McMahon June 2021

As I am writing this, I am enjoying a cool, cloudy May morning here in the highlands of Ethiopia. I am daily learning new things about the culture and climate here in sub-saharan Africa, but I am particularly amazed by the wildlife that is always around me. Blue lizards, green and pink love birds, hand-sized moths, and dog-sized deer. I am continually amazed by God’s creation and the beauty He’s put all around me.

At the beginning of May, I celebrated Ethiopian Easter, called Fasika. On Good Friday, the other missionaries and I got to lead the resident kids and their mothers in a beautiful but solemn service as we reflected on Jesus’ incredible sacrifice for us. Then, Sunday afternoon we all spent time together eating extra spicy doro wat (chicken stew), drinking extra strong coffee, and rejoicing in the miracle of Jesus’ resurrection.

Fasika celebration

It is also so rewarding to watch my music students grow in their knowledge and abilities. All of the Rafiki schools use their own Bible-integrated classical Christian curriculum, specifically written for the African context. The Rafiki music curriculum provides a wealth of resources and methods to do so. My 4-year-olds sing musical patterns in tune and dance to the beat! My first and second graders are learning to distinguish certain instruments as they listen to music by Bach, Mozart, or Duke Ellington. And my third graders have just started to write their own rhythmic pieces. Many of these students had never heard classical music until this year, but now they are learning to understand and love a whole new realm of artistic expression previously hidden from them. What a lifelong treasure! Also, if you or your friends are interested, check out the Rafiki curriculum available for home-school families or private school teachers!

Lately, I’ve been particularly encouraged by the Rafiki Bible Study as we go through the Book of Genesis. Over and over I see there’s absolutely nothing that can keep God’s plans from happening. How encouraging! Whether our lives are going well or are still quite mixed up by the pandemic or other circumstances (as many of our lives are), we can be perfectly certain that God is working and He is calling all of us to join Him, no matter which ocean we are closest to.

Please pray with me:

• Thanking God for my overall health and joy.

• That Jesus will continue to be first in my mind and daily activities.

• As I teach the seventh and eighth grade Bible study, that it will go deep into their hearts.

• For meaningful ministry to a growing number of teen-aged resident children.

• For overall safety and security in the Village, and while traveling to and from neighboring cities.

I do love hearing from you all (even if I don’t always respond right away). Let me know how I can be thinking and praying for you.

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