I’m gonna be super honest, and admit that Ethiopia is HARD. The World Race is hard, but this is CRAZY. I could hardly think to say all the things, but I want to say all the things so one day I can go back to this blog and remember exactly what was going on in my head this day.
Sickness
Only about 6 hours after I posted my last blog, I started throwing up and having diarrhea, as well as one of my teammates. Must have been bacteria from the water we consumed, or the food. During that night and into the day I was sick, then again the next day. The diarrhea was the actual worst—there’s a first time for everything if you know what I mean. So I had little dignity left and realizing that we were leaving at 8am the next morning, and I could not literally hold the crap in, I asked my team leader to go to the hospital with me. Thank the good Lord for antibiotics and hydration salts drinks. The next day (the 4th) was also tough but I had one immodium and we had a few rest stops on our drive from Addis Ababa to Awash.
How did we get here?
My team was given the Afar people group to go to with no direction or connections. After prayer and asking the Lord, it was decided that we would go to Awash. We left the capital with a new friend we just met named Tamarat, a great man of God, our person of peace, a servant for the Lord. We took a van to Nazaret, and then another van to Awash. Without him, we literally wouldn’t have made it. It was incredibly difficult to communicate and get people to take us to this far out place. Our driver even got a little lost on the way. When we arrived to the hotel, Tamarat decided to go into town and find churches for us to connect with because he knew we couldn’t just be out there with no connections whatsoever, and he was very correct.
He comes back in about 25-30 mins with three people, one being the main honcho who oversees Christianity in the Afar Region. Taddle (Tadelleh) actually looks like Pharaoh from The Prince of Egypt and it makes him seem very regal. He connects the five churches in this town together. We were surprised to know there is five churches in a place that is even as those Christians said a 100% Muslim place. Evenso, the internet said 99.9% Muslim so this was a great surprise. There were a couple other men who knew very limited English but were able to connect us with a couple of better speakers. My team ate dinner at the hotel restaurant and we called it a night, so thankful to have had air conditioning and a shower (because Awash is a desert place and very hot, the showers are not too cold).
Some thoughts about Awash so far:
THEY HAVE A DIFFERENT TIME–LIKE THEIR 2:00 is MY 8am, it’s something that has caused some scheduling miscommunications but we are getting better. All women wear head scarves, even Christians. Well like 95% wear them. Not only is it unsafe to take pictures much of the time because of becoming a target, it’s illegal to photograph public buildings and certain public roads. I want more pictures but I do no want to be flashy. I never pull out my phone in public. Also we spend a lot of money on bottled water every day, but that’s our only option. There are donkeys, cows, cats, and GOATS everywhere! Driving here we saw hundreds of camels! There are very different types of birds here like I’ve never seen before that make very different noises. One bird is the most beautiful, it has shiny iridescent blue feathers.Children are also everywhere. At minimum a woman has about 5-6 kids, as many as 12. One hard and shocking thing to me is walking down a small “neighborhood” road I saw a completely naked 1 or 2 year old child and that worries me a LOT because they were completely unattended. I mean it’s a busy-ish road and I know how common child abuse is. I want to protect these children. You never know what sick things can happen when there’s a naked child alone outside like that. I had to put that out of my mind. Also this road is very very rocky, like dangerously and trash lines this road and makes up the road. The homes are made mostly of sticks and mud. Many people walk on this road barefoot and that is crazy to me, not to mention how insanely hot it gets. The heat index is definitely something I’ve experienced in Louisiana but not often. I usually have snowballs and swimming pools. Even if there was a pool which there definitely isn’t, I would not swim in it because the bacteria in the water is likely to be unsafe and there are NOT any desserts in this town that I’ve observed. Bananas are overpriced as they are the only dessert. No candy, no cupcake shop, no bakery. My sugar addiction has been cut off and I’m glad, but this way of life couldn’t be more different than what I know. There’s water and power shortages so they go in and out a lot. Internet is very spotty and I tend to only connect well when no one else is on. The people of Ethiopia are beautiful, even more in the city but also in the small town. There is confidence when it comes to dressing nice. The children who are being cared for dress so beautifully. Everyone thinks they can just put their hand out and say “money” at us. It’s not something I want to get used to. I hope they get used to seeing us and relent. The other half of people are welcoming and kind. I desire to be the type of hospitable that these people are.
An Eventful First Day
Our first morning in Awash, the men came to meet with us and discuss ideas and plans. They were helpful in many ways, and we met Kejela, who is the most helpful man I’ve actually met in my entire life given our circumstances. Also, the pastor of an Assemblies of God full gospel church, Abebe is his name and he is our next best English speaker. They took us to see FOUR of the churches and we met lots of people, then we had lunch together. A few of us went to go look at a two cheaper places to live, because we would move the next day. The first hotel was overpriced for our budget, and generally no better than the other. After we looked at the places, the three of us and the two men (Abebe and his friend) went to visit some women who are living their lives in a negative way. They want a different life for themselves but have difficulty changing. We shared parts of our testimonies and about Jesus, and the man translated and since he has known this one woman for 6 years felt that today was the day to really share the gospel. He said there has not been the right opportunity in the past, but because we were there (us Americans), she was willing to listen and discuss. So that was an awesome first ministry opportunity! Afterward, we went and bought a can of pineapples for the whole team, peanut butter, jelly, and crackers. There really weren’t other options and that was way overpriced. Then we came back and leaders from churches were at our hotel to discuss more, talk about expectations, and continue getting to know each other. We ate dinner in the dark outside and some time after 9 pm, we concluded.
Woah, is this really our life?
The next morning we moved out to our new home for the month —Bethlehem. It’s Christian-run, and in walking distance to Abebe’s church and most of the things in town. It’s a small town anyway. We took some time to rest, ate our cans of pineapples and some crackers, then hung out at Abebe’s church and prayed. At dinnertime, Kejela came for us and we had an amazing dinner at an affordable hotel restaurant. I hope we eat there a lot. It was QUITE an experience though! I asked Kejela to help me choose a local dish that had no meat and is not spicy. After some time, I am told to go over to the kitchen and go inside and prepare my food. WHATT—so they hand me a plate of raw cabbage, tomato, spicy peppers, a small spoonful of corn, and onions. I’m told to choose what I want, and then they give me oil, vinegar, mustard, and ketchup. EW whattt how am I supposed to eat that, what’s going on right now?! So I slide the tomatoes off the plate and the spicy peppers, and then I ask for more corn. Then I find out that the dish will be sort of cooked. To this I realize, “okay, this can be edible.” I put in enough oil to cook it, one spoon of vinegar, a squeeze of mustard, and then ask for salt and pepper which neither were available. No spices in the kitchen whatsoever. BUT, I was offered raw green beans and some minced garlic from a jar–both which I was excited about. After some time, I received the plate along with the freshest bread I’ve ever had in my life. Truly, Ethiopia wins for me when it comes to having good fresh bread on the World Race. The vegetables were not cooked really, but just enough to warm them so it was like an interesting salad, and tasted pretty great. I think most days we will eat lunch and dinner with Kejela. It’s the case so far. After dinner, we got into church around 8:20 pm, and listened to a woman give a FIRE sermon! Of course we don’t know what she was saying, but the congregation which was more than 100 people would unitedly yell, “AMEN!” after many of her charged statements. I know two phrases “Jesus loves us” and “Jesus is Lord.” She said the second one a lot, and she preached from Luke 1:3-20. Afterwards, we came up on the stage, and Kejela asked me to speak for the team. I briefly explained (and he translated) why we were in Awash and that we came to serve and that God has provided so amazingly for us, and that we love the way this church has passion, and are thankful for the kindness being shown to us. Then Marissa played “How He Loves Us” on guitar and Lauren played “Tremble” on ukulele while we all sang. The church loved us and when it was all over, there were many many handshakes as is the norm here (a handshake that pulls in where we put our chins on the others’ shoulder) and warm welcomes. Then we came back and it was the first time I had been able to get internet this day, so I uploaded a week’s worth of receipts (treasurer life) while listening to my worship wednesday spotify playlist. I know I am supposed to do treasurer business during the day for ministry but it’s difficult sometimes to say no and choose to have my time for myself especially when I hadn’t uploaded any receipts in a week! My favorite thing is my not too cold shower every night. With these hot days, I am thankful to be clean at night, plus there’s AIR CONDITIONING. THE LORD PROVIDES, AMEN! My room doesn’t currently have water though. There’s a water shortage here. During the day, the electricity and water tend to get shut off. The option is to move to a room where the air conditioning works less but theres water or keep what I have and I can bring a bucket of water to flush the toilet and use someone else’s shower. AC isn’t something I want to mess with.
THIS IS WHERE IT ALL GOES DOWN
Today, Kejela helped my entire team to buy culturally appropriate dresses. You can have them made for yourself by just buying fabric at one of the dozen or more stores that sell fabrics. Then you take it to one of the dozen or so people with a sewing machine and they make the dress within 5 mins. It’s a one size fits all standard dress and basically everyone is wearing them. I’m thankful it actually fits all if you know what I’m sayin. It’s been difficult to find clothes my size at different times. So really, three of us went with him this morning from 8-9:20. We went to an ATM and stopped for coffee which was a special experience in itself, then off to get the dresses. At 9:30, the entire team went to Abebe’s church and he showed us the entire coffee ceremony (a truly Ethiopian specialty–I hope to make a video to share). There was tea also, which both tasted fanfreakingtastic. We prayed together and talked a lot. Then around 12, Kejela took two of my teammates to buy some things to cook us for lunch (star-shaped noodles with tomato paste, and they added tuna to theirs).
While they were gone, I went to town with my teammate Meg to help her get a dress and I thought I’d get another one for myself. OH MAN–I had to be a different person out there. Let me clarify. I’m not scared, but I am bold, cautious, and aggressive when necessary. This was our first time ever out without our team of 7, and without a local to guide us. Within moments of leaving the home, children asked us for “money” as they do and threw a couple things at us (cigarette butt over my shoulder and a rock hit my butt) as we walked away. Then the store we went to was closed, so we chose a different one. This man REALLY tried to cheat us (swindle as Meg said). But I know enough Ahmaric to show I’m serious and that I won’t be cheated. This guy told us 1050 birr but she paid 240 for the fabric by the end. BIG difference. He didn’t want to give back her 10 change either, and I was not messing around. I said “asser!” which is ten in Ahmaric and wrote on my little notebook that I always carry, and circled 10. I put on my best intimidation/”I mean business” face and insist on getting her money–and we do. Then we find someone not sewing anything, and I ask him about sewing her dress. He and the other men around give us a lot of trouble while we are there. He goes from 35 to 15 because I won’t be overcharged. They would rather have our business at the actual charge rate than have us walk away because they’re cheats. There is power in being aggressive when you need to be, knowing some key words in the language, and carrying a small notebook and pen to write the prices/communicate. This man also didn’t want to give back all the correct change, but I insisted. Even after that, I will say “Melcam Ken” which is “Have a great day” and “Amneseginaleu” which is “Thank you.” While he was sewing her dress, another man was messing with us and took Meg’s bracelet. I snatched it back and told him “no” powerfully. I discovered a different side of myself today–the fierce protector. I gave him one of my bracelets because I’ve been ready to let it go since it comes untied sometimes. There were many many other issues like people talking to us in wrong ways, a man grabbing himself in front of us when we were walking, many people approaching/grabbing at us for money, people shouting at us such as tuk tuk drivers and workers at the booths. We draw a LOT of attention. I’m sweet when I can be, but mean when I need to. I really watched out for our stuff and our safety today in ways I can’t even explain; but the experience will change you.
We ate lunch as a team and then took a little time to rest, then at 5:00 we went to the church again to pray more. Our plan is this week to pray, and next week to travel around and do more visits. When we got there, EXORCISMS were being performed. This was my first time witnessing something like this. I fully believe in deliverance ministry, but I had only seen it on a Holy Spirit movie on Netflix or some youtube video. I am not sure what I was seeing but we were told this man came to be delivered from an evil spirit and we saw a woman but I did not know her story. Either way, this is something unimaginable. We all prayed intercessively while this went on for 30-45 mins. It’s unreal the way this man was convulsing. But I pray that the Spirit of Truth, Life, Love, and Peace would be with this man, and I heard him submitting to Jesus. Such a wild situation to witness. Then we were prayed over as a team, blessed. Then we prayed over them and blessed them. Then we hung out for a bit more and closed up the church and called Kejela for dinner. On our way out, Abebe approaches me about needing my asthma inhaler. His team prayed over me for healing while I knelt and asked for it to be God’s will, as I have many times before.
Then we met with Kejela and took tuk tuks to a little place for “soup.” So different from last night where we were at a fancy sort of place with color changing lights, we were next to a stable and lots of goats and cats. It was very homey. Just a small plastic table and nine chairs for us and Kejela and he brought a friend from his office. We were served as many servings as we wanted of some oat soup. Tasted like oatmeal. I was pressured to put sugar in it, but am doing my best to avoid unnecessary sugar right now since I put on some weight in Europe. We had a piece of bread and the warm soup really hit the spot. The plan was going to be for Kejela to take the three girls who didn’t get dresses to get dresses in the morning. But we decided to do it this evening and we all got all we wanted. It was helpful because Kejela’s friend went to another sewing machine with half of us. We all got our stuff sewn but it was a terrible time to go. Because of Ramadan all the Muslims are sleeping and fasting during the day but they eat and stay awake at night I guess. There are these leave called “chat” that when chewed gives users a euphoric, but wide eyed feeling, some drug that many many of the people were on. Some were so messed up, but bothering us. Others staring wide-eyed. Plus there were endless amounts of unsupervised children harassing us, throwing things at our backs, begging. I saw multiple children get slapped in the head as a way of shooing them away. We would help them if they wanted food or water, but they just want money to give to adults we can assume. I saw an eight probably year old walking around with probably his baby brother and he looked stressed to me. This place was so packed. We waited with our bags in front, hugged across our chests. Next time, we don’t go out at night. And really, it’s not great to go out in the day either, at least not in a small group…
The Truth: My Spiritual Journey
The first morning we woke up in Awash, I knew I needed Africa. That Africa might need me, since God led me to this place. But I really needed Africa. This is more of what I actually expected on the World Race. Hardships, struggles, seeing true poverty. I wanted to gain God’s eyes for His people around the world and I finally have this. Without Africa, my race really wouldn’t have been complete. It’s the first time that I’m not concerned about going home but that I am uncomfortable but joyful. Before the race, God taught me a lesson through homelessness about the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need, and learning to be content in all circumstances. But now, I get to put that to the test and I’m experiencing the Lord as my comfort, my strength, and my joy in ways I never have before. I have not been fearful since I got here, and that is a miracle in itself. Thank you to everyone who has prayed for me this year. You’ve helped bring me this far, but it is still far from over and the hardest times are now. Think of us here in Ethiopia when you pray and ask for God to bless the churches here. May God bless the men who so selflessly have chosen to befriend, welcome, guide, protect, and help us here in Ethiopia. The Lord truly is loving and providing through the people here. I can only pray and hope that by the end, all of our service to one another in the name of Jesus would even out and be a blessing to one another. I can’t imagine being here without our new friends. This place may lack many things, but the believers do not lack the Spirit. They do not lack passion, joy, kindness, or love.
I am feeling God’s presence and reality more this month than ever. I am brought to tears when I think of how God loves us, how He really, really loves us. Yesus iodinah.
I hope you know just how much your Father who created you with his own mind and his own hands loves you. You were created for relationship with Him. You’re made different because He wants to know you, to spend time with you, He wanted YOU. There’s a God-sized hole in each of us that nothing else can fill no matter how much you try. He loves you enough to let you decide, decide if you want to love Him back. His love is deeper than you can even imagine and the more you start to love him, the more you’ll learn about his love. You were made in HIS image, to be like his character. At your core, your truest joy will come from seeking God and trusting in Him with actually everything. You’ll never be able to trust Him with everything though until you’re willing to give up everything. If you love your life you’ll lose it, and if you lose it. If you give it up in this world, you will keep it for eternal life. (John 12:25) The shirts I made for this year say “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” And I’ve learned that this year so much. I’ve chosen comfort so many times just to experience the results of that which aren’t much. Being uncomfortable is when all the best stories happen, and I want to live to be uncomfortable. Jesus never said following him would be easy. He said “pick up your cross and follow me.” “Leave behind your old life. Sell your possessions.” The cross ISN’T easy to carry, I know. It’s not an easy life, but it’s the best life. I’ve never truly regretted coming on the World Race because I know I needed to change and I don’t know that I would have any other way. But for the first time, I love the World Race, and I would suggest it. I never ever ever thought I would be in this place, saying that. But, I finally understand the process, the program, the why, the end-goal. I’m experiencing what I came out here for and it’s as worth it as I ever hoped it would be. I wish I had chosen a better perspective sooner. May you be blessed in reading this, and I pray that you will make decisions in your life that truly matter. Love, Rhi
PSALMS 139
For the choir director: A psalm of David.
1 O Lord, you have examined my heart
and know everything about me.
2 You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
3 You see me when I travel
and when I rest at home.
You know everything I do.
4 You know what I am going to say
even before I say it, Lord.
5 You go before me and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too great for me to understand!
7 I can never escape from your Spirit!
I can never get away from your presence!
8 If I go up to heaven, you are there;
if I go down to the grave, you are there.
9 If I ride the wings of the morning,
if I dwell by the farthest oceans,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
and your strength will support me.
11 I could ask the darkness to hide me
and the light around me to become night—
12 but even in darkness I cannot hide from you.
To you the night shines as bright as day.
Darkness and light are the same to you.
13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
16 You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed.
17 How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.
They cannot be numbered!
18 I can’t even count them;
they outnumber the grains of sand!
And when I wake up,
you are still with me!
19 O God, if only you would destroy the wicked!
Get out of my life, you murderers!
20 They blaspheme you;
your enemies misuse your name.
21 O Lord, shouldn’t I hate those who hate you?
Shouldn’t I despise those who oppose you?
22 Yes, I hate them with total hatred,
for your enemies are my enemies.
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 Point out anything in me that offends you,
and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
