I was browsing some recent photo collections from my recent travels to Ethiopia and seeing some images that were posted to my church’s online photo collection brought back some memories.
This was a unique stop on our way back to the capital city of Addis Ababa after we had spent a few days in the remote region of Oromia. The story is one that would be easy to hear. Most would note the significance and maybe give an “oh my” in response to the account…and then quickly move on with their lives giving it little thought or consideration beyond a “oh, that was a nice story”.
The events leading up to the above photo are a mix of both wonder and tragedy.
The Background
My church (Portland Christian Center) has been actively involved with the beloved country and people of Ethiopia. We have embarked on a mission as a church to bring the Gospel to the remote areas of Ethiopia by providing the resources for local Ethiopians to fulfill the call given in Matthew 28:19 to “go and make disciples”. Our role as a church is to partner with the people of Ethiopia…enabling them to do the work of spreading the Gospel. In just a few months, the results have been nothing less than overwhelming (for updates on the progress there…click here).
The Story
I began to write out the account as best as I could recall it but then remembered that my pastor had posted the account on this blog so, to ensure that the facts are straight, I’ve decided to link to his article which can be found here. [ click here ]
Reconciliation
One of the testimonies that has come out of this story is that of the immediate sense of reconciliation between the pastor’s wife and the killer’s wife – two women who both lost husbands with the act of one man. I was struck by the accounts given as the two women, instead of holding bitterness towards one other, have formed a close friendship that is taking this tragedy and turning it for good.
How often would we see that kind of immediate response? Often we find excuses for our behaviors and justify our anger or bitterness with the phrase “I have a right to be ____”. In this case, what I witnessed was not a “I have a right to be angry” but rather an immediate “I have an obligation to love”.
The challenge to me was to be keenly aware of my reactions to offenses I may feel directly towards me. Ever notice how quickly we jump to anger and claim justification. Wouldn’t we be better served to turn our justifications into obligations — not simply because we’re “obligated” but because, ultimately, where hurt and anger only tear us down – reconciliation and grace have the ability to mend and build.
The Image
What you see in the image above is part of a mid-day service that was going on as we stopped by to say hello and pass some encouraging words to the pastor’s widow. It was a scene with both somber remembrances and joyous celebrations while two woman sat not far from each other. Two widows. One church. One family. To see more from this stop, check out the Flickr photostream [ click here ].
Popularity: 44% [?]
