January 11

Our beloved friend, and co-founder of Ethiopia Education Endowment Fund, Dick Braun, died peacefully Sunday morning, January 7, due to health complications from age.  Please visit www.thompsonfuneralhome.hboy.com online for Memorial service information and his obituary.

January 3,

We ask for prayers of healing and recovery for Ethiopia Education Endowment Fund's Moderator, Rev. Richard Braun, who is experiencing challenging health issues. 

Dick first traveled to Dembi Dollo more than a decade ago in 1996 leading the first mission work team comprised of members representing several congregations from Eastminster Presbytery in northeastern Ohio. 

He's been instrumental in helping to form EEEF, enlisting support, recruiting team members for mission trips that followed, identifying prospective volunteer teacher candidates, and continues to be a driving force behind EEEF's ministry.

Dick, seen here (near right) with brother-in-law David Reed during a brief respite between conference events and EEEF meetings last July at New Wilmington Missionary (now 'Mission") Conference, has long been an advocate of NWMC, having been a teacher, and attendee for more than 40 years. 

Please hold Dick, and his wife, Becky, and their family in your prayers.

Dick Braun, and David Reed enjoying a brief respite between meetings last summer. 

Mission team members David Reed, Susan and George Reed, and Abraham Jeto in Dembi Dollo February 2006.

December 2006 - Development Committee members, Dr. Jerman Disasa, and David Reed, MD, EEEF's Clerk  departed for Ethiopia December 13 to meet with Bethel Synod representatives, BYS/BESS School directors and personnel, and PC (USA) missionaries to discuss mutual goals and explore launching an intensive strategic planning project. 

Pray for traveling mercies, and thoughtful, invigorating, illuminating and productive sessions.

UPDATE - Dr. Reed arrived safely, and is looking forward to sharing Christmas with his Ethiopian brothers and sisters. 

Unfortunately, Dr. Disasa was unable to join Dr. Reed for their trip due to a flight delay from inclement weather.

Nonetheless, David is pursuing their schedule as planned, and to date all has gone well.   We pray for David, and our Ethiopian friends' safety in the midst of recent military action, and threat of war.

Yesterday, January 2, 2007, David returned home safely to joyful greetings from his wife, Cindy, and brother John Reed.

October 2006 - "I (Janelle) am again teaching 20 class periods each week (10 periods with 11th grade and 10 with 12th grade).  My classes will be more productive this year now that I know the curriculum and “the ropes.”  Unfortunately, my classes have mushroomed in size.  Last year I had 33 in one 12th grade class and 26 in the other.  Now I have 52 in one 12th grade class and 44 in the other.  The 10th grade classes each have 66 enrolled at this time.  Now the office has just taken registration for 9th grade.  Each 9th grade class is over 70 students, making the total for 9th grade around 150. 

Worried about class sizes (at BESS) that keep getting larger and larger and my ability to teach accordingly gets less and less effective.  Other issues have come up that have significantly increased our stress level – pray for wisdom and God’s guidance.  Pray for our continued growth in friendships.  

Please write us mikemac@ethionet.et, and let us know what is new in your lives.

May God bless,

Janelle and Mike McCarty."

Janelle, Carolee, their daughter, and Mike McCarty.  Both are PC (USA) Mission Co-Workers, appointed in 2005. Mike works with the Synod in development and Janelle is an educator.