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A letter from Carolyn Weber ending service in Ethiopia

Fall 2014- Bittersweet Goodbyes

Grace and peace to you in the mighty name of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Intermediate English students report harmful cultural practices in their ethnic groups

 

Keriya presents paper to Spiritual Formation students about a person who was persecuted but didn’t reject Jesus during the Communist Derg regime

 

Holistic Ministry and Development students give site visit report about blind students’ diligent work at the Misrach Center

 

Almaz Teka passionately presents her project proposal to Advanced English students

 

Almaz Teka and New Zealander Michelle Tiatia discuss creating program to rescue prostituted women

 

Almaz has an “Aha” moment when she meets with the rescued women

 

M.A. grads from left—first female M.A. grad Rev. Abebech Kusa, Evangelist Andargew Asfaw, Rev. Dagnaw Beyene, Rev. Teressa Akuma, Ev. Teferi Benti, Rev. Yisihak Yohannes

 

Ten Anyuak grads and guests celebrate and listen to Omod Agwa; PC(USA) Horn of Africa Liaison Rev. Michael Weller, center

June 28 concluded not only the Mekane Yesus Seminary’s 2013/2014 school year, but also the teaching portion of my almost five years of mission to Ethiopia.  God’s call to teach Intermediate and Advanced English courses to Bachelor of Theology students in Ethiopia brought so much more—teaching courses in Spiritual Formation and in Holistic Ministry and Development as well as developing the Master of Arts in Practical Ministry program. 

One of my greatest joys this past year was mentoring 46 Master’s students in Personal Development, where they focused on becoming more Christ-like.  Students read spiritual authors using a special method of reading—lectio divina—where they noticed words and phrases that stood out to them. Then they asked God to guide their day in regard to that learning.  Students shared this wisdom in their Triad groups.Students from several ethnic groups learned to respect, appreciate, and love one another in the Triads. Some students translated the materials into their heart languages and have been teaching people in their churches the valuable lessons they learned.  One student reported that he had already trained 1,000 persons in using this method!

Here is one personal interest story that describes how God has been at work over this past year.  Page 134 of the 2014 Mission Yearbook describes the project proposals of three Advanced English students.  Almaz’ story continues even today. In April 2013 Almaz passionately presented her project orally to the class. She proposed to rescue 30 young women from prostitution in her northern Ethiopia home city of Kombolcha.  In July 2013, when I unexpectedly returned to the U.S. for cataract surgery, I attended a luncheon in a friend’s home.  The “stranger” sitting beside me works in a Christian group to rescue prostituted women from the streets of Chicago.  This woman connected me with a friend of hers who would be coming to Ethiopia in February 2014. 

I met that woman and her family in Addis Ababa last February.  They were traveling south of Addis Ababa to visit a new start-up program, which their New Zealander friend Michelle Tiatia’s family helped establish—to rescue prostituted women from the streets of that beautiful tourist community.  Each step of the way I reported these “God connections” to Almaz.

When Michelle traveled to Addis Ababa the first week of April, Almaz and I met her over lunch. Michelle invited us to come visit her program to meet the women and see how the program was being developed.

We went there the last weekend of April and were extremely grateful to meet the young women who were working through that highly structured rehabilitation program.  They had all accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  They were learning new job skills in baking—beautiful cakes and cupcakes! Almaz’s “Aha!” moment was seeing how Michelle’s program started small. Almaz and I also realized the importance of the busy schedule of exercise/sport, disciple classes, basic educational classes, individual/family counseling to solve family issues and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)—which is the result of responding to the demands of the pimps, madams, and buyers.

Almaz is now in her final year of seminary and will return to Kombolcha to establish her project there after she graduates in June 2015.

In May I was invited to teach a special course to all Hosanna Seminary students. While there I also attended the joyous day-long wedding celebration of 2013 M.A. grad Yohannes Lala, which began with the delicious traditional wedding breakfast foods his family brought from the countryside.

June brought the successful conclusion of another year of instruction at Mekane Yesus Seminary. It was bittersweet for me as I said final good-byes to all students and faculty and friends I have come to love over my years of service in Ethiopia.  I was honored to announce each of the Master’s graduates during the ceremony.

Rev. Abebech Kusa was the first female Mekane Yesus Seminary Master’s graduate. Her M.A. thesis described the importance of ending the harmful cultural practice of female genital mutilation.

My worshipping community of Anyuaks graduated three in the Bachelor of Theology program and another seven in the secular Leadership and Management College.  Graduation afternoon found them feasting and celebrating and praising God for his provision for them and their families as they learned and endured through their years of studies.

I praise God for the opportunities to plant seeds, to equip, nurture, challenge, accompany, and love the students entrusted to my care.  Day by day the Lord helps each one to “renew her/his strength; to soar on wings like eagles, to run and not grow weary, to walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:31).

Please pray for:

God’s plan for Mekane Yesus Seminary (MYS) to be revealed to administrators, faculty, students, and staff
God to qualify those who are called to minister to the students at MYS
Opportunities to be provided for these highly qualified students
God’s healing, strength, and wisdom for all students at MYS
God’s guidance as I transition to the next phase of my life

You all have been wise and careful stewards of your time, your talent, and your resources.  Thank you for your sacrifices of prayer, encouragement, and financial gifts of support for me and others like me.  Please continue your support of mission co-workers to carry on God’s mission throughout the world!

Serving Jesus faithfully with you,
Carolyn Weber (Rev. Dr.)

The 2014 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 133
Read more about Carolyn Weber's ministry

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A group of committed donors has pledged to match all gifts sent by individuals for mission personnel support now through December 31, 2014, up to $137,480.  This means your gift today will be matched by a gift to support mission personnel around the world, wherever the need is greatest. We invite you to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to double the impact of your gift. Thank you!

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