Hope in Action: Issue No. 4
Dear Elpis Friends and Supporters,
Our American Elpis team recently returned from another wonderful and full trip to Ethiopia. It was a busy time of serving, encouraging, teaching, feeding, and sharing the Gospel. While our team was there, many different ministries were happening simultaneously, allowing us to minister to children, widows, pastors, and others in the surrounding community.
Caring for Our Elpis Children
One of the highlights of our time was spending several days with the children at the Elpis feeding center.
We distributed the backpacks provided by their sponsors, making sure each child had clothing that fit, taking photos for their sponsors, and helping each child write a letter of thanks. It is always a precious time to watch the children open their backpacks and see the joy that even the smallest gifts bring them.
We also welcomed new children into the Elpis program. These children received new clothing, backpacks, and gifts as they begin their journey with Elpis.
Our younger children enjoyed VBS-style activities, games, and time with our team, while our older children participated in discipleship sessions. These older teens and college-age students are an important part of our ministry, and we are grateful for opportunities to encourage them to grow in their faith and walk with Christ.
Mass Feedings in the Community
Our ministry also extends beyond the children who are part of the Elpis sponsorship program. During this trip, we held several mass feedings for needy people in the surrounding community.
On two separate days, we provided meals for 500 street children. These children are not part of the Elpis program, but they are among the many vulnerable children living in the area. As they received a meal, they also heard the Gospel.
We also hosted a special feeding for several hundred widows from the community. These women were recommended by local churches and invited to receive a meal. Many are living in extremely difficult circumstances, including young widows raising small children with very limited resources.
These feedings allow us to meet an immediate physical need while also giving us the opportunity to share the hope of Jesus.
Caring for Widows
Elpis continues to care for widows who are part of our ministry. These women receive food regularly, and we also help provide medical care when needs arise.
One particularly encouraging part of this ministry is our ability to help provide sight-restoring surgeries for widows who otherwise would have little hope of receiving this care. During our visit, several women approached Pastor Michael to ask if Elpis could help them receive surgery to restore their sight. We are thankful that we can say, “Yes!”
What a privilege to offer practical help to women who are already facing tremendous hardship—and, even more importantly, to share with them the eternal hope and peace found in Jesus Christ.
Encouraging Ethiopian Pastors
Another important part of our ministry was the pastors conference. Ethiopian pastors from communities throughout the country gathered for preaching, encouragement, fellowship, and testimonies of God’s work.
Many of these pastors are supported regularly through Elpis, enabling them to continue faithfully ministering in their own communities. While they were with us, healthcare workers also provided medical checkups and care, meeting needs that many of these pastors would otherwise have little access to.
We heard many encouraging testimonies of God’s faithfulness. One pastor shared how he spent ten years ministering in an area without seeing any visible fruit. Eventually, one man came to Christ—a man who had been considered “crazy” by his community and had been sleeping in a cemetery.
His life was completely transformed. He eventually received an education and is now a doctor, and the pastor who faithfully continued preaching for those ten years now ministers to a growing church of about 80 people.
What an encouragement to remember that we may not always see the fruit of our labor immediately, but God is faithful.
Thank You for Being Part of Elpis
Our American team is only one part of the Elpis ministry. We are incredibly thankful for the Ethiopian staff, pastors, workers, sponsors, churches, and supporters who make this ministry possible.
Together, we are able to provide food, clothing, education, medical care, discipleship, encouragement, and practical help to people in great need. But above all, our desire is to point people to Jesus Christ—the One who offers not only help for today, but eternal hope.
Thank you for praying, sponsoring, giving, and partnering with us in this ministry. We are grateful that you are part of what God is doing through Elpis in Ethiopia.
Yebsera — Barhadar
Yebsera, one of our older children in Barhadar, has been sick and losing weight for quite some time. Doctors have discovered a tumor that may be cancerous, and she will soon be undergoing a biopsy. Please pray for wisdom for her doctors, peace for Yebsera and her family, and, most of all, for her health and healing.
Edna — Awassa
Edna, one of our younger children in Awassa, recently underwent surgery to remove a cyst from the bone of her hip. During the surgery, doctors discovered that they needed to remove part of the bone and place hardware in her hip. Lord willing, the hardware will be removed in about eight months, depending on how well she heals. Please pray for a smooth recovery, complete healing, and strength for Edna during this process.
Employment for Our Graduates — Awassa
Please pray for employment opportunities for our Elpis graduates in Awassa. Pray that God would provide meaningful work for these young adults and open the right doors as they seek to begin this next chapter of their lives.
Persecuted Christians in Northern Ethiopia
Please be in prayer for our brothers and sisters in Christ who are facing increasing persecution in the northern parts of Ethiopia. Conditions have become very difficult for Christians in these areas, and several of the pastors sponsored through Elpis are serving there. Please pray for their safety, strength, courage, and faithfulness as they minister in challenging circumstances. Pray also that God would protect their families and continue to use their ministry to bring hope and the gospel to those around them.
