The anticipation/excitement of the continental shift from Asia to Africa was in full affect as we landed in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. We were all in line waiting as patiently as we could after a long couple of days of travel, which included: a two hour flight to Singapore, followed by a sixteen hour layover there. Then our final leg of travel, which was a nine hour flight to Ethiopia. So we were ready to get through the immigration line to say the least.
Just as we were about to approach the visa counter, our plains abruptly changed. Immigration would not allow one of our squad members (who filled out all of the proper documents) a visa. Several of us pulled away to see what exactly was going on. At first, immigration said they were going to deport her back to her home country. Then plans were changing by the minute, at first Cristin and I were going to fly with our squad member to Kenya until everything was fixed, to then immigration wanting us to leave our squadmate by herself. It was a hectic few hours.
We then told immigration that we were here to volunteer with HOPEthiopia. He had never heard of this organization, but his entire domineer changed when he heard the name of the ministry we were partnering with. The word “Hope” is a powerful word that we sometimes downplay, and in this case it undoubtedly is the reason of what happened next.
Immigration went from wanting to kick us out of the airport, to then allowing us to stay at the airport through the weekend until the office re-opened Monday morning. This was such a blessing and we made the best of our situation. We camped out and made a little spot in the airport our new home for the weekend.
When we woke up Monday morning, we knew the day had come where we would find out whether or not our squad mate would get into Ethiopia. We woke up with great anticipation, but also, a since of peace because we knew that the Lord’s hand had already been over this situation from the very beginning. When we got to breakfast we prayed that this process would be quickly resolved and we would leave the airport that morning.
Well…soon as we finished up breakfast, a man came up to our squad mate saying, “Hurry up! Your visa has been approved!” Like a 100 meter sprinter coming out of the block, she bolted downstairs to seize the moment. Cristin and I gathered all of our belongings and headed downstairs to already see our squadmate in line about to receive her visa. It was the smoothest transition that could have possibly happened.
As we met our host outside the airport, he told us that he has never seen or heard of a visa being completely processed in thirty minutes! It was such quick and immediate answer to prayer . We were so pumped to finally breathe in the fresh Ethiopian air & to go see ‘most’ of our squad.
It was the most beautiful two hour and a half hour drive into a stunning remote village where we will spend this month loving and caring for 24 orphan students.
As we approached our ministry site we had the warmest welcoming committee. ‘Most’ of our squad came running outside to greet us and welcome us to the site. It was awesome. Not that I didn’t realize this before, but I am so thankful for each & every person on our squad. We are truly a family that genuinely cares for one another. As we have reached the half-way point of our race, I couldn’t be more excited to spend these next five and a half months serving alongside this family.
As I reflect on the word ‘Hope’ and how it completely changed the atmosphere of the gentleman from immigration. It makes me realize how powerful words are, and how we often use them loosely.
We often refer to hope with no faith attached to it. We often time use hope it the context of “hoping something will happen. Or, it’s a long shot, but just maybe.” We often devalue its meaning. This is not the faith & hope that is related in the bible.
“Faith is the substance of things we Hope for, and the evidence of things not yet seen.” -Hebrews 11:1
God wants us to Hope! If we’re not hoping for anything, our faith has nothing to take up space for. Faith and Hope have to work together. Faith works by love, but it is also the substance of things we Hope for.
So let’s truly Hope and not be scared to do so with the fear of being disappointed!
“Our God is a God of Hope” -Romans 15:13
We love & miss everyone back in the States!!
