Honegger November 2022

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9).

The holiday of Thanksgiving is a time to look back on the year in gratitude for all God has provided and celebrate the bountiful harvest He has brought to fruition through our faithful service to Him. What kinds of harvests are mentioned in the Bible, and what has been harvested here at Rafiki Village Ethiopia this year?

“He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness” (2 Corinthians 9:10).

First, it is the Lord who provides all we need. We have seen God’s protection through political instability in Ethiopia this past year, and, despite rising food and supply costs, we have never been wanting. We were also blessed with a good harvest of teff, the grain that is used to make the traditional bread Injera. Junior and senior high students and teachers got to participate in bringing in the harvest, which will supply what is needed for school lunches for many months.

Students gathering bundles of grain, and the high school students and teachers in front of the giant pile of teff!

“For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it” (Hebrews 12:11).

Discipline. Discipleship. Training. These are daily occurrences here as we seek to shape the minds and hearts of 51 residents and hundreds of day students to love Christ. This training of the heart and mind for godliness comes in many forms, whether through Bible study, an academic subject, or an evening conversation with a student. This month our school also began extracurricular clubs, and I am leading Photography Club. It is wonderful to share an activity I love with the students, and I am also grateful I get to teach them to look for God’s beauty in unexpected places.

Ms. Esther with Photography Club members during our first meeting

“Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is the time to seek the LORD, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you” (Hosea 10:12).

The best way to equip ourselves to grow in godliness is to know God through His Word. All Scripture is useful for training in righteousness: it breaks up the fallow ground of our hearts with correction, conviction, and encouragement; it enables us to seek Yahweh; it teaches us how to sow righteousness and reap love. As I teach grade 11 Bible this year, the end of our study of Exodus has been particularly meaningful to me as we considered the blessings that come from repentance, including secure joy in God’s presence and meaningful participation in His work as we proclaim His excellencies.

Me teaching grade 11 Bible

A student pondering our discussion of Exodus

God also says that peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness (James 3:18). We pray that the peace agreement signed at the beginning of November between the Ethiopian government and an opposition group will actually be implemented, and that genuine peace and deep healing will occur.

Finally, as Jesus told his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few” (Matthew 9:37). Would you consider contributing your time, treasure, or talents to harvesting righteousness here in Ethiopia? The opportunities for meaningful participation in God’s purposes are abundant: students to disciple, teachers to train, and missionaries to support.

May you rejoice as you look back on the fruit you have harvested this year!

Praise Update

Your prayers were answered, and I was finally granted a resident ID card!

Prayer Requests

• Genuine peace in many conflict areas throughout Ethiopia.
• All students to desire a harvest of righteousness in their lives, and the motivation and wisdom to sow generously to that end.
• Patient perseverance in difficult situations, and faith that I will reap a harvest if I do not give up.
• Please pray that the Lord will provide more Rafiki Missionaries and more day student sponsors so that we can bring Bible study and classical Christian education to more needy children. Perhaps He is calling you to be the answer to one of those prayers?

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