Rebekah’s Story
Update (2-6-21)
Dear Friends,
Hi! I hope you are all doing well.
There have been a lot of transitions here. One family needed to head back to the states for medical care at the end of December. They hope to return in a few more months. Another family has just returned to Soddo, and their children have started school here this last week. One thing that I’ve learned serving overseas is that change is a constant. As someone who typically has a backup plan for my backup plan, it can be challenging to adapt quickly to last minute changes. I am definitely learning a lot about flexibility and making the most of the time that I have. Please pray that the children walking through these transitions can settle into a routine and adjust well to their new normal.
A missionary on our compound last week tested positive for Covid, and several others had Covid symptoms. Currently, those who are sick are doing better and finishing quarantine, and no one else has gotten sick. Please pray for protection over our team.
A big theme that keeps coming up in school this year is perseverance. Whether the kids are struggling with long division or building card towers, or learning how to hit a baseball, we have been learning to keep working, despite how hard it can be to master something new. It takes a lot of practice and failures and starting over to get the hang of something that you haven’t done before. But we develop grit and character as we press on through the challenges.
I have found this true in my own life as well. God uses the challenges in our lives to develop character and draw us closer to Him. In James we read, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:3 & 4).
Thank you for all of your support and prayers! I pray that you may find the strength to persevere through any challenges you may be facing and find joy as you draw closer to Christ, knowing that He is working through it all.
Rebekah DeWeerd
Christmas Update: (12-07-20)
Dear Friends,
I can’t believe it’s almost Christmas. It’s so hard to tell the time of year here. Since the rainy season has (mostly) ended, it’s been getting hotter here during the day, and it feels like summer. This Minnesota girl misses stepping into cold air that takes my breath away and the magic of watching snowflakes filling the air. Being in this culture helps me see the Christmas story with new eyes as I see donkeys carrying loads of sticks or water jugs or pulling carts. I can’t imagine how difficult it must have been making the trek to Bethlehem and finding no place to stay after such a grueling journey.
It’s so strange to live in a place where nothing is familiar. People bathe in the same river that they wash clothes and collect their drinking water. Kids use a big intersection to play a game of soccer, running off to the edge of the road when a honking horn signals a need to jump out of the way. Ethnic conflict leaves people hurt or dead for no reason but hate. People flee their homes and livelihood to escape fighting, choosing the lesser evil. It breaks my heart to see the huge needs this people has, but feel completely unable to offer solutions. The problems are way too big to solve.
I look at a street kid, pulling on my arm asking for money, and I wonder what his story is. Does he even have a home? Will he have any food to eat tonight? Where will he be in five years? This is someone that Jesus died to save. What about the man in disheveled clothes and unkept hair staggering down the street? Or the girl in her teens forced to quit school and marry someone her family has chosen for her or the baby found buried alive because her mother didn’t want her? These are people that God sees and loves, just as He loves you and me. I wish I knew the language and had the words to say to offer hope. Often, it feels like I just can’t do enough.
I think about the words of Jesus: “For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of Him who sent me, “(John 6:38). Jesus didn’t heal everyone or fulfill people’s expectations. He came to do His Father’s will. It was as simple and as complex as that. As I struggle with the limitations I have to make a difference, I realize that I can only do as Jesus has done. I can seek to walk closely with my Father and love the people He puts in my path. As I teach the children here on the compound, I support the ministry that their parents have serving the people at the hospital and sharing the hope of Christ with them. And that is enough because right now that is how I’m called to serve.
Thank you for your continued prayers and support. I pray that you may take time during this Christmas season to draw close to the Savior and celebrate the joy we have because we belong to Him.
Rebekah DeWeerd
I wish I could share the pictures of my students but for their protection I cannot. Here are a few pictures of Soddo and of our new school house.
Update Oct 12th, 2020
Rebekah returns to Ethiopia!
After months of waiting for the all clear to return due to social unrest and Coivd Rebekah and the Soddo team returned to their mission post! God has already been answering prayers. Her return was very uneventful and the amazing surprise of a nearly completed new school for the kids as well as Rebekah’s own living space.
Dear Woodstock Family,
Thanks so much for all of your love, support, and prayers. I have loved using the printer this week as I plan for school to start up next week. It is such a blessing.
The kids are so excited to start school, and I can't wait to be in the classroom again, too. I'm attaching a few pictures of our current school space and of the new school that should be finished in the next 3 to 4 weeks that we will move into. Please continue to pray for the kids as they adjust back to their lives here in Soddo and to a more structured school day. Pray that they may flourish this year academically and emotionally and grow closer to Jesus each day. It is a great privilege to be able to be a part of their lives, and I couldn't do it without you. Thank you!
Sincerely,
Rebekah DeWeerd
Rebekah has returned home! Read about how the power of prayer has gotten her through!
Update from Rebekah 4/2/20
I just wanted to say thanks so much for all your prayers for me as I flew back to the states this last weekend. I was terrified that I would get stuck somewhere along the way and not be able to fly home. I only know a few words/phrases in Amharic. Combine that with the anti-foreigner sentiment currently circulating in the country and it could land me in a bad situation.
Getting around Ethiopia even prior to the coronavirus is a headache. Extra caution is needed now as people react in fear to something they can’t control.An Ethiopian driver drove me the two hours down to the Arba Minch airport. It was eerily quiet. Where there are normally lots of people, there was no one. It was an ominous feeling. When we got to the airport, there was a guard who made us get out of the car and wash our hands prior to getting into the gate. The flight from Arba Minch left on time; we landed at a small airstrip in the middle of the country to drop off some passengers and pick up others going to Addis, the capital city. When I arrived at Addis, I was a little confused as to where I should go. I had only been to the international terminal before, but I flew into the other terminal. Two lovely Ethiopian ladies pointed me off in the right direction. It was about ½ mile walk away, guarded of course by national soldiers holding assault rifles. Nothing like feeling safe, right?After going through security at the international terminal, I had about 7 hours to wait for my flight to Chicago.
While I was waiting, three security officials came up to me and demanded to see my passport. They wanted to know where I was coming from and where I was going. Right now, Ethiopia is requiring any foreigner coming in the country to pay a large sum of money and to self-quarantine in one of their hotels for 14 days. They thought that I had landed and needed to be taken somewhere. Honestly, they were doing their job, but it was a little nerve-wracking. I showed them my passport that proved I was NOT coming from out of country, and they left me alone.It felt like forever before it was time to get on my flight.
We ended up leaving about an hour later than we should have. The reason was unclear. However, instead of stopping over anywhere to refuel, we had a direct flight to Chicago. This turned out great. If we hadn’t, I would never had made my connecting flight to Sioux Falls. After making it through customs, reclaiming my baggage, and taking a bus to the right terminal in Chicago, I grabbed a coffee while waiting for my flight. On the big flight board near my gate of flights all over the US, about ¾ of them were canceled. I was nervous that my flight would be canceled, too, but it wasn’t. We boarded the flight a little late, and even though it was just six of us on board, we made the flight back to Sioux Falls.
Thank you so much for covering me with prayer. God worked out all of the details and kept me safe the whole way. I love the verse in Jeremiah 29:12 that says: “Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will hear you.” God hears the cries of our hearts and works on our behalf, even if we can’t see how all the pieces fit together.
Update from Rebekah 3/15/20
To my Church Family,
So life in Soddo is still normal, but I wonder how soon that will change as the first case of the coronavirus was confirmed last week in the Addis Ababa, the capital city. That is about a 7 hour drive from Soddo. It's really hard to predict how quickly it will spread. Staff here at the hospital are trying to plan how to handle it. We really don't have the space or medical resources or personnel to handle it here. There are a lot of unknowns at this point.
The students are all doing really well. It is amazing to see their enthusiasm to learn new things and the growth they've made academically this year. Every day, we sing, we laugh, we read stories, and we persevere while learning new skills.
The kids have really struggled when learning something new or difficult in school.. I remind the kids that they just aren't there....YET! This is a lesson that I need to learn as well. As I reflect on this year and all I had hoped to accomplish, I need to remember that this is a journey and I haven't completed all of my goals....YET! One verse that has come up again and again as a reminder for me is from Galations 6:9--"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
It can be so easy to look at the circumstances around us and sit back with a sigh of defeat. There's no way we can overcome all of the obstacles or make things happen. But we were never meant to do it on our own. 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's." 2 Chronicles 20:15
As we walk this journey together, let's remember to run with perseverance the race before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus. It's only through His strength that we can do the work we are called to do.
Thank you all for your prayers for me!
Rebekah
Christmas 2019 Video Update from Rebekah
On September 1st, 2019 the Woodstock Missions Committee and church family launched Rebekah to Ethiopia. Below is the video of that service.
As of Sunday, July 14th Rebekah is fully funded!!!
Rebekah DeWeerd
On September 1st, 2019 Woodstock Church has the privilege of launching Rebekah onto the mission field in Ethiopia. Rebekah is a very gifted teacher and communicator. She will be teaching the children of the missionary families serving at the Soddo hospital and teaching English as a second language to Ethiopians through a learning center at the hospital. Below is more information about the Mission at Soddo and how you can help partner with Rebekah.
Rebekah sharing her heart for Ethiopia
“God is leading me on a new adventure. This fall I am planning on moving to Soddo, Ethiopia to teach children of missionaries who don’t have access to a school there. This will free up their parents (doctors & engineers) to participate in hospital related ministry activities. Not only does the team offer medical care that is desperately needed, but they use it as an avenue to share the life-changing message of our Savior. I love the story of Jesus healing the paralytic in Mark 2. The room was so crowded that the only way that the paralytic’s friends could get the man to Jesus was by digging through the roof and lowering the man down. This man came for a physical healing, but the first thing that Jesus told him was “Son, your sins are forgiven.” God wants us to live an abundant life, and He knows that physical health isn’t enough. God wants to heal our broken hearts and set us free from our sins so that we can have a relationship with Him and know how much He loves us. I can’t wait to serve with this team as we get the privilege to share this Good News!”
How Can I Help?
Any donations or contributions towards Rebekah’s mission work can be directed to the American Reformed Church of Woodstock and please place Ethiopia in the memo line.
I must have a sending church that signs a Church Partnership Agreement that includes prayer support, accountability, and a $200/month commitment to the Home Office over and above what they provide you directly.
What is the process?
I am currently finishing my application to Global.
Once that is processed and approved, I can sign up for a week-long Missionary Orientation Training which will be in September.
Then I will go through a 3-month process, including assessments, readings, and instructional videos to prepare for missions work.
Missionary Orientation Training will be held September 9-14.
I hope to have funds raised by this time and be ready to fly to Ethiopia shortly after this.
Global Outreach International:
It is a nondenominational missions and development organization that trains, sends, and supports missionaries in 49 countries.
It is based out of Tupelo, Mississippi.
Global Outreach exists to exalt Christ and engage people in mission by proclaiming the Gospel, doing good, and equipping the Church.
Requirements for me to join Global Outreach International:
I must sign a statement that I agree with their Statement of faith.
I must be willing to submit to and comply with their administrative processes and best practices;
I must complete our Missionary Orientation Process, culminating in a week-long Missionary Orientation Training;
Soddo Christian Hospital provides healthcare for Southern Ethiopia in the name of Christ.
The purpose of the institution is to supply severely needed health care in a compassionate and sacrificial manner with the utmost quality, industry and integrity.
We believe in providing the highest quality of care that is available for rural Africa. We leverage affordable medical technology with our trained specialists.
We have 139 beds spread out over four wards and an ICU. We provide a full range of medical, surgical (including orthopedic and general), maternity, and pediatric care. The hospital has an emergency clinic and outpatient clinic rooms, and an optometry and dental clinic. The surgical department has five operating rooms. Soddo’s radiology department proudly offers digital x-ray, ultrasound, and a 16-slice CT scanner!
The hospital is located in Soddo, a city of roughly 80,000 people in southwestern Ethiopia, about 200 miles (330km) from Addis Ababa. It is the center of the Wolaitta region, which has about 2.5 million inhabitants, and is one of the most populated and impoverished parts of Ethiopia.
