The Ethiopian Church Journal Blog

Afrik-News [AN] reported late last week that the license of the Samaritan's Purse [SP] in Ethiopia was revoked because the organization failed to adhere to local laws. The government of Ethiopia has accused SP of bringing "14 foreign workers into Ethiopia and employed them for three years without work permits or residence permits ...employees did not pay over 7 million Ethiopian Birr [USD 420,000] in taxes to the country." According to AN three other non-governmental organizations [Ethiopian Women Lawyers Association, Ethiopian Human Rights Council , and Mobility without Barriers ] were also closed down on similar charges. Our concern is largely with issues surrounding SP because it is a decidedly evangelical and a credible organization; our viewers would like to hear SP's side of the story. See previous post here .

Ethiopia Adoption Alert Adoption Alert U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Bureau of Consular Affairs Office of Children’s Issues February 8, 2011 On December 9, 2010, the Government of Ethiopia revoked the Better Futures Adoption Services’ registration to operate in Ethiopia because of the organization’s misuse of its license in activities concerning the welfare of children. The U.S. Embassy strongly recommends that prospective adoptive parents who have entered into an agreement with Better Futures Adoption Services, or who are planning to adopt through Better Futures Adoption Services, seek the advice of a legal professional. The Embassy's Adoptions Unit can be reached at consadoptionaddis@state.gov. Please continue to monitor http://adoption.state.gov/ for updated information as it becomes available. Better Futures Revocation of License - Amharic Translation Better Futures Revocation of License - English Translation

Q & A: Billy Graham on Aging, Regrets, and Evangelicals The evangelist says he "sometimes crossed the line" in politics, "old age can be a lonely time," and warns evangelicals of being "victims of our own success." Source: Christianity Today Even through he struggles with his hearing, sight, and other health issues in his ninth decade, Billy Graham continued to do what he's done with every American President since Harry Truman. Last year, he met and prayed with President Obama and in December, he met again with former President George W. Bush. But if he could go back and do anything over again, he told Christianity Today , he would have steered clear of politics. Since his wife's death nearly four years ago, he spends most of his time in his home in Montreat with around-the-clock care. Although he rarely appears in public, his son Franklin Graham said his father would like to preach again on video, but a date is not confirmed. CT submitted bri...

Mount Hermon "Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. Jesus Paid It All I hear the Savior say, “Thy strength indeed is small; Child of weakness, watch and pray, Find in Me thine all in all.” Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe; Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow. For nothing good have I Whereby Thy grace to claim, I’ll wash my garments white In the blood of Calv’ry’s Lamb. Jesus paid it all... And now complete in Him My robe His righteousness, Close sheltered ’neath His side, I am divinely b...

The Steadfast Translator – Part 2 credit: thesacrepage.com Dr. Loren Bliese retired in 2006 after 44 years of serving in Ethiopia as Bible translation consultant and trainer of translation workers. Click here for Part 1 of the interview. EthChurch : So you come home to your land after 40 years of traversing Ethiopian highlands and deserts only to find biblical standards you once took for granted are being challenged on every front by your children’s generation [especially in Evangelical Lutheran Church in America - ELCA]. Where do translation and interpretation of the bible fit in all this? Dr. Bliese: Although Bible translation continues to emphasize accuracy, it is sad to see that current interpretations of the Bible have incorporated methods used to invalidate the clear intent of specific passages. The Bible is consistent in condemning homosexual practice in both the Old and New Testaments. However, theologians have set up principles of Biblical interpretation that try to paint the...

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause g...

Under Pressure, Ethiopia Plans Crackdown on Baby Business Source: VOA Ethiopia is planning to shut down dozens of orphanages and withdraw accreditation from several foreign adoption agencies, in an effort to halt what critics say is a thriving baby business. The Bright Hope transition center in Addis Ababa is a showcase child care facility, financed by a faith-based Texas charity. Twenty abandoned children, ranging in age from several months to four years, play in a carefully supervised environment as they wait to be placed in adoptive homes. Bright Hope Director Getahun Nesibu Tesema says most of these orphans will be taken in by extended family members in Ethiopia. "Our main focus is to help the children here in Ethiopia," Getahun said. "Adoption, international adoption especially, is our last resort." But Bright Hope is an exception among foreign adoption agencies, in that it tries to place children within Ethiopia. This year, foreigners will take away about 5,00...