It’s taken me a week to find words and even now, as I write, I struggle to form my thoughts and emotions.
All my life, I’ve had such a tender, sensitive, caring, and loving heart! Even the littlest thing might bring tears of joy or sorrow to my eyes. Growing up, I hated how much I cried. I always felt like I had to apologize for my emotions or deep desire to help. Over the years, I have learned how to control my tears but I will never hold back passion to love and care for people and in that, express my emotions! I went from asking God why I am such a baby to thanking God for the sensitive, loving, and caring heart He gave me, because I gained so much freedom and understanding that emotions are good and they show deep love, care, and concern for that something or someone. I’ve learned that tears aren’t weakness but strength!
One week ago, I returned from leading a team on a ten day trip to Ethiopia for our annual Vacation Bible School. Leading a team to the country I have begun to love, was an honor and joy. Preparing for this, was not an easy task. One problem after another came up to a point where people began telling how they think we shouldn’t be going and how God is trying to tell me something. I refused to hear that as I knew that if God did NOT want us to go, He would shut and lock the door, not keep it cracked open. In every obstacle, there was always a way but no way, these “ways” were possible, without God. Like using a blind man (I have never met) to retrieve our last team members visa and passport TWO days before departure! I planned and implemented everything I possibly could to make this trip successful for the team. But nothing went as planned. You name it, I bet you it was an obstacle we ran into. I can not express enough that God’s plan is so much greater than any plan we can ever create. Let go and let Him take the lead. Because of God’s grace and goodness, 500+ kids in Hossana, Ethiopia heard the Gospel and experienced the love of Jesus! I believe that Satan was terrified by what God had planned for this team, that he tried stopping us from going. I could not have asked for a better team and am so thankful for the process God sent me through in preparation for, during, and even after the trip. God’s theme of this trip was “Do you REALLY trust me and have as much faith as you say you do?” Even in the toughest moments, I gave all I had to God and believed with all my heart, that He was in control. Time and time again, God was good and He had everything in His hands.
As I remanence on the trip, talk about it, and look through pictures, I find myself getting emotional. For the last 11 years of my life, I have poured into short term mission trips. I have pursued opportunities to spread the love of Jesus to people all over the world. And in all that, I am just dreaming of the day I find my forever home in an impoverished country loving on children and families who have never been loved the way Jesus loves. I truly believe Ethiopia is that place. I am completely in love and feel so a part of that community. Words from the Ethiopians on my most recent visit… I am officially a half-esha or habesha (part Ethiopian). I have been accepted by the people themself to be a part of what God is doing there. God has blessed me with so many incredible relationships in a place I have only visited a few times. I can’t fathom what God is going to do when I live there. YES, live there and it is so close I can finally see this reality! Since I was 10 years old, I knew God had a plan for me to submerge myself completely in the lives of children and families living in poverty, who need Jesus. My whole life, I have been abundantly blessed with family and friends who deeply love me. It kills me that the reality is, that’s not the same for most children and families. AND because of the huge heart God gave me to love people, I will do just that!
My heart misses Ethiopia! My heart yearns to be back! My heart cries out to God as that country fights for freedom through a Civil War. Please pray for my Ethiopia friends and family!
Disaster is striking this world and we need to be on our knees and hands lifted high for God to come in like a ROARING LION. Be praying for our brothers and sisters around the world!
How deep are you willing to go and how dirty are you willing to get to show someone how much Jesus loves them??
By His Grace 