I returned 2 days ago on Sunday afternoon from the 2002 SIM conference held at Sodoree where one can swim in an Olympic-size pool fed constantly with warm spring water! But more refreshing were the spiritual fellowship among the SIM family who gathered from all over Ethiopia with one Korean sister flying in from Djibouti. And even on top of all these had been those messages released by Charles Price, which brought a deep reflection and awakening to many of us. Charles just flew off last night via U.K. then back to his People's Church in Toronto.

Pray on for the Abyssinia Camp and all the people involved. On this coming Sunday in the afternoon, the Committee and other friends will gather with their families. We will have some fun in horseback riding then enjoying a potluck meal, Ethiopian style, together.  Over 2 weeks ago a few committee members met with Ato. Tefera conversing on the issue of contracting 12,000 sq. meters from him. It wasn't a pleasant meeting as the old gentleman seemed to insist on us to drill a good well for the benefits of his household before going on any further. Later I was told that half of his family were against our Abyssinia Camp because of their Orthodox stand against any evangelical ministry. But praise the Lord that the old man has changed his mind and now is opening his arms to us again. Ato. Tefera contracted a vast area of land, during the time of the former Ethiopian Emperor, for dairy farm and forestry. The family is anxious that the current government may take some measure for their occupation of such vast area. That may well spur them towards our proposal of contracting land or having 12,000 sq. meters transferred to our camping use. Please continue to pray that our Lord will lead steadily concerning the land.

Concerning the 1975 Ford Escort, I plan to sell it after spending quite a sum to put it into the present very fine condition. Pray that our Lord will provide a buyer who just needs a city vehicle like this. I will use the VW pickup in most parts of the crowded capital city. And I am buying a motorcycle Suzuki DR350S from SIM here, which will be very good to ride on some rough road leading to our Campsite. The fuel consumption could be up to 25 km per liter or even more. I will use my Ministry funds to buy the bike, which means SIM will still be its owner but not me. Yet I could use my Ministry money for all its use for ministry, its insurance and maintenance etc. Pray that the Lord will enable me to use the bike in an effective and safe way! (It will be transported to a local bike shop tomorrow to fix some ignition problem and for general service before hitting the road again.)

May our heavenly Father shine his face upon all of us!

Joseph --  Addis Ababa

Updated News : February 6, 2002