FaithQuest Missions
May 2011
Jordan@faithquestmissions.org
949-485-5474
An Awi vision—Ethiopia
“Was that just a tank we passed?!? The van slowed to a stop on the side of the road. I looked back, sure
enough, a Soviet tank stood in that empty field as a relic of Ethiopia’s liberation from communist regime.
It was cool. Though, by the time I had pulled my camera out of my backpack, it wasn’t just a tank in my
viewfinder, but a tank swarmed with the Ethiopian shepherds and the empty fields now had kids
sprinting across them towards us. I have no idea where they came from, but within minutes there were
50 locals standing with us around the tank. Here I was, with my first encounter with the Ethiopian people
and the moment was indwelled with patriotism, honor, and pride…pride for being Ethiopian…it was
beautiful.”
I was in northwestern Ethiopia from May 3-8 with a core team of people to envision and pray over a future with
the Awi people. There are 80 million people in Ethiopia, but the Awi people stand out as a group that is
marginalized, discriminated against, and threatened by the elimination of their language and culture. It was these
people that FaithQuest partner, Coast Hills Community Church was drawn to. Their investment in the region has
included sending a missionary¸ funding and pioneering the translation of the Jesus film into the Awi language, and
developing friendships with Christian Ethiopian organizations. Together we have been contemplating the option of
a wider mobilization and ministerial partnership, similar to the Y-Malawi structure.
We ventured into Ethiopia and, like always, I found myself fascinated by a culture unlike any other I have
experienced. At the same time I was deeply saddened by the poverty, false teachings coming from the Ethiopian
Orthodox Church, the prevalence of female circumcision, and the animosity toward converts to Protestantism.
Indeed, the needs are great, but combine that with a tough atmosphere for the gospel and you have a challenging
mission field, but one that definitely needs workers of the harvest. We are still processing our insights and
prayerfully contemplating strategy and as we say in FaithQuest: “It’s another opportunity to trust in the Lord!”
Teaching my Chocolate Lab,
“Dude”, how to swim was
as easy as tossin’ him into
the pool. God may have the
same strategy with me for
trip leading…
Malawi: There a first time for everything…
When I decided that I was going to lead a trip of my own this year, I told myself it
would be best to start slow and built up to more complex trips…Good strategy,
right? Indeed it is, though you’d be hard pressed to call my trip this summer the
“slow start” I was expecting. God had a different plan and apparently thinks it better
that I skip the training wheels stage. I don’t say that in a negative manner, however.
On the contrary, I feel confident and I am excited and encouraged by some of the pioneering aspects of this trip.
This trip is breaking new ground on several levels:
27101 Manzano, Mission Viejo, CA 92692
FaithQuest Missions
May 2011
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Jordan@faithquestmissions.org
949-485-5474
It will be the largest team of a single leader format with 37
team members.
It will be the first team with members from both west and
east coast partner churches.
There are members from every age bracket-Teens, 20s,
30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s—including the youngest member
ever, age 12.
It is a highly family-focused trip, full of parents, kids,
brothers, sisters, grandparents and two full families.
Sure, it’s quite the trip, with lots of logistical planning, but it’s
going to be awesome for that many people to be impacted by
Malawi, the warm heart of Africa. Plus, I have quite possibly the
best, most helpful and effective co-leader on the planet…my
mom.
Beautiful Upcoming Changes
Me and my close friend Kennedy, a Malawian
Youth Ministry Superhero…
…And so it begins. Alex and I are going to be mommy and daddy. WOW! By the grace of God, we will bring
a baby into this world around Thanksgiving. Alex is 13 weeks along and doing GREAT! Sure, she’s had a little bit of
nausea here and there and get’s hungry in sudden bursts, but no issues. Same with “Baby G”. Development is on
schedule and there’s a strong heartbeat! Praise the Lord! We ask that you
continue to be in prayer for our family. For the ongoing development of
our child, for Alex’s health, for our finances as we prepare to bring a
baby into this world, and just fof the wisdom to make good decisions.
We so look forward to the arrival of our beautiful little joy and
are excited for all of you to be part of their life. However, as our friends,
we would ask that you do us one small favor if you are reading this
right now. Please try to hold off from rapidly spreading the news to
everybody right away. We’d prefer to allow it to gradually sink into the
network of acquaintances. Thank you!
He was given authority, glory and soveriegn power; all peoples, nations and men of every language
worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one
that will never be destroyed.
Daniel 7:14
27101 Manzano, Mission Viejo, CA 92692