My evening program was a presentation on Discipleship with young people at Our Savor’s Lutheran Church at West Salem.

At the synod office I made a presentation on Discipleship for a group of senior pastors. Then I met with the teaching pastors who have been at Nekemte Christian Education College. I also attended a meeting of the conference Deans with Bishop April Larson.

Professor Richard A. Jensen and Bonnie Jensen from Minneapolis, who were in Ethiopia from 1962-1965, came to visit me in La Crosse. We had a wonderful day sharing our experiences both here in the US and in Ethiopia. Richard A. Jensen is the author of the book "Touched by the Spirit" which I often use as a resource for my Charismatic Movement presentation. I am very grateful to Bishop April Larson for arranging such a blessing time.

The WELCA convention was conducted at Immanuel Lutheran church at Viroqua where I presented greetings on behalf of my synod.

After lunch I went to Gloria Die Lutheran church, Tomah, where the Rev. Dr. Chris Hallemeier, who has been to Ethiopia as a teaching pastor, is currently serving as Interim Pastor. I was privileged to visit some ministries both in the church and in the community. The Gloria Dei Lutheran church members are very much committed to social work especially in supporting the Haitian people by sending a medical team from time to time. I was very impressed with their activities for fund raising. Also, some of their members are highly involved in working with Compassion International Ministry.

During the evening I made a presentation on the Wholistic Ministry of the EECMY which is quite similar to Gloria Dei’s ministry. I stayed overnight with Pastor Bill Rice, the pastor of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church.

I preached on the topic "Eternity begins here on Earth" at the two Sunday services. In between the two services I had a short time with the young people.

After lunch I attended the Synod building dedication. Invited guests and church leaders and members were present at this special occasion. As the 2^nd fastest growing Lutheran synod in the US, such a building is very important for its multifaceted ministry.

In the evening I went to Franklin Lutheran church to make a presentation on Discipleship. It was Family Night.

I visited Waldorf Collage and saw Zecharias, son of the Rev. Fayisa Negassa. Rev. Fayisa was the one who laid the great foundation for our present synod companionship. I am very much thankful to Connie for being my driver.

I had breakfast with the synod staff. In the evening I presented a devotion at the North Conference Pre-Assembly Caucus on the topic ‘God’s Work-Our Hands’- the theme for the Synod Assembly. Nehemiah was my model for my devotion and I have included the devotion since it is the theme for the Synod Assembly :

Then I (Nehemiah) said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people: ‘The work is extensive and spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall. Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there.’ (Neh. 4:19-20). And the people said, ‘Let us rise up and build.’ Then they set their hands to this good work. (2:18)

Since the walls were very extensive, and the workmen consequently scattered and widely separated from each other, enemies might easily attack and paralyze the building activities. Therefore Nehemiah ordered them all to work as near to each other as they could. He is a good strategic leader, mobilizing the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people for a common goal and vision. He is a man of prayer, a spiritual leader, a diplomat (he convinced the political leaders to give the wall building project a green light), a visionary leader, and a man of action, "He set out to build a wall, but left an enduring legacy of leadership." (Student Study Bible). He knows his part and helps the people understand their parts in this great new project.

Nehemiah’s part

1. to produce a specific vision that galvanizes the people.
2. to commit himself to God through prayer.

Nehemiah’s enemies tried their best to undermine the whole project:

• They mocked him through character assassination but he never yielded to their plots.
• Invitation to the Valley. Nehemiah reports that his enemies "sent me this message: ‘come let us meet together in one of the villages on the plain of Ono’" (6.2) Nehemiah knew it was a trap and refused to come, saying that he could not stop his great work.
• Invitation to the Temple. Nehemiah’s enemies hired a prophet to intimidate him by urging him to stop his work and hide in the temple. (6:10-12) But Nehemiah would not stop building.

1. Determination to join the team.

The invitation "Join us there" is ringing in their ears, urging a quick response. Regardless of the divine call, sometimes people are reluctant to respond. During the time of Haggai the prophet, the Almighty God seriously challenged the Israelites to rebuild the temple. He said that their building efforts have not been fruitful "Because my house lies in ruins, while all of you hurry off to your own houses." (Hag 1:9-10). God was ready but the people were not attending to Him.

2. The second thing that is expected from the people is to offer their gifts in cash and in kind to speed up the building.

1. God creates conducive environment to build the wall.
2. He initiates both spiritual and social reformations.

In the morning a meeting was conducted at the synod office regarding advocacy--how to save Hmong Vietnam veterans who are being killed, jailed, tortured, mistreated, and executed by the Lao People’s Democratic Republic government. The meeting was very encouraging. The churches – including Catholics and Lutherans-- are standing for these voiceless ones to save their lives through advocacy.

At a noon there was a meeting with Carol Hakala and Kathy Guilhas of Lutheran Social Services (LSS), and Connie Scharlau regarding international adoptions. According to Carol currently LSS is working with families who are receiving children for adoption from Ethiopia. LSS is preparing the families and supporting the families after placement, and is assisting them with the paperwork process. However, the organization does not have a direct link to any orphanages in Ethiopia. Of course we are ready, if there is a need, to be involved directly in Ethiopia with an orphanage. We would be happy to look into how we might be able to work directly with an orphanage for the placement of children from Ethiopia. Finally we talked about the possibility of working with the EECMY Central Synod in supporting the orphans at home. Accordingly we reached a common consensus to start very soon to save the orphans’ lives.

The morning was reserved for the 12^th Annual Mayoral Prayer Breakfast which was sponsored by churches of the Greater La Crosse Area. The program was conducted in the presence of the Honorable Mark Johnsrud, Mayor of the City of La Crosse and other community leaders involved in education, law enforcement, the military, emergency response, and business. Elected Officials and religious leaders were also present. I am thankful to Bishop April Larson for arranging my time so I was able to participate in such a special event. Accordingly, prayers were offered by different people for the above-mentioned officials and for the well-being of the society at large.

I went to Cashton with Pastor John Stennes-Spidahl for the Sunday services. Accordingly, I preached at Cashton Four-Point Parish and at Fish Creek Lutheran Church. At Fish Creek I made a presentation on the Power of Prayer.

On the same day I left for Chicago with the Rev. Dr. Chris Hallemeier to obtain my transit visa from the Netherlands Consulate.

On our way back to La Crosse we visited the ELCA central offices in Chicago. I had ample time with Gaylord Thomas, the ELCA Global Mission Program Director for East Africa. It was a great opportunity to share with him my experiences here in the US and to talk about the two health centers in my synod which the ELCA helps to fund.

During the evening I presented a devotion at the South Conference Pre-Assembly Caucus on the theme of the Assembly: God’s Work, Our Hands.

I made presentation on the Charismatic Movement to the West Conference Pastors, at Gunderson Lutheran Hospital.

After lunch the time was reserved for a Blessing and Farewell Service at the Franciscan Spirituality Center, the Catholic Center where I am living right now. I am very much grateful to the staff for arranging such a wonderful time for prayer and blessings.

During the evening I presented devotion at the West Pre-Assembly Caucus on the theme of the Assembly: God’s Work, Our Hands.

An outdoor service was conducted by Bridge of Life mission church and I presented a short devotion on Christian Fellowship.

A very blessing day. I had lunch with Pastor Jim Arends and Lynn Arends and we visited the Mississippi River and the La Crescent bluffs. It was a conducive time for relaxation. I enjoyed the beautiful weather and we boated on the Mississippi River. The snow was gone and the day bright with new life. People were enjoying themselves all along the river. I am very much thankful to Pastor Jim and Lynn for providing me such a wonderful opportunity before my leaving.

On my last weekend I was at First Lutheran Church in Onalaska, the same church where I participated in an Installation service with the Bishop on my first Sunday in the US. Thus First Onalaska was my first and the last church. In between the two services there was Adult Forum which enabled us to learn from one another about different matters.

I was with at Adams with Bishop April Larson to participate in the East Conference pastors’ meeting.

During the evening it was my farewell program. It was unbelievable--many people brought different kinds of food including Ethiopian "Injera" from their homes. I was reminded how God has connected our hearts together in Christ. Some of us were in tears as we said goodbye. "The weather is cold but the hearts are warm" in the La Crosse Area Synod. I hope and believe our companionship will continue until the coming of Jesus Christ.

The La Crosse Area Synod is the 2^nd fastest growing Lutheran synod of the ELCA. We, the Central Synod of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus and the La Crosse Area Synod have had a common principle--Walking Side by Side. We are very much blessed in having such a companionship that enables us to share our experiences, joys, and challenges. Our companionship is rooted not in human philanthropy but rather in the love of Christ which connects our hearts together with a deep love that binds us across the ocean as brothers and sisters. This is the true and unfailing love which will bring a positive impact to both synods until the coming of Jesus Christ.

My four months of ministry in the La Crosse Area Synod has helped me to realize how much we love one another in Christ. I am very much thankful to the Synod leaders, pastors and congregations for the great energy they invested in me during my time of service. That tremendous love and hospitality have made me feel at home. As I head home once again I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all who spent their precious time with me, providing me with constructive comments and encouragement regarding my sermons and presentations. Finally, I would like to thank my family at home for their prayer during my stay in the US.

The Spring Theological Conference was conducted at Sugar Creek Bible Camp in the presence of Bishop April Larson and Professor Diane Jacobson. I was privileged to serve on such a great occasion by presenting a Bible Study and by distributing the Holy Communion with Bishop April Larson.

During the evening Pastor Mark Jolivette, from Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in La Crosse, provided me with a chance to visit the social services undertaken by his church. I was very much delighted to have such an opportunity to visit this diaconia ministry—our assignment according to Matthew 25:35-46.

I made a presentation at Holmen Lutheran church on "How the Holy Spirit is Active in the Youth of the EECMY" to the 6-7^th graders’ "Cross Training" group at 6pm and to the 8-9^th grade Confirmation Class at 6:45 pm. During our discussions I noted that as a result of the charismatic movement in the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus, 74% of the congregants are young people and children. The Holy Spirit inspires the young people to become involved in the church’s wholistic ministry and thereby to develop a sense of ownership. They highly participate in soul-saving ministry, that is, witnessing—the Great Commission.

After supper with the Evangelism and Outreach Committee, we had an extended discussion together. Despite the different challenges of the US context the committee is working hard on evangelization and outreach. I used this opportunity to share my experience as to how the church in Ethiopia works in its mission field. Here I want to say that the task of evangelization and outreach should not be reserved to a few committees or institutions, but rather it must be the responsibility of all members who are saved to worship and to serve Him.

I went with Pastor Lanny Westphal, Assistant to the Bishop, to De Soto and Freeman Lutheran churches for weekend services. I stayed for two nights with the blessed and beloved family, Paul and Dori.

I made a presentation at Freeman Lutheran Church on the topic "Discipleship". Further discussions with questions took place. Being a disciple means total commitment—soul, spirit and body. It is a dual responsibility—to follow Him and at the same time to serve Him.

At noon I went to De Soto with Pastor Libby Howe to have extended discussions with families and children. I used this opportunity to share with them my personal story. It was during the communist regime in the country and I was 21 years old. I was working, serving the church voluntarily in organizing the young people and in witnessing Jesus Christ to all. Despite a warning from the politicians I continued in the same manner and finally they put me in prison for a week. Fortunately, there were over 100 people in prison and I again started to preach in prison. Finally, the politicians decided to release me since I continued my ministry in prison, but they fired me from my job. Thanks be to God—today most of those politicians are in the church, worshiping and serving God.

I preached at both Freeman and De Soto Lutheran churches at Sunday services.

According to my schedule, I went to Lower Coon Valley Lutheran church with Pastor Donald Fox for the evening service. I am very much thankful to Pastor Fox for arranging a special Holy Communion program. He made available the Ethiopian traditional food "Teff" which I prepared as the bread for the Holy Communion service. Further, the choirs sung a song in Afaan Oromo, "Galata kee Yesuus", which was well prepared and presented.

I met with a group that prays at a monthly Prayer Vigil for Peace in the Middle East at English Lutheran Church.

During the evening I went to Trinity Lutheran Church to attend the Holy Communion service.

The day was Good Friday and I went with Bishop April Larson to West Prairie to preach with six other preachers on the last words of Christ on the cross. Accordingly I preached on the fifth word, "I thirst," underlining that Jesus’ greatest thirst is to save all humankind from sin and eternal death.

On Saturday I went to Viroqua with Pastor Lindsay Jordan to serve Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Viroqua. In the evening we had family fellowship at Pastor Meg’s home (she is the Associate Pastor of the church) which was very similar to the Ethiopian tradition of Holy Days.

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church had three shifts for Sunday morning Easter services accompanied with wonderful music by the choir. Further, the church was decorated with flowers and also the today’s flowers, the children, were hunting for 400 Easter eggs-it was a new event for me. For the first time I preached three times at Sunday morning services.

Pastor Lindsay Jordan invited me for a special dinner service which really made me feel at home. Ms Marlys, who was at Nekemte as one of the synod delegates, was there with her family to have time with me as a special guest. I was reminded that Christianity means testing the fellowship and unity we have under the foot of His cross regardless of distance, culture and color. For the first time I celebrated Easter without my family.

For my family, especially for my wife, it is a hard time as her mother died 2 months ago and now also her father died last Monday, March 17/2008. Therefore your prayer for my family is vital at this moment.