Retaining Wall Project: Nehemiah 52
Thirty years ago, the International Evangelical Church (IEC) was given a piece of land that had once been used as a garbage dump. This was after the church had requested seven more desirable properties around the city. Located in a low area near a river, the land was often filled with sewage and waste. Despite these challenging conditions, and by God’s grace, a beautiful church building was constructed—unlike any other in the city. Today, this former place of idol worship is now a stronghold for gospel proclamation and training, a beacon of hope in Addis Ababa.
However, the challenges of this location continue to impact the church. Addis Ababa experiences an annual 3-4 month rainy season, and over the years, this has caused significant damage to our property. Our Christian Education building has been closed due to damage, and we have lost acres of land to erosion. Many believe the building will not survive this rainy season without immediate intervention.
Our most urgent need, what we could truly call an emergency project, is to repair and rebuild a retaining wall to protect the property. This is, in my view, the most difficult project to generate support for in terms of funding, but we are blessed by your faithful support and prayers, which have made it possible for us to begin the work.
In April, our facilities team met to discuss the need for someone to lead the project. Just a week after that meeting, Wick Jackson, the man who led the construction of the church building 30 years ago, came to Addis on a two-week teaching trip. Upon seeing the condition of the wall, Wick felt led to help repair and rebuild it. He has agreed to stay in Addis until the end of June to do as much work as possible. This is a true answer to prayer, and we believe this is how God has chosen to guide us.
Margaret has begun calling this our "Nehemiah Project," as we need to build this wall quickly! Just as Nehemiah prayed and planned when he saw the walls of Jerusalem were in ruins, we are now praying and planning as the walls along our riverfront are also in disrepair. Nehemiah called on all the citizens of Jerusalem to join in the rebuilding, and we are now calling on all those who call IEC home to participate.
The elders of IEC have felt led to take a step of faith by committing all funds received through any avenue during the month of May toward this project. This includes our weekly tithes and offerings, online giving, bank transfers, and any other contributions. Nehemiah completed the wall in 52 days, and we have approximately 52 days before the rainy season begins in late June. For this reason, we are naming this project Nehemiah 52.
Our family has also felt led to contribute to this cause by using all support given to us during the month of May toward the project. We have already been blessed with a generous gift to help start the work, but we believe an additional $300,000 USD is needed to ensure the project reaches a successful completion before the rains come.
Every week, people from 60 nations gather at IEC for worship. The church serves as a refuge for missionaries, embassy workers, and so many others who come to Addis Ababa. However, the foundation and consistency of the church rest in the many Ethiopians who call IEC home. It is our firm belief that God will continue to use IEC to be a gospel light to the nations for generations to come.
We thank you for your ongoing support and ask that you prayerfully consider a generous gift during the month of May to help complete the Nehemiah 52 project. Together, we can restore this vital part of the church, ensuring that IEC continues to be a place of refuge and hope for the people of Addis Ababa and beyond.