PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL FOOD FOR TIGRAY, ETHIOPIA
Most of us know little about Ethiopia other than it is a country in Africa … so let’s have fun with a few statistics and geography. Ethiopia is slightly less than twice the size of Texas and is the second most populous country in Africa. It is divided into regions that reflect, generally, a particular tribe.
Tigray is the most northern region. From 2020 to 2022 there was civil war in Tigray. There are varying points of view as to the ‘why’ of this war – but peace and unity is now restored and our friend, Pastor Temesgen, is picking up the pieces in the aftermath of war in his hometown, Shire (SHEER-ee).
Joy Casey from the Mission Strategy Team was in Ethiopia in December and had the pleasure of meeting with Temesgen. High Pointe Church generously gave funds to help Temesgen feed children displaced by the war and also to spearhead evangelism efforts among the Ethiopian Orthodox, the major religion in Tigray.
Every day Temesgen and his team of volunteers prepare a hearty lunch for 100+ children living in a nearby school. Hundreds of thousands of Tigrians were displaced during the war and two years later Joy saw little evidence of permanent relocation. Of course, Temesgen cannot begin to feed all the children in need, so those chosen for his program are orphaned or whose parents are crippled or diseased.
Meeting physical needs of children is extremely important, but, as Jesus quoted, “Man does not live by bread alone.” Temesgen ably balances humanitarian aid with meeting people’s need for salvation through Jesus. In 2024 60 people were baptized! Temesgen is the area director of an Ethiopian denomination called Kalihiwot. He oversees and encourages 23 Kalihiwot churches in Tigray and is a sought after counselor, teacher and mobilizer.
Never satisfied with the status quo, Temesgen is sending teams to villages who are, sometimes, violently resistive to the salvation message. With some of the funds High Pointe entrusted to Temesgen, he is renting houses in two villages so he and his team can come and go and support the man or woman of peace they know God will bring to them. This is bare-bones Church Planting 101!
It is our joy to partner with Temesgen and the persevering work he does throughout Tigray. He brings personal greetings to High Pointe:
Many Blessings,
AIMing Beyond Borders
HPC Mission Strategy Team
so good - praying for this excellent work around Shire!