Gambella to Assosa is only two hundred kilometres as the crow flies, but for BUILD it is a new diocese and, in a sense, a whole new region. BUILD began training leaders in the Diocese of Gambella in western Ethiopia towards the end of last year, but received a request from the neighbouring Diocese of the Horn of Africa and its churches in Assosa.
The diocese is a vast expanse within the even larger Province of Alexandria. We spoke with Revd Sammy Atsali, the Kenyan itinerant coordinating this new work.
Sammy, you were in Ethiopia close to the Sudanese border not so long ago, why were you there?
Recently I was in Assosa for the recruitment of a new class of BUILD students.
How did you go about the selection process and how did it go?
The process was so successful: 58 candidates were able to come for the interviews, and we were able to select 27 students who are going to be the pioneer class of BUILD programme in Assosa. They will be trained as trainers, who will then help develop BUILD groups in their own local areas.
What struck you about these prospective students?
Their eagerness and learning spirit really struck me. They were all set for the interview process at exactly 7:30am, despite all the potential difficulties.
When do you plan to launch the first round of training?
We are planning to launch BUILD training this August in Assosa.
Who else is in the team for this?
Some of the trainers in the team are Chris Wilson, who is based in Addis and Rev Deng Mark Khor from Assosa. We are hopeful that others will join.
What lessons have you learnt in Gambella that you are now taking to Assosa?
The major lesson that I have learnt from Gambella, which has taught me so much, is to have a core teaching team that can help in rolling down the programme to the students.
Yes, for unexpected reasons, we hear you had to go it alone at times, which has not been easy. How have you survived and what have you learnt in the process?
The strength from the Lord, the BUILD team behind me, and the passion and the positivity of the students has encouraged me to keep going, and they gave us an assurance of the great seed being planted in the Lord’s vineyard.
How do you compare the two environments?
The two environments are different, each one with their own challenges, but we have to strive to ensure that the training takes place. Assosa seems to be calm whereas Gambella is unpredictable with various conflicts running.
Describe Assosa a little more: what sort of place is it and what can you tell us about the people, the leaders, and the churches there?
Assosa is a peaceful town, with welcoming people, which is growing. The majority of the inhabitants are Muslims, but with Orthodox and other churches in the region. Amharic is spoken as their first language. The churches are mainly based in the Refugee camps of Tsore and Sherkole. Refugees from Sudan, South Sudan and from within Ethiopia are the ones occupying the Camps. They are some distance from the town of Assosa, approximately 3-4hrs away.
Is there anything you would like to add, Sammy?
It is the very first time for BUILD to be launched in the area, and in the Diocese of the Horn of Africa, so we are excited about that.
Featured picture: selection underway in a local hotel in Assosa town.
