We left Nazareth this AM, Friday March the 7th, at 8:30 and began winding our way back to the Highlands area for a week of teaching in Hosanna. The time spent Nazareth with 25 preachers was profitable; at least, they said so. Nazareth was hot and dusty; it is in the Awash River valley which means the presence of mosquitoes. Our rooms were equipped with a net to sleep under. In fact, the U.S. government has provided millions of nets for children in Ethiopia. This program was made possible by George Bush, yet, the liberal media gives him no credit for it; and, he hasn’t called attention to himself for this humanitarian act either. But...

We retraced our route, going northwest from Nazareth toward Addis. After some 30 kilometers we turned at Ziway and began traveling southeast. The road for the first 40 kilometers was unpaved and very dusty. But we have experienced this before so it was no big surprise. The roads are always filled with animals, people, more animals, etc. Our driver is very skilled; he drives the fastest of any we have been with so far. No mishaps, though. There were several wreaks along the way. We stopped by the side of the road to buy tomatoes and melons. Why do we always attract such a huge crowd? One young man was selling "fresh fish" recently caught in the Awash River. We declined his offer!

We finally arrived in Butajari where we stopped for break. After a nice cold Coke we walked around in a few nearby shops. I am still trying to find enough postcards to send back home. I have sent some but can’t easily find them when outside of Addis. So, if you wonder where your card is....? I did buy a small writing tablet–wanted to support the local economy. Quite frankly, Staples beats all of this, hands down. But, when in Ethiopia .....

OK, back to the trip. We got on the road again and began ascending into the Highlands region of mid-southern Ethiopia. A nice surprise awaited us this time–the entire road to Hosanna was paved! This has taken place since my last visit in January 2007. Capital improvements are obvious everywhere. While the "common folk" are not usually the recipients of such improvements, this does means jobs for some, easier access to markets, etc. When I made my first trip to countryside 8 years ago, the roads were mostly filled with huge holes and the majority of them were dirt. So, yes, it was nice not to suffocate with dust this time.

We arrived in Hosanna around 4PM and as always, proceeded to the Heme Hotel. After beginning to get settled in our rooms we were informed that once again (as in January 2007) there was no water! A few years ago the owner of the Heme had begun construction of a new hotel just outside the city. This new compound is being made into a "cultural" center. When finished, it will reflect every aspect of Ethiopian life. It is really something to see. We are in nice rooms with water and electricity, at least so far. I think those who see the pictures of this place will be amazed. It does mean we will have to travel into Hosanna to eat and teach our classes, but having water (even if it is cold) is better than no water at all. No complaints here–after all, who would listen.

We will travel to Antcha in the morning where Brother Curry and I will both preach twice. It will be an all day affair. The church in Antcha was "kicked" out of its building by the Mission Director (who is actually an Ethiopian but lives in America). I think as I have told some, we rallied to help these brethren get a new building and I am anxious to see the progress they have made. Their preacher, Johannes, is one of the strongest men over here. Trusting the Lord, they will do fine.

I am now in my room. It is Sunday night around 9:00PM, or, 3:00AM in Ethiopian time. And remember: It is the year 2000 over here. So, if you want to shed some years off your age, this is the place!

We got up this AM, went to the Heme for breakfast (eggs) and then proceeded to retrace our route from yesterday, traveling almost all the way again to Antcha. We stopped, though, at Bushluga. I have been here before a few years ago. Then the church met under a tent. They now have a building of some size. There were some 100 people in attendance. Teketel Gorebo is the preacher here; this is the man Stallings Drive supports. He is faithful in every way, has a lovely family, and is skilled and educated (he was a former school teacher; his wife is a school teacher now). The service began at 10:00AM and was over at 1:00PM (as I am counting time). I spoke at the Bible class hour on the Assurance of the Believer. We then sang and took the Lord’s Supper. The bread is not the same as ours; it is rather chewy. The fruit of the vine is made from the juice of raisins. The raisins are boiled and the liquid is poured off. For "sanitary" Americans, it gives us pause to see the well-used communion cups, which were refilled several times during the service. Surely the Lord would keep us well in this manner, though, wouldn’t He? Brother Curry preached on the Parable of the Sower. His lessons are simply wonderful. And you learn a lot just being around him.

The brethren always express thanks for our coming. I was asked to lead the closing prayer, which I did. After we finished the service, another preacher, Aberra (I call him "Horseman" because he has a horse; I did not ride; read Deut. 17:16) took us to his house (I had been there before) which was only a short distance from the building. Not surprisingly, they brought out food. Somehow (probably through observation) they have learned that we will at least eat boiled eggs. And there were plenty of them. I had two eggs with some bread. I also sampled the homemade cheese (from a cow). It was quite tasty, but you have to really be careful. Being sick is not pleasant, but more, it keeps you from doing what you came to do. Pepsi Cola was abundant; I declined the coffee this time. Yesterday, in one grass hut where we ate our lunch, the coffee was served with salt in it! This time the coffee had salt and butter in it. I have had this kind of coffee before, which is why I declined it this time! Southern hospitality!!! We can control the food we eat unless we are invited into homes. I know we will face at least 5 such invitations when we get back to Addis!!!!

We left for Hosanna, this time giving a lift to two preachers who will be attending our classes this next week. We dropped them off and then proceeded back to our countryside hotel. It is really quite pleasant here. The wind blows at night; you need a light blanket. No mosquitoes here, thankly.

Ethiopia is actually in a drought situation. The farmers depend on early rains in January and February to moisten the ground for planting season. These rains did not come this year. This accounts for the great amount of dust. So, if the crops cannot be planted there will a shortage of food next year. And there will no seeds for planting in the year after. It can become a desperate situation quickly. You want to help everyone, but know you cannot do that.

I will keep adding to this. We could not get an Internet connection tonight. Maybe tomorrow. Ciao.

It is Tuesday night, around 10:00PM. We started this day at 8:00AM and concluded at 7:00PM. So many of the preachers want "an audience" with us. Surely they do need some help with living. At the same time we have to ask ourselves: What did they do before we started coming over here? The answer of course is that they survived. On a personal note, as I know many who are helping with this work, not only with your prayers, but with financial help as well, I should tell you that I have made the determination that if a preacher gets support, that amount will not exceed 100USD per month. There are always exceptions and some changes are made accordingly. Especially do those living in Addis Ababa need a little more to live on. But the countryside preachers can live on less. When one preacher gets something the rest of the preachers want something, too. I can understand that to some extent, but still sad that "preacher jealousy" is present, even in Ethiopia. And why shouldn’t it be? If human nature is the same all over, then the same problems experiences in America can be problems experienced here, too. But I guess I try to salve (sp) my conscience by saying that at least we mean well. Yet, we may be hurting these men may be closer to truth. I have tried (with the help of many partners) to keep the list of preachers we are helping to 20-23, etc., somewhere in this range. This is a manageable number, and as I said, the list is almost constantly being revised. And I have to ask myself what I would do if I were in the same situation. It is "easier said than done."

We spent a good day of teaching. I have been teaching lessons from Colossians at each session. I have some 20 men in my AM classes; presumably, there are men who are able to take teaching that a little more advanced! Whether I can deliver or not, I doubt it. Then in the PM, I have nearly 75 preachers, but use the same lessons. I said to myself: Get some new lessons!

Before coming over here for this 8th trip, I committed to paying the expenses of `130 preachers–these are the men who would be in the classes I would teach in 3 different areas throughout the countryside. The cost for each man, which includes transportation coming and going, lodging while staying for the 4 days of teaching, and the eats and refreshment breaks was calculated to be 35USD per man. That meant that I would pay 4500USD, total for those I said I would pay for. But for example, at the first place we taught, Yirgalem, a few men were unable to come and the cost for renting the rooms was decreased. So, that resulted in a little surplus. We do have to pay for the car rental which will be more this year–500 Ethiopian birr a day = nearly 50USD - so I don’t know what that tab will be. And we have to pay the driver’s expenses. His name is "Jimmy" as we call him. He sits in on our classes and we have been studying with him. Pray for his conversion to the Lord.

Again the bulk of the money I receive is used for the support of preachers. We are trying to be careful about the amounts they receive. And we receive many requests for help. We typically skirt the issue by saying we will have to think it over. And, honestly, we do that. But the expenses of traveling in the countryside is made possible by the generosity of a friend in Texas. Without his funds, given more than once, I would have had to raise other monies or decrease my workload. And I think that is what I need to do for next year–scale back on the areas and time and amount of men to teach. I have enjoyed being here longer than ever before, and I surely enjoy the countryside more than Addis. But not having running water even some of the time is not convenient. Actually, we are making plans for some sisters from SD to come over in January of next year to help teach women. So all of those plans will be made in time.