Ethiopia Partnership Update

Under the shade of a beautiful spreading tree in Gambella, Ethiopia, Mrs. Areit Philip gathered a group of Anywaa women from the presbyteries that make up the East Gambella Bethel Synod of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane (meh-kah-nee) Yesus (EECMY). She led the women through exercises and conversations that led to identifying many of the strengths they found in the community as well as many of the challenges and needs. That was day one of the workshop. By the end of the week, they would begin to build a plan to use their strengths to work towards managing their challenges.

Across town, Rev. David Deng Jok sat in the shade of young neem trees in a circle of Nuer leaders of the presbyteries of the West Gambella Bethel Synod of the EECMY going through the same process. Language and cultural barriers prevent them from working together. The two synods located in the Gambella Region of Ethiopia are some of the most remote and overlooked communities of the country. In addition, the population of the area includes nearly as many refugees as locals. Tensions between Anywaa and Nuer are always present and sometimes flare into fatal conflicts. The Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus is active in facilitating both community development work and the hard work of trauma healing, peacemaking, and reconciliation.

These programs, and other peace building initiatives, were introduced to both communities several years ago. Rachel Weller, a former PCUSA Mission Co-worker, was involved in some of the initial workshops. During a return visit to Gambella this summer, the leaders of the communities told her about ongoing conflicts and the continued need to build community peace efforts among all the people of western Ethiopia.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Outreach Foundation invites you to join us in assisting the EECMY in Gambella to present God’s transformational truths to people in great need. You may make a gift by sending a check to the address below with Ethiopia Partnership on the memo line or you can donate on our website: www.theoutreachfoundation.org.