Dear Prayer Partners,
“God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well.” Romans 12:6 (LB)
Thanks for your prayers. We are now back in Addis. So excited, relieved, encouraged, and thrilled to be at this point. I can’t tell you how much your prayers have added to the success of our trip. In fact, we couldn’t have done this work without your prayers. Thank you!
“God . . . will equip you with all you need for doing His will.” Hebrews 13:21 (LB)
We’ve been teaching about how each of us are formed with a unique S.H.A.P.E.—this involves our Spiritual Gifts, Heart (what motivates us), Abilities (talents), Personality (sanguine, choleric, melancholy, and phlegmatic), and Experiences (family, educational, spiritual, and vocational). When we understand these concepts, we find out what God wants us to do with our lives.
“We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10
A few highlights from the second conference, included reuniting with our translators, Ensalle and Britukan, from my past three trips to Hawassa. Both of these dynamic young women are married, with children, also in ministry. These ladies have such a heart for the women here in Hawassa and were so encouraged by the teaching that they asked for my full set of notes and the powerpoint. Britukan mentioned after the fall 2012 conference, she shared the message I gave, “Being a Woman God Can Use,” with a group of a couple of hundred women. A month later she attended another conference, and my same message was shared there by the speaker. This time the audience was more than 10,000 women! We anticipate this same impact with our messages going forth. We encourage the women to take the material and share it with their churches or small groups.
“Try to have a sane estimate of your capabilities by the light of the faith God has given to you.” Romans 12:3 (PH)
Megan’s presentation with the first aid kit training was an example of her application to try out teaching. Megan shared how we must trust Christ when we need healing from Him; he will help us take care of the soul and body. The women were amazed at the simple techniques she shared for basic first aid. Of course, they were very excited to receive the kits. We appreciate the ability to donate these, however we still have an outstanding bill for them. (At $25.00 each, the kits cost $2,500.00.) If you are able to donate any additional funding, please earmark your gift Team Giesbrecht Ethiopia 2013. It was thrilling for me to see my daughter-in-law serve the Lord in this way. Not only was it an honor for me to have her join me, but it was wonderful to see her love the women!
“Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service and pleasing to Him.” Romans 12:1
Thank you so much for your prayers for our presentations. We believe there was much application of the information we shared. In the women’s conferences, an essential part of each session included time for the women to discuss questions in small groups. What a joy it was to see and hear them processing and sharing the many revelations from God’s word. The Holy Spirit was on the move. In fact, in the last session on the first day, I discussed one of the realities of why some people never use their spiritual gifts: fear. The women were open to talk about it and said they were in bondage because of their fears. God led us to have a deep prayer time, cutting through some of the ways the women were in bondage. I give glory to God for what He did that day!
“Be bold and strong! Banish fear and doubt! For remember, the Lord is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
Thanks again for your prayers, financial support, and heart for God’s work around the world, especially in Ethiopia.
Love and prayers for you,
Sheryl
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