John & Gwen Haspels - Missionaries

The missionaries we support, John & Gwen Haspels, are currently stationed in Ethiopia, and provide periodic newsletters. Following is their December 2002 newsletter.

Dear friends,

We thank God for You: As I started this letter at 5:30 a.m., two days before Thanksgiving, many thoughts and sounds are intruding on my mind. You can hear the cry to prayer from a dozen Mosques, each seemingly trying to out do the other, as the Moslems celebrate their holy month of Ramadan. The roar of the king's lions can even be heard from cages three or four miles away still reminding the people of Addis of a monarchy long gone. One thought which hit me over and over this morning were Paul's words in chapter one, verses two to four, in many of his letters. "I thank my God every time I remember you." "We always thank God for all of you." "We ought always to thank God for you." "I thank God as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers." As our thoughts turn towards home this Thanksgiving and Christmas season, we do sincerely give thanks to God for each of you.

10 Out of 25 Have Fathers: During a conversation time with her English students, Gwen discovered that out of the twenty five students, only ten had living fathers. Twenty four of them had living mothers. This figure is shocking. One village just down the valley from us is a village of women and children only. What has happened to all the men? The terrible cycle of killing and revenge made easy by an AK 47 needs to be broken. The use of force to disarm the Suri won't break this cycle. Only the transfoming power and love of Jesus Christ can do this. Read the following stories.

Think About Such Things: "What did you wake up thinking about this morning?" This was a question asked of all the people gathered for morning devotions following a night of several bursts of automatic fire. One woman said she has been unable to sleep or eat because of gripping fear. Another said he wondered who may have been killed. Most of the answers were not really uplifting or encouraging. The devotions that morning were from Phillipians 4:8 encouraging us have our thoughts on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. These are the kinds of thoughts which lead to contentment and, "the peace of God which transcends all understanding." Satan, whose objective is to steal, kill and destroy, feeds on those negative thoughts of fear, hatred, suspicion, lies, unforgiveness, and anger. Following are some uplifting stories in the midst of a lot of negative things going on around us.

Fresh Corn Hold-UP: A convoy of three tourist vehicles recently on their way into Tulegit were held up and robbed by several armed Suri. We were held up, however, by Ngajungi, who came running out of her garden with a bundle of fresh corn, as she saw us returning from visiting a mother who had just given birth to twins. This act was so uplifting and encouraging to us because it was a demonstration of the transforming power of Jesus Christ. We are seldom on the receiving end at the best of times let alone in the middle of a hunger time. Ngajungi, with a big smile on her face, was genuinely pleased to see us as she proudly presented us with the corn from her garden. Her gift was more than just a gift to us, it was her way of giving thanks to God for the unexpected rains that began way back on Sept. 11 (see our last newsletter) and carried through November providing an unexpected harvest. She is a demonstration of the transforming power and love of Jesus Christ who not only by His mercy transformed her life but also transformed the countryside from brown to a lush green.

Three Hour Hike to Church: Ngaguldu, a beautiful young Suri woman, is one of fourteen young people in a baptism class taught by Keis (Rev.) Gatahun. Ngaguldu is also pictured on post cards sold all over Addis and being sent all over the world. Too bad people don't know the story about the woman in the picture. Ngaguldu has been in a cultural group touring Ethiopia to show Suri dance and song. She has even been on television and performed in the modern Sheraton Hotel in Addis. She was also in another group of Suri Christians who sang for the 50th Anniversary celebration in Mizan (see last newsletter). For several weeks, she hiked three hours, three times a week, up over the mountain from Kibish to attend faithfully the baptism classes. For someone who has many attrative opportunities put before her, she has chosen to follow Jesus Christ and as an act of obedience to Him submit to baptism. It is Jesus who is transforming her life. **On a sad note, one of the Deezes in the class with her was murdered while we were in Addis**. We give thanks to Ngaguldu and the others in the class, but we are also reminded to pray for them. For them to follow Christ is more than just a three hour hike over the mountain, it is a positive change that will help bring an end to the cycle of killing and revenge.

Compassion for the Dying: Soni, who several months before, had been shot through the wrist by an angry, drunk Suri (see earlier newsletter), now was the only one willing to nurse and take care of Tadessa, a Suri covered with sores, slowly dying from AIDS. Tadessa knew his end was near and he also knew he would probably be abandoned by his own family and people. Without asking he weakly walked to Soni's house and moved into his cooking hut. Soni, who was from the Deeze tribe, and who seemingly had every right to be angry and filled with hatred, didn't drive Tadessa out of his gut. Instead, Soni nursed him, feeding and washing his sores until he died. It was Soni who cleaned the body and wrapped ti for burial. Soni, with several other Deeze Christians, dug the grave and buried Tadessa. Jesus Christ is the one who has brought this kind of transformation. Jesus said, "love your enemy". Soni demonstrated this kind of love for Tadessa.

We Wish You a Blessed Christmas & a Happy New Year: Martha reminded the church in Halstead that Israel prevailed in battle as Aaron and Hur held up the hands of Moses. We thank God for each of you who hold us up in prayer and encourage us by your cards and letters. We don't have snow here, but two weeks ago thousands of white egrets arrived landing in the trees around us, silouetted against dark thunder heads in the background. It reminded us of the promise, "He gives His angels charge over you to guard you in all your ways!!"

In His Service,

The Haspels

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