It is seemingly beautiful when communities collide. When people are connected from various parts of the world to learn, encourage and inspire one another.

Below is a post from Sarah Ulrich a former member of the Cedar Ridge Christian Church youth group.  Sarah and six other students traveled to Nazaret, Ethiopia in the summer of 2009, yet their passion to serve and stay connected to this community and the people they met has only grown with time. Read below to see an inspirational group of youth banding together to serve the world around them in unique ways.

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“Our youth group at Cedar Ridge Christian Church (CRRC) in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma has been supporting a church in Nazaret, Ethiopia through Life In Abundance International (www.liaint.org). We have come up with many ways to partner and advocate for what God is doing there.  One of our most beneficial events that happened recently was our “Impact Africa Luncheon”. There was much hard work that went into organizing this event, but the teamwork and passion behind the cause made it an absolute success. The students of our youth group each had  different tasks for the luncheon; some serving food, some selling t-shirts and even some playing music. Not only was this a great fundraiser but we all had a blast working together and making every situation a fun one.

It would be one thing to say that we just raised money for a church in one community in Ethiopia, but it’s definitely another thing when I say we have incredible students in our youth group who are passionate about helping people half way across the world. When talking with a few members of our youth group, I could see this passion through every word spoken.

“I just feel so joyful and happy when I hear Kyle (our youth minister) say how much money we’ve raised and where it’s going to,” said one of the students that attends the CRCC youth group.

“I’m so eager to get out there and make a difference in another country.” Another student said, “I put so much energy into it because I love that feeling when you know you’re helping someone out. It really puts things into perspective.”

Over the past couple of years, our youth group has raised $37,000 for our church partner in Ethiopia through several different fundraisers. This money has been used to glorify God through LIA. God has given us our money and talents and I speak for the whole youth group when I say we wouldn’t want to spend them on anything other than what we’re doing in Ethiopia.”

Check out our get involved page or email us at info@liaint.org to hear about ways you and your local community can get involved with our ministry!

For our prayers this week, I’d like to turn your attention to Africa’s second largest slum: Kibera.

For those who have traveled through or spent anytime in Nairobi, Kenya, you likely walked alongside someone who lives in this vast slum community. Furthermore, if you have actually spent time with people where they live, work, and play in Kibera, the experience will not quickly fade. For many years now, LIA-Kenya has been serving to empower local church pastors in this community.

Today, we invite you to join the LIA family in praying for an important ongoing initiative in Kibera, called ‘health for income’. We believe that God is going to do a mighty work in Kibera and trust that this program is the beginning of transforming the community for His glory.

Please pray for the specific items identified below:

•    That the churches in the Kibera community will recruit more qualified CHE’s   (community health evangelists/educators) to promote the health initiatives from their church community.

•    That the CHE’s would be excited and motivated for the work and would be greeted with receptive hearts from those within the community.

•    That we would have the right tools and resources to successfully execute this initiative.

•    That we would remain focused on the plans the Lord has set regarding this program and this His vision and direction would be followed to the fullest.

•    That the CHE’s would be able to provide a needed service and find dignity as a result of their hard work.

Lastly please pray for protection, wisdom and strength for the LIA staff involved with this program on a daily basis - George, Daniel and Robert.

We thank God for this wonderful opportunity to advance the kingdom in practical ways, and treasure this opportunity to serve alongside you.

For those that have traveled and served alongside the LIA family in Kenya, it is with both joy and sadness that we share this update.
For nearly six years, Augustine “Gus” Muema has been an integral part of our ministry team in Kenya. He has served in any and all capacities, most recently as our Partnerships and Resources Manager for the Kenya office.

Following the completion of his Master’s Degree last year which focused on Water initiatives for Arid and Semi Arid areas, Gus has longed for an opportunity to directly apply that by serving his Kamba people with water initiatives. A sudden opportunity came up for Gus to do this in a way that was beyond our existing water and food security ministry in Makueni, Kenya. Subsequently, Gus has decided to accept this new position and will no longer be employed with LIA.

To wish Gus well, and thank him for his committed support to the ministry of LIA for the last 6 years, please go ahead and comment below, as we will be sure to have Gus respond as he is able.

We treasure the time we had with Gus as a member of our family and look forward to the opportunities before him and LIA in Kenya. He will make this transition in about one month.

FACT:  62% of the community in Makueni lives below Kenya’s poverty level.

Absolutely beautiful.

A phrase I continually remarked while traveling through the rural parts of Kenya.  It was the contrast of such rich and vibrant colors that stuck with me on our way out to Makueni, Kenya.

The deep blue sky serving as a back drop for the fullest and fluffiest white clouds proved to be almost breath-taking.  It was the rich reddish-orange clay that lined the dirt walls, set beneath green grass and bare trees that will paint this landscape in my mind for years to come.

The thing about this lush and green landscape that was before us however, was the reality that such lushness is not the norm.  And as we drove further out into the sticks we watched the greens turned to browns and our surroundings started to resemble more of a desert than rolling lush hills.

See, I was visiting at the tail end of the “rainy season”.  This short period of time during the year, lasting about two months, in which the community will see the extent of its water for the year.  If I was to return merely three months later my surroundings and perception of this community, I was told, would be very different.  I would see only shades of browns and the bright orange clay would no longer be masked by the plants on top.  Outside of the aesthetics however, I would see a community facing some very serious issues such as poor crops and failing businesses, lack of water and lack of food.

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This morning we ask that you would join us, praising the Lord for his strong presence and mighty hand in the Rumbek community in Sudan.

We are beyond thankful and excited for the more recent developments in this great community, as God has remained faithful and has truly answered prayers.

We ask that you would take some time to truly think over and pray over the highlights of the community listed below, recognizing that these statements are a representation of transformation and empowerment for the beautiful people of this area.

-The Rumbek Medical Clinic is seeing 50+ patients a day on average.

-We were able to charter a plane to transport medicines and other supplies for the clinic.

-We have recently entered two partnerships that will funding of the school initiatives and nutrition  in the community, impacting upwards of 110 children.

-The Rumbek community has seen much rain lately allowing for crops and agriculture to flourish.

We thank God for the great favor shown to all the activities from here – the school, pastors training, clinic, farming and community work providing seeds and tools. We are so grateful for the work and are praying for continued growth in the community.

FACT: It is estimated that over 150,000 children live on the streets in Ethiopia.

It can be a humbling moment when realities clash.  When you realize that how you have come to understand the world around you may be very different than others.  When you see elements of, and comforts in your daily life that are taken for granted, until you realize your projected “norms” are far from even conceptualizing for others.

This is what struck me most while driving through the streets of Nazaret, Ethiopia at dusk.

In this peri-urban community, the prevalence of street children is more than apparent.  Pitched tents serving as makeshift dwellings lined the walls of buildings.  Clusters of youthful people claiming various areas of the ground as theirs for the evening.  As the sun was rapidly setting, the neighborhood was quickly being constructed, growing in numbers, and taking on a different make up than that of the night before.  There were some people that seemed to have been embedded in this street community for awhile, greeting those as they walked by, whereas others, after claiming their spot, shut off from the world in their tattered shelter.

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“Somalia has been without an effective central government since President Siad Barre was overthrown in 1991.  Years of fighting between rival warlords and an inability to deal with famine and disease have led to the deaths of up to one million people.” (Fact from BBC.com)

We often hear about Somalia in light of the pirate activity, as a warring nation, and as one of Africa’s worst humanitarian crisis, with over one third of the people depending on food aid. It is very seldom however, that we hear God is alive and moving through the underground churches, spreading the Gospel despite the very serious risks.

We ask that you join us this morning as we take time to pray a blessing of strength and protection for the churches and the people sharing the word of God to their community, despite the threat of persecution.

The end of July marked the graduation of our Trainer of Trainers (TOT) that will soon begin implementing the wholistic model with various churches throughout Somalia.  It is with great joy we praise the Lord for the TOT’s dedication and ask that He will protect the work and the plans He has for these committed and steadfast servants of Christ.

FACT:  Ethiopia has the largest population of orphans in the world: 13% of children throughout the country are missing one or both parents. This represents an estimated 4.6 million children (UNICEF)

It was as if he appeared out of nowhere.

On this particular day in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia we were visiting Emmanuel Presbyterian Church, checking out their school stationed on the grounds with grades ranging from 1st-7th.  After spending some time in each of the classrooms, we started our way back to our van to continue on our journey, proceeding to check out the other initiatives of the local church.

With 344 screaming children, frantically and joyously yelling and waving goodbye, I almost didn’t see little Beto and his brother that were walking beside us.

Timid in nature, Beto was a third grader at the school.  Dressed in that bright yellow jacket, his initial acknowledgment to us all was only the sly smirk that would emerge whenever you sought to ask him a question.

Beto quietly informed us that we were actually on our way to visit his house, the details and reasoning behind our venture however remained a mystery.

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August 7th marked the 10th year anniversary of LIA-Ethiopia!

It is with great joy that we are able to announce this milestone regarding the work in Ethiopia. We are especially grateful for Dr. Yared Mekonnen, LIA-Ethiopia Country Director, and the entire Ethiopia team as they have faithfully served and sacrificed to ensure the success of the ministry in this country.  They have remained steadfast in the direction of the Lord and have allowed God to work through the ministry, impacting the “least of these” in the communities throughout Ethiopia over the years.

We ask that you would join us in a prayer of thanksgiving for the growth of LIA-Ethiopia over these last 10 years.

For we have seen economic empowerment in low to no income families.

We have seen street children rise up against the odds creating a sustainable life for themselves off of the streets.

We have seen water and sanitation initiatives improve the quality of life for many households.

We have seen the orphans and widows within the community cared for and loved.

We have seen the church rise up and refuse to stand for the injustices of poverty that plague Ethiopia.

Through God’s mighty direction, we are praying for continued growth and development in the churches and communities we serve in Ethiopia. We ask that you would join us as we continue to pray for the LIA staff, church partners, volunteers, and the people in the communities in Jimma, Addis Ababa, Merkato, Nazaret, and Debre Birhan Ethiopia.

God is moving in Ethiopia and we are so grateful to share just a glimpse of His work with you!

“Kenyans are to vote in a referendum on a new constitution on 4 August  - part of an agreement that ended in deadly clashes after disputed elections in December 2007.” BBC.com

Please join us in prayer for the nation of Kenya during the present campaigning and upcoming election. While we have already seen heightened violence directed toward campaigners in early June, we are hopeful for continued peace in this historical time. For information about the proposed constitution and the opponents views, please read an article from BBC.com.

During this time we are praying for the protection of the Kenyan people and a just outcome. Please join us as we ask God for His provision of peace during this time of heightened tension, that no blood will be shed, and divine direction in the voting process.