Ethiopia 2016 is a GO!

Dear family and friends,

            As some of you may have heard, I’m going to Ethiopia for 5 weeks this year! I plan to leave in June and return in July. I will be traveling with another woman who will be working with the children and teaching VBS.  I am beyond excited and blessed with this opportunity!

            During one week will be the VBS. We are preparing for 700 children to be taught about Jesus' life. The goal of VBS is to open a door into the homes of the children’s families and teach them the Gospel. The week after VBS, preachers go to the homes and ask for a Bible study. There are many baptisms as a result of this effort. Some of you may remember the first year I went. There were only a handful of members. The only children were the preacher’s 2 sons. The only woman was the preacher’s wife. Now, there are 85 children who attend on a regular basis and over 200 members…both men and women! Not only that, but it went from 1 struggling congregation to 17 thriving congregations throughout the refugee camps and tribes. The VBS contributed to that.

            It is because of these new congregations that I have decided to go for a month. There is a need for women from each congregation to be trained on how to plan, prepare, and teach a Bible class for children. So, my time will be dedicated to doing that very thing. I have also been asked to do one-on-one Bible studies. These studies teach English by using the Bible. So, not only will they be hearing the Gospel, but also learning English.

            This past year we saw something amazing. You see, the two tribes we taught, the Nuer and Anywaa, are warring tribes. They hate each other to the point of killing each other. In fact, there was a murder in one of the refugee camps a week before we arrived. The Anywaa children traveled an hour every day through Nuer territory to come to VBS. Okello, the preacher who works with the Anywaa, told us only 25 of the children would come for the end of VBS celebration because it was too dangerous. Well, all 200 children came, plus many of their families. When they arrived, the Nuer children and their families all stood, cheered, and sang to welcome them. Under the trees the Nuer and Anywaa sat  together, ate together, drank together, and heard the Gospel together. The love of the Lord withered hatred and war, and blossomed love and peace. This is what the Lord can do. This is His power and might at work. THIS IS HOW THE GOSPEL IS CHANGING A NATION!

            I am so very excited for this opportunity and am anxious to see how God uses it to further His word and His will. But with this extended opportunity is a need for funds. This year my financial need is $5,000. This will cover travel expenses, food, VBS materials, Bible study materials, and children’s Bible class materials. Any additional funds at the end of the trip will be allocated to the Southern Sudan Mission for the continuance of spreading the Gospel. 

            If you’d like to help me financially there are several ways…

1.      Send a check to me personally

2.      Send a check to Porter Church of Christ, ear marked Karisa Holland VBS Mission trip

-          These are tax deductible

-          PO Box 770, Porter, Tx 77356

3.      Send a check to Woodland Oaks Church of Christ, Ear marked Karisa Holland VBS mission trip

-          7300 Crownridge Drive, The Woodlands, Tx 77382

4.      Donate through PayPal on my blog www.heart4ethiopia2013.blogspot.com

-          please note there is a fee per donation that comes out of the donation

            You can also help by praying that the devil does not succeed in his efforts to thwart this work, that the children open the hearts to the truth and parents hear, believe, repent, confess, be baptized, and live faithfully, and that each of us going have the strength, faith, and perseverance to be the hands and feet of God’s desire for this work. I am truly grateful for the overflowing love and support in the past. I could not do this if it wasn’t for you. YOU are as much a part of this work as I am.

In Christ’s love, 
Karisa 
  

Letter for Support

                                                                        Psalm 143:6

                                                                          John 4:14

Dear family and friends,

            It is that time again where we are gearing up and preparing for VBS in Ethiopia! Because of the expansion last year that included children from the Anyuok tribe, this year we will host two VBS classes. The morning VBS will be with the Nuer tribe in Gambella and the afternoon VBS will be with the Anyuok tribe in a Gambella refugee camp. Because of language differences we are not able to accommodate both tribes at one time. We figure to have around 500 children total being taught. Some are repeats from the last year or two while others will be introduced to the true and living God for the first time. We are so excited for this new opportunity and cannot wait to see what God has in store for all of us!

            Our topic this year is Moses’ birth to the plagues. After discussing things with the local preacher, Tyrone has decided to bring VBS t-shirts for the kids like we did our first year. That has been a great tool to let people know we (the church) are here. There will be classes for 4 days and then Friday is graduation day. This is when we will present the children who participated with a certificate. All classes, both Nuer and Anyuok, will be brought together to celebrate. This is very important to acknowledge because these two tribes hate each other to the point of killing. God’s truth is so far reaching, that it is turning hate into love, and war into peace.  Does the power of the Gospel never cease to amaze you? It certainly gives me chills and a prick to the heart when I think about it.

            This year I will need donations to help me to go, as well as to get supplies for the VBS. While we are cutting back some on crafts to save cost and space, we are getting 500 shirts for the kids and our helpers. I personally will need $3,500 to cover my individual expenses. That includes hotel, food, ticket, and visa. Each teacher is also trying to get extra donations in order to cover the cost of VBS supplies and t-shirts. If you are interested in sending a monetary donation please send it via online donation through my blog or send a check (made out to me) to my parent’s address. I also ask that you pray for the work. Each year we have seen the different ways the devil has worked to thwart it. We cannot do this without God and His aid. Pray that through the children we are able to reach their families, that they open their hearts to accept His word, and that through the continued efforts of local evangelists, that people will hear, believe, repent, be baptized into Christ, and live faithfully.

            Thank you so much for all of your love and support the past two years. It is because of your generosity that an entire nation can be transformed by God. There are no words for how much each of you have encouraged me.

In Christ’s love,

Karisa

 

Round 3

Here we go again! We have been blessed with another opportunity to go to Gambella, Ethiopia and work with the South Sudanese refugees. The topic this year will be Moses and the 10 plagues. We have most of the week and activities planned out, however we are working on making the teaching materials. So far we have 7 teachers committed but need 1-3 more. We expect around 500 children this year. We will have a morning VBS with the Nuer children and an afternoon VBS with the Anyuok children.
There will be two groups going. Group 1 will stay for 2 weeks while group 2 will only stay for 1 week. The date for this year is July 1-July 15. If you're interested in coming please let us know. We'd be glad to discuss things with you.
This year we are also making VBS shirts for the kids. If you'd like to donate to help us pay for these please let me know. We are going to be able to get a discounted price, however, with 500 shirts that is still going to be quite expensive.
This year I will need to raise $3,500. If you'd like to help you can donate via debit/credit card through my pay-pal account. The button is to the right of the screen. You may also send a check to me at my address or my parents.

That's all for now. Please spread word that we are in need of all kinds of donations.
God bless!

Lots of prayers needed

We received news Sunday evening that James and his wife Nyakume lost their daughter due to dehydration. We were also told that Chan's daughter is suffering from the same thing. Doctors are trying to keep her hydrated but she is still struggling. Last I heard Nyakume was not handling the loss of Tabitha (their daughter) very well. For sake of privacy I will not disclose any information but please pray for her earnestly and constantly. Again this is their second child to lose in the past 6 months, so she is grieving the loss of Nhial and now the loss of Tabitha. While James is caring for Nyakume, he has also been spending much time at the hospital helping care for Chan and his wife's little girl. Since Chan helps teach at the preaching/Bible school and his wife cooks for the students, they are unable to be there as much as they would like. So, James decided to help.

The previous prayer request is first and foremost. However, we do also ask that you pray for the following things:
1. The hotel there is currently full and Tyrone has yet to find us a room. If this is the case we will have to stay in the student's dorms (which we hope will be done being built by then) and the students will continue to stay at the Church's building. We do not like this plan because we hate the idea of "kicking" the students out. However, Tyrone nor the students would ever let us trade arrangements so, for now we just pray rooms will open up.
2. There is still no running water at the compound and do not see it happening in the foreseeable future. This addition would mean an easier day for the women that must haul water all the way from the river (which is a ways away). It would also be safer since they would not have to worry about crocodiles.
3. Since last year, 3 new refugee camps have opened about 30 mins from Gambella. This means there are 1.5 million more S.Sudanese in that area. Tyrone is already making arrangements to send out men to teach the gospel. Already he has ran into a few previous students who were baptized. He hopes they will be willing to go out and teach. He also has 23 students this year (most of whom I understand to be new but I could be wrong). Even with the war going on, God's word is still spreading.

We are ready for our trip to begin. We can literally not get there soon enough. Pray for peace in South Sudan, for those who have lost loved ones to cope, and for God and His word be taught and spread. Pray we do not get sick, have safe travels, and that the children will be receptive to what we teach and continue to learn even after we leave.
I also ask that if you talk of this trip with me or any of the other teachers, that you do not remind us of the dangers. We are aware, and are choosing to go anyway. Our faith is in God to keep us safe. We need encouragement and support and strength. Not to be told we should not go because of what COULD happen. Paul, Peter, James, John, Timothy....they all took risks in order to spread the Gospel. It was something God called them to do and because of their willingness Christianity was spread. We have been called and we answered yes. These people want us to come and to share with them the News that we have been blessed to already know. Please, pray and encourage.

Runnin' with it

Well, I just got home about an hour ago and it was a good meeting. All decisions have been made and now we just have to buy certain craft supplies and we are a "go". I won't give away the fun details of what we are doing (crafts, songs, etc) until after we get back so we can show the pictures. Joanie and I only have one shirt that we need to do so we hope to get together before I go back to (my) home Wednesday to do that. We have still lots to do as is always the case until the day we actually leave haha. But with Bryce and Kaity coming this year and the knowledge we have from last year, things are not quite as daunting or stressful.
We would like to thank everyone who has helped via prayers and donations. We are so excited for this opportunity to arise again this year and people's continuing love for the Lord, for us, and for the S.Sudanese. This year we are taking on an extra chore of collecting eye glasses to distribute to the people there. If you have any that you no longer use/need and would like to get rid of.....We are the people to give them to! We have about 10 pairs right now. We have no set number as we are going to cram them in every nook and cranny that we can find in our suit cases. So give us what ya got and we will get them there. We will take reading, bifocals, regular...whatever!! We want them.
Also, some specific things we would like prayed for....
-all the luggage w/ VBS in it gets there
-no one gets sick/hurt
-safe travels
-we teach as many as we possibly can plus more with the Lord's help and guidance
-the men in the preaching school/women in Bible school
-David who is going to Ethiopia tomorrow (May 18) so he can go preach in the refugee camp I told you about yesterday

We know God will bless the work this year as He did last year and can't wait to see what He has in store. Again, please keep us and those we will come in contact with in your prayers. They are greatly needed and greatly appreciated. God bless you!

1 Chronicles 29:11-13

P.S.
Sunday, May 25 I will be giving a talk at 6 P.M. at Brazos Valley Church of Christ in College Station about last year's trip and this year's if you would like/are able to come. :) Finger foods/sandwiches will be served so all you gotta bring is yourself!

New refugee camp

ITANG May 14, 2014

 

I’m excited to report regarding a recent survey trip by Brother James Puot, Preacher and Director of the Gambella - South Sudanese School of Biblical Studies, in Gambella, accompanied with four other  preachers made to the newest Ethiopian Refugee Camp in Itang, Ethiopia several days ago. The brethren, some from Malkal and presently refugeed with brethren in Nisar and some from the Nisar congregation traveled to Gambella to attend continuing education classes, but took time to make the trip to Itang. Unfortunately they had to return to the Nisar Area as war  broke out again in Nisar and they were concerned for their families. 

While James and the brethren were at the camp they visited with many of the refugees and found one sister and her child. James said the Refugees were greatful for the brethren's desire to start a congregation in or around the camp. Two or three of the Brothers, all graduates of our level one and level two classes and preachers from the Malakal Region, are  contemplating  moving to the camp to start a congregation.

The Itand  Refugee Camp was established in early January 2014 to accommodate refugees from the warfare in South Sudan.  The camp is projected to accommodate in excees 1,000,000 refugees.  Itang is approximately 35 miles from Gambella.

James accompanied the brethren to Nisar to purchase and disperse food to the brethren in Nisar. James said many of the brethren are in the bush, but there was food to buy and they would seek out each family and give them food for the month.

Praise God for faithful brethren like these who willingly risk their lives for the cause of Christ. Please keep all the brethren in your prayers.

Sister in Christ

 Refugees

 

It's Going UP!