Ethiopia #1 - Greetings from Gambella
by Frank Dimmock
Greetings from Gambella, near the border with South Sudan. I arrived here on Saturday following two busy days in Addis. I managed while there to: get permission from the authorities to visit the refugee camps in this region; buy and transport a bicycle for the South Sudanese education and trauma healing coordinator in the camps; meet with the evangelist in charge of the Nuer Presbyterian Congregation in Addis (Gabriel Chieng Tot); visit with a South Sudanese medical doctor completing specialty training in OB/Gyn; spend time with an American group from Shenandoah Presbytery; and have dinner with the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY) President Rev. Yonas Yigezu Dibisa.
On Monday, I will begin three days of trauma healing training (part two) using audio recordings of the lessons in Nuer. I will then visit each of the six camps in seven days to follow-up on the work plans for trauma healing with children and adults. I hope to also connect with other organizations working in the region that provide mental health and psychosocial support. I will be here until the 15th of November, then travel to Kenya to visit the South Sudanese Nuer Presbyterians in seven Nairobi congregations and in the Kakuma refugee camp.
I will blog as time, electricity and internet connection allow. Please join in prayer for healing and sharing among the trainees, for security in travel, and for open hearts and compassion for all.
I was encouraged in my reading this morning by Paul’s letter to the Philippians in chapter 2: 1-4.
If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care – then do me a favor: Agree with each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand. The Message
Blessings,
Frank Dimmock
Africa Mission Specialist