In the spring of 2009, the Ohana Christian Fellowship in West Linn, Ore., and Portland Adventist Academy co-sponsored a mission trip to Ethiopia. The group of more than 34 students, faculty and church members participated in a multifaceted outreach evangelism.
One objective was to construct an adult literacy center. Construction was led by Chet Miller of Portland. A four-classroom complex was constructed on the site of Awassa Adventist Academy, a K–12 school of nearly 1,300 students.
Simultaneously, the group conducted two open-air evangelistic services. Students from PAA preached to more than 1,000 people in Tula, and Doug Franzke, Ohana pastor, preached to more than 1,500 to 2,000 people in Awassa.
Health talks and children's ministries were offered to more than 400–900 children twice daily. PAA students painted a mural designed by MacKenzie Kessler from PAA.
Richard and Anita Molstead, and Joan Oksenholt developed and assembled a training manual for the new literacy center. The manual included a section on how to utilize drip-irrigation for producing more food in the drought-ridden countryside. It was translated into Amharic and printed for use.
Additionally, government officials from the southern border area of Ethiopia traveled to Awassa to discuss with the education team plans to set up a satellite school in their region for nomadic tribes.
Medical teams provided dental services. Hundreds of patients were treated without charge in clinics, and surgery was performed at the Awassa Medical Center.
Many attendees had no Christian background. However by the end of the meetings, nearly everyone in the crowd stood to indicate their desire to be ready to meet Jesus when He comes. On the last Sabbath, more than 560 people were baptized.
