By James Lane
Loading up in our van at 7:15 this morning I did not know what to expect. We were waking up early and getting a jump on the day because today was going to be different. We were on our way to Korah. As we made our way through the maze of honking car horns and streets that seem to weave around in circles, the team members that visited there last year began to share the experiences that they had at Korah. Even though they were trying to explain this amazing ministry I could not picture it in my head.
We rolled up to the compound and were immediately greeted by a courtyard full of kids waiting on us to serve them breakfast. We got a quick tour of the compound and I began to see what made Korah so special. Everyone that was there had a heart for the community of people around them. There was a thoughtful approach to each ministry that is taking place there. The first person that was introduced to us was a man that taught the children English two times each day. He informed us that his primary goal was for the children to interpret and understand scripture better. However, before he could finish his explanation, we were rushed over to a smoke filled kitchen where dozens of pancakes were being made along with a barrel sized pot of hot tea. The team stepped into the smoke and each of us emerged with a dish or a kettle. Remember, we came to serve breakfast.
We made it into a room that quickly filled up. We started to pass out the meal, one pancake and a cup of tea. As the team rushed around passing out the food we were able to interact with the children. We began to find that the English classes were working. Several of them told me their name, and recited scripture in English, but it wasn't just repetition. We began to have conversations with them. The conversations turned into friendships and before too long all of us had flooded back into the courtyard. This time though, it felt like we were all together, instead of watching them we were playing with them. We were the talking to them and we were making things with them. The separation was gone and there we were, no longer us and them, but a community.
We continued to see this theme of togetherness as we toured the rest of Korah. We walked about a hundred steps to the next compound and arrived in a different community, about seven 'elder men'. These men were spending their last days at Korah in a compound specially designed to make them feel comfortable and honored. They greeted us with withering hands and big smiles.
We passed out Cokes and Starburst candy as gifts and the men began to tell us stories. One of the men sang songs thanking God for sending Jesus. Another offered a prayer for us. I read the 23 psalm in English and then it was translated into Amharic. It started to feel like a church service. One of the elders remarked how even though we were from so far away, we had so much in common because of Jesus. Everyone in the room agreed and we could all tell that The Holy Spirit was there among us. Israel, our interpreter offered a final prayer in Amharic and even though I did not understand the language my spirit was in full agreement with her in prayer.
Our morning at Korah ended with a coffee ceremony at another compound were there is a Family work program and a place where the people there sell their handicrafts. Again we were there together, sharing with each other, talking, and praying together.
Our time in Korah highlighted, for me, the importance of being together. God had called us all out of darkness and we all stand before Him as one in His Glorious Light. To get to see so many expressions of the gospel all in one morning was a privilege. It was an honor to be together with my friends at Korah.
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