If you know me, you know that I am not the "hey guys....let's run into some remote village and start preaching the gospel and plant some churches" type of person.  Thank God that there are people that have a heart for that, but I am not one of them.  Let me build a stove...or make water purifiers, or help run a pharmacy and hand out medications, all of which I have done in Guatemala....let me show Christ's love by serving and doing something.  That is what I am good at.  

Well, apparently God has other plans....

In the areas around Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, less then .01% are believers in Christ, and they have never heard the gospel.  The main religion is Ethiopian Orthodox where basically they are full of religion...but not a gracious, by-faith salvation.  Much like the Pharisees  of the New Testament.  There is also open opposition to the Word, so the trip might be difficult.  What God has shown me, though, over the last few weeks is that His people are already there.  He died for them and already purchased their lives through His blood.  He does not need me to go, but He lets me participate.  All the while building my affections for Him.  It does not matter if I feel inadequate and insecure about sharing the Gospel because it's not in my comfort zone.  He will work through my group and I know that the divine appointments have already been set.

In addition to sharing the gospel and establishing churches, we will also be speaking to the Ethiopian families about the dangers of human trafficking.  In 2008 the "sex slave" industry profited an estimated $32 billion dollars....that was more than Starbucks, Nike, and Google combined that year.  There are an estimated 30 million people that are involved in a form of trafficking throughout the world.  The children that are sold are subject to working long hours, with not enough food to sustain them.  If they try to stop working or play, the are beaten or killed.  The young girls and women are sold to men, and are raped repeatedly each night and are eventually broken.  If these women and girls are lucky enough to manage to escape this crime they are often not accepted by their families. They are looked at as dirty, and used.  They might also have serious injuries or disease to have to deal with as well.

You might think to yourself, how does this happen...how do these families let their children go?  How do husbands sell their wives?  There is such poverty in these areas that these people are looking for a way of having a better life.  There are people that will go to these villages and will pose as successful business men, or church leaders.  They will make promises that are completely false.  They will key in on three primary entry points into exploitation...economic improvement, education, and equality.  By believing in the promises of a better life for their family with money and status, or hearing that their child will get a good education, these families fall victim to this crime.

These are the main goals of the trip.  Visiting the remote villages near Bahir Dar, Ethiopia sharing the gospel, establishing churches, as well as teaching about the dangers of human trafficking.  I can't help but think about the big picture effects of this trip.  I know that I am dreaming big...but hey, this was not my idea.  I am just following the desire that was placed in me.  If we can go to these villages, and through Christ we communicate the gospel, seeds will be planted, hearts will be converted, and churches will be established.  At the same time, we will be teaching about human trafficking and hopefully be reaching these families and helping to prevent them from selling their children.  The present as well as the eternal ripple effects are endless.

Please partner with me for this mission trip.  Be in prayer about the people that I will be in contact with.  Pray for hearts to be changed, and eyes to be opened.  Pray for me as I prepare for this trip.  Also, please consider supporting me financially.  I will be in Ethiopia for 10 days and will need to raise $3900 for this trip.  That cost takes care of my travel, accommodations, meals, translators, and everything else involved in an expedition like this.  50% of the funds need to be in by 12/1/2014, and all remaining funds need to be in by 2/1/2015.  Thank you again for your support and generosity. 

If you would have told me a year ago that I would be going to Africa to share the Gospel and to teach about the dangers of human trafficking...I would say you are crazy!  Well, here I am.  I am grateful that God has put the desire in my heart to say yes...I will go.  Lets do this!

     

In Christ,

Derek

"And they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth." (Revelation 5:9, 10 ESV)