Let the Journey Begin!

A lot of people have been asking the question, "Why are you and your wife going to Africa of all places?" To be honest with you Africa would not be on the short list of places where I would consider going 5 years ago. In fact, apart from the Serengeti, there isn't a place in Africa that I really want to see, but I can summarize the reason Alyssa and I are so passionate about going to Africa, specifically Ethiopia in two words, Werku Golle.

Werku is a mountain of a man. He has a smile that warms your heart and gives hugs that seem to last forever.  When he speaks about what God is doing in Ethiopia, you are glued to his every word. I personally could listen to him for hours.  And his passion for ministry and evangelism in Ethiopia is so contagious you literally want to come along side him and get to work.  When he talks about sending the, "warriors (Ethiopian evangelists) for Jesus out to the world to save the people from sin and death" he really means it. I am getting goose bumps right now.

I met Werku and his family 10 years ago in Post Falls, Id.  He spoke at the church we were attending at the time and afterwards we invited him to have lunch at our house. It was a lunch date that would change my life forever!

While having lunch Werku poured out his heart to us with passion as he shared his vision for his people. He wanted to establish Churches and send evangelists out to reach his people and other neighboring countries with the Good News.  He wanted to educate the Ethiopians about the AIDS epidemic and the dangers of making wrong choices. He explained to us how the small coffee farmers were not able to make a decent living because of corrupt middle men and businesses. He shared many more things but at the end he looked me in the eyes and said, "Angelo, you come to Ethiopia and help."  I have never forgotten that request. 

Well, I had made many excuses through out the years on why I can't go, but it wasn't until this year all of that changed. You see, God was getting me and my family ready for this journey. Pastor Joe Wittwer of Life Center, Spokane did a series entitled, "One month to live."  In the beginning of the series pastor Joe asked members of the congregation to make a list of things we would do if we knew we had 30 days to live.  When I compared my list with my wife's and 14 year old daughter's list the top answer to that question was going to Africa.  You may be saying that was just a coincidence. Well I am here to tell you that I don't believe in coincidences.  God doesn't work that way. He controls everything in my life and all that he asks of me is to be obedient to his call.  So he's telling me to get off of my rear end, do what he has placed in my heart and to trust him with the outcome.  Fair enough Lord, here we come.

Now, ten years later I renewed a relationship with my very dear friend from Ethiopia. Werku is in Spokane and my family, minus Bella, got to see him and his lovely wife Hallelujah. We hugged and laughed as if it were yesterday.  He told us how excited and happy that Alyssa and I were both going to Ethiopia to see God's marvelous work in his country. All of the road blocks that have kept me from going and being a part of his ministry are gone now replaced with the possibilities of being a part of God's work in Africa.  It is my prayer for anyone reading this to come with me to Ethiopia, or Ghana, or the Philippines, or Nepal or any where else God may have us going. And if there is a "Holy discontent" stirring within you, don't be like me and waste ten years with lame excuses why you can't. Instead answer the call and get ready for the ride of your life!

Go with me as we "Follow Him."