CEF® missionaries and national workers from several countries in East and Central Africa came alongside their SPAN™ co-worker, Wondwossen Gizaw, in Ethiopia to hold the largest teacher training ever held in Africa. There were 279 students from all over Ethiopia, with the majority coming from the capital city, Addis Ababa. Each of these students teaches around 50 kids so this group of trainees is easily reaching about 14,000 kids with the Gospel message!

Without SPAN™ donors, Wondwossen would have been unable to devote the time needed to organize this massive training event. He is the only full-time worker with CEF in Ethiopia. He began working for CEF in 2002, after attending a similar training event in Kenya. Wondwossen is now completing requirements for his CEF Instructor of Teachers credential.

Kathy Glecker, CEF regional director of education, wrote, "Many students told us they had attended various courses concerning children but never had any training like we were giving them--training so practical and simple in helping them explain the message of salvation to children. They were thrilled with the training and so anxious to share the Gospel with the children."

CEF seeks to be as indigenous as possible in our ministry around the world, and CEF staff serving their own people is the best way to realize that goal. National workers are vital as demonstrated by the fact that they make up 93 percent of our staff around the world.