Volume 9 Issue 7 101 N. Zeysing · P O Box 228 · Alma, MO 64001 · 660.674.2222 · www.houseoffriends.

org

By Travis Kolder, HOF Board Member

I first met Gizaw Derseh in January at a small
Ethiopian coffee shop in Kansas with House of
Friends President, John Gross, and Sean Hughley. We were exploring
the idea of traveling to Ethiopia to start an orphanage. The conversa-
tion covered coffee, Ethiopian history, and how Gizaw came to the
U.S. After the discussion, Gizaw asked if we had any questions. My
first question for Gizaw was this: “What's God doing in Ethiopia?”
Without missing a beat Gizaw said, “Come and find out for yourself.” HOF outreach team left to right—Dale Ritter, Danielle
Robertson ( with mom and dad, Lou Ann and Monty)
and Barbara Decker. The truck and trailer with goods is in
the background. Jeanie Ritter is not pictured.
Dale and Jeanie Ritter lead a team of four
to Pine Ridge Indian Reservation on June 18
through 25, 2009. Barbara Decker of Alma,
and Danielle Robertson of Malta Bend,
Missouri joined them in taking a truck and
trailer load of household furniture and goods
to the reservation. Each were involved in
various special projects while there.
The road trip to the reservation proved to
Ethiopia Team member left to right—Brenda Carr, John Gross, Dan Zacharias, Aroea Knox,
be very eventful. The car broke down and
Sean Hughley, Kevin Knox, and Travis Kolder. required a layover and repair work in
Fast forward six months. Seven of us from Missouri, Kansas, and Nebraska. The break down ended up being a
Iowa landed in Addis Ababa to meet up with Gizaw and his daughter, blessing with a big discount on the repairs
Bethlehem. We took Gizaw's offer and came to see what God was do- and the night lodging costs cut in half by the
ing. We were also looking for men and women interested in taking owners of the motel who are Christians. Most
care of widows and orphans. We had all come as part of House of importantly, new friends were made.
Friends, and because of that we believed God had a special purpose for Our team arrived at the reservation just
Ethiopia as described in Isaiah 18: “Listen, Ethiopia land of fluttering before two other mission groups arrived at
sail that lies at the headwaters of the Nile, that sends ambassadors in the mission to work as well. The team pre-
swift boats down the river. Go, swift messengers! Take a message to a pared the living quarters for those coming.
tall, smooth-skinned people who are feared far and wide for their con-
A YWAM group of youth from the
quests and destruction, and whose land is divided by rivers...at [the end
Chicago area arrived just in time to help
of the age] the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will receive gifts from this land
divided by rivers, from this...people, who are feared far and wide for
their conquests and destruction. They will bring the gifts to Jerusalem,
where the Lord of Heaven’s Armies dwells.”
Shortly upon arrival, we met with leaders of several churches. In or-
der to protect these individuals not much can be said or shown, but the
work they are doing is bringing multitudes to Christ. We learned much
about the spiritual condition of the country and how these focused indi-
viduals have both endured much opposition and seen significant pro-
gress in spreading the Good News. We also discovered that the enemy
would throw a lot of attacks our way in the form of physical set backs.
Our response to these attacks would determine our level of victory later.
Probably the greatest example of God displaying His power in the
midst of setback was on our trip to Bahir Dar, a city on the coast of unload our cargo of 84 boxes of clothes,
Lake Tana. Our intent was to stay several days and meet with believers. personal needs and household items as well
To reach the city we had to travel through the Blue Nile Gorge, a place as furniture, appliances, and other miscella-
not unlike the Grand Canyon, which is divided by the Blue Nile neous goods. It was a beautiful picture of the
(Remember Isaiah 18?). We had almost crossed through the gorge when body of Christ from different states working
our van broke down. The van driver caught a ride to the next city, but together for a common goal—showing care
we were stuck as a team in “the middle of nowhere” for several hours. and support of our Native Americans in their
We did happen to break down next to a tiny village of less than ten plight of poverty.
houses. Aroea and Kevin Knox, Sean Hughley, and Dan Zacharias Dale worked on carpentry projects and the
took the opportunity to engage the children of the village through rest of the crew helped with getting the mis-
games, fun, and prayer. We even had the opportunity to give Bibles and sion store restocked with the newly arrived
share the gospel with some of the older children. And while the chance merchandise. Several Lakota Sioux crafters
to minister to the children touched us deeply, it was only the beginning came in with their beautifully made jewelry
of the miracle behind breaking down. Continued on page 2 and beadwork. (Continued on page 3)

Since her youth, Barbara Decker, an
agriculture missionary serving many years
in the Central and South Americas and a
short stint in Africa, has been interested in
our Native Americans. While at her home
base in Alma, Missouri, she decided to lend
a helping hand on a mission trip to the Pine
Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota
with Dale and Jeanie Ritter, House of
Friends Native American Outreach
Directors, the end of June. They were also
joined by Danielle Robertson of Malta
Bend, Missouri.
When Barbara returned from the trip she
said, “What I saw on the reservation would
be what I would expect to see in any one of
the third-world countries where I have been.
But to see the Native Americans the way
they live and have their being in the U.S.A.
hurts me. I saw a few similarities between
them and the Jews. The Jews were exiled,
first to Babylon and then to the “outer
parts.” The Indian nations have also been
“exiled,” first to productive lands and then
later to unproductive lands. They struggle to
guard their existence. They are a proud
people who have been put on welfare and
they have become co-dependent and
complacent.”
Barbara saw that many Indians hang
around the mission base at White Clay,
Nebraska, two miles from Pine Ridge. Most
of them visit the local tavern and are drunk
by the afternoon.
Aside from some manual labor at the
mission, Barbara was able to minister to
some of the locals. “I met Willie,” Barbara
shared, “who told me, „If one of my kids
would say to me, „Daddy, please sober up,‟
I would. But they won‟t. I know they wish it
and I know they want me to, but they won‟t
ask me to.‟” So Barbara planted a seed in
Willie‟s mind. She said to him, “That‟s the
way it is with our Father God. He knows
what we need and He knows what we want,
but we have to ask Him.” It is Barbara‟s
prayer that somewhere, sometime, in a
stupor or out of it, that those words will sink
in and that Willie will ask God for help.
Barbara also met
Norma, who has a
degree in Psychol-
ogy. Norma told her
that there is a lot of
“New Age” on the
reservation. New
Age talks of God
being in everything
and it fits in with
their ancestral
beliefs of praying to
the deer before they
hunt it, praying to Norma
the tree before they cut it, and praying to the
wolf, bear, eagle, or turtle for their virtues.
Norma has returned to her people to teach
them about themselves and to teach the
children their language. Most importantly,
she teaches them about Jesus and about
Jewish roots in Jesus.
2
ETHIOPIA...(cont.) By the time our driver returned, it was clear we would
no longer be able to get to Bahir Dar that night. Instead, we traveled another
hour to Debre Markos and spent the night. We experienced another night of
significant spiritual warfare, but we were assured by the Lord that the
breakdown had set the stage for unseen victories the rest of the trip.
When we awoke, those traveling with us had remembered they knew of a
woman in Debre Markos who
owned a school and had a heart
for orphans. When we arrived at
the school we were met by
Fasika, the owner of the school
building. There were a number
of children attending and they
flocked around Brenda Carr,
Bethlehem Derseh, and Kevin
and Aroea Knox. While the kids
were enjoying their company,
several of us spoke with Fasika
Children at the school and potential location of the and shared the vision of starting
next Abba House.
orphanages in Ethiopia. It
quickly became apparent that this was a divine appointment from the Lord.
Fasika was renting the property to a school, but had canceled the lease ,
sensing the Lord was about to do something new. She later explained that
ten years earlier she had been told the Lord would send Americans to help
her start an orphanage and that our vision of Abba House was a fulfillment
of that word. Many of us sat stunned as we realized that we would not have
been here had our van not broken down the day before. We had stumbled
into a plan that was much bigger than our own.
We continued north to Bahir Dar, then to Gondor to see some of
Ethiopia's most historical sights. The final days of the trip were spent in
Addis Ababa finishing up work with different individuals we previously
met. We had some time for shopping where we encountered two boys sell-
ing gum on the street. They were about eight
years old and had no shoes. Recog- Left—woman of justice; Below—
Kevin fitting shoes on boy, & the
nizing a chance to share the love of
two boys with new shoes & socks.
Jesus, Sean and Kevin took them to
buy shoes. The first shop they
stopped at tried to sell the shoes at
extremely high prices. An Ethiopian
woman, whom we did not know but
saw what was happening, recog-
nized the injustice and took Kevin to
find a place that would sell shoes at a
fair price. We were able to purchase
shoes and socks for the boys and escort
them part of the way home. All of us were touched at how
much God worked to show us His love for these boys.
Later that night, during prayer, the Lord gave us a
Scripture that we believe is a promise for the city of Addis
Ababa and Ethiopia, "Go up and down the streets of
Jerusalem, look around and consider, search through her
squares. If you can find but one person who deals honestly
and seeks the truth, I will forgive this city,”
(Jeremiah 5:1). We believe we found a woman who deals
honestly and seeks truth, the sort of person Jeremiah was describing, and
because of that, God is looking to give significant mercy to Ethiopia.
Kevin, a team member, said this about the trip: “My heart was changed
so much by being there. It wasn't only the poverty, the street kids without
adequate clothes or shoes, or the families living in mud huts that moved me;
it was the tangible spirit of God that was prevalent the entire trip. It was His
reassurance that He was in control and in all things; that He orchestrates our
paths, and our being there and our involvement in that time was no
accident. The language of the people, the beauty of the land and the sense
of gratitude from everyone we met has affected me. I'm changed.”
Through the whole trip we were challenged to become more like Jesus,
and more focused on showing God's heart to the poor. We believe more
than ever that God is moving in Ethiopia. I want to invite you to continue
with us on this journey and help us extend mercy to the orphans and
widows of Ethiopia. We will continue to give updates about our activities
there and chances for you to get involved. You can check out our photo
journal at http://www.flickr.com/houseoffriends by clicking on the Ethiopia
2009 icon. I learned much about how God is moving in Ethiopia, and
though I can't tell the whole story, if you want to see it, I will extend to you
the same invite Gizaw extended to me: “Come and find out for yourself.”
 John Gross sharing at the Youth section of the
Ethiopian Conference in Kansas City

The impact of the Ethiopian mission trip led by HOF board member, Travis Kolder, continued in Kansas City. At Hope
City on Monday night, July 20th, John Gross shared about an encounter on the streets of Addis Ababa in Ethiopia. He
encouraged the crowd that comes out every Monday night for prayer and worship and a fellowship meal in the inner city,
that the Lord would do the same thing here where the need is so great. As usual a great night followed as everyone lingered
in prayer and the meal was put on hold. The inner city ministry HOF partners with is Hope City (www.hopecitykc.org).
On the following weekend John spoke at a Youth Conference at the Nazarene University hosted by the Ethiopian
Evangelical Christian Association. The Director of this fellowship of churches is Gizaw Derseh who also hosted the HOF
mission trip to Ethiopia. John has been working with the local youth group for about one year and has been overwhelmed
with their spiritual maturity. This event had youth from several cities. “The maturity of these youth, combined with the
unity they have with one another, makes them ripe for revival,” John says. “These young people are hungry for God.”
During the conference ministry time, they filled the alter as the Lord ministered to them. The website of the Ethiopian
ministry House of Friends has been working with is www.eecaweb.org.

PINE RIDGE (continued) In most cases,

selling these items is all the income they
have beyond the $420 per month that the
government provides a family.
Help was given by our team and the
YWAM youth team in planting the
gardens and cleaning up the area through
trash pickup.
This trip continued to build trust and
friendships between the Lakota Sioux and
House of Friends. All the team members
ministered one on one to many of the
street people—giving encouragement and
praying for them.
While there, the team met another
group. This Christian mission group had
conducted prayer walks on the reservation
previously. On this particular trip, they
asked the Indian Council what they could
do to help the reservation. They were told
the reservation did not have a Detox Unit
and would like to have one built. The
group agreed to see that one was built.
Those plans were solidified with the
Indian Council voting to make seven acres
of property available. Soon they will
return to start the building process. They
will be joined by other Native Americans
and Amish people from several states.
There is a possibility the Ritter's will
return as well to help.
The answer is children. Children
love to eat funnel cakes; and as you
read on, these particular funnel cakes
provide security.
Everyone gets involved when it
comes to the House of Friends 4th of
July fundraiser in Alma, Missouri. Do
you love funnel cakes? We do and so
did the crowd that gathered on the
evenings of the two-day 4th of July
celebration. Board members, donors,
volunteers, intercessors and office staff
joined efforts to make the fundraising
event a big success Phyllis Wyatt and Pam Plattner seem to be in
A total profit of $1,433.66 was real- perfect harmony pouring their batter while
ized and will go toward building a Marie Kalebaugh prepares to take out her
finished funnel cake.
security fence for the children at Abba
House in Entebbe, Uganda. We still have
a need of $1,250 to finish the project.
Thanks to everyone involved for our great
success, and most certainly including our
patrons, who enjoyed the delectable treat.
Left—Behind the scenes, to get the funnel cake
batter ready for the first customers, were C W and
Betty Browning (married over 65 years). With help
from youth to seniors, the needs are met.
HOUSE OF FRIENDS MINISTRY STEWARDSHIP
We would like to share with our contributors that House of Friends
has the sincere belief that the scriptural principles of tithing extend to
the ministry‟s income. Therefore, it is the policy of House of Friends
to tithe from that which is received in unrestricted funds to charitable
missions which have similar purposes. A tithe is not taken from those
gifts given to specific projects or for sponsorship.
3
 Those on the Native American September 12. You can learn more about his ministry and trip
Outreach mission trip found that by going to www.trailsideministries.com.
this trip was filled with one-on-
one ministry with peoples along The team gave Ken words of encouragement and prayed
the road and with the Lakota for him and those his
Sioux. life will touch as he
continues on. Ken is
On their travels to South the brother to a friend
Dakota, they crossed paths with of House of Friends.
Ken Downey of Trailside Minis- This is his second
tries, who, out of obedience to mission across
God, is riding his 14-year-old America in this way.
horse, Pilgrim, from North Caro- Barbara Decker, along
lina to Seattle, Washington —as with Judy Lieser,
old-time circuit preachers did. House of Friends
Across America he is proclaiming the Gospel by sharing at executive director, and
churches and with peoples along the road of this journey. His Norma Ramey, Fountain of Life International Ministries of
message is “know Christ and make Him known.” His journey Alma, met him in April when his journey brought him
began in March of 2009 and will culminate around through Iowa.

P O Box 228 · Alma, MO 64001