Thursday, November 6, 2008

Meet the Team - Matt Boring

I am very excited to have been invited to be a part of this adventure. When I was asked if I would be interested God gave me no choice, Yes!
For those of you that do not know me, my name is Matt Boring. Our family has been part of CSCC for about five years. We have helped with several of the construction projects around the church and seem to gravitate toward anything that has to do with hammers and nails. I can’t wait to help our friends in Ethiopia by sharing the gifts that I have been so blessed with. God has made it clear to me that this is just the beginning of something very important that our church is to undertake. I feel that He has a plan for us to do more than just provided financial support; we are to go and work with our hands, side by side with our brothers in Christ, too return just some of the love that that Jesus gave us and continues to give us everyday.

My prayer is that this initial team from CSCC will be effective in paving the way for future mission trips to Ethiopia and other places in need, that God will work through us to bless other in ways that we can not imagine. That we would set in motion, a change in our hearts that allow us and future generations to give of our time and energy unselfishly to glorify our creator. For God to place a passion on my heart that I can bring back and share with you so that you will be as excited as I am to be a part of our next mission trip. Amen!

Meet the Team - David Cooke

In March 2009 CSCC will be sending a small team of people to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to serve alongside Steve and Dawn Bryan, missionaries we have been supporting the last few years. Our team of six people will be helping them complete the construction of Phase 1 of the Ethiopian Graduate School of Theology building, encouraging and training teachers at Bingham Academy - a K-12 school that serves the missionary families in Northern Africa, leadership training and helping create promotional materials to better communicate the needs and opportunities for ministry in Ethiopia.
For many years we have been very faithful and committed to funding mission efforts outside of what we do here at our church. But rarely have we engaged hands-on in the greater work of God in the world. We are going because there are needs they have that we can practically meet with the people and resources God has blessed us with. Our going will make a difference in the people of Ethiopia and in us.
Although we face uncertain economic times in our nation, it does not lesson the need nor the opportunity to serve others. We truly believe this is a “God-thing” and we are trusting him to supply all we need to successfully serve our brothers and sisters in Christ in Ethiopia.
I know this experience will change those who are going and will change us as a church as we pray, give and serve outside of our comfort zone! I encourage you to talk to each of the team members about why they are going, commit to prayer for the team and, if God so leads, give financially above and beyond to the work of Team Ethiopia.
Thanks for your prayers and support!

Grace and peace,
Pastor David

Monday, October 27, 2008

Meet the Team! Sam Ferrand

My name is Samantha Ferrand and I have attended CSCC for about 8 years. When Steve Bryan from the Ethiopian Graduate School of
Theology came and spoke at our church this year, God clearly tugged at my heart about going to Ethiopia to take pictures. When I approached Pastor David about what I felt God was telling me, he smiled telling me he was about to plan a trip there! God confirmed and I am so honored, humbled and totally excited!! I will be traveling around the country taking pictures for promotional material to be used by the Missionary Organization SIM.
I also hope to take portraits of the missionaries there to send to their families. And to bring back images of what we see to share with our church home, so we can all share what God is doing in Ethiopia.

Meet the Team! Jeremy Fuller

Greetings fellow Cold Springs Community Church members! My name is Jeremy Fuller, son of Dwight and Sylvia Fuller who many of you may know. I am twenty years old and have attended Cold Springs Community Church faithfully since I was ten.
Pastor David asked me if I would represent the youth of our church by accompanying the team to Ethiopia. Due in part to simultaneous uncertainties about my career and schooling I welcomed this opportunity as a rare chance to expand my view by observing first hand how God can and is using Christians around our world. I can tell you honestly that I do not know exactly how I will be used to minister to Addis Ababa, but I do know that I will go prepared to follow God and help in whatever capacity is needed, whether that be anything from assisting Sam Ferrand with photography to Matt Boring in construction. My hope is that no matter what work I am about that God may most importantly shine though me and all of us, and that I will keep my eyes and heart open to new and wonderful things.

Meet the Team! Dan Zacher

My name is Dan Zacher, and I have a beautiful wife, Lauri, and 3 girls. There are 4 main reasons for me going to Ethiopia:
#1 I love to help people.
#2 When Lauri and I lived in Colorado, she had the idea to move to California, I argued no way, I will never leave Colorado. I now live in California and love it. The day before Pastor Dave asked my to pray about going to Ethiopia, Lauri said to me that she would like to go to Africa to serve, my response was no way, I want to go to Hawaii. I could see where that was going.
#3 My Pastor asked to consider going. I trust if he sees value in me going to serve, I will listen.
#4 I believe God is telling me to go.

Meet the Team! Carla Krum

My name is Carla Krum, and I am a retired elementary school teacher from Kings Canyon Unified School District, Reedley, Calif. My story of becoming a teacher is long and amazing, but to keep it simple it was a calling from Jesus. I have been blessed with many opportunities to serve children, teachers, parents,both at my past home church, Reedley First Baptist, and my school district in many different roles. Since I know my God given gift is teaching, I am going to Ethiopia to live out Ephesians 4:11-12.
(11) It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors, and teachers. (12) to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.

Jesus has lead me to serve the children and teachers at Bingham Academy in Ethiopia.
I am trusting him, as always, to use me to strengthen and encourage those who serve Him there. This opportunity is a little "scary" so I claim Phil. 4:13 However, what an opportunity for CSCC to serve others, knowing God is in control, and He will be GLORIFIED!

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

A Bit About Ethiopia

ETHIOPIA

Although largely free from the coups that have plagued other African countries, Ethiopia's turmoil has been no less devastating. Drought, famine, war and ill-conceived policies brought millions to the brink of starvation in the 1970s and 1980s.
Ethiopia is one of Africa's poorest states. Almost two-thirds of its people are illiterate. The economy revolves around agriculture, which in turn relies on rainfall. The country is one of Africa's leading coffee producers.

Full name: Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
Population: 83.1 million (UN, 2007)
Capital: Addis Ababa
Area: 1.13 million sq km (437,794 sq miles)
Major languages: Amharic, Oromo, Tigrinya, Somali
Major religions: Christianity, Islam
Monetary unit: 1 Birr = 100 cents
Main exports: Coffee, hides, oilseeds, beeswax, sugarcane
Internet domain: .et
International dialling code:+251
Time Zone: (11 hours ahead of California)

Travel Health & Immunizations


Make sure your health insurance covers you for medical expenses abroad. If not, supplemental insurance for overseas coverage, including possible evacuation, should be seriously considered. If illness occurs while abroad, medical expenses including evacuation may run to tens of thousands of dollars. For a list of travel insurance and air ambulance companies, go to Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad on the U.S. State Department website. Bring your insurance card, claim forms, and any other relevant insurance documents. Before departure, determine whether your insurance plan will make payments directly to providers or reimburse you later for overseas health expenditures. The Medicare and Medicaid programs do not pay for medical services outside the United States.

TRAVEL TIP:
Ethiopia is a mountainous country and the high altitude may cause health problems even for healthy travelers. Addis Ababa is located at an altitude of 8,300 feet. Individuals may experience shortness of breath, fatigue, nausea, headaches, an d inability to sleep. Travelers to Ethiopia should also avoid swimming in any lakes, rivers, or still bodies of water. Most bodies of water have been found to contain parasites. Travelers should be aware that Ethiopia has a high prevalence of HIV/AIDS. Ethiopia has had outbreaks of acute watery diarrhea, possible cholera, typhoid, or other bacterial diarrhea in the recent past.

All travelers should visit either their personal physician or a travel health clinic 4-8 weeks before departure.
Malaria: Prophylaxis with Lariam, Malarone, or doxycycline is recommended for all areas except Addis Ababa and altitudes above 2000 m (6561 ft).

Vaccinations:
  • Hepatitis A Recommended for all travelers
  • Typhoid Recommended for all travelers
  • Yellow fever Recommended for all travelers
  • Meningococcus Recommended for all travelers
  • Polio One-time booster recommended for any adult traveler who completed the childhood series but never had polio vaccine as an adult
  • Hepatitis B For travelers who may have intimate contact with local residents, especially if visiting for more than 6 months
  • Rabies For travelers who may have direct contact with animals and may not have access to medical care
  • Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) Two doses recommended for all travelers born after 1956, if not previously given
  • Tetanus-diphtheria Revaccination recommended every 10 years

Insect and tick protection
Wear long sleeves, long pants, hats and shoes (rather than sandals).
Insect repellents are ineffective against tsetse flies, which transmit sleeping sickness (African trypanosomiasis). Areas infested with tsetse flies, which are usually known to local inhabitants, should be avoided. Travelers at risk should wear long sleeves and long pants of medium weight fabric in neutral colors that blend with the environment. Also, travelers should avoid riding in the back of open vehicles, since dust may attract tsetse flies, and should take care not to disturb bushes (where tsetse flies rest) during the warmer parts of the day.

Travel Health Clinic
Gina Flaharty NP
Now with offices in Sacramento and Folsom
5282 Elvas Avenue 850 Iron Point Rd, Ste 150
Sacramento, CA 95819 Folsom, CA 95630

Tel: 916-254-2100
Fax: 916-254-2122
http://www.passporthealthnca.com


Please contact your health insurance to see if they cover travel immunizations. Kaiser does, but United Health does not.

Welcome to our blog for our mission trip to Ethiopia in March 2009.
Cold Springs Community Church is connected with Ethiopia through the Ethiopian Graduate School of Theology (EGST) in Addis Ababa. As part of Embracing Our Tomorrow, we sponsor the EGST.
God has laid it on our heart to visit the school to love on the missionaries and teachers there by helping with their construction projects, teaching and photography. We are a team of 6 heading our on Mar 10th-Mar 22nd 2009.

  1. Pastor David Cooke
  2. Matt Boring
  3. Dan Zacher
  4. Carla Krum
  5. Jeremy Fuller
  6. Samantha Ferrand