The Prostitute (or) His Majesty's Daughters

A few weeks ago we had a duo team come over to Addis from Charlotte to document the work and ministry of MYM Ethiopia. Steven Mills and Mathew Rogers manned their cameras for 10 days and caught some breathtaking photos and videos. Not only did they capture some amazing images on film, but God also imprinted some soul-shaking images on their hearts and minds. 

Steven Mills, Mathew Rogers, Carmen Post, and Trent Post

I had planned to post an update this week to catch everyone up on our family's journey, but when I read the Facebook note posted by Mathew Rogers, I knew that I didn't have anything that could even touch what was poured out from his heart concerning our work here. Mathew has been gracious enough to allow us to use his journal entry as a guest post on our blog. Enjoy!

The Prostitute (or) His Majesty's Daughters

Today marks one week since my return from Ethiopia. It took me a minute after returning home to process what's been going on in my soul. In fact, it wasn't until this weekend that I even began to wake from the malaise of jet lag, caffeine addiction, sleepless nights, and pesky whispers from the that Still Small Voice.

I was attempting sleep in Elliot's bed. He was dreaming beside me with his sweaty arm across my neck. He's like a little heater. I was looking at the paper lanterns above his window, trying to will myself to sleep.  Thoughts swirling again; orphans, Amele, Trent & Carmen, poverty, Amy, goats, smog headache, that smell...

My mind always came back to one moment. In all 10 days that I spent in Ethiopia, 8k miles away from my family, one moment. The moment when 3 women rescued the prostitute from rape.

I realized how greatly this night has effected me when I attempted to recount the tale to Debbie, and couldn't stop shaking. I wasn't cold. My Soul was shaking. The Spirit was shouting at me or whispering at me...whichever one. My soul woke up.

Anyway, Carmen had been threatening me with this particular event for the whole damn trip. She's pushy. She was going to take Steven and I out with herself, Amele, & Amy at 4:30am to meet the new crew of street boys that would be coming to the Day Center. They had been meeting with these boys for somewhere between 3-4 months on the streets in the morning or in the middle of the night. Right where they sleep. Talking to them. Making them laugh. Learning their names.

My brief note to New Believers (or Veteran Believers for that matter): This world is going to try to teach you that the important people of the world drive big cars, have big homes, have big egos, and have a huge following on social media. It's a complete lie. It couldn't be farther from the truth. In fact, Jesus said: "God lays low the proud, and favors the humble."  Carmen shook the celebrity culture of the United States right off me, and reminded me how the King of Heaven laid down his life for such as these:

The King of Kings would be proud to be counted among them.

I knew this adventure with Carmen was going to mess me up. Not because I hadn't seen poverty before. But because I'm a father now, and I knew I was going to see Elliot and Leona in the streets of Addis this particular morning, and I didn't know if I could take it.

So we pulled up onto the curb underneath a bridge across from a bus pick up. There they were. At the base of the truss of the bridge rested a vulnerable tangle of dirty fabric, mangy dogs, gravel, and tender limbs reaching out for one another. Amy got out of the car first. She got close and called out their names. Little faces rose up out of the mass, and that's when I saw Elliot's face. I blinked back tears, and got out of the car with Carmen. 

The boys sat up one by one to greet the ladies. They rubbed their sleepy eyes and chatted in Amharic through growing smiles. Amy and Amele translated for Carmen when she couldn't find the words. The boys greeted the ladies like old friends. 

Amy greeting the boys at our first stop.

Despite the early hours, we began to draw a crowd. I imagine it was strange to the onlookers at the bus stop to see 3 Americans and 2 Ethiopians seeking company with street boys at 4:30 in the morning.

Eventually we began to get the feeling that we were drawing too much attention to the boys. Carmen instructed the ladies to tell the boys that we would be back and we would be taking them to breakfast. We had one more stop to make to find another group of boys before the restaurant opened at 7:00am.

The 5 of us jumped back in the car and circled the bridge once to make sure the crowd was dissipating, leaving the boys undisturbed. 

We drove a little ways through the sleeping city, toward the 2nd group of boys. That's when it happened. At the roundabout. As we turned left, our headlights ran across a man and woman kneeling in the shadows next to some steps.

The light only passed over them briefly. The man had his arms around her waist, and she had her hands on his arms. She was on her knees and he was kneeling down beside her. It could have been one of two things; she had been drinking and he was helping her get to her feet...or something much less noble.

Carmen brought the car to a stop, and had this look on her face. A 'blood in the water' kind of look. "Wait a minute..." she says. She drops the car in reverse and readjusts the car using the headlights to purge that dank ally of all it's shadows. Both individuals held their hands over their eyes and looked to the car. It was clear to see then that the mans intentions were vile. 

"Was he trying to rape her?!" Carmen shouted as Amy lept from the car. Amy got down beside the girl and put her hand on her shoulder. It took a second for my brain to register exactly what was happening, but I heard Amele begin to translate from the back seat, "She's saying help me. Please help me." Carmen's battle cry grew louder (and a bit saucier actually). Carmen and Amele lept from the car too, and all three women positioned themselves like a wall of rabid honey badgers between the girl and the man. That's the best and most accurate description I've got. Carmen is like 5'2 with heels on, and the look of fire in her eyes could falter a defensive end. Amy told the girl to get her shoes and run in Amharic. 

My mind was catching up to the Reality unfolding around me. I opened the passenger door and muttered my prayer under my breath; "Beloved, protect us."

As my two feet hit the concrete, I could see the man hold up conciliatory gestures, pleading with the women to calm down. "I paid her. I paid her," he said. "This is a misunderstanding."  The girls presence provided momentary relief from the man's advance. She quickly pulled down her jean skirt , picked up her sandals from the ground, and ran down the street, looking back only once. 

The man backed away from the girls who never broke eye contact with him, and I felt my soul whisper; "Behold, the King's Daughters." 

Step by step, the man eased himself away from them, eyeing over his shoulders as he angled for more and more distance.

Carmen's voice was roaring with indignation. With every step she took forward, the man stepped backward. If this were a David and Goliath scenario, Goliath would have never gotten out on the damn field. "DON'T YOU HAVE A MOTHER?! DON'T YOU HAVE A SISTER?! HOW WOULD YOU FEEL IF SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENED TO THEM?!?!!!", she demanded.

The man held up hands of surrender and once space between himself and the girls were sufficient, did an about face with his tail less than neatly tucked between his legs. 

The girls lingered in the street long enough to make sure the man was well on his way and the girl was a far cry in the opposite direction. Slowly, we all gathered back in the car. Carmen's eyes never left the man as he diminished into the dark city. After the last car door closed, I looked to her, "I've missed you, Carmen." It broke the tension and we all laughed. She put the car in gear, and we finished the drive to the still-sleeping boys a few streets away.

It wasn't until much later in the day that my mind started to interpret the events of the morning. I was in the car with Trent on our way out of the city to see the sights when my emotions began to find their way to the surface.

This event has convicted me to look inwards. Thoughts of my safety were the first thoughts I had when I saw the girl in the clutches of that man. That young lady was His Majesty's daughter, too, whether she knew it or not. Amy saw that. Amele saw that. Carmen did too. It reminded me what it looks like when a Believer's soul hangs on every Word He says, and I'm gripped again with what a life of faith looks like. Seas part, shadows flee, and mountains side step at the advance of His Majesty and His radiant Bride. All else is smoke and mirror to the unseen reality, pinning it all together. Lord, give me eyes to see, too.

Even in telling you this story, my hands shake. I'm back in the States and The Rogers are again looking for a church to call home. We work. We eat. We tuck the kids in. We kiss each other goodnight, and we do it all over again. We worship in the car and we talk to the kids about Him. Show them who He is through our lives if we're lucky. 

Since getting home, my patience for American Celebrity Christianity diminishes further, leaving an aching to step out of the boat and meet my Beloved upon the water. I was reawakened to this world's need for His Majesty's people, and I was reminded of what they look like. His Bride is a marvel to behold.

I beg the Lord for the opportunity to teach my children who He is, how to see Him, and how to labor on His behalf for His will to be done here as it is in Heaven. 

I'm grateful for my time in Addis and for my Family there. More than that, I'm grateful for fresh wind and fresh fire for my family, and for each day that the Lord allows us to reshape for Him, and all the adventure that that entails.

Taking the boys to breakfast.

A Family Adjusts, While Lives Are Changing...

It’s been almost four weeks since our last post. We’ve been super busy, and a lot has happened over the last, quick, four weeks. We are slowly, but surely, adjusting and adapting to our new environment. I’m not sure that we’ll ever totally get used to all the stares and looks when we are out and about. We certainly stand out! 

Playing Four-Squares at VBS

MYM Ethiopia ministry is booming and going strong. Our second week here we had a VBS at the MYM Daycenter. A group of college students from International Evangelical Church put on the event for the week from 10-12:30 everyday. We had around 20 kids come to VBS everyday. Some of the kids were in the current cycle of boys at the center, some were Keeping Kids Home beneficiaries, and some were from the PLF (Placing Lonely in Families) home. The mornings would start with songs, and then break into four groups by age. There were crafts, songs, bible story, and games. I (Ryan) was in charge of games and had a blast just watching the kids have fun and interact. The week was a success as the kids learned of how Jesus is their protector, provider, and ultimately their rescuer. 

Craft time at VBS.

A huge praise report on two of the three boys who just finished their six month cycle at the daycenter. Tadessa and Adugna were reunited with their families last week. These boys have made remarkable transformations, as both gave their lives to Jesus during their time at the day center. Please pray that the boys will stay home, and continue to grow in their relationship with the Lord. Pray that they can be lights in their families and communities. There is a third boy, Danny, that finished the cycle as well. There are currently no Ethiopian families who have stepped up to the call of starting another PLF home. With that being said, please pray for Danny. Pray that the family that God has for Danny will be burdened and step up to the call. 

Adugna, Tadessa, and Danny. 

A new cycle of street boys arrived at the MYM Daycenter last week. It is a large group of around 20 new boys ranging in age from 7-14. I was really surprised at their energy levels considering most are coming to us from a life of malnutrition and addiction. I have a really good feeling about this group of boys. I look forward to spending the next six months pouring into them and getting to know them. Its hard to believe that the boys that just finished their six months, looked and behaved the same as the 20 dirty, scraggly, wild boys that showed up to the center last week. It’s so exciting to dream of what these 20 boys are going to look like when the Lord is done with them six months from now. We feel so blessed and honored to have the privilege of being a part of their journeys. 

The new cycle of street boys at the daycenter. 

We held a Keeping Kids Home event this weekend (Fri/Sat) at the daycenter. Friday was just for the kids to come and learn about who holds the key to their hearts. This message was conveyed to the kids through teaching, games, crafts, and a sharing of testimony from MYM Director Carmen Post. The kids were sent home with a chain necklace with a key on it to remind them of what they learned that day. Some of the kids are from Muslim families, so please pray that we sent home with them not just a necklace, but also a seed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

On Saturday, the kids came back to the day center, but this time with their parents or grandparents. The Keeping Kids Home program is MYM Ethiopia’s model for orphan and street kid prevention. The beneficiaries are extremely poor and at very high risk of having to give up their kids either to the streets or an orphanage. Saturday was all about the kids and parents bonding and just having fun with each other. Life is very hard for these families just attempting to put food on the table and shelter over their heads. Opportunities for these families to interact and have fun with each other are few and far between. We had a morning full of fun games and snacks. There was a wet sponge toss, balloon pop battle, three-legged race, sack race, and wheelbarrow race. It was so awesome to watch the kids and their parents laughing, smiling, and just being silly for a change. I think a lot of times, the parents of these kids get a really bad, undeserved rap. The typical American way of looking at these parents is to conclude that they are lazy, cruel, and unloving parents. What we observed at the KKH Family Field Day was the absolute opposite of this stereotype. These parents love their kids and are doing the best that they know how to care and provide for their kids. Watching these families interact, I truly realized that they are no different than most more “privileged” parents around the world. They love their kids, and they want the best for them. We had an awesome duo of photographer and videographer from Charlotte with us last week. They took photos of most of the KKH families, and sponsorship opportunities should be coming soon, so stay tuned!

As far as our family goes, we have found out how tough it can be working here in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. We started our process of pursuing a work permit the week that we arrived. We did finally complete that process early this past week. We then immediately began our process for our residency cards at the Ethiopian Immigration office….NIGHTMARE!!! I arrived at the office at 8am with our manager Endale. We walked out at 3:30pm with mine and Courtney’s process complete, but Nara’s incomplete. For some reason, they wanted to see Nara’s Ethiopian birth certificate even though we had her U.S. Certificate of Citizenship. So much back and forth and hoops to jump through. When we asked the immigration officer why Nara’s application was not approved and what we needed to bring when we came back she said, “Leave this place.” I was ready to go off on her…but I didn’t. My tongue was probably bleeding from biting it so hard. We go back tomorrow to pick up Courtney and I’s cards and hopefully to finish Nara’s process. Please pray that it goes well, because Courtney and I are already dreading going back. 

EVERYTHING here is a process. Don’t be fooled by Courtney and I’s Instagram and Facebook posts. You’re seeing our highlight reel. Victories can seem very few and far between. There can be many seemingly failures and valleys between the victories. Some may look at our social media posts and think, “Wow, they are just rocking it! It looks to be going smoothly.” There are times when we feel that way, but a lot of times we are just sloppily stumbling forward. Life and ministry here are very hard. However, when we look into the dirty faces of the street boys, and are graced by the smiles of the Keeping Kids Home families, its all worth it. Every discomfort, pain, tear, frustration, and failure disappear when we see the transforming work of Jesus Christ unfolding before our very eyes in the lives of the least of these. 

We want to thank our financial and spiritual supporters from the bottom of our hearts. Though days can be hard and frustrating, we wake up every day thanking God for your generosity that allows us to be here, acting as His hands and feet in such a broken city. With that being said, we are still short of being fully funded. There are some potential circumstances coming up that could increase our budget needs. If you feel the Lord tugging at your heart to contribute financially to what He’s doing here, then please click HERE to begin your monthly contributions. Just make sure to designate your giving in the “Thomas Support” box. 

Prayer Needs

• Pray for Tadessa and Adugna to transition smoothly back in to their families and that they’ll go to Him rather than the streets when times get hard. 
• Pray for Danny’s future family that God has for him to step in and step up. 
• Pray that the Keeping Kids Home families remain encouraged and that the Muslim families will come to know Jesus as their Savior. 
• Pray for the new group of street boys that are starting their cycle this week at the daycenter. Pray that they will allow Jesus to mold them and transform them into new creations. 
• Pray for our family to continue to adjust to our new home and that our government requirements will soon be met and done.