ACTS’ work in Ethiopia continues to flourish and God’s Kingdom in the areas where ACTS is present continues to grow. Your prayers, support and financial gifts are a blessing to those living in what has become a very troubled country.

Over the past several months, we have reported on two significant issues that have hindered peace and prosperity for those whom ACTS serves. Thankfully, the summer rains have come and alleviated the severe water shortage in the Hadha village and surrounding countryside. Crops and livestock were lost to the drought and the people in the area had to make do with the limited amount of water they could store from the every other week water delivery provided by the government. Imagine, if you will, surviving on what two 6 gallon jugs of water could hold for two weeks. It is hard enough for us to imagine our normal source of water to be from an open air pond filled by the summer rains with no protection from animals and other containments. A picture of the Hadha pond is included in this update. While ACTS would like to step in and provide clean drinking water from a well like the one drilled in Woja, studies show that it would have to be about 400 meters deep and would cost about $280,000.

The other problematic issue that we have reported on is the ethnic conflict around the Woja school. The violence has subsided to a degree as those families who were living cross culturally have mostly relocated back to where their tribe is the majority. This, after living for decades as neighbors. ACTS was able to help families whose houses and belongings were destroyed with some basic provisions. Being careful not to “choose sides” ACTS provided supplies to families on both sides of the conflict. Some temporary housing arrangements were also procured to give the families shelter. After the violence subsided, the Woja school attendance rebounded with about 85-90% of the students making it to class on a daily basis.

Temporary Housing for Displaced Families was constructed to give temporary shelter.

In June, the Woja school held its annual “graduation” ceremonies. On the one hand, it proves to be a joyous celebration, but on the other, parents realize that the meal that their children have been receiving daily will no longer be provided. And the full day of education that their kids have been receiving will be reduced to a half-day in the government school. But, the graduates enjoy the spotlight and attention that they receive. Below is a photo of the celebration including the games for the graduates.

One of the visions that ACTS had when building the Woja school was to make it a green oasis in the middle of the barren high desert. Trees were planted and they have matured nicely so that the feel of the school is much warmer and shade is.provided during the warm African days. Ethiopia as a country has suffered from deforestation as wood was a readily available fuel for cooking. A national effort is underway to “regreen” the country and the people of Woja participated in the effort by planting seedlings, encouraged by the beauty of the school.

In Hadha, 58 children attended classes at a makeshift school. 100 hundred more registered but could not be accommodated. ACTS is exploring how it might partner with another NGO called RISE to build a proper school for that area. Woudineh, ACTS director in Ethiopia, is also involved with that local NGO. He has gotten estimates of $107,000 to build the school. It being a very remote location contributes to the expense. Please pray that the necessary resources will be provided for this project. Under Woudineh’s direction, the Hadha locals joined the tree planting effort and planted 400 seedlings. Woudineh also planted 100 seedlings for coffee trees. If the crop becomes successful, it is hoped that the area around Hadha will become a coffee growing region thus providing jobs to the local inhabitants. ACTS is planning to support this effort by excavating a new pond which will provide water for the project, but more importantly, provide another source of water for the people of the area. Most importantly, however, is the fact that both Woudineh and the Christian teachers report that these projects, always done in conjunction with prayer and a spiritual message, have led to an increasing number of people, as Woudineh says, “opening up and asking about Jesus.” With all that is lacking, this is what they need most.

With all of the turmoil and unpleasant discourse that disrupt our daily lives, it is sometimes easy to forget those who suffer so much more than we. Ethiopia is annually on the list of countries where Christians are the most persecuted. The country is experiencing continued ethnic strife even as its leaders labor towards establishing a true democracy aimed at including representation from all of the nine ethnic regions. Poverty in areas of the country is absolute. Please pray for Ethiopia. Please pray for the safety and well-being of the children ACTS serves and that the growing Christian community would act as peacemakers and in so doing, bring glory to the name of Jesus, our savior.