It’s been quite a while since I’ve posted here – it’s not been for lack of things happening, but from trying to keep up with the more immediately pressing affairs of the day. Since this is a longer post, I’ve inserted an “Intermission” part way through as a marker if you need to read it in two sittings.

On the sunny side, in June my dad’s life story was published by the Somali Bible Society. We were asked to write the article, which we did – it is posted HERE. My mother is also getting close to publishing here memoir, titled “Standing on Holy Ground, and Some Not So Holy.” It has been professionally edited (by not one but two editors), and I also have weighed in heavily with comment and getting pictures ready, etc. A vital account, we want to make it as accurate and excellent as possible.  Once published I’ll announce it here – that is expected sometime this fall.

School work continues to be a very informative, worthwhile endeavor, but is very time consuming so is also difficult to keep up with. This summer I finished Deen (Practices) & Iman (beliefs) of Islam, and am currently in Introduction to [i.e. Foundations of] Apologetics and History of Islam. Lectures can be up to 3 ½ hours long and take a while to process and complete the required write-up, and the Apologetics course will end with a 3 hour recitation of the 12 point apologetic sequence we’ve learned, with all the salient, buttressing arguments. The exam is 50% of the final grade, that I’m quite concerned.

I’ve also declared a degree track: MA in Polemics & Apologetics to Islam (instead of straight Apologetics, which would also have been very worthwhile, and interesting). Though there were distinct advantages and limitations with each program, the Islamics component finally seems more immediately useful, I am clearly engaging the material, and it is a shorter program (36 vs. 48 credits) that I will have something in hand sooner (and could still go back to complete the Apologetics degree). The silver lining in my studies is that I have the best Grade Point Average (GPA) I’ve ever carried … which might be a positive result of the time it’s taken to do the work. If I can get through this Apologetics test relatively unscathed, there’s hope the GPA could sustain to graduation.

In May I spent a week in a highly Islamic setting, a place I’ve been before. Being in that environment is truly stimulating, though also taxing. There were major conflicts with some Somali Christians, and we are in the process of finding our way through them. Such can be par for the course, but is cause for concern nonetheless. Positively, it was neat to go with several other brothers to the edge of town, meet another mature Somali Christian, and then walk into the distance far enough where we couldn’t be visually identified or heard, and could clearly see or hear anyone approaching long before they got to us. There was a quiet time of sharing, Scripture reading, exhortation, and prayer, and as quietly as we had come, we returned home. It had been a meeting of the Underground Church – a thrill and a blessing to everyone present. It seems there is real potential ahead with building up Christians in this location, but also issues - the path forward is not clear or charted at this point. As a side note, Hussein & Howa, the Somali Christian couple I have related to and who have been key contacts, have relocated some distance away. As such I do not have as much interaction with them, but they are still key players in anything which might develop, and are serious points of counsel.

- Intermission -

 A new project has begun to emerge – one which holds real promise for the future, and which is the most clearly defined initiative of mine since returning longer term to Africa last fall.

Some 20 years ago I began using the Logos Bible study software, a package I have found exceedingly useful and powerful (see Logos.com). Over the years I have been able to upgrade 2 or 3 times, but over the years the “newbie” entry price has also severely escalated, f-a-r beyond the reach of any African leader. This winter I noticed an ad that a stripped down version of Logos is now available for free, and thought this might be an opportunity for African Christian leaders. I showed it to one, then another, and they were amazed at what it could do – they had never seen anything like it, and were incredibly excited and interested in obtaining it. I assisted them in getting it as well as purchasing some supplemental resources to round out the package and make it more balanced for direct, primary Bible study. 

To fast forward, to date I have helped or am in process with 13-14 Christian leaders to get the package, including the supplemental resources, and I have been in touch with Logos headquarters to interact specifically with them about this. A draft statement has been written, identifying the essentials of how this might be structured going forward: purpose (to facilitate primary Bible study, vs. pastoral or broader issues), eligibility criteria (established leaders), provided support (initial and follow-up), oversight, funding, and a projection of what this might grow into and where it might head. It seems to have incredible potential but I/we are looking to move slowly, to carefully build precedents that will be balanced and durable for the long term. I hope by my return to the US in December to have a core “Circle of Counsel” in place (read “a germinal 5011c3 board,” though it likely won’t be called that yet). Your prayers for The Logos Project would be most appreciated, that we can overcome some of the inherent hurdles here (slow internet, “why didn’t I get it?”, other), and as things develop I will continue to post information here.

Lastly, I was in the US for two months this summer. There were family reunions, health checkups, and a trip to Seattle to catch up with some Somalia concerns. My health is good, and I had a two-year checkup on my neurological issues – the neurologist, who I believe is truly competent, says he doesn’t see anything amiss (which leaves me wondering what triggered the initial event, but at least this much is good). There have also been church activities: a Father/Son congregational retreat, the annual Widow’s Banquet, and a double ordination in addition to catching up with people. I also gave the congregation a taste of Ethiopia – a full Ethiopian meal of injera and wat for all who were interested.

There has been a sad development here (in Addis): the hostess at the Guest House where I live developed covid, and 11 days ago went on to her heavenly reward. In her 50s, she had a strong physical constitution but though very careful got the virus (the source has been traced – it is known). She went to the hospital immediately with low oxygen levels which were never fully overcome, and eventually it wore her out. She leaves a grieving husband behind, five children and two others in the household, and a ministry (which her husband also gives oversight to). I don’t believe her husband has returned to work yet, and the household is feeding two meals a day to visiting mourners (75 people for supper several days ago, and I’m sure today, Sunday, it was many more). 

As I am considered “family,” I have been sat with the mourners, especially the first several days. Grieving as per Ethiopian culture includes extended weeping and wailing, if not more, and with some frequency it begins even before people are on the property (and is not quiet ... forget sound ordinances!). It also continues over an extended period of time – not sure if it will die down after theweekend or if it will continue another week or two. Though I have been aware of the nature of Ethiopian mourning, I have now beenverydirectly in the middle of it and so have been supported it with participation. Truly, I now know what the Biblical “house of mourning” is, and the Scripture “Blessed are those who mourn [over their sins]...” takes on a new, very vivid and vital meaning (Matt. 5:4).

For I know that my redeemer liveth,
and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body,
yet in my flesh shall I see God. Job 19: 25-26 

A song: I Know that My Redeemer Liveth (from Handel’s Messiah)