In 2001 Jenny moved to help start a second school in Nekemte, to meet the needs of children in western Ethiopia. Jenny explains: “Mekane Yesus in Nekemte helps people with disabilities – the neglected, forgotten people as the central synod president calls them.” The school for the deaf in Nekemte has 38 children in three classes with two more preparatory classes being added because the numbers wanting places are so high. 

The national education curriculum is supplemented with speech, sign language and Bible classes. The teachers learn to teach the deaf in service. There is also community-based rehabilitation for children and young people with different learning and physical disabilities. In addition, work is done with families and communities to bring greater acceptance of people with disabilities. 

Students, retired people, professionals, gap-year students and mission partners have all helped for varying periods, but the programme is now led by a young Nekemte person after gaining her degree in Addis Ababa university. 

Jenny sums up: “The Ethiopian Christians are indeed one family with the churches in the UK. We have been kept by prayers and gifts through difficult and good times. You can take on new work and accept challenges when you know that you do so in God’s strength and with the love of his people. You know that you are not alone and my faith has deepened seeing God meet all needs. There are always concerns and to continue in his service you need everyday to be renewed. All that I learned in Hosanna for 13 years has enabled me to start this new work and we can look to the future remembering what has been overcome already.” 

For more about Jenny Merritt click here or sign up for her prayer letters by contacting Suzy Wakefield on 020 8691 6111. 

This account of the healing of the Paralytic in Mark 2:1-12 is an extract from ‘True’ by Andy Economides, Soteria Trust 

Crosslinks magazine October 2004 index