wfn.org | PCT leaders visit Taiwanese missionary in Ethiopia

["Lydia Ma" <enews@pctpress.org>]

>Taiwan Church News

>2973 Edition

>February 16~22, 2009

PCT leaders visit Taiwanese missionary in Ethiopia

>Reported by Lin Yi-ying

>Written by Lydia Ma

Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT) General Secretary Andrew Chang and  Ecumenical and International Committee Secretary Stephen Hsu visited PCT  missionary Rev. Fu-Lan Ritter Chen in Ethiopia during the recent Lunar  New Year holidays and also signed a mission partnership agreement with  Ethiopia Evangelical Church of Makane Yesus (EECMY). EECMY leaders  accepted an invitation from PCT leaders to attend this year’s 54th  General Assembly Annual Conference to be held in April. Leaders from  both churches will formally sign a mission partnership agreement between  Taiwan and Ethiopia at that time.

Rev. Chen is one of the most respected and accepted missionaries in  Ethiopia. Her work in Hadiyya aimed at stopping female genital  mutilation has earned a lot attention from international and local  media, as well as winning the support of the Ethiopian government’s  Department of Women Affairs. To show support for Rev. Chen’s  ministry, Chang and Hsu made a trip to Ethiopia to visit Chen and  accompany her in visiting local churches and government departments.

During their trip, Chang and Hsu saw with their own eyes how severe  droughts were devastating Ethiopia’s agriculture and how serious  water pollution was threatening public health. Chang pointed out that if  Ethiopia could upgrade its agricultural technology, irrigation system,  and use the seeds provided by Taiwan, in addition to receiving help from  missionary doctors who could provide free medical examinations, the  lives and livelihoods of Ethiopians could be significantly improved.

Ethiopia is located in the Eastern part of the African continent and  boasts over 80 ethnic groups, with the Oromo ethnic group making up the  majority of the population. Most Ethiopians are Christians in this  country of over 70 million inhabitants. Chang and Hsu hope that the  mission partnership agreement between PCT and EECMY will enable  Taiwanese Christians to support their African brethren.

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