Autumn 2011
ETHIOPIA
Our first experience in Ethiopia was not a good one. We arrived at the airport at 6.00pm, expecting no problems, as in so many countries we visit. The custom officials on duty were determined to make life as difficult as possible for us, by firstly demanding $300 duty for the guitars, then by sending us in different directions, all to no avail. Eventually 6 hours later we finally entered Ethiopia, with our guitars, having paid just $90 duty. For sure, Ethiopia is one of the poorest countries we have visited in our 21years of missions.
In spite of the poverty, they keep smiling and giving everything to Jesus. What an incredible experience, traveling for hours to get to our destinations. In most cases, the last 20 minutes of the journey was over fields, past remote villages, to even more remote Churches, where to our surprise, Church happened at whatever time we got there. It was humbling to find that 50+ had assembled at the Church, waiting for our arrival.
The Bishop said to us, how much the people had sacrificed for their faith in God. Both in Ethiopia & Uganda, they told us we were the first people from England to visit their Churches. Its hard to imagine such remote places, when we live in such a modern culture, with instant communication at our fingertips. There are few places we have been that needed the instruments as much as Ethiopia.
EASTERN EUROPE
Earlier this year I was in POLAND with a team from Riverside, Exeter. At a large meeting on the Sunday, I noticed 2 of the band members using Guitar Aid instruments. I spoke to one of them afterwards, he was in his mid twenties and what he said, I will never forget. “When I was a little boy, I remember you bringing guitars to Poland in a Landrover”
I sensed, what he was really saying was, you influenced my life. Sometimes it takes time to see the fruit of what we are doing. I believe only eternity will reveal what it has meant to so many that have received our instruments. This is the kind of story that has encouraged many to become regular sponsors of Guitar Aid.
Our most recent trip was to HUNGARY, ROMANIA, SERBIA & CROATIA.
We gave away 32 guitars on this mission. Each year around 100 guitars are given. Now it’s time to order more instruments from our suppliers. Any donation to Guitar Aid would be very much appreciated.
Thank you for making the difference & helping us to raise up worship leaders that will impact their own nations, right across the globe.
May God bless you as we sow together, seeds for the Kingdom.
Many blessings!
Dave Sumner
