Broken Walls

Hands down one of the most heart-breaking things that I saw while in Ethiopia working with the Somali people was the living conditions. When we were there, there were four refugee camps that all had over 25,000 people in them. In Dolo Ado, there were over 30,000 people in transitional waiting periods to even get into the camps. Today, there are five camps. The stories that we kept hearing was that Somali people were dying everyday as they were traveling to the camps in Ethiopia and Kenya. The conditions in Somalia are horrid and they need help. I am so grateful that I was able to go see and do.

The Somali people physical needs were being met in these camps. The thing that makes me sick to my stomach is that they do not know Jesus. Nearly 100% of the people are Muslim. Join with me in prayer for them and that God would tear down the walls, the physical and spiritual walls of these people. They are BEAUTIFUL people and I have a heart for them. Below are the pictures of their tents that they live in, and pictures of them in line to get food and water.

One thing I know is that I believe in the Ephesians 3:20 God, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” He is ABLE!

He WILL come through, ALWAYS!

The Faceless People

One of the most incredible things that we experienced on our trip to visit the Somali people in Ethiopia was that they were infatuated with getting their picture taken. SERIOUSLY. When we were taking pictures, they not only wanted their picture taken, but they wanted to see themselves. I was blown away by the enthusiasm that they had for doing this. I could not figure out why they wanted to see themselves, until I was talking to one of the few locals who spoke and understood the English language. They wanted to see themselves because they had never seen themselves in a mirror, or it had been an extremely long time since they had last seen themselves. It was so awesome to experience their joy when they saw themselves. It made me think about how many times I look in the mirror each day. A LOT! I can still see their faces full of JOY and AMAZEMENT. It was a great experience.

When is the last time that you stopped and looked in the mirror and thanked God for everything that He has blessed you with?

I am forever changed by having this experience with the Somali people. It brings shear joy to my heart to recall that experience. We are blessed people and God wants us to always be grateful for the many blessings that we have. I want to encourage you to take a moment out of your day today and look in the mirror. What do you see? Do you see yourself as God sees you? Are you hurting, broken down, tired or exhausted? What do you see in the mirror when you look at yourself?

I love what Paul says in Romans 8:

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

HOW DO YOU SEE YOURSELF NOW?

Photos From Ethiopia Mission Trip

Easily Amazed

One of the greatest things that made my heart full was the first day we arrived to one of the refugee camps down in Dolo Ado.  As it was no surprise, we stuck out like the moon does in the dark night.  You would have thought that we were celebrities.  But for many of these people we were the first white people they had ever seen.  I mean it truly was amazing, the reception we got from the Somali people.  They were incredible, and possibly a bit intimidated.  The best part was playing soccer with them.  There was no balls, no net, no yard markers, no goalies, uneven teams, but we played soccer with this tiny mesh ball that one of the boys had, and they were EASILY AMAZED.  It warmed my heart to see how happy they were.  Remember, before their arrival they had no food, no clothes, no water, and no home.  They had seen all kinds of family and friends die to starvation just on their journey from Somalia to Ethiopia.  They had been through it all.  And just when things get going at the camps, white people show up and play soccer with them.  I am serious when I say that I have never experienced that kind of true joy on their part before.  AMAZING.

Here is a picture of me with some of my soccer buddies:

I want to leave you with a question.  What amazes you?  Seriously answer the question.  WHAT AMAZES YOU?  Is it your family, friends, job, or you relationship with God?  How about Jesus?  Think about what he did.  That amazes me.  We have to be the people who bring the type of joy that I was talking about to the world.  As followers of THE WAY, we must bring hope to the world who desperately needs it.

He CAN

“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the Earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youth grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:28-31

“If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and power for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:11

This was given to me by my wife as I am on my way to Ethiopia. What an incredible reminder that Greater is HE that is in me than any power of this world. I am not, but HE IS!

Who are you serving?

God bless!

East Africa aid flow not fast enough

Additional Information About My Trip To Ethiopia

Thanks for your support for our Ethiopia/Somali Hunger Relief project. On the 1st of October a team of 11 folks from several of our TEAM churches will be going with Getahun and me down to the UN Refugee camps on the Somali border. We have secured permission from the UN officials and will be taking about $35,000 worth of food to help over half a million refugees who have fled the drought in Somali and Southern Ethiopia. Families are arriving daily at the camps in a state of severe starvation. Many children are dying because for them it is too late. We want to make a difference. We are taking several hundred birthing kits and hundreds pairs of reading classes. The team will be fitting reading glasses for the hundreds of refugees who help administer and distribute assistance in the camps. We want to be the presence of Jesus and provide a strong witness for the gospel in midst of a predominately Muslim people. Our Ethiopian pastors will take the lead in all that we do. Several of our TEAM churches have send funds to help with this project. I will send everyone a report once we return. Thanks again for your church’s support and prayers for this project. Any additional support funds or offerings can still be sent to TEAM Network, 1908 Mesquite, TX 75149.

Written by Jim Palmer / Missionary in Ethiopia

Dolo Ado Refugee Camp

The Dolo Ado refugee camp in southern Ethiopia has been overwhelmed in recent weeks by Somalis fleeing a devastating drought. As famine is declared in two regions of Somalia, AFPTV hears first-hand about the region thousands have left behind.

Somalia Famine

As I am getting ready to head to Ethiopia to work with the Somali Refugees I am trying to prepare my heart and mind for this encounter. I am so encouraged to work with people who need help, and at the same time I am so nervous because my heart breaks at pictures like these! Pray with me!

Who is God telling you to share His love with? Do Something Now!

On A Mission…

This Friday I have the incredible opportunity of going to the far southeast border of Ethiopia to work with the refugees from the haunting famine of Somalia. It is going to be a very challenging trip for us as nearly 30,000 children are dying every month in Somalia due to the inadequacies of hunger and medical relief. We are NOT going into Somalia, but we will be in the rural border town of Dolo Odo, Ethiopia. Pray for us as we have an unbelievable opportunity to bring hope to a people who are desperate for help. Here is a video to help you see what is going on in Somalia.