking to so many, and having the support and excitement coming from many avenues Randy and Marybeth felt God was calling them to go, see, sense and hear what God wanted to do. With Tim’s blessings and the support from many in the church Randy and Marybeth got tickets to go to Hosanna, Ethiopia in March to walk, pray and seek His voice.

We had no connections at this point except in November of  2009 Marybeth, along with the Malawi team met a man from Hosanna Ethiopia in a hotel in Nairobi on the way to Malawi. This was a fun connection and gave us a starting point to feel we had a “point man” to help us while there.

After the trip to Malawi, Marybeth had a strong sense she was to take the Perspectives Course in downtown Minneapolis in May of 2010. While taking the course, she met a man from Bethlehem Baptist, who had just returned from Bethlehem’s first Mission trip to Ethiopia. He said he felt I should call a lady by the name of Alemnesh who belongs to Bethlehem Baptist. She had led the team to Ethiopia as she is from there and has a huge heart to help orphans in her native country. Marybeth called her that night and told her we were planning on going to Ethiopia in a month. She asked what our interest was there and where we were going. As Marybeth was sharing her the story she could hear her weep on the other end of the phone. She then explained to Marybeth that she had just gotten a phone call form a friend who is a young Minister named Abinet two days prior. He had called and asked her to pray for the town Hosanna and that the Lord would send someone to help him with the plight of the orphans. He was asking for prayer as it was heavy on his heart after the Lord had given him a dream of two white people coming to Hosanna. Together Marybeth and Alemnesh cried on the phone. She is now a big part of our family, “our Ethiopian Grandma” as we now call her.  

Gods provisions for our first trip had just begun.

Our Trips

Our First Trip

Our first trip to Hosanna, was in April of 2010. We really had no idea what we were going to do and what we were going to see, but had an overwhelming sense of excitement and anticipation for what was to come.

Our whole week was orchestrated by God. We have never felt the Holy Spirit upon us more. It was one powerful encounter after another. Abinet met us at the airport and was with us the whole time. Instant friends, and lifelong partners. God made it clear to us, that this was a partnership not a mission agency helping people in need. God had bigger plans than that. We were able to meet many orphaned children who were not able to eat during the day, a beautiful woman named Fantu with a huge heart to help the hurting prostitutes, a couple who had a heart to reach the neighboring town of Muslims, and many leaders with a passion to be called further on into God’s plan for their lives for people such as these. This was all so compelling and simply overwhelming for us.

 We left knowing God was calling us to this place. What a feeling, as we have sought the Lord in this for over 16 years together! To see why we ached, why the restless nights, and why the hunger for what we did not know. God’s heart was finally revealed to us in this place, a town called Hosanna! We also knew that this was not just about our calling… it was bigger than that. It was a calling for our whole church to come alongside as fellow soldiers in fighting the good fight together, with our brothers and sister in Christ from a town called Hosanna.

As it was clear God was leading us back to Hosanna, we were very excited to share all God showed us. We did a power point presentation in May letting all know what we felt the Lord calling us to do. We were very blessed by the support and excitement we received. We shared how we felt our next steps were to go again and bring others on staff to get confirmation of what we were feeling. Our sense was to bring the leaders and pastors of the town of Hosanna together from the 26 local churches.

Pastor Tim agreed to go with us and suggested we contact Dr. Gemechis Buba since he had just spoke at our Faith Lift Conference. In a conference call with Pastor Gemechis he whole-heartedly agreed to go with us and described to us what he sensed God doing in the town of Hosanna. Unbeknownst to us, he had been to Hosanna before. What he sensed was a great confirmation to what we felt God doing in this town, “raising up leaders to go out and beyond the borders of Ethiopia”. This had been exactly our words and was exciting to hear God’s confirmations once again.

Second Trip

In November of 2010, we made our second trip to Ethiopia, this time with Pastor Tim, Pastor Gemechis, and JoAnn Palo. Words cannot describe our week in Hosanna, Ethiopia. Our trip was one confirmation after another of what God had laid on our heart during and following our first trip. We are eager and excited to partner with these beautiful people. What God is doing amongst them is such a parallel to what God is doing here!

The first part of the trip was spent in Addis Ababa. Here we were able to reconnect with the leaders and pastors of the Adis Kidan Baptist Church whom we will also be partnering with.

In Hosanna, we were scheduled to have a 3 day conference. The first day of the conference was for all the leaders and pastors of the surrounding churches in Hosanna. There were over 400 pastors and 26 churches represented. It was a great day as we worshiped and celebrated with these leaders. We told of how God led us to Hosanna and how he wanted to form a partnership with them to help in advancing His kingdom.  It was a powerful night as we spoke, sang, worshiped and prayed over all the pastors.

The main conference was way beyond what we had expected.  The participants were all so hungry for God. Pastor Tim described it as "riotous joy". It was a great description as they sang, danced and hungered for God. It was an amazing sight to see over 25,000 Ethiopians in the town of Hosanna seeking and desiring more of the Kingdom. Much different than many other African nations in that the overall need was not to help them, but just a need and deep hunger for more of Him. This hunger is why we believe God is starting this "new movement”. He is beginning a revival of sorts to build up, love on, and honor this town for the desires and love they have for the Kingdom. We believe God desires to do this so He can send them to the rest of the country and beyond. In Zachariah it says "Whole Nations will come to know the Lord" Amen! This is the beginning of God raising his faithful up to be strong, fruitful, and effective in changing the way Africa is to that which Africa is meant to be... a Nation belonging to God!

We have seen God move in mighty ways connecting us with leaders, pastors and city officials to bring us all together to bring about His purposes. We are excited, as He has made it very clear for us what His desires are for the town of Hosanna, and with our church, Hosanna! We see that this is not only ministry for us to go and help the people of Hosanna, but believe it is more of a partnership. There is much for us to take back and learn from the many leaders and pastors. They have lived lives of strength and a deep knowledge of the power and passion possessed by knowing God with little hindrances. We took away much as we sat with and listened to these honorable men and women. Hearts so pure, so devoted! This we see as the Lord calling us to “Build a Bridge” We see Him doing this in many realms and in many different nations. Here, it is “Hosanna! to Hosanna! God is bringing us together for a purpose far bigger than us, and beyond what we could see or imagine.

We have met many leaders and formed wonderful relationships with many influential people in the community. It is obvious that much can be done as we partner together. We are excited to get started on many of these areas.  Dr. Gemechis stated on his return home "The church was very, very grateful for this visit and one can never doubt that there is greater hunger for more of this empowering, edifying and leadership capacity building work for the sake of advancing God's Kingdom in these days." 

After the conference we were able to meet with the Chief of Police. The policemen hold a prayer meeting every morning for two hours before they start work. They are bringing Christ into the lives of the criminals and changing the town of Hosanna. We were able to pray for all of the police. It was amazing how God brought us together to witness what he is doing in and all throughout this town. We then met the Mayor of Hosanna. He assured us that we were to come back and see him every time we are in Hosanna. This means much favor and help when we start new ministries and organizations. God is so good as He is weaving the way for us to come in with such ease and favor. All we need to do is to continue and follow His leading.


Since returning home we have been in contact with the church leaders, and it has been wonderful to hear how our time there has greatly impacted them. They stated that the Synod is in a time of real transformation since we left. They were greatly encouraged, and see God’s hand on the whole town of Hosanna, and look forward to a continued relationship.