Whenever we are in Ethiopia, all of the calendars in the project office are marked, “the Baltimore Team” or the “Abbott Team”.  Even though our teams are made up of folks from all across the United States, it is Abbott Church that has placed its own unique mark on the work of the project here. It is always exciting for me, as the pastor and team leader, to see who the Lord will call from our church to join in the work that is happening here.  We always end up with the perfect set of gifts and talents to do the work that we have been called to do.  I am also always amazed by the generosity of our church family in their giving that makes it possible for us to come and serve.  This year was no exception.  

I love watching Rose Rode as she greets the beneficiaries with whom she has become good friends over the years she has been coming to Addis.  Just this morning she saw Yerusalem for the first time this trip and they embraced and talked like the old friends they have become.  She is such an integral part of the work here as she is familiar with the inner workings of the project and can answer almost any question that comes up during the course of the day.  She handles each patient she sees in triage with compassion and kindness and she is loved by everyone here.  I can’t imagine what it would be like to not have her here on a team.

Mark Renner has also become an almost permanent fixture with our medical teams.  He is so at home here with the project that I wouldn’t be surprised if they make him an honorary Habisha (Ethiopian).  He loves the kids and they love him.  He is always drawing pictures, cutting out paper dolls, playing games and entertaining the children while their parents see the medical staff.  He, too, is a tremendous help because of his knowledge of Ethiopia, the project and what is most helpful to keep things running smoothly during the day.  He is happy to do kids ministry, home renovation, lead a support group or do a home visit, and whatever he is doing, there is always a huge smile on his face.

I can remember back in October when Andy & Bev visited Abbott and did a presentation on the project in the young adult Sunday School class.  Almost immediately Rob Taylor came to me and asked if he could come on the next team.  Of course, I said yes and was so excited by his excitement about coming.  He has been a joy to watch as he has soaked up every sight, sound and smell of Addis.  He is our resident renovation specialist, going to the homes of beneficiaries and making helpful repairs.  It is also so encouraging to see him learning and growing.  He is stepping outside his comfort zone in other ways and has volunteered to lead our team devotions on Wednesday.  I am really looking forward to that.

Julius Fischer and I have been partners in ministry for over ten years now.  We have been so blessed by both our friendship and our working relationship.  Julius has always stayed at home and held down the fort on my previous trips, but now it’s his turn to experience first hand the work here in Addis.  He has been good to step in wherever needed, but his forte, of course, is and always will be music.  Besides the previously mentioned “knuckle song”, he will now forever be know for “the hokey pokey” and “the chicken dance” songs as well.  This morning we had staff devotions with the team and the Ethiopian staff (there were about 50 of us in attendance) and it was such a joy for me to watch him at the keyboard leading us all in worship.  He has such a tender heart and genuinely engages with every person he meets.

As you know, I usually have one of my own children here with me, but 2010 is a gap year and I have been very grateful that my “nephew”, David Arnold is here with me.  David is an outstanding young man. He is a senior at Mt. St. Joseph High School and has already accepted an appointment to the United States Naval Academy where he will join Arny & Archie this summer.  David is a great athlete (he was named the Baltimore Sun’s high school soccer player of the year this fall) and he has been conducting soccer clinics almost every day with the children in the project.  He, too, has been willing to step in wherever needed, whether in clinic or home renovation. 

I did bring family members with me though.  It has been fun having my dad, “the real Pastor Warren”, and my mom with us.  They have both been teaching and leading support groups.  I was especially proud of them this weekend as they trekked up and down the hills of Lalibela on our tour of the historic rock-hewn churches, something that some much younger people have not been able to conquer on previous trips. 

As you can see, God is working through our church and through the generosity of all of you that have contributed to our coming here.  I frequently sit in a beneficiary’s home and tell them about Abbott Church and the people there that are praying for them.  They always ask that I send you their thanks and their love in return.  I remember Joe Kelly’s line from his time here – “From Abbott to Addis”  . . .

With love and gratitude to God for all of you,

Your pastor, 

-Paul

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