Well, again it’s not been for lack of activity or significant happenings that I’ve not posted - I’ve been running “to and fro” over the face of the earth (literally), with demands of the moment being high. I was in the US for six weeks (June to late July), then in Kenya for most of August and Israel for 2 ½ weeks in September. Then it was a four week mega catch-up on schoolwork in particular, and now two weeks of less pressed living. As this post is long, I’ve placed  **********  in the text at two natural breaking points, should you want to read it in installments.

This post is truly upbeat, but first, a serious and sobering development… I usually share here about relating to Somali Christians, and there was recently a concerted attempt on one of their lives, because she is a Christian – she was tipped off of the plan, and escaped quickly and within hours of the final follow through (see Acts 23:12-22). Though it is not safe to say much more than is here (you may ask in person and off the record if you wish), know that she is very judicious in how she interfaces with her Islamic, Somali kin, but her witness is also one of the most vibrant I know. People come to her for help, specifically because she is a Christian and even though they are not, and well knowing that they are “crossing a line.” It is my understanding that clearly understood healings follow. Though not in immediate physical danger that we know of, your prayers for her as well as her pursuers are most needed and appropriate – thank you (on her behalf)!

The plan was to be in the US for the whole summer (for family and church events and connections), but it became apparent that if not in August, the Kenya trip would have been postponed to December at the earliest, or February. Wanting to keep the ball rolling there, I cut short the summer in the US for this.

This was my third trip to Kenya in 10 months (and my first on a five year visa), to move The Logos (Bible software) Project forward with pastors and other church leaders in several locales. Starting with a week in Migori at the Mennonite Anabaptist Theological College (MATCO), I did a custom class for those without computers on core Bible study skills, using hard copy reference works instead of the Logos software. Working with a competent interpreter, I gave 7-8 hours of quite intense instruction on the use of a concordance – both the main concordance and the Hebrew and Greek dictionaries – and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK), a compilation of 570,000 cross references. These books are incredibly rich resources, and this was to equip students to do direct and potent investigation in the Bible itself, rather than in secondary theological books. The course was very well received, and each class ended with a traditional “Let’s thank the teacher” routine – these were both humorous and appreciated very much. It would have been good to have another 30 minutes each day, but this was a good start. Multiple copies of the materials were left on site that students can continue to work effectively, and a set was sent home with the three Maasai pastors, who live too far away to reasonably make trips back to Migori for this. That week behind me, the net is that where needed, The Logos Project can now contribute even if people are not able to get the software (I also have a stock of concordances and TSKs on hand for this and other Logos purposes). Mission accomplished!

The next week was in Kericho, a large tea growing and processing area, and a major international exporter of fine, high quality teas (Kericho Gold and KeTePa teas are available on Amazon). A pastor there, Rev. David Chumo, had come to Kisumu in February to receive Logos, and even before going through the training there had challenged me: “Are you ready for the ‘fire’ you’ve lit?” (i.e. that pastors will be banging on the doors as they learn about this). Though he finally didn’t have as many leaders as hoped, there were 11 pastors, evangelists, bishops and reverends who came for this – a group of vigorous, committed people who will not let the grass grow under their feet. Communication was frustrating to get them all on the same page and to the same place at the right time, but we got the day of training in and they were very happy for this. Mission accomplished!

I was also asked to speak to the consortium of independent area pastors, as well as to preach the two Sundays I was in Kericho (as has almost always happened in Kenya). Though white skin helps precipitate this, it seems these public presentations and the Logos training have each strengthened the credence of the other, and that though the message may need follow up, it has nonetheless fallen on good soil. A neat side trip the last day was to tour a major tea factory – fun! (KeTePa, for you East African-ites who would know.)

Nairobi was next, to meet with a senior denominational leader and five of his staff (and all of whom were better educated than I – all have Master’s degrees or PhDs in Biblical Studies, Theology, etc., and all pastors in the denomination at large have at least a college degree in a Christian content area). The meeting was initially scheduled for a strict 60 minutes, and on opening the meeting he said 1 ½ hours, but it was 2 ¼ hours of unbroken, very focused attention until the meeting finally broke. Except for 10 minutes at the end for them to discuss what they had seen and heard, the time had been mine to present both The Logos Project and a demonstration of the software. In the end, they decided to wait until the denomination’s new CEO is in place (it was scheduled for September), but they asked that Logos be provided for all the ministers in the denomination (of some 30,000 people). Wow!! To date this project has operated on a small, somewhat individualized scale, but I indicated openness to moving their direction. Confirmation of all that is still pending/being worked out, but is expected to move ahead so far as I am able. I was clear that I will need to make a major re-tooling of the training, and that I would look to them for considerable financial underwriting (preliminary estimates put this at US$60,000, or more). I have no idea where that kind of money will come from – your prayers for its release into this initiative would be most appreciated, and if you wish to contribute, donations may be sent to Ephrata Christian Fellowship 400 W. Main St. Ephrata, PA 17522 (my home congregation, and a 501c3 tax receipt will be issued), and note that the contribution is for “The Logos Project.” In Nairobi, it was again “Mission accomplished,” and the total number of Logos installations through this initiative now stands at 50 (with a few more in the US).

The considerable communication woes should subside as people become experientially aware of what is involved (this project is far from their routine, so is cutting a lot of teeth for everyone, plus, the ever-present African “freedom” with time). The only thing not accomplished was return visits to Kisumu and Eldoret for the “Round 2” training needed there - I’m still knocking on those doors. … A five day break in Addis, and then off to Israel!

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In January I became aware of a 10+ day tour to Israel, offered by Creation Ministries International. Since it started Sept. 4 and I usually go back to Ethiopia (from the US) ca. Sept. 1, I figured this good fit was my chance (… and it was my chance, given what’s happened since!). I went expecting to receive value, but also wondering if I’d have all the magical moments and spiritual encounters others have talked about. Indeed, I have come away much richer: though I’ve never questioned the Biblical accounts, they have become much more real, and realistic. When one stands on the shore of the Sea of Galilee and looks across, it’s much more realistic for Jesus to have walked across there than what I had always surmised (5+ miles?, instead of an ultra-marathon). Other places as well, such as seeing where Paul (likely) stood before Festus and Felix - it’s fully reasonable that he could have easily been called from his jail cell and immediately been before them. Or looking down into the valley where in all likelihood David met Goliath – it all makes sense, and becomes much more immediate when looking at the actual context (and yes, there’s a brook off to the side where David got the stones – I Sam. 17:40). More reflectively and even though I was alert for it, I quickly sensed the life of this place: as I found it, there’s a real sense and spirit of vigor, life, and a forward sense of movement that I found very stimulating and healthy.

We (all 200 of us – four coaches) started at Tel Aviv, visiting many of the expected places: Joppa (Haifa), Nazareth, Dan, Capernaum, Tiberias, the Sea of Galilee, Qumran, the Dead Sea, Megiddo, Jericho, Masada, and Shiloh, before several days and multiple sites in Jerusalem, the City of the Great King. It was three locations per day if not four – the time was used well – and with informative lectures several evenings. When booking my air ticket I included six extra days at the end to explore sites I hadn’t seen, sites I wanted to see more of, and/or to simply “soak it up.” That was a wise move – very wise (and not very costly, thanks to AirBnB … with a kosher kitchen – interesting!). The extra days also allowed me to see Jerusalem University College (JUC), where I had initially planned to do my Master’s Degree, and still have interest in. I also had a chance to visit a JUC professor who I audited a course with – a very pleasant and fruitful visit. She has consented to read and critique some of the manuscripts I have been encouraged to publish, that it is a special opportunity to get another highly professional but fully independent, informed opinion on these before going much farther.

A “downer” was that my suitcase didn’t make the connecting flight, and arrived eight days late (yes - eight!). I bought clothes and a carry-on suitcase to be functional (we were continually on the move, that laundry opportunities were limited), and I’m still waiting for EgyptAir’s reimbursement of those costs (maybe it’s coming? ... ??). Also, my good camera wasn’t working and it took several days to get quite deep into the settings to figure this out (I haven’t looked at many of the photos, but if there are enough good ones, I’ll have a photo show when home this Christmas). Positively, an extra was that the guide on our bus was a very - very - knowledgeable and committed Messianic Jew. One day he told us his story – it was incredible, and very rich in real Christian living and cost, against quite steep odds.

It seems these tours tend to draw a lot of old folks, who have plenty of time and money that they can do this (God bless ‘em, really - one came 1/3+ of the way around the world, with a wheelchair, and another almost drowned in the Dead Sea … no pun intended). I was concerned about having to continually wait for “Grandma,” especially when I heard there were 200 people - or to endure a lot of simple, illiterate questions from folks who only had the money and time for this, but little orientation to the most basic information about Biblical sites and history. The opposite and very welcome element, though, that kept coming through was the Jewish perspective of the Biblical accounts we know so well. Because they actually live in the Biblical context, language, etc. and have been so historically immersed in it, there are rich insights which they have that we are usually clueless to. That our guide was not only highly informed, but was also a full-blooded Jew and a committed Christian only added to this. … The last night, after a rousing presentation from our bus that we initiated (no one else did anything), we were told that all the “young” people had intentionally been put on “Bus #2” (the bus I was on), and whether by chance, providence or intention, it looks like we also had THE premium guide – a  H-U-G-E  “plus.” (Horrors though - like most Jews, he is in the military reserves, so may well be at the front lines at this point. God bless and protect him!)

Bottom line for Israel?? My wallet is thinner, but my heart (and mind) are far richer for it – I received more than what I spent (Prov. 23:23), and I’d go back in a heartbeat – loved it! It also became clear that I could easily lead an Israel tour: I’ve co-led large international tours before, and discussed this possibility with the lead agent of the on-site tour agency who facilitated this group. All to say, that is a very real possibility, should people be interested (and once the current conflagration is settled) – just let me know!

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The “downer,” since Kenya and Israel?? It’s taken four weeks to catch up on schoolwork – with the related assignments, a lecture cycle can take 6-8 hours, and I have now completed all lecture cycles for two classes, as well as turned in a somewhat involved 24-page paper (it’s about who the Qur’an says Abraham worshipped, comparing it to who Biblical Abraham worshipped - the two religions say they both worship the “god of Abraham,” but those two gods are not one and the same god). The encouragement I’ve had to expand and publish my writings is of note, and I am cautiously proceeding that direction as I do believe they have both quality and relevance. For quite a while I could not see how to tie the diverse content together or to meaningfully expand each paper into a book (without being near-fatally arcane), but the Lord has been slowly, graciously showing the needed connecting links that I had not seen. The other morning in my normal daily Bible reading there were additional insights which just kept lifting off the page, and which I promptly wrote down (if we are careful with the small things He shows us, He can entrust us with greater things – Lk. 16:10-11). We’ll see where all this goes, but how to tie all the content together is increasingly becoming manifest, and as noted above, this material has begun to go out for independent review. If this keeps moving forward, December, 2024 would seem the earliest publication date, and with a hopeful August, 2024 graduation date as well!

What else has happened??

• I’ve started working with a young Ethiopian man, at his request, to go through the same “training in the ways of the Lord” that I’ve been doing with the young Somali man. The Somali is now, after 2 ½ years, on Pillar 6 of the seven pillars – hopefully we can finish by the end of the year.

• In April I became aware of two older orphan sisters (ages 20, 18), whom someone asked if I could help. Long story, and while I usually look for “escapes” from these situations (most have deficiencies which they must first correct, and there are too many of these situations), it has seemed that I should direct attention here, if only because “religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction” (James 1:27). My travels impeded all that, and it was only last week that I was able, after repeated efforts, to get their contact information from the initiator that there’s been a slow start. Along with their pastor and a translator who is committed to sticking with the project long term, I have now begun in earnest to see what can be done. One of the compelling things for me is that the girls seem to be people of real integrity and of a truly upright and wholesome spirit, and are intentional, active Christians. Also, even though holding up very well given their situation, especially the younger one has keenly felt abandoned and has had serious insecurity over where basic provisions will come from (she talked about dropping out of school – grade 12 – to which I said “No,” that I would see that provisions are there so she can at least finish secondary school). My first goal is to get them into a well-established, wholesome Ethiopian home where they can feel secure, where they “belong” and are loved, for the long term. We meet again on Saturday, after which we’ll go shopping to be sure they have a week’s worth of food :) . (This, and several other significant requests are forcing me to clarify where and when I should give, or not.)

• I have not had the best gut health for quite a long time – it’s not a crisis, just chronically at ca. 70% or so (it’s an endemic issue in Ethiopia in particular). I saw a doctor two weeks ago, and things seem to be nicely on the mend, for which I am most grateful! I’ve also decided to once a week go out to eat a good Western meal, even if there is some cost, to help alleviate this.

The path ahead?

• The Logos Project: for quite a while I have wanted to reach out to a major  Ethiopian Orthodox seminary. I haven’t had communication with my contact in quite a while, but if all is as it had been, this should be a major advance. My contact from within the seminary says there is a very real, “you-can-cut-it-with-a-knife” hunger for God’s Word – a hunger I would be most honored to meet if the doors open.

• During the few days in Addis, between the Kenya and Israel trips, I was introduced to the chairman of the board for “The Great Commission” in Ethiopia (in the USA, it’s “Cru,” formerly “Campus Crusade for Christ”). He expressed serious interest for distributing Logos among the organization at large, and I expect more contact with him shortly to sift this out.

Lastly, a testimony to God’s goodness and protection: At the airport on my return to Addis in late July, I filed into line at Immigration (where they check that you have a legitimate visa, the legal permission to enter the country). Initially routine, the official then started cranking up the heat with questions (about why I’m here, what I’m doing, etc.), and my responses weren’t enough to blow him off track. About the time I was starting to seriously question how this would turn out, his computer crashed. He tried to resuscitate it (to no avail), went to the next booth and tried that one (to no avail), to another booth (also to no avail), and finally told me to go to another agent. That agent was all smiles – “Welcome to Ethiopia!”

As if that wasn’t enough, I had “suspect“ items - “suspect” in quantity, not legality - that I had concern about what might happen at customs (where they look to see what you’re physically bringing into the country, to make sure it’s legal and not eligible to be taxed). Since they always stop me if I head towards the “Nothing to Declare” line, I headed for the “Items to Declare” line. A man in uniform came walking straight toward me, and pointedly told me to go to the “Nothing to Declare” line: I questioned him and he was firmly clear, and he then headed toward baggage claim and was gone. I obliged, and went straight through. In reflecting after leaving the airport property, I realized the man’s uniform should have had him out under the airplanes/on the tarmac, not seeing what was happening at customs.

Regardless of his real identity, God provides! One can never assume God will bail us out and one never knows what will happen: three years ago I was incarcerated by immigration (on a supposedly fraudulent visa, and not in Ethiopia), but several Christians traveling with knew someone in “high places,” and on the last attempt got me out. These “airport deliverances” have happened just too many times to not be taking note or recognizing God’s active intervention and protection. For these I am truly grateful and humbled. He does provide (… keep watching for that US$60,000!!!) Praise God!

In addition to a possible Israel trip, I will be offering to host a trip to Ethiopia when I return late January. It will not be long but will be packed with informative things and contact with people here that I expect it will be well worth the effort and cost. Though I will give preference to people from my home congregation, if interested, please let me know (more details later).

Your prayers for the above people and initiatives, as well as for my protection and well-being, are most welcome, needed, and appropriate. Thanks to those of you who pray, and to those of you who have told me you are praying for me!

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I digress from my usual practice, of presenting the Scripture without comment, to share a bit on more substantive matters from my studies. . . . One of the questions we all face (and can easily ignore), is “Who, really, do we worship? Who is He, and do we know Him by name, as we would know a friend (openly and freely, by name)?” To that end, some statements of who the Almighty says He is:

And the angel of the Lord appeared to [Moses] in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush; . . . And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” . . . Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and . . . they ask me, ‘What is [your] name?’ what shall I say to them?” God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ” God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you’: this is my name for ever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations. Exod. 3:2, 6, 13-15

And God said to Moses, “I am the Lord. I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty, but by my name the Lord I did not make myself known to them. . . . Say therefore to the people of Israel, ‘I am the Lord, . . . and I will take you for my people, and I will be your God; and you shall know that I am the Lord your God, who has brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.” Exod. 6:2–3, 6-7

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do men say that the Son of man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. Matt. 16:13–17

God is the “I AM”; the “God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,” and this is His name “for ever, . . . throughout all generations.”

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A song: Are You Washed in the Blood