Home
Kari and Asle have started a new chapter of their life and work in Ethiopia. They have moved from Soddo to Awasa, and the focus of their work has also shifted.
We have started the update of the website to reflect these changes, but you will still find the updates from Kari and Asle right here on the homepage.
We will continue to improve the design in the coming weeks and months, so please check back soon for updates, and feel free to give us feedback through our Facebook page (for now you will find us under the old name: Soddo project).
Below you will find the latest update from Asle and Kari.
Kari, March 5th 2013, Awasa, Ethiopia
Dear friends,
Hello again. It has been quite a while since my last update. As a teacher for the Norwegian students in Awasa I am now rather tied down and that means more days which are routine and also seems like there is less to write about. Sorry that there has been so little information coming from us.
"NLM-retreat" is the new name for the compound
Last week however, we had the annual NLM conference here in Ethiopia and that gave much needed inspiration for writing to you all. We were all in all 50 missionaries gathered together, adults and children, and we had to live in all the available spaces. The houses were full so some guests had to sleep in tents. Staying in tents can be great though. It is quite social and many preferred to camp.
Some preferred to live in tents.
We managed to clean and fix up the swimming pool on the vacation grounds. It is now freshly painted and was very pretty when it was filled with a combination of faucet water and well water. Too bad it doesn't last long. We have neither a «creeper» nor pump to circulate the water but it sure is fun while it lasts!
Trying out the new swimming pool
Guests came from Norway, Denmark, Finland and Kenya, so there were many new acquaintances who came to our terrace for a cup of coffee and a friendly visit. Much to talk about. It was very stimulating for this lady who so greatly enjoys meeting people. Each one was open, friendly and talkative. The new strategy for our work goals here was approved for the next five years and it was great to see the enthusiasm the missionaries had for working here. The goal is to reach as many as possible with the Good News who has never heard it.
We had many stimulating bible studies which were led by the Secretary General from Denmark. The theme of the conference was "By faith", and has to do with giving our work to Gods hands. We must live a Christian life which is seen by others and that is not always easy in this world.
There were children's programs from the morning until late in the afternoons. Two volunteers from our school took on most of the responsibility for this. They were tired but also very satisfied with the results. The children presented a program one evening of Noah's Ark. There had been many hours of preparation. They had made costumes, and background scenery, etc., the whole week. It was a magnificent presentation and even Asle had a small role in it as the dove that was sent out by Noah.
A culinary feast also. We had "catered", which is local food made by Ethiopians. It was tasty and varied. We consumed 25 cases of sodas and water. The participants got enough liquids during these hot days. The temperatures were about 30 degrees Celsius or about 86 degrees Fahrenheit....and NO air-condition.
I was a leader for the committee that helped the participants with whatever practical problems they had. It was busiest before the conference opened but we all were satisfied. The guests were
thankful for the work done and no one complained at all.
All the missionaries at the 2013 conference
Thank you so much to each of you who remember us in thoughts and prayers. It is so important for all of us but in particular for Asle who is traveling a lot and so busy with the new programs. He will be writing again when he has a chance. He also is so very thankful for you our friends who follow our work.
Kari