The following is an update from DownLine 2011 Team, a small group from DownLine Ministries in Memphis, TN, who will be serving as short-term missionaries at Onesimus Children Development Association and throughout Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in September 2011. We’ve invited our ministry partners to post their trip updates and prayer requests here on the TFC blog. You can learn more specifically about the goals of the trip by going to this post. Enjoy their journey and all God has in store...
Written by Nicci Feathers
From inspiring teachings, to building new connections, to investing and strengthening in our new found friendships, we had another blessed day in Addis Ababa!
The start of our day included the DownLine team sharing the practical principles of disciple making. Watching these 90 something seminary students soaking up the Great Commission was truly humbling. These people are on the front lines of God's army and they face many hardships in trying to convert Muslims to Christianity. But, in a very inspiring way, they rest all of their fear into God and they are invested in becoming true disciples and disciple makers.
This afternoon, several of us were able to go by the drop-in center so that some of the medical team could see the space and map out the clinic that will begin on Monday. Afterwards, we were able to go and share about the ministry with a lady we met on our plane ride. God is so good. She is a faithful servant of Christ and she wants to know even more about Onesimus and how she can help as a business owner in Ethiopia. Our meeting was rich with conversation and God's mighty hand was ever present in this "divine" appointment.
So, after a busy day, some of us went to dinner at the "mall". This mall included a gym, swimming pool, and a bowling alley. We were able to unite as a team and debrief about our day with each other and several of our new Ethiopian friends over dinner. Jet lag is definitely still affecting us and double macchiatos were a must! Bam- we are back and we went bowling! Who can say that? I've been bowling in Ethiopia. It was awesome to watch our Ethiopian friends Geta and Biruk bowl for the first time. They did great!
Once we arrived back at the guest house, Dr. Cattau and his crew arrived safely shortly afterward. Their travel was smooth and they are ready for a good night's rest so that they can hit the ground running tomorrow.
In closing, I want to share a part of Steve Winstead and John Ozier's messages during the conference today. Building disciples is about being a disciple and leading non- believers from spiritual milk (baby Christians) to spiritual meat (mature Christ-like disciples). As ambassadors for Christ we want to represent what Christ would look like. We are to love others the way that Jesus loves us. So, our prayer is that we may all be ambassadors for Christ- living visibly amongst people and leading people to the King by serving, praying and doing things that can be difficult. Doing this all for the sake of the ONE who sacrificed for us! We are all on mission...
Please continue lifting our team in prayer. We are united in Christ and we are truly enjoying every moment God has given us throughout our journey thus far.
Also, please lift up the five men on our team (Steve Winstead, Shad Berry, Ed Gillentine, Dr. Cattau, and Jimmy Whitaker) who will be preaching the Gospel in several different Ethiopian churches tomorrow morning. Pray that God will use His words through them to share with the gracious, beautiful people here and that the listeners will hear the great news and they will continue to apply it into their own lives.
Until tomorrow...
