Gods chosen ones in Harar

Ethiopia, Tuesday October 20th 2009

Saturday it was the premiere of something new, fresh and very natural. Saturday we started a new house church in one of the toughest areas of Harar. Not just any, but a very unique house church that have been growing under the surface for a long time, just waiting to bloom out, a house church for women and young girls. On the premiere night we gathered 9 women plus children. The atmosphere was open, it was no church service, no union meeting, it was the family gathering. A sisterhood sitting down, eating together, washing each others feet, praising God and reading the Word together, encouraging each other and strengthening each other in conversation, lots of laughter and loud worship.

These women are not just any women, they are my role models. They are single mothers and hard working girls. They are alone in a city where girls are often pushed aside and underestimated. But they have fought on in their loneliness, stood strong and refused to give in. Then they met Jesus and then everything changed. Suddenly they were not alone anymore. They threw all their worries on the Lord and now they have a strong faith in a good future both for themselves and their children.

The world might underestimate them but God has chosen them. They are pillars in the church and mothers for a lonely and orphan generation. They are carrying the responsibility that few can bear and they do it with integrity and their heads high.

As I said, role models! It is an honor as missionary to be included in their family! The will, strength and devotion is enormous, and with these women in Harar, the vision about a transformed Horn of Africa is not a distant dream.

Maja Larsson
Mission SOS
Horn of Africa