No. 49 – December 2014 - Koinonia - Ev. Communität und ... [email protected] Ethiopia: Helen...

P. 1 Fellowship News No.49 – December 2014

No. 49 – December 2014

A letter of spiritual fellowship within Lutheran Churches

in Ethiopia, Southern Africa and Europe

Dear Fellowship friends,

Mary visits her aunt Elisabeth. This is how

a student from elementary school in

Ethiopia visualizes the scene in his

painting of two pregnant women.

Something impossible became possible.

They did not expect a miracle. Now they

talk with each other: What are God’s

thoughts and plans for their lives?

Each retreat, as described here in this

issue means that people reflect on

God's way with them, and they pray

and talk with each other like Mary and

Elisabeth.

After some time Mary

will flee with her

baby Jesus and Josef

to Egypt, in order to

save the life of Jesus.

Pregnant women

and mothers of

young children are

not good nomads,

says a proverb.

We see how many

people just at this

time are on the run

and they may not be

safe during Christmas

time. Many of them

are women with

children.

We appreciate that many refugees are

finding protection in neighboring count-

ries in Africa. Also more and more refu-

gees are reaching Germany often after

a dangerous journey and they ask for

admission.

The fellowship in Ethiopia decided to gi-

ve their money to poor people rather

than for church constructions. This care

and interest is a sign of love today to the

poor like the refugee child Jesus Christ.

A blessed Christmas, Nina Dürr


Genesis 33, 1-12

by Helen Bahru

Esau got angry when he found out his

brother had done to him. He wanted to

kill his twin brother Jakob. With the help

of his mother, Jakob escaped and went

far away. He lived with his uncle, married

2 wives and accumulated a lot of

property. Twenty years have gone by.

Than he longed to have peace with his

brothers, he wanted forgiveness from his

brother. So he sent a message that he

wants to meet him.

The process was difficult for Jakob.

(chapter 32) , he was afraid to meet his

brother and he was suspicious , that Esau

might harm his family. He planed to bribe

his brother. This was not a easy trip to

forgiveness.

Let us see the side of the other brother.

He got the message. The message was:

Let us make peace. He left everything to

make peace. “Esau ran to meet him,

threw his arms around him, and kissed

him. They where both crying.” Vers 4

Esau in the beginning did not want to

accept gifts- he gave his forgiveness for

free.

1.) Think of the brothers; of the journey

Jakob made. He gave up his live in

Labans house. He started a new to ask

for forgiveness, he started a new life.

2.) Also Esau left everything behind to

give forgiveness. He decided to come

and give forgoiveness to his brother. He

put no precondition. He gave freely.

Question:

1. Why did Jakob badly want forgiveness

of his brother after so many years?

Hehad got what he wanted and his life

was blessed.

2. How do you see Jakob trying to bribe

his brother to get peace?

3.What does Esaus first reaction toward

peace making teach us today? He left

behind what happened, choose the

way of forgiveness and moved forward.

4. What is the message in this to us

personally, to the fellowship, the church,

our country and to our todays world?

Helen and adamu live in Addis Abeba

with their two daughters. Helen works

at the belgian embassy and Dr. Ada-

mu teaches at Addis Ababa University.

Both are active members of the koino-

nia fellowship in addis ababa.


The month of June is celebrated in South

Africa as youth month

because of the 16th of June 1976, when

the youth of Soweto went on the streets

protesting against a policy which the

Apartheid government had introduced:

Afrikaans, the language of the white

oppressor, would become the medium

of instruction in all schools. The youth mo-

bilized to publically protest against this

and tried to hold a meeting in Orlando

Stadium. On their way to the stadium,

the young people met tanks, army and

police who shot them, many lost their li-

ves. This event started a movement in

which many young people went into hi-

ding, they joined the ANC and other criti-

cal voices to fight the Apartheid govern-

ment.

On the occasion of youth month Christel

Hermann interviews Thato Mokgothu. He

is 29 years old, peer educator in Tsibo-

gang and lives in Mafikeng. He tells us

about his life and the situation of young

people in South Africa.

Last week we celebrated 16 June, the

uprising of the youth in Soweto. What is

the significance of this day for you?

June 16 is important for me because it

was the first time when Blacks expressed

themselves against the Apartheid go-

vernment. They did that in a violent way

which I do not like but what I like is that

they had a spirit of fighting together for

their rights.

What are the most burning issues of

young people today after 29 years of de-

mocracy in South Africa?

Unemployment and drug abuse are most

burning issues today. It goes like a vicious

cycle: young people are frustrated be-

cause they have little to hope for when it

comes to future employment and they

start using drug (alcohol and later on

harder drugs). This leads to a lack of self

control. Teenage pregnancies follow or

Youth month

An Interview by Christel Hermann

About Fellowship News

The “SPIRITUAL FELLOWSHIP KOINONIA”, a movement within the Evangelical Luthe-

ran Church of Germany, publishes the Fellowship News since December 1992.

Members of this spiritual fellowship live in different places in Germany, Ethiopia,

South Africa, Zambia, in the UK and Switzerland. Some members of this move-

ment are called to a communal life inspired by Acts 2, 42-47. In South Africa, the

Koinonia is called KOINONIA RETREAT MOVEMENT.


they start stealing to get the drugs. This

is also one of the topics we tackle in our

Tshepanang lessons.

W h e n d i d y o u j o i n T s h e p a -

nang/Tsibogang and what motivated

you to become a peer educator?

I joined Tshepanang in 2010 after I had

done a course with Life Line and was

employed as a counsellor. I was attrac-

ted to Tshepanang because I felt it to

be a challenge for me to teach younger

people at school. I had the vision that

through teaching I could reach the

community.

What are the best, what are the worst

moments of a peer educator?

When I was 15, I had a brain tumour

which was operated. After that I had to

learn speaking again and until now it is a

problem. Sometimes I am stammering.

So this is a problem when teaching lear-

ners at school. In the beginning they we-

re laughing about me. But after I have

told them my story, they respect me and

they even come to me for counselling

and advice. I have realized that there is

a great need for counselling at schools.

So many children have serious problems

and they would not go to teachers - we

as peer educators are approached. For

me that is a great honour and challen-

ge to be open to them and help them.

Fellowship News - Whom to contact?

South Africa:

Christel Hermann, P.O. Box 3574, Mmabatho 2375, Phone Fax: 018 386 - 12 04 or- 3925

E-mail: [email protected]

Ethiopia:

Helen Bahru, Fellowship Addis Abeba, E-mail: [email protected]

Europe:

Nina Dürr, Angerstr 12, 37071Göttingen, Phone 0551-7701368 , E-mail:

[email protected]

Ursel and Henning Behrends, Phone 04957 912009, E-mail: hen-

[email protected] / [email protected]

Thato Mokgothu


Retreat day for Tsibogang by Wolfgang Herman, SA

After a long winter with lots of frost and

cold wind, Spring is slowly taking over.

The first green leaves are visible and in

the garden the first roses are coming

out. Winter here in South Africa is really

tough because there are no heating

systems inside the houses. Some people

seem to hibernate during this season of

winter, they are hiding in their blankets.

Surprisingly, however, it was that at the

end of July we went out for a retreat

day with 22 people from Tsibogang. We

drove to a game park nearby(to

Zeerust) leaving behind our families,

work and our communities.

After the four retreat days, there is

already a ritual, how the retreat day

starts. The first night we were sitting in a

c i rc le and Wol fgang Hermann

introduced us to a text of Exodus 33,

where it is said of Moses, He talked to

God as one would talk with his friend.

That was an impressive image. All were

invited to write a letter to God, as if

writing to your best friend telling her/him

what is going on in your life.

Most participants had already been to

a retreat day before. Those who had

come for the first time, shared their

expectations : "At home there is always

something going on, it's always noisy

and loud." "I need time alone with God,

without anyone bothering me." "In

everyday life, my prayer consists mostly

of petitions and requests, now I want to

listen to God."

This is most amazing that so many had

this longing to have time with God

alone.

The next day there was silence after an

introduction about ‘Love God with all

your heart, mind and soul and Love your

neighbour as you love yourself.” The

focus was to look into one’s life where

the relationship with God needs more

space and time and to find balance in

serving others.

All participants looked for a quiet space

in the garden and a spot in the sun

because it was stil l very cold.

Unfortunately, the silence was disturbed

by a group of young people, who had

come for a drama workshop.

In the two groups where we shared our

insights, it was striking that so many

family problems came up. Also problems

among the employees in Tsibogang

were shared. The good thing about the

sharing was that everyone could listen

without giving advices. At the end we

had a prayer fellowship.

The sun was up and it was getting

warmer; this was the time for sports:

volleyball and skipping rope. The Tswana

children dance, sing and skip at the

same time. This is absolutely fascinating:

Two skip the rope and the others jump in

while singing and dancing. There was

much laughter because the older ladies

also joined, skipping and playing

volleyball.


In the feed back round we heard from

two what they had experienced: a

young woman told us that she had

realized that she just could not accept

her brother and the word:’ Love your

neighbour' hit her in the heart, she goes

home with a new insight to see her

brother with eyes of God. Another one

shared with us: “For the first time in

years, someone told me: You've done

well! This has built me up I will look at my

family from a different perspective. My

life has changed through these few

hours of the retreat."

Wolfgang Herman

Be still my soul

Cease from the labour and the toil

Refreshing springs from peace await

To troubled minds and hearts that ache

Be still my soul, God knows your way

And He will guide For His name’s sake

Plunge in the rivers of His grace

Rest in the arms of His embrace

Be still my soul

Though battles round you rage and roar

One thing you need and nothing more

To hear the whisper of your Lord

Be still my child I know your way

And I will guide for My name’s sake

Plunge in the rivers of My grace

Rest in the arms of My embrace

Don Moen


Nehemia 1

by Adamu Abise

The book of Nehemia has a good lesson

in leadership. From Ethiopia many

people left the country to live around

the world. Nehemia lives far away from

the country and thinks about his people.

His means: God is comforting. He lived

1000 km away from Jerusalem in Susa,

the capital of the Babylonian empire

(today Iran). The Jewish were in exile.

Some of them go the permission to go

back to Jerusalem.

The picture

Nehemia meets his brothers, who just

returned from a visit to Jerusalem. He

asks them about the town and the

people who went back. Those who

returned and survived (!) are in great

difficulties, the foreign neighbors look

down on them. The wall of the town and

its gates are broken.

Nehemia is well off and in good

circumstances in Susa. He is the wine

steward of the emperor at the palace

(V 11).

When hearing this news he sits down

and weeps, does not eat for many days

and he prays a lot.

Question:

Look at Nehemia’s life in the palace.

What kind of person is he? How did he

get to this high position, where the life of

the emperor is at his hands?

Picture the circumstances of this

meeting with his brothers.

Nehemia took a long time to pray (V 5

ff). what do we understand from this

about his personality? Is he confident?

Can he see his own weaknesses in front

of God?

See the people in Jerusalem surrounded

by ruins. How their lives are in trouble.

What are they talking about? How do

you feel about them?

The text and my life

Nehemia a spiritual leader of his time:

He rebuilds the wall of Jerusalem and

involves many people in this process. He

faces many obstacles. There are always

temptations in life that we have to

overcome. We cannot flee from them.

Nehemia lived a comfortable life, but his

Members of the retreat in Ehiopia


ET my home

By Sebo Tladi

My stay in Ethiopia was a blessing and

an eye opener. I found the people to be

loving, caring and warm, but most

importantly a people with a sense of

belonging. People who value their lives

and that of others. Everything is precious

and valuable, life is held in high regard

whether of people or animals. There is

order even in what seemed like chaos.

I have learned just from the time I spend

there that every life form is precious and

that there's harmony in everything. God

didn't just create things for nothing,

every life form has to leave in harmony

and we are the custodian of what he

has created.

And the people of Ethiopia showed me

just that. There is a work ethic that goes

on there. People are not sitting down

waiting to be handed things on a platter

they are doing the work themselves no

matter how small or insignificant. There is

respect for everything and everyone. As

for our hosts they also emulated what

we were already observing. Every one

that hosted us had time for us, they were

eagerly anticipating our arrival and it

was their intention to make us feel at

heart was bound to the people in

Jerusalem.

The renewal of his heart and thinking

started while praying and being in front

of God. He got a goal for his life from

God and was committed to his Lord and

this made him a big person in spiritual

leadership. When God calls people he

prepares them for leadership. Nehemia

was involved in political issues. His life in

the palace prepared him for the big

task of his life. He prays and waits until

god gives a chance for him to talk to

the emperor. He takes care in preparing

the next steps by taking letters from the

emperor. His life is full of interactions with

God.

He stands for his clear vision and the

decisions and gives an example with his

life for others. He asks precise questions

and searches for approved information.

He is able to listen to what people say.

He searches for the real needs and

solutions to them. He did his secular work

well, all the tasks assigned to him.

We have leadership responsibilities in our

lives, e.g in our families. Some big

leaders cannot take care of their own

families. Don’t take on responsibilities if

you neglect responsibilities at home.

Nehemia settles everything before he

leaves.

What is the motivation in our ministries?

Often money is behind. In Nigeria 9 of 10

millionaires are pastors. What kind of

responsibility do we bear in the society?

Many people need support. Do we pass

by Muslims in need?

Questions:

What can we learn from his life? In how

far did it help him in his questions for

Jerusalem?

In our country, in our home or marriage –

where do we find ruins and what can be

the solution?

Is there a call of god in my personal life

to implement?

In my life are there destructive things


home. Sharing, which is becoming an

extinct word in our part of the world is

the order of the day in ET. We are

thankful to those who hosted us either

by accommodating us or even

organised our meals and also taking us

for sight seeing. Our thanks also goes to

those who were willing to host but due

to time constraints we couldn't stay

over. I said to a friend before I left for ET

that "I feel like I am going home on this

trip".

And that's what I experienced, when I

was there and even as I am writing this. I

have indeed discovered a home and

am glad I have connected with my

brothers and sisters.

Whenever I feel down and out I play

"misgana misgana" reminding me of the

vibrant youth we met in Hossana.

May the Lord continue to bless you and

keep you, may He show his face upon

you and give you all peace.

Remember you have family too in SA.

God willing we will see one another

again. Amaseganalo ET.

Love always

Sebo Tladi

Sebo Tladi is married to Dire Tladi. They

are blessed with two kids, now teena-

gers, namely: Lesedi (girl) and Ofentse

(boy). They live in Equeatria Pretoria and

work at the University of South Africa

(UNISA) as a Senior Lecturer in the Mer-

cantile Law Department. Currently I fel-

lowship at Pretoria Christian Center loca-

ted in Lynwood Pretoria


Magdalene Wille by Klaus Hampe

While writing about the late Magdalene

Wille I see her shaking her head and

saying: “Leina o tsenya motse –the name

spoils the town.” She adds in a low voice:

“You know that I do not like eloquence

(=words of appreciation, that make

people beautiful)?” Yes, I do know that,

that’s why I have to write in a different

way.

Magdalene Wille was born and grew up

in Hamburg until the town was bombed

in 1943. She lost her heart to mission work

during Sunday school, when she was just

9 years old. Her wish was to become a

medical doctor or nurse, but she was

found unfit and with heart disease.

However, she did not give up her plan

and started to study theology.

Finally in 1960 she arrived in South Africa

and became the first female degree

theologian. She was appointed to teach

Old Testament at the theological

seminary Marang. Her students

nicknamed her: “Madam! … because

she treats us like gentlemen!” This was not

just politeness, but a statement in times of

apartheid:

Magdalene Wille accepted and

appreciated all people. She was

responsible for the wives of the pastors

and missionaries in Transvaal as well as

sisters serving at the congregations.

In 1976 most positions in the church were

filled with theologians who had been her

students once. Magdalene Wille

became the first female pastor of ELCSA

and got a congregation of her own. She

stayed 31 years in South Africa and

retired in 1991 – despite her weak heart

and apparently unfit for tropical climate.

Yes, dear Magdalene Wille, these words

about yourself you would not want. So let

me tell something different about

yourself: You taught me a proverb of the

Tswana: “Two friends share the head of a

locust.” This was a parable of hospitality

for you.

Each and every one coming to your

door was welcome as a friend .. but

weapons had to stay outside, weapons

of freedom fighters and soldiers alike. In

your pastors residence everyone got a

cup of tea, even if you had once again

spent your whole salary on corn for the

church members. And the dogs and the

cats were also among your friends and

housemates, with whom you shared a

portion of ice cream.

No, dear Magdalene Wille, you would

not want so much “fuss” about you. I

know you would have prefered to stay

invisible and disappear without much

attention. Please forgive me for putting

the focus on you today – representative

of the many hundreds of people, the

Batswana and the Germans, women

and men, who learned from you, what it

means to follow Jesus.

You lived your life quietly and yet

impressed many. Quietly you carried the

years of your disease and quietly you

passed away. Tsela tswehu, the way is

white, free, nothing disturbing in the way.

How beautiful that our ways every now

and then crossed.

No. 49 – December 2014 - Koinonia - Ev. Communität und ... [email protected] Ethiopia: Helen...

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