“Let Egypt come with gifts of precious metals; let Ethiopia bring tribute to God. Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth. Sing praises to the Lord.”
Interlude Psalms 68:31-32 NLT
“Then He asked Paul and Silas, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household. And they shared the word of the Lord with him and with all who lived in his household.” Acts 16:30-32
“Let Ethiopia bring tribute to God.”
They are singing a Wolaita praise song. “Tadeke” It is a song speaking of the way Jesus is always writing out our stories. The two shoeshine boys in the right hand picture are bringing tribute to God through the dance and joy of the song.
Again, God’s Word on display for all to see.
I had had heart rending, gut wrenching home visits. My soul was in need of an uplift. I was in need of an Interlude. On my way through Addis Ababa, I needed God. He had put His compassion deep into my heart for so many who lived without hope, but God knew I needed to end my home visits with joy. He had a surprise for me as we loaded into our van. It was my turn to visit the homes of four of these shoeshine boys. Ashagre, my guide, Faji, my interpretor, Jess, my teamate, Thomascil, Thomascil, and Abele, our shoe shine boys, loaded into the van.
We arrived at their mud hut, and God began a work only He can do.
“But now I am going away to the One who sent me, and not one of you is asking where I am going. Instead, you grieve because of what I’ve told you. But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you. And when He comes, He will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and the coming judgement.”
Jesus spoke these words in John 16:5-8. These were the promise of the Holy Spirit to fill and help all believers.
I look back at that day in their small mud hut and I can see so clearly the Holy Spirit at work convicting these boys of the truth of the gospel. It was like a tag team boxing match. We presented the truth of Jesus’ death buriel and resurrection. Faji interpreted. I could not understand any word he recanted to the boys but all of us could feel the Power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
“For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes – the Jew first and also the Gentile.” Romans 1:16
Faji saw it in their eyes first. The belief the Holy Spirit sends that the gospel of Jesus Christ is truth. “Yes, Kellye, yes. They believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Thank you God. I needed that. I ended those first two days with the joy of salvation coming to these boys homes. Faji and my other friends are going to make sure they have bibles. My friend John is going back for follow ups. They had never heard our gospel, but now they will be surrounded by it.
Lord keep sending me. Lord if they had been the only one You still would have come and died for just them. If it had all been just for these four, You still would have put Your Words in our mouths for their salvation. Thank You God that You added to Your Family that day.