This month our squad was split up between Mozambique and Ethiopia. Team XJoy has been working with team Illumination and team Ahava these past two weeks with the Andrew Palau foundation to help with the Love Ethiopia festival.
This past week we were split up working in different areas including eyeglass clinics, prison teams, and various children's ministries. My partner in crime and teammate Jenna and I were put on one of the eyeglass clinics, and we both had no idea what to expect. To be honest I was excited, but it wasn't really something I would have picked to do, but God has a funny way of stretching you in ways you never expected to be stretched in. After the first day of ministry I was hooked, I loved every single person I sat across the table from and loved being able to hear little bits and pieces of life from each one. It wasn't easy to begin with, and before lunch on the first day I was not a fan. As we broke for lunch I met up with Jenna and she was talking about how great it was and how she had prayed for everyone that had sat down at her table… so that is what I did. It completely changed how I looked at the clinic, everyday even though we were working such long days I felt so filled. I had never felt so much joy, and it radiated off of the people across the table from me. It was so contagious, and I felt as though I was catching the fire again that I thought I had lost.
I got to pray for people that I had just met, and although they probably had no idea what I was saying I absolutely loved it. Gods love truly knows no bounds… even a language barrier cannot separate us from the love of Christ.
One of my favorite parts of the week was hearing some of the translators share the gospel with a lot of the patients. All of our translators were wonderful, and the fire they had for the Lord was contagious. They shared it so easily and it was beautiful to watch.
All in all the week was stretching, but I have never felt so filled!
One question that I got from this week was.. why have I held back from sharing the gospel? Why is it so much easier to share it here, and why did it take the race to bring that out of me?
If I truly love the Lord with all of my heart I should be proclaiming His name where ever I am, whether that is Ethiopia, Swaziland or Tennessee.
My challenge to you all is to not be afraid to share the gospel, whether its to the man you pass everyday on the street or the classmate you sit next to but never talk to! Don't let a mission trip be the first time that you really honestly share the love of Christ!
All in all Ethiopia is great and I love it more and more everyday!
Thank you all for the continued prayer and support!
Chau!
Hanna
