Final thoughts from Ethiopia

Scattered thoughts as I get into my last day in Ethiopia and then catch a plane for home:

— I could eat Ethiopian food every day.

— I love teaching in this culture. There is an eagerness to learn and an attention to the value of education I don’t always get to see in my normal context. 

— This trip I was so blessed to be with three other pastors from the States. Pastor Getachew is Ethiopian, but pastors a church in Dallas. Pastor Todd Weston and I both pastored in Kansas. He is now in Florida. Pastor Ed Tedeschi is from my own state, Minnesota. He is our Assistant District Superintendent and pastored a great church in St. Paul. All of these men are great teachers and preachers. Rooming with Getachew and Todd, I saw men who loved what they were doing for these students.

— I could eat Ethiopian food every day.

— I hope my suitcase doesn’t go over limit because of all the coffee I’m bringing back.

— The BBC is their main news source on TV here. It actually has… you know… NEWS.

— My mentors in ministry, Doug and Corrine Lowenberg, are always gracious, full of life, and challenging to me. Doug is always in learning mode and teaching mode. I wish I had a week just to push “RECORD” on a device and let him talk.

— I picked up a new son. A student I taught two years ago is now working at the college. We had lunch the other day and he let me know he considers me his spiritual father. I am so humbled and blessed. He is a great young man I loved seeing again.

— I really do love Ethiopian food.

— I can’t wait to get back. I miss my beautiful wife.

— I miss my church. I can’t wait to get back and keep working for what God has in store. I am so excited for our “Living in Babylon” series. Ethiopia gives me new perspective on what is ahead for the American church. There is a preparation we are trying to lead our church through, and the Ethiopian church is walking in a way we don’t yet understand. They deal with NOT being the “majority” voice every day. And they do it with deep faith and conviction. We have so much to learn!