The Ethiopian
Expedition Devotional
by
Dan Stolebarger
(2003 Tour Participant)
First Stop -- Addis Ababa
Reflections
Are you ready?
Landing in Addis Ababa will rock your world, especially if this is your
first trip to a country that claims to be unabashedly Christian. Make
sure as you touch down to check out the logos on the side of the
Ethiopian Air jets.
When I landed and
stepped out of the plane, I must admit that I was a bit apprehensive. I
still remember the words of our guide who prepared us to be ready to go
back in time. As he put it, each stop will take you back at least one
thousand years. Are you ready? He went on to say (and I must testify
to the truth of his counsel), that although your world will be radically
altered and your lifestyle comforts challenged, you will never sense
danger while you are in this country. There is just something unique
about the spirit of the Ethiopians. I wonder if it has anything to do
with being the “keepers of the ark.”
The first night you
will be staying in Ethiopia’s best, as far as luxury goes. Make sure on
your way to the hotel from the airport to take in the ambiance from the
streets and crowds. Joking aside – be sure your driver plans a stop
before you get to the hotel! You cannot live long in Ethiopia without a
fly swisher (words to the wise … buy two -- they are cheap!).
Finally, I must say
that one of my lasting memories from all the time that I was in Ethiopia
was our visit to My Sisters. Be prepared to see a modern day Mother
Theresa at work! Be sure to look in the eyes of the people and don’t be
in a rush; it will not be hard to see the face of Jesus. (Practically
speaking – be sure to bring your swisher!)
Study Guide
Question
When Jesus met
Nathaniel, do you remember his comments?
What does Jesus say
about the eyes?
In your life, how can
you be giving a cup of cold water to those who are thirsty?
Just Do It!
Be sure to pack
pencils and pens – great give-a-ways.
Bring a small take-on
bag filled with children’s books and give them to My Sisters.
You will need lots of
small bills (Ethiopian denominations).
Daily Journal –
Your Reflections
Now it is your turn.
Second Stop -- Axum
Reflections
Remember Moses’ first
encounter with God? Take off your shoes, for you are on holy ground!
As you arrive in Axum
and as you look over the city and gaze upon the “bunker,” you have to
ask yourself … “am I on holy ground? And, what if this is the real
thing?” If it is, despite visions of Indiana Jones dancing in your
head, the gravity of the moment can be quite dynamic. Imagine, the
Mercy Seat, the Ark of the Covenant, as well as the actual tablets
containing the Ten Commandments, all within a few feet.
I found myself
picking up a few rocks to put in my pockets as a reminder of the place
where the Ark of God could possibly be resting until its appointed time.
And then there’s
Timkat – I remember standing at the fence and straining to see the
transfer from the guardian to the “priests” as they prepared to go in
procession to the pool at the Queen of Sheba’s palace. The drums, the
shouts, the singing and the dancing – as you close your eyes, it’s not
hard to see King David dancing and leading the procession. For me, I
can never forget the moment I joined the procession – can you imagine a
white boy with no rhythm dancing in procession with my brothers from
Ethiopia?
And just imagine,
this is just a rehearsal! Can you imagine the final parade, when the
throne of God is led in procession to Jerusalem where the King of Kings
will take His seat upon the throne that He will rule upon for the next
one thousand years?
Study Guide
Question
Read over the
passages that speak of this last procession
Just Do It!
Don’t just be
spectators during the festivities. Join in and be a part of the worship
experience. You will be surprised to find that the experience of
worshipping Jesus tears down all racial and national barriers.
Daily Journal –
Your Reflections
Now it is your turn.
Third Stop --
Lalibella
Reflections
Do NOT forget your
swisher!!!
Do NOT forget your
swisher!!!
Do NOT forget your
swisher!!!
The rock-hewn
churches of Lalibella are beyond description. As you go through the
churches, remember the differences of culture. Be respectful by
removing your shoes when entering their places of worship. Photos are a
must, but remember etiquette!
These structures are
truly magnificent; unlike the cathedrals of Europe, there is no
gaudiness. Remember to have your worship moments. It is easy to just
be a tourist but don’t let that happen. As you visit all the different
nooks and crannies, make sure you have a song in your heart, praise on
your lips, and, if possible, a prayer for those who have given their
lives to Jesus.
Remember to bring
your pencils and pens to give to the children; they truly are some of
the greatest gifts. Be prepared for the beggars and when I say be
prepared, I would strongly recommend you have a lot of Ethiopian
currency. The lowest denominations are just a few cents in American
dollars and having a lot of these keeps order.
Oh, did I mention to
NOT forget your swishers?
Remember, this is the
land of buzzing wings – see Isaiah 18:1.
Study Guide
Question
Read the following
Psalms and list all the different aspects of worship.
Psalm 13
Psalm 9
Psalm 63
Psalm 141
Just Do It!
Remember how our
brother James defines religion (James 1:26-28).
Be sure to help wherever you can – remember when it comes to witnessing,
let your actions speak louder than your words.
Daily Journal –
Your Reflections
Now it is your turn.
Fourth Stop – Lake Tana
Reflections
On this Expedition,
it will be nearly impossible to rate the stops for each site, for truly
they are a unique experience each to its own. But for those who are
able to take the boat ride on Lake Tana to the island that the
Ethiopians believe that the ark rested for hundreds of years, this will
be one of the highlights that will always come up when you recount this
expedition to your friends back home.
Get ready for a long
boat ride - by the way, you might want to wait until you have finished
this trip before you read Bob Cornuke’s Anchors of Paul
book. When you arrive, you will be going back in time a couple of
thousands of years! When you are met by the monks of the island,
remember that you are about to experience something that only a handful
of people on the earth have experienced.
As you make your way
through the jungle, keep your eyes open for any metals or just modern
conveniences … you won’t find any! Also remember the geography … in
other words, where you are. The reason I want you to look is so that
when the monks of the island show you what was left behind, you will
have some context to consider the magnitude of what they are showing
you.
For me, what I was
about to see was as eventful as my time in Axum! Before my very eyes
and right in my hands were implements that the monks claim were left
behind from the time that the Ark was taken from them to where it is
housed today in Axum. These implements were left behind because they
were not needed; since they were Christians now, they no longer needed
to actually perform animal sacrifices.
My mind raced back to
Exodus as I tried to remember all the things that were fashioned … meat
hooks, lavers etc. When you look at the metal stand and see that time
has weakened the integrity of metal, one must wonder … does this go back
to Solomon?
Study Guide
Question
Who were the guys
that the Holy Spirit commissioned to build all these implements?
Make a list of all
the things they made to go along with the Ark.
Just Do It!
Go to the spot where
the monks will take you and put your fingers in the holes where the
poles were, then look at the stone container where the blood was stored
as the people gathered around to have it sprinkled on them on the Day of
Atonement.
Daily Journal –
Your Reflections
Now it is your turn.
