Dirt Roads and Beautiful Souls

I can never fully prepare myself for a trip to Ethiopia. I can try to pack everything I might possibly need or something a team member might need in any situation. I can pray for the Lord to prepare my heart and my mind for what He has in store, but in all reality, I will never have everything with me, I’ll always forget something and God won’t reveal all that He is going to do, because what’s the fun in that! Where’s the surprise, excitement, and in the moment feels if I was 100% prepared. I knew God had something great in store for the team and I, but what I didn’t know was just how impacted I would be from it.

As I landed in Ethiopia, I was listening to the song Only Jesus by Casting Crowns. This song set my heart for the two weeks God had in store. I was there to make an impact, a change, to be a blessing, but not for people to see me and remember me, but to see Jesus and be reminded of who He is and what He can do!

During the 1st week, we brought a team to help teach pastors, priests, and evangelists material that can help us spread the Gospel! This time was an incredible time for us to teach them and for them to teach us. We came together in miraculous times of worship and study so that we can go out and make a change in the name of Jesus. You wouldn’t believe how many homeless kids and adults there are. My hearts breaks as we travel down the streets and the amount of kids I see, sitting on the side of the road or walking up to your car window, knocking, and putting their hand out to receive whatever you have to offer. Through a new ministry partner, MKA (Mabkat le Kristos Agelgelot – Equipping for Christ’s Ministry), we are able to freely share the Gospel. Praise God for all He has done and will do through this opportunity. On day four of meeting with the evangelists, we went out to the streets and invited the homeless to an event we were hosting. An event where we will tell them about Jesus, provide them a meal, and give them a blanket to take with. Nearly 300 men, women, and children attended this event and just over 60 of them gave their life to Christ and stayed to learn more! Hallelujah, Praise God! This was incredible to be a part of and eye opening to the Kingdom Movement that is happening!

Week one came to an end and it was time for the team to leave. Yes, the team was leaving but I got to stay for another week to travel down to where I’ll be living and visit our students. This was a big and exciting moment for me, to be dropping a team off at the airport and to not be leaving with them. I could have only hoped for how I would feel then, not sad or fearful to be staying but overjoyed to not have to leave a place that I soon will call home. I felt just that, I was thrilled and at peace to stay. So I gave hugs and waved my hands as I said goodbye to a team that was a huge blessing to the people in Ethiopia. That wasn’t the only big moment for me at the airport, but two days later, my mom and another team flew in to be a part of the second week. This too was a reality in my future. Not only sending people off, but welcoming my family here and being there when they arrive. I loved being outside the airport, waving my arms at my mom as I see her walk outside, and welcoming her with a big hug to a foreign country, I will soon call home. These two moments of sending and receiving are moments I will cherish in the days of my future.

Day one of week two… I always love the long bumpy five hour drive from Addis Ababa to Hossana. There is so much to see but in all honesty, the ride is way too bumpy to sleep, so I don’t see another option except enjoy the view. Lol, but seriously how could anyone sleep. I can’t take my eyes off the beautiful mountain views, glorious trees and nature, cultural houses, herds of goats, cattle, and donkeys to maneuver through, and kids playing tetherball with a stick, string of some sort, and who knows what the “ball” is made out of. Driving through the countryside of Ethiopia is a wonderful time. But I never fail to ponder what it would be like to live, literally in the middle of nowhere. I see women and children at work outside their home, in the middle of the field, or carrying something on their back to take to their family. The work they do everyday just to live is astonishing. It breaks my heart to see how little they have and what they have to do to even get what they do have, but is inspiring as I know that they are so grateful for their lives.

When entering the school, the kids always there with a flowers and a warm welcome for the visiting team. As we walked into the gate with the team, I was pulled aside to be told, I am no longer a visitor so I don’t get flowers. As sad as that seemed (to not get any flowers) a big smile was drawn to my face. I am no longer a visitor to this place and to these people, wow, that beautiful reality made me so happy!

We had our third annual graduation ceremony for our seniors in Hossana. There was a handful of students in this class that are my good friends and I am beyond excited for them and their future but also sad to see them leave our school. It will be weird not having them around but they are off to make a difference to where God is calling them!

When it was time to visit our kids in Ottoro, we hopped in our land cruisers and headed up the mountain. The road is a big challenge and becoming nearly impossible to get through, but we made it. The kids were overjoyed to see us and welcomed the team with open arms. Almost too welcoming at points where we felt we were being trampled over. Oh the love and excitement those kids have when we go see them is so amazing to experience. While there, I got to visit two special kids and their families at their homes. One being my mom and I’s sponsor child. We were excited to see Bogalech and meet her family! What a wonderful girl she is and great student in school. She has a beautiful home on this open farm land where she lives with her mother and father. The second child I had the honor and joy of visiting was my friend’s sponsor child. What a joy it is to get to know some certain kids so well that they become family.

In Hossana, I got to visit another friends sponsor child and then my own. My little girl names is Sitota. My mom and I met her in April and completely fell in love. After many trips to this country, I knew the Lord would open my eyes to a special child to sponsor and I had finally found her. Sitota calls me mama and is pure joy! Words can not describe the love I have for this little girl. When she was a baby, her biological mother used her on the streets to beg for food and money. This poor girl was not cared for well, but praise the Lord for her current mother, who found her, fostered her, and cared for her the way she needed. I am forever grateful for Sitota’s foster mother.

When I visited Sitota back in August, I met another little boy who was also being fostered by this saint of a mother. We call him D. I couldn’t help but be drawn to him and see there so much need but I didn’t know what. After asking further questions about this little boy, I found out he was harmed as a baby and also used to beg on the streets. I was told about his right foot, that it was not formed properly or taken care of. It may look like clef foot, but it’s so much more than that and needs medical care. I told the family and little boy that we will get him help. After I returned to the states, I began researching, visiting with doctors, and after having discussion with the right people, we were on track to getting this little boy some help. Knowing he was in a safe home was step one. I come back in October to Sitota’s home with no D. D’s brother came to get this little boy, threatened Sitota’s family so much that they became fearful and let him go. D’s biological mother was in a motorcycle accident and bedridden. His brother wanted this four year old little boy back so he could bring his mother water and keep her company, because she was lonely. I’m sorry but this child is young, disabled, and has a chance at getting an education and medical care, and his bio mother and brother think it’s okay to take that away from him so he can keep his mom company… I was angry at the women, the brother, and the situation. Mostly because of how it all started, abuse and neglect. I said, “This is not okay and we are going to go find this little boy, whatever it takes!” I was told it was going to take a motorcycle ride to get to his home but it was possible. So we went! When we pulled up to his house, D was the first outside the gate to see what was going on. I mean five motorcycles arriving to his house way up in the mountains draws a little bit of attention. He stopped as he stepped outside the gate, looked around in awe and it was then we made eye contact. He paused and stared at me. I can’t imagine what was going through that little boy’s head. After a moment, he went up to me and wouldn’t let me go! I picked him up in my arms and walked into this home with the Lord’s authority, strength, grace, and love upon me. After a long conversation with this family, and a mighty prayer, they were not budging to let me take this child. Before leaving, I told them I need a moment with D to give him some things. I brought him clothes and new shoes. Back story, I had held this little boys foot in August but only by an eye view and picture did I have to figure out his shoe size. When in the states looking for a good pair of shoes for his deformed foot, I brought over three different sizes, being told many times, “It’s nearly impossible to just guess a kids shoes size.” Turns out, two of the three sizes I bought were perfect. Yes, two, not just one. On his disabled foot, fit the smaller size shoe and on his good foot, fit the medium size shoe. What a miracle that was! So, I took off his rain boots that were causing blistered and sores on this disabled foot, washed his feet, put on socks for the first time in his life, and fit him with his new shoes. I don’t think this kid has ever smiled so big! He walked around and even ran in his new shoes! Thank you God for working in and through us to help this child.

When we were at the school in Hossana, my friend Y (who was in the graduating class) and his little brother J (who hasn’t been to school yet but hoped to attend our school) were talking to me. They mentioned they had to enroll Jin public school because our school was full. I was heartbroken as they were by this. I thought, there’s got to be something we can do. A committee was able to get together, re-evaulate his application and see fit for him in the school.

Now I don’t tell you J or D’s story to say “hey look what I did.” I tell you their stories because these two moments opened my eyes to what my future holds in this country! I saw needs that no one else saw or knew of and together, as a team, we were able to figure out how to meet them! In this trip, I saw how much authority God has given me to make a change and be a leader. It makes me so excited and anxious to be living in Ethiopia full time. As I always say, patience is key. With all that being said, we had the opportunity to pick land for my home and our missionary house to be built. It is a beautiful piece of open land with trees and grass all around. This will be my new home and I can not wait to live in it. I will 8,470 miles from my family and friends, but I know now more than ever that my heart yearns to be in Hossana to a blessing and a vessel of God’s love.

I have to say, I know I am at the next step to being a full time missionary when going to the bathroom behind a bush on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere is normal and I am 100% okay with it!

I would like to announce my Ethiopian name given to me by my Ethiopian fathers. Yes that is plural! I am so loved and on this trip I found out that there are many of our Ethiopian staff, men and women looking out for me and are now called family! My name is Kalkidan which mean covenant. My nicknames include Kal or Kali with my Ethiopia name. With my American name, they call me Kenny, Ken, or Kendi!

“Be strong” they say. In moments of sorrow, pain, sadness, anger, I hear, “Be strong.” It’s not easy to not want to scream in anger seeing all the hurt and pain some of these kids go through! But I will be strong for them and push harder so that their lives may be changed by God’s goodness and love.

While on this trip, my friend sent me the song, Send me by Bethel Music. If you want to understand my calling better, listen to this song. I literally can not explain how perfectly written it is to the call God has put on my life! I love God so much that I will go anywhere and do anything. “I live to hear you say, “well done my good and faithful” because I love you. Here I am Lord, send me.”

I’ll be honest, I cried a few times in the airport when I landed in the states. I am blessed beyond measure with family and friends who love me and a safe home here. But that doesn’t mean I won’t miss there. Please be in prayer for me and God’s call on my life. That His will is done in His timing. Pray for a patient heart in me and that I do, all I need to do in the states, so I have longevity in Ethiopia.

Thank you for your love and support.

Forever and always,

and by His Grace,

Kendra ❤