Travel Report: June 2017, Ethiopian Union Mission Leadership
Summit
Pictures: https://cincopa.com/~A0JAwBO8tESt
Travel Itineraries: Several have asked about the absence of
travel reports. I apologize. With the rapid expansion of the Special Needs
Ministries Movement, travel has increased significantly. Speaking appointments, etc so far this year
have included: North American Division
(Arizona), Mexico, Russia, Ukraine (2xs), Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand,
India, Jamaica, Nigeria, and Ethiopia.
Within the next two weeks three more countries will be added with
additional countries later in the year. Each one is important. Unfortunately, it is difficult to keep up
writing reports though I have many pictures.
I am pushing myself a bit to try to establish a foundation of leadership
so this movement will not collapse after I retire at the coming Session. This isn’t meant to be an arrogant statement. What I see happening around the world
suggests that more than human effort is the reason for the expansion.
Personal Note: Adding to these appointments was the passing
of my precious mother-in-law, Garnet
Bigger, at the age of 96 and the graduation of our grandson, Jared Evans, from Portland. Jared has faced the challenges of autism but
the progress he has made is amazing! He
has received a scholarship to Walla Walla University where he is looking
forward to excelling in engineering. At
the present time, my wife Carolyn has
been with her sister, Sandi Carlson, in Seattle serving as her caregiver. It’s possible she will be there as long as
four months but that is uncertain at this time.
No question about it, talking by phone and email isn’t just doesn’t
quite cut it despite the fact that I have been gone a lot and will be a lot
more this year. This is emotionally and physically challenging to Carolyn and
frankly its drainng on all of us as family.
Sandi has always been a very special to us. One other major challenge is the transition of
Christian Record Services for the Blind
from the General Conference to the North American Division. What that organization has done for the blind
globally (outside of North America) will now be my responsibility to oversee.
We are working with the president of CRSB, Diane Thurber, whom I respect
greatly. We are hoping to still use CRSB
on an outsource basis. Much work remains to be done as we coordinate this with
the 12 other divisions. Whew. So much to
do!!
Travel to Ethiopia: Other than stopping in the Addis Ababa
airport I had never been to Ethiopia.
Every culture, every country is different in their own right. I found the Ethiopians to be very gracious and
who can quarrel with Ethiopia food featuring the Injera--spongy, teff-flour
crepe used with your hands to pick up bits of vegetables, etc. Some dishes can
be a little spicy. Ethiopia is Africa
and is a reminder that Africa is not monolithic. Of special note is the fact that all across
Africa education is valued, as seen in the report we received from the University
of East Africa (Kenya) that the university just graduated 81 with the Doctor of
Ministry degree. Africa is working hard
to develop leadership for its rapidly growing membership.
This was the second Leadership Summit
(4th country) that I have been invited to be a presenter. Earlier
this year I presented in the Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand (Southern Asia
Pacific Division). I am pleased for these opportunities to share concepts
behind the “movement” of Special Needs Ministries. Other presenters included:
Willie and Elaine Oliver, GC directors for Family Ministries, Geofrey
Mbwana, GC Vice President, and the organizer of the Leadership Summit, Philip
Baptiste who is the Special Assistant to the President of the East Central
Africa Division. It was a great team and
there seemed to be true appreciation of the material the team shared with them.
Sight
Seeing in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: As a group we did
have a few hours to see some significant sites before we left. The first was the Holy Trinity
Cathedral. Great mention is made of the
Queen of Sheba visiting Solomon. This is
the second country I visited within a year’s time that believes the Garden of
Eden may have been there
The Church compound is the burial place for those who fought
against the Italian Occupation, or those who accompanied the Emperor into exile
from 1936 to 1941. Emperor Haile Selassie I and his consort Empress Menen Asfaw
are buried in the north transept of the cathedral. (See pictures). We also visited the Addis Ababa University
which is also where the historic Museum
of the Institute of Ethiopian Studies is located. The museum is located in the main
campus of Addis Ababa University. This campus used to be the palace of the late
Emperor Hailesilassie I for more than three decades. Its name, Genete Leul
Palace, literally meant “the Prince’s paradise”. So much history here and where much of the news
focused decades ago. It was a privilege to visit these centers of political
influence.
Prayer
Request: I leave soon for the next trip which
will be to three countries in Europe We would appreciate you prayers on behalf
of my sister-in-law, Sandi Carlson who fighting a serious form of Leukemia and
for my wife, Carolyn, who is serving as the 24/7 caregiver. I nearly cancelled the trip but after
discussing this with my wife it was felt that later, after the trip, might be a
more appropriate time to be with her but even that has other complications.