Upon arrival we found the Pearson’s home, where we would be staying, buzzing with activity. Walt and Kelly Allen greeted us and introduced us to the cook that they interviewed and hired for us. Mulu had spent the morning at the Allens’ home and she had our evening meal prepared.

The house is surrounded by eight-foot cinder block walls. Dimensions inside the walls are about 70 feet by 70 feet. The driveway runs clown the right side of the house. Gardens occupy the first two feet along all the walls. The left side of the house is about three feet from the wall. The front yard is half paved and half grass, with the grassy area being about 24 feet by 10 feet. There is a 10-foot wide paved space between the back of the house and the “inkabet.” The inkabet is a building containing four adjacent but unconnected all-purpose rooms, each with an outside door. These originally served as servant quarters. Two of our rooms are used for storage, one is a guest room where Rebekah and Yeterefwork sleep, and one serves as a laundry room for use by our housekeeper, Birhani. We were told that a rat lives in one of our downspouts, and the woodbores outside the inkabet are huge. We frequently see lizards running along the outside walls, The Pearsons’ house is a spacious three bedroom, two bathroom structure that is very comfortable. No heating or airconditioning is necessary as the weather is always mild.

An interesting feature of local architecture is the roll-down heavy wooden slats that resemble those of a roll-top desk. These are lowered on the outside of every window at night for insulation and security. Every window without such feature is protected on the outside by a re-bar grid. Concrete blocks and slab provide a termite resistant structure. Decorative and comfortable inlaid wood floors cover the concrete slab.

Screens are absent from the premise. Windows are open for airing during the day and closed at night to retain heat. Careful scheduling of open windows can help to minimize collection of mosquitoes that often buzz around heads at night, disturbing sleep. Two days ago, upon being disturbed all night long, Eric and Behailu got up in the morning and killed 27 mosquitoes in their bedroom alone. Laura had face, hands, and legs showing the result of over 30 mosquito bites.

The international community school (ICS) is likely to accept our proposal for a $5,000 reduction in cost for our four teens. We were told that this is the first time ICS has ever reduced fees for students. ICS is in walking distance from our home. The administration is very cooperative with regards to designing a unique plan of study for each person. The pseudo-American culture is comfortable for our children, and the multi-cultural and multi-national experience of friends enhances the educational experience.

We have a great housekeeper who speaks English quite fluently—Birhani (arranged by a friend). There are four “guards” who provide a presence inside our walls 2 hours per day, seven days per week (came with house). They also do the gardening. We were told that a vehicle might cost $20,000 including tax and that rental might cost $30 a day for a five-passenger vehicle and $50 a day for a larger vehicle. We recently purchased a 1980, S-passenger Renault for $850. It will take a while to prove to the government that I have duty-free privileges.

We are having good worship at an English-speaking international evangelical church with attendees from nearly 30 nations.

The poverty here challenges our discernment regarding our responsibility to the beggars at our gates. People without limbs, blind, deaf, maimed, with cerebral palsy or polio, sit along every street. Drainage gutters along the roads are open conduits for sewage also serve as a place in which fruits and vegetables can be “freshened up” before sale. We have seen troubled men/beggars, stark naked, walking the streets. People are passed out lying flat on their backs in the middle of the sidewalks. The mixed smells of raw sewage, billowing diesel smoke from heavy trucks, and dust clouds from passing traffic sometimes make breathing almost impossible. Sheep and cattle are driven through all the city streets in herds of 10 to 20. Chickens and sheep can be purchased along most streets in Addis. After holidays piles of fresh sheepskins that have been purchased for tanning dot the city.

More than 15 percent of the population is apparently infected with AIDS. Government control of major industries makes private enterprise difficult. Seventy percent of every dollar spent by the government over the last two years has gone to support a war that was primarily a conflict between two Tigrayan political parties that hate each other. The war was claimed to be a border dispute in which the border is said to be little more than a pile of rocks.

The growth of Islam in Ethiopia is alarming. A foreign sheik owns 40 companies in Ethiopia including the largest tourist hotel. He employs Muslims, uses his money and influence to support politicians, and is estimated to control 40 percent of the economy of the country. I have heard that in some parts of the country people are given 300 per (about $40 or about three weeks’ salary) if they change their name and convert to Islam. Muslims comprise between 40 and 50 percent of the population. Christians expect that further increase in the Muslim population will lead to a Muslim government. The effect of such government in Sudan is clear in their minds. Although there is little real starvation in Addis Ababa (we have not seen the sunken eyes and extended bellies), hunger, disease, and suffering are a way of life to much of the population. Broken homes and broken families abound. Unemployment is estimated at 60 percent.

In all this, the past and present effects of the gospel of Jesus Christ are evident. Although general safety precautions are prudent, personal attacks on foreigners are very rare. In the last 18 months the only incidents occurring on public “taxis” were the pickpocketing of two women who found items missing when they arrived at home. People generally keep their word. Tempers are largely controlled in public. The Christian foundations of the society support the tradition of public graces even in the midst of abject poverty.

The church of Jesus Christ is also having an impact today. Gezaheitn, a former house guard we met three years ago, is now director of a Compassion International branch in Addis. His project includes 280 children, all within a 20- minute walking distance from his church. The church is located in one of the poorest areas of Addis Ababa, near a refugee camp and a leper colony. Needy families are given an opportunity to choose one of their children between the ages of 5 and $ to be sponsored. In order to participate, a child needs to attend Bible class, and the family must agree to complete certain homework assignments including reading portions of Scripture. The child is given schooling and training in hygiene. Muslims. Orthodox, and others are thereby presented with the gospel. There are about 28,000 Compssion children in Ethiopia. Gezaheim tells us that thousands of children in Addis are waiting for sponsoring families.

Yeterefwork witnessed to a girl who lost her father. She mentioned that God still has blessings even in these types of situations. He can heal and give peace.

Rebekah also witnessed to searching friend. She was asked questions such as, “How do you know there is a God?” and “How you know the Bible is true?” Rebekah has experienced how missionaries suffer physically so they can witness for the gospel.

While trying to find an open pharmacy for medication for my daughter’s bladder infection, I received a call on my cell phone. A friend of ours, Kelly, found some Bactrim. After pulling out the cell phone we attracted a group of little kids who gathered to ask for money. I strolled to a local outdoor market and I bought a kilogram of bananas. As I started to hand out the bananas, things got even more chaotic. I ended up handing out half a banana to about 20 people. Many of the kids, of course, attempted to get two, with a mini mob scene having developed. Followers dispersed quickly when the bananas were gone.

In our first three weeks in Addis God provided for all of our needs but I can truthfully say that this was one of the most frightening, physically challenging, and faith-demanding experiences of my life. Yeterefwork, Julia, and I were the only older Streits who had health and strength enough to care for the others. After several days of increasing and spreading illness, I was reaching the limits of my abilities and strength. Praise the Lord for Yeterefwork and Julia’s health and help. They took over the nursing duties and followed the medication schedule religiously, allowing me to sleep soundly and continuously in the evenings. I would then let them go to bed, sleep on couch cushions in some sick child’s room to help with the diarrhea and vomiting, and set my alarm to wake me every two hours to distribute meds in an attempt to keep temperatures and associated nausea at a minimum.

By late Friday afternoon I felt the situation reaching a level of desperation. Susie had a double infection. The Fasigyn that she was taking for amoeba is a brutal drug that caused severe vomiting and (we discovered later) near hallticinogenic dreams. Susie was so weak she could hardly get out of bed. My fear was that if she was critically ill, any worsening might make evacuation impossible. This is the night in which we poured out our hearts before the Lord. I had a fear for Susie’s life. The Lord gave me a glimpse of the pain involved when one’s spouse is suffering. I longed to simply sit down and talk with my wife. I was emotionally wrecked and I could hardly look at my sick wife without breaking down in tears.

I called the doctor at the U.S. Embassy (he is only in Addis for a day or two every couple of weeks but he was in town for three clays this week), and he suggested bringing Susie into the embassy clinic for a couple of liters of IV fluids. Susie was terrified of getting into a strange vehicle and traveling across town sick, weak, and alone in this foreign country at night in a strange town and over the rocky roads. Julia accompanied her while Yeterefwork helped me at home. When Susie returned home at 11 p.m., she was walking significantly better.

When we emerged from the night, we found that God had given us what felt like new life. Almost all of the children were significantly better and, praise the Lord, Susie felt like a totally different person. The U.S. Embassy doctor and his wife actually visited our home this Saturday morning, checked on Susie, and dropped off a few items of American food.

Eric started soccer today. He’s the only white member, youngest on the team, and at 8,000 feet elevation he can’t breathe well but he can outmaneuver some.

While riding back from the international community school, our contract taxi was driving at walking speeds over a rocky road. A guy reached in the front window and punched Behailu in the face and then kept walking. What was Ito do? Can you let someone get away with hitting your son in the face with the hope of just not causing more trouble? When I realized what had happened I jumped out of the hack seat, started following the guy, and started calling to him in a loud voice. He kept walking and ignoring me. Walking faster than him, I finally caught up. Still calling in a loud voice I was attracting attention, and a couple other guys came up, one claiming to be his brother. I wasn’t looking for a fight but I did want the guy to be uncomfortable. As I approached he reached into his pants and I wondered if he was pulling out in knife. As others questioned what was wrong, I said, “He just hit my son in the head.” As the issue became clear, first his friends and then he appeared apologetic. He did the handshake and cheek-to-cheek greeting and I figured things were over. In the meantime the taxi driver had turned his car around and was following. He flagged a passing police car, mentioned what had happened, and by the time we were leaving the kid was being roughed up. I thank the Lord for protection and also that irresponsible action was confronted.

The sermon at the International Evangelical Church (IEC) was an evangelistic message on Acts 17. Sunday school was amazing. Larry Dick and his wife are waiting for approval to move to Khartoum, Sudan. Larry emphasized that prayer is our responsibility and also one way in which we are to participate in foreign missions (2 Cor. 1:8). He emphasized specific things for which we should pray: boldness and clarity in presentation Eph. 6:19-20), open doors (Col. 4:3- 4), blessings on people’s lives (2 Thess. 3:1-2), deliverances (Philemon 1:22; Phil. 1:19).

I had a wonderful opportunity to wit ness to a graduate student who shares the office with me. We talked about U.S. politics, Ethiopian politics, U.S. elections, Democrats, Republicans, and peoples proposed solutions to the world’s problems. I shared my conviction that government and education have not and could not solve these problems. Only hearts changed by God can do so. Having an Orthodox background, he did not object.

I visited the original church of the now indigenous Ethiopian Lutheran church here in Addis. Upon leaving the Lutheran complex, two Ethiopians began talking to the student who had accompanied me. Through the student’s translation he asked what type of Christian I was. Guessing he was referring to denominations, I said Presbyterian. He said he had a problem about which he wanted to talk with me. I expected another request for money but was surprised to hear him state that he was a converted Muslim and wanted to talk with me about how to witness to other Muslims.

Today we got a puppy and named her after the famous lake “Tana” that is at the head of the Blue Nile River. The cute little brown dog will provide hours of entertainment. The walled compounds, guards to help clean up, and weather allowing dogs to remain outdoors make Addis an ideal location for these pets.

The graduate student, Hailu, with whom I am working took me to visit the largest market in Africa, the Merkato. I went with 50 Birr ($5) in my right pocket, 30 Birr ($4) in my left pocket, and 300 Birr ($40) in my sock. The pickpocket only got my right pocket. It was a very interesting experience. The guy ran into me, making me feel like I ran into him. He then feigned a had leg acting like he was about to fall over. When I pulled my hand out of my pocket to catch him, his hand slipped into my pocket. I actually felt him slip the cash out of my pocket and immediately told Hailu he had taken my 50 Birr. Hailu began making a bit of a scene, and we probably could have gotten the police to grab the guy, but for $5 I wasn’t about to risk trouble in a rough place like this. Although this guy knew he was recognized for a thief, he got off without immediate consequence. I was wearing pleated dress pants that had loose pockets and I was a prime target. I was told that pants with tight pockets were sometimes cut with some thing like a razor blade so carefully that a person would not even notice.

The stroll was interesting. The Merkato includes miles of shops roughly grouped by product type. Groups of cloth merchants, other groups of rope and hard ware sellers, rows of tailors most of whom used treadle sewing machines, electronics shops, shops selling traditional art work and carvings, jewelry stores, etc. Hailu told me to ignore any fights, as they typically might he planned distractions, and keep to myself. He said that the Merkato was a place where there was “no humanity,” a place where people were only concerned for themselves. His observation was very keen—people everywhere but no humanity.

Samuel (pronounced Samwel), a Chris tian converted from Orthodoxy, came with me to talk to the gentleman who had an interest in witnessing to Muslims. We had a very interesting time of sharing and fellowship. I was again invited to teach and to preach in a small fellowship that apparently assembles to pray specifically for the salvation of Muslims. These guys have a burden for the lost that shames me. Please pray that I might find permanent contacts here in Addis or some mission group who might team with these brothers in their labors.

Three weeks in Addis and two different Christian groups have approached me asking for teaching and preaching support. I am reminded of Paul’s call, “come over to Macedonia and help us.” The Ethiopian denomination that was initiated by the Baptists here 10 years ago has resulted in 42 significant congregations throughout Ethiopia, not including many additional smaller assemblies. It appears that Ethiopia is absolutely ripe and hungry for the gospel. Please pray that God would raise up Christian leaders in Ethiopia and in the U.S. that will be of service to the Lord to take the gospel to hungry souls throughout the world.

Gezaheim invited our whole family over for dinner tonight. Eight of us went and met his wife and daughter. How humbling to be invited so openly into their small 3-room concrete block home, to huddle into their living room together with these Christian friends, to see the artwork and embroidery that brightened a blessed abode, and to receive from them an Ethiopian feast including “Doro Wat” or “Chicken Wat.” Chicken is expensive and valued here. They were very considerate of our western stomachs with everything well cooked, Pepsi sewed out of bottles to prevent illness from drinking contaminated water, and the traditional well-boiled coffee ceremony afterwards. Gezaheim shared his experience of losing two children. In the face of suffering and pain that is foreign to my experience, the Christian spirit of generosity and sharing was a testimony of God’s grace, peace, and healing through out the world.