Mission Trip to Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi & Ethiopia
February 21st – March 7th, 2012
Dear mission friends,
This mission trip was amazing because we have an amazing God who is and does things beyond our understanding as we allow the Holy Spirit to guide us and as we obey Him. God put our team together in such a way that was puzzling and we observed the Hand of God which orchestrated everything. Since the beginning of this year, I’ve seen the hand of God move mightily in the local church and internationally. The year of 2012 has a prophetic meaning. This means that this year should be a motivation for us to sincerely depend on God evermore. Biblically, the number 12 represents divine authority and appointment, governmental foundation and perfection, and shows fulfillment. Below are a few examples with bible references that confirm the affirmation that we are in a year of fulfillment, answered prayers and divine guidance.
There were the twelve stones lifted up by Moses when God made the covenant with His people.“And Moses wrote all the words of the LORD, and rose up early in the morning, and builded an altar under the hill, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel.” Exodus 24:4Joshua setup twelve stones as a memorial after he crossed the river Jordan.“And the children of Israel did so as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones out of the midst of Jordan, as the LORD spake unto Joshua, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, and carried them over with them unto the place where they lodged, and laid them down there. And Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests which bare the ark of the covenant stood: and they are there unto this day.” Joshua 4:8-9At the age of twelve Jesus first entered the Temple in Jerusalem.“And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast” Luke 2:42The twelve apostles of Jesus which represent the twelve tribes of Israel.“And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.” Matthew 10:1The healing of the woman with the issue of blood for twelve years.“And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any, Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched.” Luke 8:43-44The healing of the twelve years old daughter of Jairus.“And, behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus' feet, and besought him that he would come into his house: For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying. But as he went the people thronged him.” Luke 8:41-42The twelve legions of Angels.“Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?” Matthew 26:53The New Jerusalem has 12 gates of pearls, 12 angels at the gates and the names of the 12 tribes of Israel over the gates. The wall of the city has 12 foundations of precious stones; in them are the names of the 12 apostles. [Revelations 21]
Orchestration of God in the Mission
This year of 2012 brings us to a divine surrender to a Godly order and submission for every mission locally or internationally. Even in the month of January I see the hand of God move mightily in the local church and the new leadership has been elected and appointed according with God’s will to fulfill his sovereign plan and destiny. After being elected in the board of a local church, I did not plan to go back in the mission field right away due to the needs following the position. A brother from the church told me that my mission is now in the local church. I acknowledged and claimed that my mission is in the church at the pulpit when a minister from Philadelphia Romanian Church of God preached and motivated people to the mission field. I had no idea that God planned that I would leave to a mission trip in Africa the very next week.
The Lord Jesus showed a brother from Romania, which prayed for our church during the severe storm we passed through, that I was going to another continent with a people of a different race and color to accomplish one of His purpose. I was disturbed because of the declaration a day beforehand Sunday night at the pulpit. My main priority was serving in the local church which believes that the Lord would now bring transformation, revival and change. We as believers are servants of Jesus throughout our life purchased by Him to do His will and purpose. We need to surrender our own will and do His will every day regardless.“You were bought with a price [purchased with a preciousness and paid for, made His own]. So then, honor God and bring glory to Him in your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:20“You were bought with a price [purchased with a preciousness and paid for by Christ]; then do not yield yourselves up to become [in your own estimation] slaves to men [but consider yourselves slaves to Christ].” 1 Corinthians 7:23Our mind needs to be renewed by the Holy Spirit of God in order to understand His will that is good, pleasant and perfect.“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:2On the same day, I spoke with brother Ghetana Ghetana, born in Ethiopia but now lives in the US. He told me that he is returning to his country for the first time in 31 years due to the time of persecution that hit the country during the collapse and reign of Emperor Haile Selassie of the Solomonic Dynasty that traced its origins to the Queen of Sheba. Mihai Zinici from Phoenix, AZ and Pavel Duma from Seattle, WA called me and invited me to come to a mission trip to Uganda where a Christian radio station built by a Romanian community will be inaugurated and dedicated to the Glory of God. I immediately understood and felt that this was God’s plan and connected with the Blessed Hope International Mission team. After I purchased the tickets for Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda & Ethiopia, Brother Constantin Antemie from California called me and described a dream that a pastor had for him. In the dream, pastor Draginas saw him surrounded by black people in the country of Burundi and he was working on a bee hive. Telling him that I already purchased a ticket to Africa, he got very encouraged and asked me to buy a ticket for him too even though I told him it would not be possible to go to Burundi due to the fact that there was a civil war for 14 years and it was very dangerous. The entire team gathered together through a divine appointment. God always has a better plan which surprises us and motivates us to follow him like the disciples from the book of Acts. The book of Acts does not end with an ‘Amen’ as other books do since God designed it that way for us to see that it should continue with us until the Return of Jesus Christ.
Seeking His Power for Mission Works
God gives us the willingness to do and fulfill His will. He is the one that works in us.“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13“Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.” 2 Corinthians 3:5-6The same Holy Spirit that anointed Jesus of Nazareth. His life was a never-ending stream of miracles. Now, we are born again and are baptized and anointed by the same Holy Spirit for good works.“How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.” Acts 10:38The bible tells us that the same Holy Spirit that raised Jesus Christ from the dead vitalizes, energizes and lives in us today for good works.“But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” Romans 8:11No wonder we are described in this picture as a peculiar people with zealous and empowered for good works.“..Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Titus 2:14The anointed did not come prior to Jesus’ baptism done by John in the Jordan River where the Holy Ghost descended on Jesus Christ. There was no record of Jesus performing any miracles before this event. He received the Holy Spirit that he went about doing good works and healing all of the oppressed by Satan. John wrote; “And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.” John 21:25The anointing for the miracles comes into our life when we receive the Holy Spirit. This is why our Master instructed; “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.” Matthew 10:8Like Jesus we have been anointed for good works in our sphere of mission to do good according to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. He is the miracle worker, the Power of God. He has filled us with His miracle working ability.“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.” John 14:12
Seeking His Guidance for Mission Works
We need to surrender all to Him because God’s eyes and hand are upon them that seek him diligently.“For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.” 2 Chronicles 16:9Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. Psalms 33:18-19 “For upon the first day of the first month began he to go up from Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month came he to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God upon him. For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.” Ezra 7:9-10“This Ezra went up from Babylon; and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given: and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him.” Ezra 7:6“ And I was strengthened as the hand of the LORD my God was upon me, and I gathered together out of Israel chief men to go up with me.” Ezra 7:-28“And by the good hand of our God upon us they brought us a man of understanding, of the sons of Mahli, the son of Levi, the son of Israel; and Sherebiah, with his sons and his brethren, eighteen;..” Ezra 8:18“Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance. For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way: because we had spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him; but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him. So we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was entreated of us.” Ezra 8:21-23“Then we departed from the river of Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month, to go unto Jerusalem: and the hand of our God was upon us, and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy, and of such as lay in wait by the way.” Ezra 8:31
Apostle Paul and Barnabas exhorted the church in Antioch to stay close to the Lord.“And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord. Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.” Acts 11:21-23If we cleave to the Lord and seek Him and go according to His purpose, we experience the guidance and mighty reality of God in our lives like in the book of Acts. This is the purpose of the Church of Jesus Christ – which is to be guided by the Holy Spirit and do the outreach to fulfill the Great Commission. This is the real walk to the Lord – to sense His Power and Glory and to be moved into a new dimension of the Holy Spirit.
In the Mission Field – Kenya
After the preparation mentioned above was done (seeking the Lord through prayer to fulfill His purpose), we arrived in Nairobi (my 1st time that I’ve been in Nairobi was six years ago), we had a few contacts in Kenya that we met six years ago. I notified them of my itinerary via e-mail of the proposed mission trip. I first contacted a man that I met six years ago and then contacted Evangelist Peter Kamau and then Joseph (a prison Chaplain) about my intention to come to Africa. I prayed for the Lord’s guidance that whosoever answers first is the one that the Lord has in mind for this mission trip. Evangelist Peter Kamau responded immediately and after him, Generic Mainga (a contact in Kenya even though I met him for a short time six years ago). Both groups came to the airport and picked us up. We were offered to be accommodated for a time at Peter Kamau’s home in Nairobi. Peter offered everything he had for the purpose of the Gospel even his time to accompany us to Uganda. He told us that he knows a bishop in Burundi and was available to accompany us even though we did not have plans for Burundi due to the political status mentioned. Kenya has economically & spiritually flourished greatly since I was there last. At first, I visited Faith Mountain Ministry in Nairobi which is a group of youth students that gathered on that Saturday in a facility of a college campus. I blessed them with the Word of God and encouraged them to be strong in faith.
Sunday morning at 8 am, Chaplain Joseph made arrangements to visit and preach in Nairobi West Prison. I purchased soap as a gift to the inmates and preached the Word of God that transforms lives. Fourteen inmates surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ that morning. Evangelist Peter Kamau prayed for them and since we were short on benches, I donated enough money to the prison system to purchase ten additional benches. Generic Mainga’s team (John, Charlie and Generic) picked me up with their car after the prison service and I went to minister to the villages around Nairobi and had the privilege to deliver four messages to the church villages in Mlolongo, Nguluni, Koma, Machakos. I came home almost exhausted but still rejoicing in the Lord for His source of strength & energy. And because of His power that refreshed me, I rested in Him!“Hast thou not known? Hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? There is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. The youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:28-31
The next day, I proposed to go again with Mainga’s team to other meetings, but the Lord stopped this through a sign that the city arrested Mainga’s car in Nairobi and a fine had to be paid. I then told him to park in the city’s paid parking. While we were making copies of the material for the seminar to be presented to a church interested in prison ministry, a manager of the lot parked his car in the alley blocking Mainga’s car all day. I noticed that the Lord did this to show me that this group was not honest and that I need to completely separate from them because they are not people of integrity. They are seeking to take advantage of a mission’s name not for the purpose of God. I hired a cab which drove me to a church where I held one of the greatest and most anointed seminary that I’ve ever done in the history of BHIM. To God be the Glory and Honor. The next day, I went with Peter Kamau to visit the Maasai tribe and met with their chief. We had a revival meeting that night in a very poor area. The Holy Spirit of God moved mightily and many people were blessed that night.
In the Mission Field – Rwanda
Rwandan was among the African countries that had tension between two groups. Tutsi – who had controlled power for many centuries and the majority of Hutu peoples who had come to power in the rebellion of 1959–62 and overthrown the Tutsi monarchy. This tension created genocide in 1994 with a death toll of 20% of the country’s population. Despite the political situation, the church of Jesus Christ has grown in this country.In Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, our contact Pastor Joshua Mathasu could not come because he was in a mission trip to Belgium but he sent his associate, Pastor Michel Rwakazina (originally from Sudan) who brought us from the airport to the church called Remera Kigali International Prayer Mountain Complex which is an evangelical restoration church. Pastor Joseph had a vision to purchase 12 acres of land and he started building the foundation of a temple called Hall of Glory, a school, a shopping center, a prayer garden, a parking lot and a guest house. This is a vision that only God can fulfill in a country where people are making very little money. The pastor organized this project building on top of the hill a house of prayer with rooms where people that have a passion for God can go there and remain in fast and prayer as much as the Lord guides them to do. In the bottom of the hill, he created a garden of prayer where people come and seek the Lord. As we toured the site of the construction project, we saw groups of people praising God and shouting the name of the Lord for the victory in their lives and also in project that is progressing. When we arrived there, I believed that the Lord heard their prayer and so our team helped them purchase materials of a good amount of money. We praised the Lord together for what He is doing in this country affected by wars, political tension, poverty and diseases including HIV. Only the Lord can heal this when His people first seek His kingdom and righteousness.“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14We also visited the HIV human center which was built by two sisters from the USA. Here, a lot of children and women affected are being taken care of.
In the Mission Field – Uganda
Pastor Aloysius Kiiza from Uganda lifted up Jesus’ Global Ministries came to Kigali one night and picked us up together with Pavel Duma from Seattle who just arrived that night to go for the dedication of the Christian radio station and Kabale, Uganda. We know a lot of people go to countries in Africa in perils of diamonds, gold and silver but we went for souls. We were so excited to meet in Kabale, Uganda. A lot of Romanian people from Portland, WA, Europe and Romania and even representatives from the Hope Mission located in Canada were present in Kabale. We were accommodated in a beautiful resort surrounded by lakes and forests which is called Switzerland of Africa and Uganda. Saturday, together with the local pastors, we drove to the forest to reach a tribe that twelve years ago came down from the wild life to the society. The gospel of Jesus Christ was preached and a lot of people changed and broke the generational course of their history through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. On that Saturday, February 26th, eight people were baptized in the river in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Even though it was a rainy day, people still crowded around to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This tribe is called Batwa of the Ru Bugir and Lifted Up Jesus Ministry opened up a church called Batwa Church. The Hope Mission from Canada helped them to build it. The whole team blessed the children with food and sweets. As a body of Christ, the Lord has given a mandate to bring our generation from every tribe to the redemptive purpose of God. We are living in a great time of transformation and reformation. Many tribes around the world are discovering their lost identities and are beginning to walk to the Glory of the true image of God – a supernatural life through the power of the Holy Spirit. The time has come now for the church of Jesus Christ to influence and direct the trend of events on the earth and shape the history and destinies of nations. In Kabale, Apostle Aloysius Kiiza – a man of prayer with the fire of the Holy Spirit in his bones, was anointed to release people’s visions and calling. One of his visions was to have a radio station to spread the Word of God to all of Eastern Africa. Through a divine connection, he met Pavel Duma in the USA (a representative of the Hope Mission) who mobilized Romanians from around the world to come and materialize the radio station which is called Hope Radio which was launched on Sunday, February 29th. Thousands of people came to celebrate the inauguration of the Christian radio station. That night, I received inspiration for a sermon regarding Isaiah 55 ‘All Nations called to the Living Water’. God, the great communicator, wants to extend his knowledge of His Word to all nations. In the last day, the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Glory of God like the oceans are full of water.“For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.” Habakkuk 2:14“They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.”Isaiah 11:9The Hope Christian Radio Station has been launched, a water well has been dedicated, a wire mesh machine has been devoted to the church community and the ground has been broken for the new school building. All these things for Glory of God and the purpose to restore the current generation. We visited the school that is run by the church – about 700 children attend it. We gave them sweets and encouraged them to accomplish great things. That same day at noon we headed back towards Rwanda with a plan to visit 
Burundi.
In the Mission Field – Burundi
Burundi was not on our agenda to visit during this time due to the civil war that just ended a few years ago but the war is still in the hearts and minds of most people. God had a different plan and wanted us to visit Bujumbura (Burundi’s capital). When Jesus wanted to bless Samaria, He went to Sychar even though it was not his way to through there.“He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee. And he must needs go through Samaria. Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.” John 4:3-5Similarly, as we had no plans for Burundi, God’s divine purpose led us there in order to bless the ministry in Burundi. This was shown in a dream to a pastor in California even after I purchased the tickets for the other 4 countries in Africa. Even though it was very difficult to go there due to a lot of obstacles, oppositions and discouragement from different people, I sensed in my spirit a strong need to go there because the Lord has something to do. I did not want to give up despite the opposition and purchased round trip airfare tickets. Evangelist Peter Kamau from Kenya came with us for this purpose because he knew Pastor Mutokambali A. Stanislas from Eglise Horeb Temple in Bujumbura, Burundi. Within the next few hours, we departed to Bujumbura and pastor Mutokambali waited for us and hosted us at his home. The next day he began the day with a special program called Morning Glory which members of the church come early in the morning to seek God’s glory and be filled with it. Because Burundi had 14 years of civil war, a lot of people are devastated and it’s only due to God’s glorious presence that healed them from the inside out.“Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 3:17-18Early that same day, I gave a few exhortations for prayer and the spirit of God fell mightily and the spirit of prayer and repentance was felt by the people for about two hours. I knew the Lord had something special that day because of the breakthrough. God opened the gates of heaven and poured out His glory. We planned many things that day but only what was designed on His agenda happened. It was one of the most important reconciliation between the bishops and leaders from one church. It so happened that four years ago a Romanian pastor from Romania had a vision to build a church building in the heart of Africa. The Lord guided him through certain events to come to Burundi where he started the project. God gives people visions and purpose for people to accomplish His will but we need to be aware that there is an enemy which is real and Jesus came to destroy the work of the devil.“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10The project was started with prayer and anointing and a lot of churches helped towards this project but the enemy brought anger, bitterness and division among the bishops and leaders. When God’s principles are not respected, God allows certain things to go wrong which in turn brings us to a turning point of repentance, deliverance and reconciliations which make it possible for peace and prosperity to return. This was the purpose that we came for and He compelled and guided us to come so that through us, restoration was made possible again.“Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it. Hearken unto me, ye stouthearted, that are far from righteousness: I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.” Isaiah 46:10-13After we visited the church site which was abandoned last year, we came together to pastor Mutokambali’s home. Confession and reconciliations among the leaders have been restored. The Holy Spirit moved mightily and everyone bowed down in tears asking for repentance. After two hours of the pastors discussing the issue that created the anger and division, their hearts were released from the impurity that got into them and caused God’s hand to be against them and the work could not continue and the church divided. Now, since the relation and communication was restored, we prayed that the building will continue to be built for the Glory of God and 
won’t be a shame but a glorious celebration and inauguration of a church in the area of a lot of people – especially children suffering from the consequences of the years of war. We give all the Glory and Praises to the Lord which reconciled us from our mess with the Holy Father.“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” Matthew 5:9
With joy in our hearts, we returned to the airport and pastor Butsco drove us as VIP.
In the Mission Field – Ethiopia
Ethiopia was a monarchy for most of its history, and the Ethiopian dynasty traces its roots to the 2nd century BC. Ethiopia is also one of the oldest sites of human existence known to scientists today, having yielded some of humanity's oldest traces. Ethiopia has close historical ties with all three of the world's major Abrahamic religions. It was one of the first areas of the world to have officially adopted Christianity as the state religion, in the 4th century. Coptic Orthodox Christians make up 60% of the country's population. Many believe that the Gospel had entered Ethiopia even earlier, with the royal official described as being baptized by Philip the Evangelist in chapter eight of the Acts of the Apostles.“And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.” Acts 8:26–39Ethiopia has many references in the bible.“Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God.” Psalms 68:31Pastor Henok Teshome from Evangelical waited for us and hosted us in a hotel in Debre Zeit not far from Addis Ababa and on March 4th, we met Ghetana Ghetana with his group of ministers and together we had a meeting. We planned many things to accomplish in a short time which was visiting orphanages, water wells, churches and other charitable work throughout Ethiopia. Brother Constantin Antemie wished that before doing anything else, we should meet a Romanian missionary in southern Ethiopia about 450 kilometers from the place we were in. I talked to Luminita and told her even though the time we had remaining was short, we would make it a priority to meet her, see her mission and bless her. We rented a car and Pastor Henok drove us towards Gedole near Arba Minch – a very desolated and deserted road. About half way there, Constantin Antemie asked Pastor Henok for us to call Luminita again. To our big surprise she answered that she had gone three hours ago to a government meeting. To our disappointment, we turned around and believed that God had a better plan in mind. Since we were very close to a town called Butajira and brought a lot of bread to the people that lived in huts. When I bought the bread I thought that we need to also share with them the Bread of Life. I asked pastor Henok if he knew any pastor in the town. He knew an evangelist and called him right away. In a few minutes he was right by our car and told us that they had a scheduled service tonight. After he showed us a very poorly constructed building of plastic and metal sheets, he brought us to a bigger church that was supposed to have a service that evening also. I asked evangelist Temoderos Kebede to bring us to deliver the bread to the huts. On the way to the huts, he said here is a prison of about 550 inmates. I told him that I am also involved in prison ministry and would like to minister to them but I had no approval from the Justice Minister. He told us that it was not a problem. He knows the guards and social worker there and they would be happy if someone comes and brings the Gospel to the inmates. I went right away to the prison and the guards and social worker were there and told us that we can the next day in the morning and start the service. That night, we returned to the church had a great service. A lot of people were delivered from the oppression of the devil and blessed with the Word of God. What a divine guidance! Bless the Lord when things don’t seem to go according to your plans and do not complain because He wants to bless many people through you. We wanted to bless one missionary and God led us to bless a multitude. The next day, we bought soap and bibles for the inmates and went to the prison as we setup with the director of prisons and the social worker. The social worker gave us a tour of the prison department and the inmates came to the prison yard and we ministered to them and handed them the goods. What a blessed day when God moved mightily in their hearts as holy changes, transformations and desires sprung up in them. Many of them surrendered their life to Jesus Christ and asked for forgiveness of their sins in the name of Jesus Christ. We share the Word of God and believe as Isaiah says: “For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Isaiah 55:10-11Our team did their part in preaching and we left the results to the Lord. He will continue to work in them with His good purpose. In the book of Isaiah, God said concerning his chosen people Israel, that he would give nations for them. Ethiopia was one of the countries that the Lord promised to give Israel but now He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, for the whole world to be saved. What a great promise all the nations of the world have.“For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee” Isaiah 43:3
On the way back to Addis Ababa, we were stopped by a herd of camels guided by an evil man that came to us with a sword and asked for money. I sensed that this man can do damage to the car and asked the pastor to give him some money at which the pastor said that this man belongs to a tribe of murderers with evil intentions. He gave 100 of local money and the man moved the herd of camels out of the way. We arrived to the airport after a night’s rest in the Queen of Sheba hotel which reminded us of how the Queen of Sheba heard of the wisdom of King Solomon and went to see him. One greater than Solomon is with us that we can show His wisdom and wonderful purpose that He has for the human being all over the world. God orchestrates a plan of Salvation throughout the bible like a puzzle and we see more and more as His purpose comes true as it approaches its end. The strength of a man is displayed by how many people he helped in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ – that who may not be in the position to repay the kindness. The apostle Paul has told us that when all other experiences and virtues of humanity have been left behind, Faith, Hope and Love remain – but the greatest of those is Love. We need to be challenged, to search for the ultimate love and happiness and never settle for anything less. May God make us worthy and able to carry the torch of His passion and inspiration everywhere we go. We give God all the Glory and Honor for the way He guided us and motivated us to return to the book of Acts. Amen.
Rev. Constantin Lupancu together with the Blessed Hope International Mission Team
