Winter 2009

**Thanks to all who supported the recent coffee morning which raised over £450**

News from Addis Ababa:

ETHIOPIA HOPE AND TRIBALISM

One Sunday afternoon in July we had tea with Bishop Andrew Proud and his wife Janice. Andrew was a curate with us in Stansted and it is always a joy to meet and catch up with our families and church news.

We heard how the Anglican Church in Ethiopia has grown and flourished these past few years but we also listened to tales about tribalism which was holding back the work of the Gospel. In recent weeks Bishop Andrew has sent us various emails and it is astounding to read his news especially the prompts given to those exercising leadership in the local churches. Here are a few quotes.

“There has been some fighting in the town recently. Someone tells you there are arms stored in a local church. What do you do?” – “You find that the guard is allowing his friend to stay on the compound while he is working. There is a rumour that this man has brought a hand-grenade (bomb) into the church. What do you do?” and “A young girl is in the choir. You are talking to her about God one day. She says that she stopped believing in God when her parents were killed in some fighting. She only comes to church now because she likes to sing. How would you help her?”

We promised Bishop Andrew we would try and send a little money to help him and so we are holding a Coffee Morning on October 22nd in St Peter’s Church. Please support us. If you cannot come please give a donation which can be handed to us or one of the clergy. The money we raise goes direct to Bishop Andrew.

Barry and Janet Rose Tel 563988.

PRAYER REQUEST FROM BISHOP ANDREW IN ETHIOPIA

This is a critical time for the ministry in Gambella. In the town of Nininyang, eight hours on foot from Gambella, we have six churches and two full-time lay leaders. Over the past few months, as temperatures have risen and hunger has tightened its grip, inter-clan fighting has worsened. Anger and hatred are both running so high that houses are being burned with families still in them and people are being assaulted and killed, just because they come from the wrong clan. Christians will no longer meet at night, for fear of attack and our church leaders have moved into the town, for safety.

Please pray for:

·         St. Luke’s Church, the majority of whom are not part of the recent problems 

·         That the Holy Spirit will break through and shatter the bonds of evil, to open up the possibility of real repentance, forgiveness and restoration 

·         For the authorities, people and churches in Nininyang – for peace, security and stability 

·         For the majority of our Anglican congregations who work hard and want to see the Gospel impact the lives of many more people in the region 

·         That our mission can proceed unhindered 

·         God’s protection over us all. 

+Andrew