I am in Addis Abebe, Ethiopia and we are visiting our freind and pastor Afework. Many of you may know that Afework was in a horrible wreck about a month ago and for all purposes should not have survived. The driver of the car was killed and Afework along with His two brothers ( Robel and Yehulashut) were both injured pretty badly. The first report we got was that he may not make it. After a few weeks they were all tranfered to a Korean hospital here in Addis, which is much better care.
Myself and Jerry visited him today and he is much better than we could have ever hoped for. He had pretty major surgery placing rods in both his legs and has some nasty battle scars from the whoe ordeal. His brother Yehualshet is set to have another surgery today. Afework’s spirits were amazing… we looked at pics Steven Bush had taken from our last trip in January and those seem to even brighten his day more! Afework is ready to get back at ministry and chrch planting here in Ethiopia, but he has a long road opf recovery as he will undergo rehabilitation to walk properly again. Afework’s medical bills are between $7000-$8000. If you would like to help with his medical costs you can e-mail me at matts@tamh.net and I will let you know how you can donate to this cause. Otherwise continue to pray for Afework and the continued ministry here in Ethiopia. We have many things in the works that include starting a school in the fall and digging wells in villages that have no clean drinking water. I will be here the rest of the week and we will be meeting with other leaders who will fill in the gaps while Afework is recovering…pray for wisdom in these meetings as we plan for at least 4-5 more teams that will come to Ethiopia this year! If you would like to be a part of one of these teams let me know as well.
(note: sorry for no pic of Afework, this Ethiopian internet could not handle that)
its good to hear that he’s safe.
hey love! i’m so glad to hear that afework is doing better than everyone thought–that’s such good news! let him know that i’m praying for him, his wife and his kids. i love you & miss you lots, but i’m so proud of you & what you’re doing. love you!!
thanks so much for the update, Matt!