Translate

Saturday, June 24, 2017

TRAVEL REPORT: 2017 Ethiopia Leadership Summit






Travel Report:  June 2017, Ethiopian Union Mission Leadership Summit


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.