No Sugar On This Coat
I have never been good at sugar coating my feelings. By writing the following, I am not complaining though. I continually feel fortunate to be here, but right now am in a valley.
Things are slow. Forming relationships is slow. The kids are in the same position as when I got here, but now they are being beaten by the federal police at night and their shanty homes are being burnt down. One of them is in jail for a while. Little things take great effort.
But, there is stuff in the works. THANK GOD, but patience just ain’t my virtue.
The communication style in this place is way different then I am used to. It adds frustration, often. There is procedures and bureaucracy at every turn. I feel pretty helpless and each attempt I make to change that gets thwarted. I am a little nervous about language school starting on Monday and what that might cause me to miss.
I do miss home, family and friends that I can share with and have open and honest conversations with. I actually have missed comfort for the first time since being here. I also got a minor sickness for the first time, which becomes tougher with the amount of polution I breath in while feeling bad.
POOR ME, lol, kidding. I already feel better, maybe this is more a journal entry 🙂 I hope by the end of next week, I can give you some positive updates on short term and long term developments for the kids.
My favorite verse: Romans 5:3-5
ethiopianadam.wordpress.com 
The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Krystal Cooper
November 5, 2009 at 1:24 pm
Hey Adam. PTL for Krystal and her words from the Book. When you are in the valley, look around for the wild flowers. They are every where, but small so if you don’t look deeply you will miss them. What you are describing is exactly what you told me you expected, so I say, GREAT! exactly what Adam expected is happening. He was right. So now the life preserver is Krystal’s comment.
God bless you, I am praying.
Doc
Ralph Eckardt
November 6, 2009 at 12:33 pm
Adam – Things to remember:
1. the greater the resistance the greater the opportunity for God to move and show how big He really is – as Lisa said a day or so ago, this a marathon, not a sprint. There is nothing happening in Ethiopia that God has not known about or would take Him by surprise. The enemy is active and real. His goal is to keep the Kingdom of God from advancing. You are on the front lines. Remember, our fight is not against flesh and blood but against the principalities, against powers, against rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12 – I encourage you to read v. 10 – 13 and then on to v. 20.)
2. Without resistance we wouldn’t be where we are today – see: countless miracles, lives changed, faith and trust deepened throughout the ages; one cross; one empty tomb.
3. Think long-term. This can be hard – we like to see progress; we like to see change. Right now you speak one language and are preparing to learn to speak another, not to mention the language of ‘culture’. Keep in mind the depth that will emerge when you can communicate – even if initially on a basic level. That takes time.
We love you.
Jennifer Bindhammer
November 6, 2009 at 12:52 pm