Kevin & Erica Kipfer

SERVING IN ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA

Fe b r u a r y - M a r c h K i p f e r U p d a t e
What we’ve been up to
The past couple of months have been filled with many imagine how that was pos-
“ups” and many “downs” related to the work and continual sible. These churches are
adjustment to living in a foreign land. We are grateful for still used today for daily
the support we have from you all that helps keep us going mass services.
through those times. Muslims in the city are
We’ve been working on applying for status as an official similarly faithful. We hear
non-government organization (NGO) in Ethiopia. That the Muslim call to prayer
means Kevin especially has spent many hours on the paper- multiple times every day
work required for this status. Additionally, we’ve been coming from loud-speakers in a nearby mosque. Kevin
working towards partnering with another organization to went to buy bread from a local Muslim vendor and had to
open a “drop-in center” for street kids and prostituted wait to make his purchase until the vendor was finished
women in the “red light district.” We’ve also been working praying.
on “micro-business” opportunities and provided some Application
counseling training to a small group of women working So, what does all this devotion mean? As Christians, we
with at-risk and orphaned girls. believe that religion by itself means absolutely nothing
We were extremely happy to have Kevin’s parents come unless it is connected with a true relationship with Jesus
and visit us this past month. We enjoyed introducing them Christ. Regardless of how many times you attend a church
to many people and places here in Addis. We also had the service, regardless of how reverent you are towards any
opportunity to visit the historic cities of Lalibela and Axum religion’s icons and rituals, it means nothing outside of a
in Northern Ethiopia, and went south to Ziway as well. relationship with Christ. We’re saddened to think of how
Dad got the opportunity to teach and preach in our Bible many people are performing their religious duties without
fellowship here in Addis Ababa and also in Ziway. the hope that comes from Jesus. I appreciate how Isaiah
Religion explains the worthlessness of our works and how desper-
ately we need Christ in Isaiah 64:
The religions of Ethiopia are divided between Orthodox “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our
(55%), Muslim (30%), and Protestant (15%). Despite the righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a
vast differences between the two major religions, in Ethio- leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us a way...Yet, O
pia there are national holidays to Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the pot-
honor both Orthodox and Muslim. ter; we are all the work of your hand.”
Observations
Just like the “good ole days”
Most people seem to take their
religion very seriously. Whenever Sometimes we feel like we’re stepping back in time. There
Orthodox pass by their church, are many modern things and new buildings, but then there
whether they are walking or driv- are things that remind us of what some may call “the good
ing, they will acknowledge the ole days” back in America—or even just like living in a
holiness they attribute to the small town.
church by “crossing” themselves • If you don’t have enough money for your bill at the
and bowing. When entering a local grocery store, they just tell you to pay it back to-
church, they often kiss the walls morrow
on the outside. • All the gas stations are full-service, just say “fill er
When Kevin’s parents were visiting recently, we visited the up” (they usually understand)
historical city of Lalibela. We had the opportunity to see • People call you by name at the local cafes and stores
about a dozen churches hand-carved out of solid rock in the • We only use cash
ground during the 11th or 12th century. It’s difficult to • We get to drink Coke out of a glass bottle

Kevin’s Email: kevin@loving-shepherd.org Erica’s Email: erica@loving-shepherd.org

Blog: kevinanderica.blogspot.com
Field Address: PO Box 16245, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Pa r t n e r i n g t h r o u g h p r a y e r
Weekly Prayer Updates—To receive prayer requests
more often, just reply to this email with ‘prayer update’
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list.
If you wish, you can pray through the pictures in this
newsletter—for our relationships, the LSM children,
future work, etc.
Kevin’s parents came to visit us for two weeks in
February. We enjoyed showing them around the
city and letting them get a glimpse into ministry
work currently being done and work we hope to
begin soon.
Also while Kevin’s parents were here, we had
Paulos, his wife Genet, and their children Misha
Praises and Prayers
• Praise God for His faithfulness that transcends languages,
cultures, and time.
• Pray for the many young girls and boys who are victims
of various kinds of injustices every day and that there
would be advocates for them.
• Pray for our work with the organization called “Women at
Risk” and the potential drop-in center.
• We’d also appreciate your prayers for favor in the eyes of
all those who will play a role in our application for NGO
status in Ethiopia.
and Boaz over to our house for dinner and many
rounds of U3O (pictured below).

Below and Right:

Lalibela and the
We have adopted two puppies we found rock-hewn churches
abandoned close to our home. They are cute
but we quickly learned how much work they
are! We named them Laleet (night) and
Adona (rescued).

Financial contributions can be made: 1) Online through www.loving-shepherd.org by clicking the

‘Donate’ tab. 2) Visit our blog for a printable donation form to mail to: Loving Shepherd Ministries, PO
Box 375, Bluffton, IN 46714. Note your gift for ‘Ethiopia Projects’.