Life in Africa sometimes can go fast or very slow (depending on the day), but for us it seems that 2011 just started. This past year was a year of many lessons learned. Our family continues to be grateful for the experiences that God brought us through here in Ethiopia, many of which could only happen in Ethiopia!
We really did not know what to expect heading into 2011 as far as our ministry in Ethiopia goes, but in February the picture started to become clearer. One afternoon we ran across an ad for a small house for rent in Ayat and quickly we and the Shadles started to think about the possibility of starting our first church plant there. After a lengthy process and much paper work we were so excited to sign a two-year lease with the homeowner. God faithfully provided the rent for the house through many individuals and churches, which we are so humbly grateful for. We decided that May 29th would be the first service of Bethel Baptist Church, Ayat, so the rest of the spring was filled with cleaning, painting and preparation for that first service.
Since our first Sunday on May 29th, we have been blown away with what God has being doing through the ministry of Bethel Baptist Church. We have had an amazing opportunity to share the gospel with so many people and develop some really wonderful relationships with them. Our neighbor Hanna was saved, and on January 1st our church will be baptizing her. We have also seen several families attend our first membership class and will soon be presented before the church for membership, and there has been some real growth and great unity that can be seen. God is really building an amazing church and we are grateful and humbled to be a part of it.
The later part of the year saw Bethel host a three-part national pastors training course that takes place the first Tuesday of the last three months of the year. We plan on this being an annual event, and we were excited to see about 30 pastors and leaders attend for each session. We were honored to encourage them as well as glean from their many years of experience serving the Lord.
As far as the family goes, we are doing well. Amanda and I celebrated our 12th anniversary this last summer and Jackson turned two. It baffles me how fast Jackson is growing and the many things he learns daily. He speaks non-stop and even says a few Amharic words in the mix for fun. I know this might sound cliquish, but we really savor each second that we are with him, and don’t want to miss one moment of this precious time of his life. Perhaps the reason lies in how God uniquely brought our family together, I don’t know, but I do know that we are so grateful each day for him being our son.
So here we are, celebrating Christmas 2011, with great anticipation for 2012. This last year has been a good year for us as we continue to learn and see what God has in store for us. Being in an environment different than your own often magnifies your flaws, but we are grateful that God is faithful and loves us despise our many struggles. As we celebrate the Christmas season just remember that Jesus Christ, the Hope of the world, came as a baby, something no one would have ever imagined. Many times God does things in our lives that are beyond our thought process yet they are exactly what we need. As you celebrate this wonderful time of year, look forward to 2012 and the opportunities that God will place in your path, even those you will least expect.
From our family to yours, we want you to know how truly grateful we are for each one of you. We love you very much and hope you have a truly blessed and wonderful Christmas season celebrating the birth of the Savior.
Merry Christmas and Best Wishes for a Blessed New Year!
Craig, Amanda & Jackson Dyson
