Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Look to yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if any one thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each man will have to bear his own load. Gal. 6:1–5

Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye. Matt. 7:1–5

Cry aloud, spare not, lift up your voice like a trumpet … [followed by teaching on God-honoring fasting] ...

Is not this the fast that I choose: 

to loose the bonds of wickedness, 

to undo the thongs of the yoke, 

to let the oppressed go free, 

and to break every yoke? 

Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, 

and bring the homeless poor into your house; 

when you see the naked, to cover him, 

and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? 

Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, 

and your healing shall spring up speedily; 

your righteousness shall go before you, 

the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. 

Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; 

you shall cry, and he will say, 

Here I am. 

“If you take away from the midst of you the yoke, 

the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, 

if you pour yourself out for the hungry 

and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, 

then shall your light rise in the darkness 

and your gloom be as the noonday. 

11 And the Lord will guide you continually, 

and satisfy your desire with good things, 

and make your bones strong; 

and you shall be like a watered garden, 

like a spring of water, 

whose waters fail not. 

And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; 

you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; 

you shall be called the repairer of the breach, 

the restorer of streets to dwell in. 

“If you turn back your foot from the sabbath, 

from doing your pleasure on my holy day, 

and call the sabbath a delight 

and the holy day of the Lord honorable; 

if you honor it, not going your own ways, 

or seeking your own pleasure, or talking idly; 

then you shall take delight in the Lord, 

and I will make you ride upon the heights of the earth; 

I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father, 

for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” 

Isa. 58:1, 6–14

A hymn: Holy, Holy, Holy

Mon. & Tues., Nov. 23-24: The internet was awfully slow on Monday, taking endless time to load a simple page. The next day I went to the Hilton, paid some cash, and had 8 hours to stream a lecture from one of my classes (lectures are 3+ hours, but ‘til I stopped to take exact notes, replay, had a little lunch, etc., it pretty well took the 8 hours). Not much more happened this week except study, walk, study, walk, study … until -

Sun., Nov. 29: I’ve never been to an Ethiopian Orthodox service, so finally, on what will likely be my last Sunday in Addis for this trip, it happened (see photo, video).

We left at 6:00am and walked the 45 minutes to the church. Though there was a real language barrier and though I would not embrace some of what’s done here, there was much that was in order and very appropriate:

• People coming at that hour of the morning. It started ca. 6am, and finished at 9am. Whether there was a second service I don’t know.

• The genuinely respectful attitude and reverence by all was to be highly commended.

• Though this is true in non-covid times, people were outside to “social distance.” I expect there were likely 500 people spread around the 10 acres or so immediately surrounding the church. Many of them stood for the whole service (no chairs for most of the property), but others stood for much of it (benches provided).

• The scripture reading was from Matthew 23, where Jesus sorely chastens the scribes and Pharisees. Interesting, as this is a deeply (and possibly rightly) entrenched church. How do they self-apply that Scripture’s teaching? I don’t know, but the Scripture was unabashedly and very publicly read. The sermon was also very Scriptural: it was about Jesus sleeping in the boat while the storm raged outside, and that we shouldn’t worry if Jesus is with us. I don’t know what all else was said, but it certainly had a solid point of departure and foundation!

• Notice in the photo/video:

  • It’s a beautiful, and no small thing, to see most of the people in white. It’s normal Ethiopian attire and culture (nothing cultic). It’s a real joy to see all the people at church, as well as coming and going in white - it’s like a sea of angels.

  • The loudspeakers at the roof peaks (center and left) that bellow out everything - chanting, preaching, singing - everything, and non-stop for three hours. It’s not so loud to hurt the ears, but it is loud, and can probably be easily heard for a mile or more. It’s one way to teach to instill the truths from God’s Word into public life!

  • The priests - one in yellow, the other in red (“Rev. Red” is just in front of the center entrance, at the lectern), and there were several others not in the photo. Also, the various crosses - I count at least five (one is partially hidden, and you might have to magnify the photo so see them all).

A wonderful first Orthodox service - I’m glad I went!

*** Please be forewarned: the account that follows is of a serious nature, and will touch on the particular sin of Biblical Rahab and Mary Magdalene, in their unredeemed, earlier lives. Though deemed to be discreetly shared, please be aware of this content.

When done with the Orthodox service, I went to another service across town where a most unusual afternoon unfolded. With this being my last Sunday in Addis, after the service I was saying “good bye” and some “thank you’s” to the senior pastor, when a young Ethiopian parent - Desta* - and his pre-school daughter interjected. The pastor answered him and he headed off, with that being the end of that, or so I thought …

… until walking up to the far end of the long city block to get the mini-van taxi home, and who was there but this young man and his daughter, waiting for the same taxi I needed. We had a very animated, healthy discussion for the 20 min. ride, and he invited me home for lunch to “talk about what Scripture teaches.” We disembarked one stop past where I normally get off, and then walked the two miles or so to his house with continued vigorous and truly substantive discussion the whole way.

His primary job is as a physics teacher, but his 2nd, part-time job is at a hotel. He shared of the apparently incessant calls by international, one-night hotel guests who call for “service women,” and of the utter vexation of his spirit as he sees this happen. He related trying to tell these women that the Bible says this is sin, and at least at times gets the response “I know it’s wrong, and I feel guilty afterwards.” (Wow! Are the fields white with harvest?!)

Desta continued to share that he has a real burden to help these women out of such states of affairs. As the afternoon unfolded and lunch came and went (as well as other subjects), we returned to this. He has begun to work out this burden, and has been establishing steps to effectively help them overcome this vice. He’s also done well-purposed research that he’s aware of both the issue’s prevalence here as well as what’s needed to help.

The five hours or so that I spent with him was extremely valuable - it was not only a healthy time of mutual sharing, but it also gave me an extended window, and in his own home, to evaluate his spiritual state and resources. I will not quickly endorse another man’s calling - may each prove their calling with fruit that glorifies God - but it seems this may be the finger of God to begin redeeming this part of society. Desta seems appropriately oriented and resourced, it seems his home and marriage are in order and well prepared to support a long term outreach (especially important for something of this nature), and his bearings - spiritual and temporal - also seem unique and appropriately suited for such an endeavor.

For my part, I will be following this closely. If I find that he does not have much other support (which may be the case), I may “hang close” with possibly giving more counsel and interaction - at least until it is sufficiently anchored for healthy, long term growth. In parting, they wondered when I would be back, and all three earnestly let me know that they want to see me again.

I ask your prayers for Desta and his wife, for God’s protection and guidance for them. I rarely do this, but it seems the hand of God is upon them, that I commend them to you for your prayers.

There are very real needs in the world - sometimes (often?) we don’t recognize them. And there is an equally great need for God’s protection - it is not to be presumed on, ignored, or otherwise treated passively or taken for granted, but is to be actively pursued. We need His blessing, we need His guidance, and we need His protection! God bless you as you seek these in the week ahead!

____________________ 

* Desta is a pseudonym, until it is clear identities may be published.