朱肇平代禱信2021年12月

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本團在2021年12月24日再致電話朱肇平牧師。朱牧師說內戰仍未平息,政局仍不穩定,民生經濟大受影響,教會聚會取消。然朱牧師深信神是掌管萬事的主,在疫情和內戰的恐慌下,他十分平安,仍不斷關心周圍的人,作個人佈道與栽培工作,而教會仍慷慨施予,幫助有需要的人。

請代禱:

  1. 信徒堅心倚靠主基督,常存平安與盼望。
  2. 朱牧師最近用埃塞俄比亞文寫了一首短詩,送給未信者,期盼那些感到心緒不寧、前路茫茫的人,能從詩歌裡得著安慰,並轉來認識愛他們並拯救他們的基督耶穌。

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據《立場新聞》在2021年11月24日綜合《衛報》和《BBC》的報導:
「埃塞俄比亞內戰局勢惡化,叛軍繼續往首都推進,宣稱已控制距首都僅220公里的城市。總統阿比・艾哈邁德(Abiy Ahmed)宣布奔赴前線,領導軍隊,並呼籲人民參戰,『我們在前線見』。內戰至今據報已造成萬計人死亡,並爆發人道危機,有人要食樹葉樹根維生。
來自該國北部提格雷州(Tigray)的叛軍「提格雷人民解放陣線(Tigray People’s Liberation Front, TPLF)」現正向首都斯亞貝巴(Addis Ababa)推進,宣稱已控制距首都僅220公里的城市Shewa Robit。
其後於本周一(22日),艾哈邁德在twitter發聲明指,自己會在周二起在前線領導軍隊,『希望名留青史的埃塞俄比亞兒女們,請在今天為你們的國家站起來。我們在前線見。』
艾哈邁德又指,他在戰場的時候,政務將交由其他仍在政府的官員代勞。………」

        本團在2021年11月25日再致電話朱肇平牧師。朱牧師說首都斯亞貝巴的局勢比前緊張,美國和歐洲多國經已撤僑,並呼籲留在埃塞俄比亞的國民要小心防備。

        朱牧師說他靈裡靠主恩典有平安,沒太掛慮,雖然市面人心惶惶,但從不同途徑卻有許多傳福音的機會,他要把握這機遇服事主。他又表示會購買罐頭,儲備糧食。

        朱牧師請大家懇切為他、為亞比西尼亞營的同工,為埃塞俄比亞人有因認識主而來的平安禱告;也請為埃塞俄比亞的內戰可以平息禱告。

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親愛的弟兄姊妹平安:

        奉我們救主耶穌基督的聖名向你們問安!我帶著百感交集的心情寫這封信,內裡滿有盼望、壓力、失望、喜樂和讚美。願我們的主在你閱讀時引領你到祂的施恩寶座前,向祂誠心實意勇敢地禱告仰望。

埃塞俄比亞的疫情正在攀升
        相比其他受新冠病毒嚴重打擊的國家,埃塞俄比亞的疫情尚未至於太壞。政府3月31日公佈的資料,確診:204521;死亡:2841;康復:156625。然而在三月之後,埃塞的確診數字有急速上升之勢,住院人數也急劇增加。近日,政府向民眾發出了紅色警示——在公眾地方強制戴口罩,又禁止超過五十人的聚集。據說,更具傳染性的新變種病毒已進入了埃塞,對三十歲以下的年青人造成更大攻擊。

信實的主保護了「阿比西尼亞營」
        疫情下,營地同工和我都保持身體健康。一些本已患有長期疾病的同工感恩地分享主對他們的保守。一位年長的同工和他的太太已自我隔離好幾個月了,我們常常為他們禱告。

        我更是格外的感恩,因為我需要時常進出不同地方接觸不同的人。一方面,我常感受到主的恩手保護著我;另一方面,我從不掉以輕心,視這保護的恩典為必然。我一直都自覺地保持健康的飲食習慣,近年除了魚類,我甚少食肉類和奶類食品。但作為宣教士,當我作客時,主人以肉類款待我,我也欣然吃肉。這年來,除了日常吃的罐頭吞拿魚和新鮮的本地魚柳外,我多吃了蔬菜和水果,以增強抵抗力。還有,我每天都做室內運動,保持強健體魄。願我們都是自己身體的好管家,因為聖經說,我們的身體不是屬於自己的,乃是屬主的。

到博萊Bole附近地區探索新可能
        一個黃昏,我駕著小型貨車,心裡默默禱告,沿著通往峻峯公寓(Summit Condominium)衛星城鎮的馬路行駛,我看到右邊是一大片綠油油遼闊的土地。車子經過一間新建的消防局後,我停下車來,下車看看,舉目是一排綿延不絕的山脈,伸展至不遠的天際。這會是我們一直向神祈求拓展阿比西尼亞營工的地方嗎?好一片清幽、寧靜、可接觸大自然、又如詩篇121篇舉目向山之地!翌日,我興緻勃勃地走到博萊土地辦事處(Bole Land Bureau)查詢。那位高個子的年輕負責人告訴我,這塊地大部份是預留作興建中學之用的,但側旁150X60=9000平方米的面積仍可用作發展青年營工之用。那150米長的一邊接壤中學發展用地,另外三邊有6至8米濶的通道隔開。他更熱心地建議我用這塊地開展營工。

祈求這9000平方米用地作「阿比西尼亞營工」
        在新城鎮的發展下,這9000平方米的土地若可作為阿比西尼亞營的事工開拓,是適合不過。我們從土地儲備總部(Land Band head office)和Yeka城鎮土地局(Yeka Sub-city Land Bureau)得到消息,阿比西尼亞營或者可以用折扣租金、甚至豁免租金使用這地。無論結果如何,我們深信主必引領;如若神賜下這地,我們會按政府的要求預備足夠的租金。在四月的一個下午,我特意再到這地方拍攝了一輯照片。

        按著異象去發展一個中型青年營舍和一個中型青年中心,絕不是一件輕而易舉的事,更不是單靠個人的功夫可以達成。這事工除涉及營址,財力、不同階段的發展工作,更重要的是神差派工人到來一起開拓祂的事工。埃塞俄比亞青年事工這禾場是何等的大,單是在亞的斯亞貝巴已有百萬計的年青人,他們大多在罪中迷失。我們所要做的,就是向那莊稼的主日夜不住的呼求禱告,求祂打發工人到埃塞這莊稼熟透的禾場收祂的莊稼。我們絕不敢只按我們的想法行事,乃是順著主所指示給我們的異象而行。我們策劃且謙卑地禱告,求主引領每一步,直至這異象得以實現。就如你們大部份人都知道,阿比西尼亞營工是一項卑微的事工,然而我們的神是偉大且大能的神。願戴德生十九世紀在中國的見證,在這廿一世紀的今天也成為我們的見證—神的工作絕不會缺乏神的供應。

你的弟兄
肇平敬上
於Addis Ababa

現時服事的對象

現時服事的對象

土地辦事處預留這一大片土地興建中學

土地辦事處預留這一大片土地興建中學

舉目向山之地

舉目向山之地

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親愛的弟兄姊妹平安:

        在新冠病毒疫情全球蔓延之陰影下,讓詩篇九十一1-3耶和華神的應許成為我們的勉訓:「住在至高者隱密處的、必住在全能者的蔭下。我要論到耶和華說、祂是我的避難所、是我的山寨、是我的 神、是我所倚靠的。祂必救你脫離捕鳥人的網羅、和毒害的瘟疫。」

三月底政之突然措
        自數月前疫症出現,埃塞全國已蒙上人心惶惶恐慌之陰影。三月底首都聯邦政府突然宣佈施行閉關及各新措施,包括:一、關閉大部份政府部門,如宗教局、勞工署、移民局、交通部等;二、所有宗教(東正教、天主教、基督教各教派、伊斯蘭教等)都得停止一切公開聚會。三、所有教育機構(從幼兒至大學)都得停止一切活動,至今未有恢復。我們營工(ACM)自三月底便停止一切青少年的活動。

上網辦理簽証
        感謝主,營工在四月透過網絡從宗教局取得為我的工作証更新證明書;然而勞工署自三月底減少上班人手,迄今無法更換工作証,請兄姊為此事代禱!

埃塞呈現前所未有之新面貌
        讓我與您們分享幾方面:

        一、公共交通之改變:過去在首都阿迪斯阿巴巴,無論公共巴士(big buses)、小巴(12-15 people vans)或電動輕軌(Light-rail train sources),在上下班時間,往往擠得人頭湧湧,水洩不通。輕軌雖屬現代化的交通服務(乃非洲唯一城市輕鐵),其擠迫度是外人難以明白的。然自政府實施新措施後,輕軌及其他公共交通工具上的乘客都必須有隔離距離,人數受警方控制。所以無論在任何公共交通上,都較前寬暢多了,健康多了!

        二、過去本地人並無配戴口罩的習慣。若看見外國人戴口罩,有時會譏誚說:「我們這裡空氣不潔嗎?」或「有疫症病菌嗎?」如今各處,男女老少,許多都遵循政府新例戴上口罩,成了首都及全國各地之一社會嶄新面貌!

        三、埃塞上千年之飲食傳統,其主食為Injera(如東方人之米飯或麵食),乃用手將Injera撕下成小片,然後用手指將素菜或豆類,或雞肉、牛肉、羊肉煮成之濃羹,夾於那撕下之Injera當中,一起送入口中。其進食傳統常大家圍繞那圓形之Injera坐下共同進食,有時用手將Injera與夾其中之佳味,送入同伴的口中。如今因新冠病毒之傳染性大,傳統文化之進食亦被壓下了!

        四、新冠病毒對埃塞之侵蝕,似與他國有異,因其死亡人數有不少青年人,20歲出頭、30餘或41歲等。青年人(或中年)若有宿疾如腎病、糖尿、癡肥或其他頑疾,都會成為病毒侵襲對象!

危機變成了屬靈的良機
        這場疫症,在僅數月期間,在埃塞造成前所未見的屬靈飢渴需求。如今無論是東正教徒、天主教徒、基督徒(包括許多靈恩派)、穆斯林……都紛紛謂需要向神祈求,使在新冠病毒之侵襲下,得保守免災殃。

        在這特殊的環境下成為了神兒女為我們救主作見証、分派福音小冊單張之黃金良機。我們的禱告(常是2人或3人在一起)常是迫切的!回顧如何為中國、香港、南韓等地向神呼求,不僅為疫症之發展,我們禱告之焦點常是屬靈的,懇求神大大復興在中國、在香港、在韓國……祂的眾兒女。求主叫貪愛世界的信徒、不冷不熱的教會能悔改認罪,在這充滿恐懼無平安的世人前,作光作鹽!

        隨新冠病毒之發展,我們亦為美國、為巴西、墨西哥等地禱告,許多人躺卧床上,死期日復日逼近了;我們呼求主施憐憫,給他們一個最後的機會,蒙福音光照,求告主名!

        因疫症埃塞經濟走向下坡,亦成了我們表達關懷之良機。營工(ACM)雖微小,我們仍能透過各渠道,例如向營工會友的家人兒女(有失業的),作出一些經濟上的幫助;向信徒及非信徒家庭送一些糕點(Donuts & Cakes)或DVD的film營工禮物;或向汽車修理師傅加添小費。主助營工透過小小的行動,表達了祂的愛和關懷。

        請為我們和其他在埃塞主禾場的眾僕禱告,有安康之身心靈,常儆醒,常禱祈。

你的弟兄
肇平敬上
於Addis Ababa

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親愛的弟兄姊妹平安:

        從埃塞俄比亞恭祝新年快樂!感謝主的幫助,我們終於在1月11日將「阿比西尼亞營」會員大會的報告呈交宗教局了。這個年會是在2018年11月舉行,由於要制定兩項新增的重要預算,包括從現時2194平方米的營地移除電線杆和電線,以及營地即將發展的新項目,所以報告便被拖延。

        有關即將發展項目的財政預算內容,我將會在下個通訊與你分享,先將印在會員大會報告上的概要列下:

1.      阿比西尼亞營地經常費 350,000.00 比爾
2.      從現時營址移除電線杆和電線 101,716.17比爾
3.      即將發展項目 926,900.15比爾
        1,378,616.32比爾(約港幣39萬元)

        當我告訴政府官員有關延遲呈交報告的原因,是為要把即將發展項目制定預算時,他接受了我的解釋,沒有要求繳交罰款,所有的文件都順利呈交了。

        遞交報告後往吃午飯,之後回到我租住的房屋,駭然發現家居被人爆竊,睡房和書房的門鎖都被撬破,物件散落一地一片凌亂。我有點震驚,因為這是我在埃塞這麼多年來第一次被入屋爆竊。

        感謝信實的主!除了損失了三、四千比爾(birrs) 和一只加拿大弟兄姊妹送給我的新腕表,並少量物品外,其他重要的東西都沒有失竊。電腦、數碼相機、攝錄機、量度輻射的儀器等,還有護照、居住證、支票簿,以及所有關於阿比西尼亞營地的檔案和文件,全都安然留在屋內。

        雖然有主的保守,但我們仍須採取預防措施,避免另一次被盜。所以我聘請了鐵匠來為家居安裝有刺的鐵絲網、換上更安全穩固的門鎖、在前門和後門加上保安防盜鎖,又在我套房露台外加上金屬格網。窗戶沒有安裝格網,賊人很容易爬入打破玻璃門窗。這次他們便是這樣從鐵欄爬入,打破前門的玻璃門了。

        此外,也在左面鄰居的大閘上加上防盜鐵絲網,居住在右面的鄰居是一對退休夫婦,他們雖然早已用混凝土磚加高了圍牆,這次他們也聘用了鐵匠,請他在完成我家的防盜設施後,為他們那精美的房子安裝防盜鐵絲網。阿比西尼亞營可借出打磨機和焊接機讓他們自由使用。我所住的這條街共有六戶,大家正在商議是否在街頭和街尾兩端加裝大閘和聘請保安。

        請代禱記念!

為主收莊稼的
朱肇平

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Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ,

        Warm New Year greeting to all of you from Ethiopia! Our Lord has been helping us that we were finally able to submit our ACM General Assembly (2017 to 18) to the Religious bureau of the Federal government on 11/Jan/2019. The reason we were late (the Assembly being held Nov., 2018) was this year budget has to include 2 major things, which are the removal of poles and wires from our current 2,194 sq. m Site and the other being the budget for our ‘Immediate Phase’ development.

        The breakdown of the ‘Immediate Phase’ budget will be send to you in details of Joseph’s New Year Update news. Let me layout for your reference the summary in our Assembly report:

  1. ACM yearly general expenses: 350,000.00 birrs
  2. Removal of poles & electric wires from our current Site: 101,716.17 birrs
  3. Immediate Phase: 926,900.15 birrs

Total: 1,378,616.32 birrs

        When I explained to an official at the Fed. Ministry the reason for our being late, which was due to working out all the details of the ‘Immediate Phase’ budget, he accepted it and with no fine all the pack of documents was thus submitted successfully!

        However, on the same day of 11/Jan (Friday) when I returned to the Ayat rented house after lunch hour, I was shocked to see the house was broken into and both my bed room and study with locks broken and everything laying in confusion everywhere. I was very shocked because it was the 1st time this kind of burglary happening to me after all these years in Ethiopia.

        How thankful I was to my faithful Lord that except a few thousand birrs (3 to 4 thousand) and a new watch (given by a group in Canada yet I never wore it) and a few minor items being taken away, all those vital things remained! Important things like the computers, digital camera, the meter testing radiation, video recording camera & many others…plus passport, residence permit, cheque books, and all those ACM documents and files…were still in the house!

        Yet even with His divine protection we must take measures to prevent burglary happening again. So throughout the past week, with a metal man we were installing the very sharp thief-wires, changing stronger and more secure locks, adding special reinforcement (with additional security pad locks) for the front and back doors of the house, adding metal grills (which includes my bed room, with an attached bathroom, with a balcony. The thieves could climb up easily and broke the glass of the door without any grill — like how they crashed the glass of the front door this time after climbing in through the iron sheet fence)

        We also installed thief wires on top of the neighbors’ gate at the left. At the right the neighbors (a retired couple) were adding new cement blocks to heighten the wall surrounding their compound. They also asked the metal worker, after finishing with my house perhaps tomorrow, to install sharp hook thief wires surrounding their nice house. ACM will let them use our grinders & welding machine free for our next door neighbors. The 6 houses on our street are also talking about setting up a wide iron grill gates on both ends of the road with a guard.

        Please remember me and the ministries in Ethiopia!

In His harvests,
Joseph

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主內常代禱的兄姊們平安:

        這封信必需以感恩開始,因為有神兒女們在父前屈膝,讓我們在埃賽的禾場看見祂奇妙的作為。首先有關工作証,在主恩助下,我於三月底如期續簽新証。第二、我們營工需「Justice Bureau——法公局」出一封支持信,其間難處此起彼伏,歷時數月奔走於基層法公局、區政府法公局及最高首都法公局。基層局更需區政府之「環保局」為我們營工出一信,証明我們並無噪音滋擾周圍的人(按:這新例乃源於人們對靈恩教會的許多投訴)。如此,從基層到區政府至抵總部這最後一關,又碰上這難題:原來2010埃賽新年Federal宗教部新條例當中,沒有提及因遲交文件而出支持信(註:宗教局長年一貫要求Justice Office為此出信)。然而主一再幫助,經法公總局Commander發令要部長出信宗教局,又得宗教局長回信後,終於在6月8日,我們從法公Justice總部,取得了支持信,呈交宗教局!

        還有很多數算主恩的事項,如:一個月半前從加拿大一間華人教會,透過特快空郵獲得在埃賽第一部測量電壓輻射儀表(a meter testing Electromagnetic field radiation)。這一部可掌握的測量儀,從以下的分享,你會知道其重要性。

觀覽營址(2,194平方米)之未來:

        幾年前,有塔型高壓(230 kV)電流鋼線,共7條,距我們現址邊緣向北約95-45米,時常嘶嘶作聲。從高壓線而產生之地磁輻射(electromagnetic field radiation)對人體健康之影響,已有不少專研報告。就舉一實例,位於營址北有一乳牛房,接近7條高電壓線,自從通電後,母乳牛常常流產。

        當這小測儀告訴我們,營址未來無論是建男生或女生營舍、營工宿舍、主樓或小型宿舍等,都不受向北這230 kV高壓線之影響。(按:儀測器的指標若越過3 Milligauss (mg),就跨進了紅色危險區,然我們未來各址多坐落向南部位,其指標僅1-1.2mg或1.5-2mg)是的,天父豈會將危害健康的基址賜給我們呢?

        當你打開「營址分配圖」,就會瞭解目前我們營址受地磁極輻射影響只有局部性兩個地方,一(E.2)向東南4條線(乃一般電流線),由於較接近地面,向左右約3-5米指標達6-7-8mg,電力局已將4線轉向撤離收費告之,相當昂貴為24,392.73 birrs。(E.1)向西北的三條較E.2粗壯的中電壓線(medium tension of 15,000 V),本週電力局派人到營址估量,認為不僅營址那電桿,向西2-3電捍都向北遷移成一直線。其計劃甚好,然收費可遠超E.2。故我們把電流線外遷都交託信實的主!

        我們2,194平方營址眼前要完成(Immediate Phase)事項有四:
        1)兩個單位(2 sets)共四廁所四浴室;
        2)用組合方式(將來可拆離)完成3男營房;
        3)舖好紅砂球場(red-sand playground);
        4)購買一台合適的發電機(generator)。
        待營工6,500平方新址成就後,現址的主樓(the future main building)將按青年中心而非青少年營去設計興建。雖看見各方對室內25米泳池反應積極,然這設施涉及多方,如水井需鑽深到七十至一百米,需四個法國製造的水溫調節器,更重要的是有資格的游泳教練前來事奉,此乃我們未來繼續需要尋求神旨及祂清楚印証的一環。

向著6,500平方營工團契及體育場地邁進

        這個場地在2017-18年前孕育,如今我們在父神引導下,終於完成了這團契及體育場地(118 x 55 = 6,500 平方米)的鳥瞰分配圖。我們從一小營工向著一中型營工邁進——場地之主樓配有:
        a)青少年聚會所——Youth chapel可容200-250營友;
        b)24間(每室4.24 x 1.70平方)團契及讀經室(24 fellowship & Bible study rooms);
        c)飯堂——12 x 10平方;
        d)室內乒乓球室——12 x 10平方;
        e)高度達7米之室內羽毛球場館——18 x 10平方。

        那小小的磁輻射測量儀又助我們作出重要的分配安排——新址上無論是青少年聚會所,24間團契室,5×5平方在樓頂之「祈禱室」,22.2 x 6.5平方高5層之宿舍樓,以及U型之馬房,其輻射指標從南至北端只不過1–1.5 Milliguass,全都坐落安全地帶(safe zone)!場地向北之邊界,為118米,與似乎平行之230kV高壓電流鋼線相距約50米,測量指標接近3mg而未越過進入紅色危險區,我們要感謝祂的安排!

        在今日地價高漲(soaring land leasing prices)之首都,這塊6,500米方之新址實屬難能可貴的了。我們需要向山舉目,向造天地的耶和華懇求,使營工再次從市政府,再次免費(free!)得著這塊向東向西北景觀壯麗的美地!

前程似錦之奇妙出現

        在「營址(2,194 sq.m)分配圖」接近完成時,出現這奇妙的事情:就是營址北擺上像指路小牌謂:「向西前進200-300米距離可達6,500平方米之營工團契及體育場地」,然而從HP Printer出現的竟是:「向西前程似錦進200-300米距離可達6,500平方米之」營工團契及體育場地。

        起初是很詫異想將它刪除,然後來靈裡有感受:是誰的手將前程似錦加插其間?又其出現地方乃指向6,500平方之新址,意義重大。好像恩主藉此鼓舞我們:營工雖小,然不要憂慮不可懼怕,要剛強勇往直前,因為主所開那條路美如錦繡,光明如日午!

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Ethiopia Newsletter

Joseph Chu(June to Aug, 2017)

        This Update was dispatched to you on today the 11th of September – which is the first day of the Ethiopian New Year of 2010. Let me first quote from Psalm 37:4-5 :

Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He will do it.”

        These Scriptures assure us that when our joy is in the Lord, which means our abiding in Him producing the fruit of joy in the Spirit, He will grant us the desires of our heart. These verses will mean a lot to ACM as we are anticipating God-sent laborers in our ministries, men and women who are in the Light be our contracted paid workers, ‘Phrase by Phrase’ development of our Camp Site in the days ahead, and many others. Yes, commit our ways to the Lord, fully trust in Him, and He will accomplish it on our behalf!

The Prospect of a Youth Centre:  In our original Proposal & Profile over 13 years ago, ACM has already projected these two arms of Ministry, namely the ‘Youth Camp’ and the ‘Youth Centre.’ In the original plan, these two were intended to be separate with the Youth Camp on our current Camp Site whereas the Youth Center would be somewhere in a strategic location in the Capital city. But due to the very high rental cost these days in Addis Ababa it is unfeasible for ACM to look for a place, say just around 300 to 400 sq. meters, to function as a Youth Centre.

        In various interaction with people, this idea of combining the ‘Youth Camp’ (targeting juniors from 7 to 15 years) and the ‘Youth Center’ on our Camp Site has been very positive. Unlike the Camping outreach, the Youth Center will focus on older youth from 15 to 19 but not excluding those in their 20’s. Besides those more affluent residential areas such as Ayat Villages and Summit, let me present these statistics of those government Condominium (for the mass of people) close to our Camp Site: a) Yeka Abado Condominium with an anticipated population of 43,000; b) Yeka Ayat Condo. 1 around 15,000; c) Yeka Ayat Condo.2 around 17,000; d) Chofa Ayat Condo.1 around 35,000; e) Chofa Ayat Condo. 2 around 23,000. Out of the total combined population of these 5 Condominium Complex of up to 133,000, 40% will be youth and children. So clearly the city people are moving steadily to our area close to the border of Addis Ababa which means New Flower in Amharic.

        The ‘Abyssinia Youth Centre’ may likely be incorporated into the Final Phrase of the development of our 2,200 sq. m Camp Site. Like the Youth Camp, the Center will also be Bible oriented. Besides facilities like library and canteen, there will be regular “Scriptural Counseling” service plus weekly ‘Film Show’ and Bible clubs. We also envision ‘Language Classes’ say teaching English & French & Mandarin, ‘Musical Instruments classes’, and ‘Computer Classes’ etc. Bible time is not optional but it will accompany whatever Classes being tailored out for the Youth.

Wait patiently for the Lord:  Patience is something that none of God’s people can be exempted from here in Ethiopia. We have been waiting for the new City Master Plan for over 9 months now. It was told us about one month ago that the City mayor had affixed his important signature on this set of documents, which still need the final binding and may likely to emerge during the New Year months.

        We must pray without ceasing for the laborers ACM has been waiting for, whether a couple to serve as our Programmer or the vital big brothers and big sisters for our overall program and expansion. Prayer is our responsibility whereas thrusting forth laborers is the sole work only the Lord of harvest can accomplish.

        Lack of patience will always lead to compromise, which we could recall painfully with our employees at ACM. We do always pray for children of Light yet without patience we, with Joseph in particular, were tempted to employ people with certain skills yet clearly without Christ. In every case of such compromise, without a single exception, our Camping Ministry suffered ending in things dishonoring the name of our Lord.

Transference of vehicles finally accomplished:  This is another praise item that with the good cooperation of SIM Personnel here and with our amended Constitution authorizing our manager to sell and to buy, the whole transference was finally completed by the end of August.

The Gospel booklet Outreach:  Over one month ago the reprint of ‘The Mystery of the Cross’ in Amharic came out. 3000 booklets were printed costing 3.60 birrs each. Pray for the effective distribution of this Amharic booklet and may some be taken up to the Orthodox north spreading far and wide in this ancient land.

ChuSiuPing201709_01

        With funds (contributions up to around 50,000 birrs) said to be available in Hong Kong, we are ready for the printing a new Gospel booklet ‘Born from heaven’ with 7000 in Amharic, 5000 in English, and for the first time planning to print 3000 copies in Chinese. It is still quite small in view of over 100,000 Chinese from mainland China in Ethiopia these days. This booklet’s theme will be on repentance in relation to new birth from heaven. It will boldly tackle all those most deadly obstacles that have been blinding millions from finding the path of life to God. Thus this booklet could offend particularly those who are deeply religious yet devoid of the Spirit of Christ. Let’s hold up this Gospel booklet ministry before His throne of grace!

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Ethiopia Newsletter

Joseph Chu(Jan to April, 2017)

 

Phil 2:13 may aptly serve as an opening for this Newsletter: “for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”  This Report will go far back to the beginning of ‘Abyssinia Camping Ministry’ (ACM), reviewing its two major milestones, and looking forward for this year of 2017.

 

ACM began at the turn into the New Millennium:

Started small with a Stable and other facilities at the borderline of Addis Ababa about 17 years ago, we, whether foreign missionaries or Ethiopian believers, nevertheless all conceived that our humble site was conducive to camping outreach to young people.

At the turn of the New Millennium we used to take boys and girls to our Site for horse-back riding, football, archery, netting fish, and hiking……Plus a Bible time which still remains as the backbone of this Ministry.  After these many years, things have changed a lot such as cluster after cluster of Condominiums (i.e. Government built apartment blocks for the mass) shot up all around (the photo with Shemson running on a meadow today being dotted with condominiums in the distant background), no more fish in the stream as being polluted, a heavy-duty six cable power line with towers running within view from our Site, and more and more people moving from the city taking up residence in our area….  In spite of the changing faces of all the surrounding, our Site still retains certain countryside flavor in her distant rolling mountains, the wooded area (being designated the government as ‘Green Area’) and water are still running in the nearby streams.

 

The first Milestone of ACM in 2005:

In early July of 2005 ACM was registered with the Government as a national Christian faith Ministry.  As we look back, again our Lord was prompting us through His indwelling Spirit then that this Camping endeavor should be registered national but not foreign.  After 12 years in 2017, when many NGO foreign Christian organizations included, are being faced with this trend – increasing difficulty in getting new work permits.  We heard that the government has been more lenient with national entities in regard to granting work permits.  Our Lord made no mistake in leading ACM into our first Milestone in 2005!

 

The second Milestone of ACM in 2016:

As being reported in a number of updates before, the Lord’s hand was helping enabling us to get through every hurdle that came up throughout the entire process.  Just around 9 months of time during September of 2016, ACM had acquired our Title Certificate for 2,194 square meters of land without time limit.  It is common in Addis Ababa, whether private homes or organizations, in spending years to get the karta – without which no land could be legally occupied and developed.  An Elder of an evangelical church recalled it took them 4 years in finally acquiring the karta!   As we look back, we know that God’s invisible hand was helping us every step of the way in response to the prayer of His blood-redeemed children in diverse places!

 

What about the Sport Complex on the meadow?

Many of you have already known that for years we are contemplating another 6,500 sq. meters on the meadow to be used for our sports activities. However, we were faced with two big hurdles if pursuing this plot of land from the City government. The 1st hurdle is that to acquire open land free the City government requires a 70% deposit of the total amount to complete the proposed Project. That is to say if 10 millions birrs be required for the completion of the Sport Complex, the government needs to see 7 millions in our ACM bank A/C or no granting of land.

The 2nd hurdle is even more formidable, which is the requirement to enter an agreement with the government in ‘Serving the Community.’  (Note: in Ethiopia any ‘Serving the Community’ agreement with the government, as a rule, falls under Development thus by law no spiritual activities such as Bible or prayer were allowed) Input given us from experienced personnel have been: “be cautious for ‘Serving the Community’ could be tricky in its requirements down the road…” or “…this could lead to complication rapidly for ACM as a Christian entity…”  In short, warnings to us not to compromise our Christian faith for a plot of land free from the City authorities.

Just around February how we thanked our Lord for 2 precious input, of the same nature, from 2 of our ACM members. Both pointed out a new feasible way that instead of pursuing another karta for 6,500 sq. m of land, we can contribute to build a medium-size soccer field on the same meadow, leveling the land properly and erecting 2 solid goals plus surrounding the field with short stone landmark. The local Kebele administration will appreciate this kind of contribution from our Camping Ministry.  In this manner, we will be totally free from the two above mentioned big hurdles.  The meadow land will always remain under the City government whereas the soccer field will serve the community youth plus of course we at ACM can also use the field from time to time.  When God has put a desire in our hearts through His Spirit, He will also bring it to fruition in due course!

 

Embarking on ‘Phrase by Phrase Development’:

With much patience, we are still waiting for the final outcome of the new Addis Ababa City Master Plan, said to be in its final stage now. When the new Master Plan has emerged, our current Karta will be able to be amended in getting rid of this clause of ‘no masonry work permitted’.

With just around 2,200 sq. meters of land on our Site, we will stick realistically to our original goal of serving 100 campers – with facilities to lodge 50 boys and 50 girls. When the karta amendment being done, we will make known our ‘Immediate Phrase’, which we will set before our Lord for helping us to accomplish fully.  Only with the ‘Immediate Phrase’ fully completed will we embark on another new Phrase.  Each Phrase will be geared towards the final goal of serving 100 campers, plus if the Lord so directs to combine our future ‘Abyssinia Youth Center’ on the same Site of our Youth Camp. At ACM we shall not depart from our long tradition ofTrusting in the Lord fully’  and steering away from any solicitation of funds.

 

Pray for laborers:

This final heading focuses on the need of God-sent laborers, whether a younger couple to serve as our Programmer (a commitment of at least 3 years) and a young man or woman with a God-endowed love for youth yet also possessing horsemanship in order to head up a riding program. Again a commitment no less than 2 years.

Then pray to our Lord for big brothers and big sisters so vital for all our program whether English or Amharic.  With our past endeavor to some nearby churches for volunteers or youth department of denomination yet with little responses. Only our Lord can lead us to the right young man and woman (College age quite desirable) who fear Him and honor and love His word and who can be a living example before the youngsters. Today in Addis Ababa there are too many church young people who are pursuing after prosperity and health and who enjoy the so-called gifts of the Spirit yet so many do not even have a personal assurance of salvation! We never ask the Lord for this sort of laborers.  We firmly believe that true laborers, sent by our Lord of harvests in response to the unceasing pleading of His children, will be the key to lasting fruitfulness at ACM!

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主內兄姊們平安:

 

耶利米先知告訴我們:「你求告我我就應允你並將你所不知道又大又難的事指示你」(耶33:3)從地契(karta)申請過程起伏變化難測,正因為有神的兒女在施恩座前祈求,讓我將最新的發展告之如下:

 

主又恩助克服了人的阻撓

上週五(9月30日)當我們到首都Municipality市土地局,呈上營工ACM 有關文件,起初那位土地租借署(Land Leasing Office)主管態度似冷淡,然查閱了那宗教局(Federal Ministry)為營工出的那信,印證了營工確實為宗教性的機構,即將我們轉移到法律部門。法律部門的主任律師同樣地在閱讀那封宗教局發出的信後,表示他們將出信給Yeka 區政府土地局,指示他們去處理我們營工地契的事情。

今日週一(10月3日)當我步入Municipality的市土地局,正好碰上那位主任律師,說今日已將信送達Yeka區政府的土地局,謂我可以接洽無證土地租借之地契發出室(Document-less Land Leasing)的主任,說我們只需約一週的時間就可取得地契。

這鼓舞人心的消息催迫自己同日下午去到Yeka的無證土地局,見到了那主任,他說當時要去見法律部某律師。於是我又見到那青年律師(註:他曾答覆我詢問有關其部門可為營工出哪類地契的5個問題),他的態度因上級所出的指示而有了大轉變,說現在可透過宗教組織名義(religious organization)為ACM營工出地契。那位主任說下週一(10月10日)我們可到其辦事處,意味著karta之發出!

請兄姊同工們不息的儆醒禱求直到地契之成就   

 

肇平於  Addis Ababa

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