On Wednesday, January 3, I met with Samuel Getachew to ask some final questions and confirm my preparations for my "Preaching Christ from All of Scripture" course. Throughout making preparations and having the trip on my mind, some crucial questions came to mind, and I needed insight from Samuel.

As I thought about the content of the course, I not only needed to consider the words that I used in teaching students who did not have English as their first language, but I also needed to consider their theological backgrounds. I started by researching the primary religious background of the students.

Roughly 45% of the population identifies as Ethiopian Orthodox. Do the majority of students have that as their background? I am familiar with Eastern Orthodoxy, but I wanted to know if there were any substantial differences. Other questions came to mind as well. With our focus on proclaiming Jesus from all of scripture, I wanted to know if the students held to the penal substitutionary view of the atonement. We also discussed various views on the doctrine of election, last things, and the church the students have. These are all things to consider as I put the final touches on the different topics for the intensive class.

From a more practical standpoint, my biggest concern was when I wouldn't be teaching in English. I worked with a translator when I worked as a chaplain at Avera McKennan Hospital, but that was just a five-minute conversation and a short prayer. It's substantially different than preaching a 25-minute sermon. I asked for advice, and Samuel told me to keep my statements short for the sake of the translator and to make sure I speak to the congregation and not the translator.

Other practical questions involved how to dress and what to expect in arriving at the airport.

As we closed our time, we realized we would not meet in person again until he picks me up at the airport. As someone who hasn't traveled much, it was strange to think we would be on the other side of the world the next time we drink coffee together. With that in mind, we snapped a picture of us at the coffee shop so we would have a contrast to all the pictures we would take when we were teaching and worshipping together in Ethiopia.

As the trip approaches, please keep me in your prayers. You can find a post with a schedule for praying during the trip at this link.