Establishing an indigenous church among the remote animistic Gumuz people in northwest Ethiopia near Sudan is being accomplished through educational opportunities. Our SIM team desires to see a decline in revenge murders and community violence because of life-changing encounters with Jesus Christ.

This project provides basic literacy, leadership training and Biblical education in two schools, grades one through four, that have a combined attendance of 400 people. Village level training for women, children and emerging church leaders reaches an average of 220 individuals weekly. Through a Bible story telling technique used in the villages and schools, Gumuz leaders have begun to emerge and are being discipled to lead their own churches.

	A Gumuz man sharing Bible stories

SIM has hosted a workshop where Gumuz writers, under the consultation of literacy specialists from Literacy & Evangelism International, wrote a 90-lesson primer in Gumuz. This is an excellent way to empower Gumuz people to read their own language, as well as to introduce them to Christ.

SIM desires to train Christian Gumuz who are literate to teach others. Each person who learns to read is expected to teach someone else, creating a literacy movement. Meanwhile, Gumuz farmers are learning how field preparation, home gardens, milk production and other improved farming practices can benefit their families. We hope that the power of the gospel, literacy and agricultural training will bring blessing and transformation among the Gumuz!

A gift of US$ 225 will provide one child with full education and materials. If you would like to donate to the Gumuz Education project, please contact your nearest SIM office or give online to project 92516. Thank you and God bless!