A quick Ethiopian update!

Posted for Nathan - sent 7/23/2010

Hello everyone!

I only have a few minutes, but I wanted to let you all know what's been going on in Ethiopia over the past few days so that you can join our team in celebration! Beginning on Wednesday, we have been going to local cafes and engaging in conversations with random people we meet. This has been both a challenge and a joy - a challenge to take the step of faith to talk to a stranger in a foriegn country and a joy in seeing the Lord work through these conversations and in our own hearts.

We met up with Ethiopian students involved in ministry in Bahir Dar, who act as translators as we go out into the city. These students have been such a blessing to meet and minister with. Most students are in high school and despite their young age, they are filled with passion and wisdom well beyond their years!

One exciting story...yesterday I was able to go to a cafe and met a man who was of the Ethiopian orthodox faith. We began chatting and during the course of the conversation he said "I want to know God and have a personal relationship with Him, but I don't know how." What an amazing opportunity and divine appointment! I shared the gospel with him and he recieved Christ! To God be all the glory!

Our group is off to eat dinner now, so I have to leave...but I so appreciate each one of you and your prayers and encouragement! I'm excited at and humbled by the work the Lord is doing in Ethiopia and am so glad that you are sharing in it.

In Him and with Love,

Nathan

In Ethiopia and loving it!

(Posted for Nathan - sent 7/19/2010)

Hello friends, family, and support partners!

I am so excited to let you know that I am in Ethiopia and enjoying every minute of it! I have brief access to a computer, so I'll write what I can. The last time I updated I was on my way to meet the team in Tulsa. I am thrilled to tell you that the team is an amazing group of students who are full of fun, energy, and a passion to serve the Lord. I have been blessed to make such good friends so quickly. We left Tulsa and had about 24 hours of travel time until we arrived in Ethiopia, where we've spent the past few days meeting the national staff and adjusting to the African lifestyle!

I'm not sure how much I'll be able to update everyone during my time here, but here's what I'm thinking - I am going to keep a journal of what is going on here day by day and I'll post detailed descriptions when I'm back in the US. Until then I will post brief updates as I can!

I am so thankful for all of your love and prayers during the next few weeks. The Lord is at work and I'm so glad that I can share in it with you!

In Him and with love,

Nathan

And so it begins!

I just wanted to give you all a quick update as I'm getting incredibly close to leaving and SO excited about taking part in God's work in Ethiopia.

Here's the plan: On Tuesday, July 13, I will travel to Tulsa to meet up with the rest of our team. We will spend the 13th and 14th getting to know one another, learning about the culture of Ethiopia, and praying for the country and our work within it. The morning of the 15th we will hop on a plane and leave for Ethiopia!!!

The Lord is so good and I am thrilled to tell you that I am fully funded! I am so thankful for your support and humbled by your overwhelming generosity and eagerness to participate in what the Lord is doing overseas.

We'll find out more of the day to day schedule when we meet tomorrow and when we arrive in Ethiopia on Thursday. I do know that I've been blessed with a few creative opportunities for the upcoming trip. I'll be serving as a co-worship leader for our time in Ethiopia - something I'm really looking forward to! Our team has also been asked to give a performance at the Life4All conference in Ethiopia, just a fun way for our team to be introduced to everyone attending the conference. So...I'll be helping our team prepare a few musical numbers and some choreography to go with them. All those years of music education and musical theater training are coming into play on our mission trip!!! AWESOME!

Your prayers mean so much to me and are an integral part of the mission that lies before our team. Thank you so much for you willingness to be in prayer over Ethiopia and our time of ministry. In addition to the previously posted prayer items, here are some more ways that you can be praying for Ethiopia in the coming week!

- Prayer for the Ethiopian Campus Crusade Staff - that they would be strengthened and energized to lead our time of ministry.

- Prayer for the safety of our team as we travel overseas.

- Prayer for the Life4All conference and our performance opportunity - may we never lose sight that we are performing for an audience of ONE!

- Continued prayer for the hearts of the Ethiopian people - that God might be preparing them for the message of the gospel.

I've heard that the internet connection is limited in Ethiopia, but I will update as much as I can! I so look forward to the adventure that lies ahead and am excited to share it with YOU!

In Him and with love,

Nathan