Some basics for those of you just now dropping in: My sister and I are on an 11-month Christian mission trip to 11 different countries across 4 continents. We’re headed to: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Uganda, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, Cambodia, and Thailand. The work will range from country to country in partnership with established ministries in each area.
It’s month 9. My team is in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
First of all, I’m sorry for the radio silence. It turns out that this whole 11-month mission trip thing keeps me pretty busy. Here are the major updates:
1. NEW TEAM!
Last month we had another round of team changes. It was pretty rough. With constant travel and new cultures, my team had become my only constant. When we heard that changes were approaching, we had a good old-fashioned “listen to Whitney, eat ice cream, and cry” fest.
I couldn’t imagine a better group of women. These sisters had supported and loved me, pushed me toward the Lord and laughed with me. It was especially hard to think of losing Edna and Taylor; they had been on my first and second team.
Still, our God is a God of abundant blessing. He takes care of his children. And my new team is just as wonderful. Vivi, Alyssa, Bry, Cassie, and… MIRANDA! I’m thrilled to get to spend the last three months of this Race with my sister.
(As awesome as my new team is, we have yet to take a group photo… whoops. For now, enjoy this silly selfie featuring half of Team Sisters.)
2. NEW CONTINENT
We’re in Africa! And it’s wonderful. (Luckily) it’s the rainy season. That means torrential downpours every afternoon, and regular power outages. Still, we aren’t dealing with extreme heat. Avoiding the heat is the one perk of missing this Texas summer.
Our host is amazing. After growing up a homeless orphan, he graduated the top of his class and founded Testimony Feeding Center (more on that below, and more on his story in a future video). We spend our nights with the Testimony staff, learning Ethiopian dance moves and roasting coffee. Neither of those things is easy to do, but we have a good time.
Quick impressions: great food, loving people, excellent music…. did I say great food? Seriously. #RunDon’tWalk to your nearest Ethiopian restaurant.
Ethiopia is quickly becoming my favorite country on this race (sorry, Thailand).
3. NEW MINISTRY
We’re living at Testimony Feeding Center. It’s a quasi-orphanage.
Most orphans in Ethiopia actually do have extended family. These aunts and uncles and grandparents are usually willing to house the children, but can’t provide for them. And so the kids end up on the street. This is the sad story for most street kids here, including our host. It was by living this reality that Gadisa came up with the Testimony strategy.
The children come to the center during the day. Testimony sends them to school and provides for virtually all of their needs. At night, they go home to extended family. When they age out of the program, they have a community to return to.
This is in direct contrast to most orphanage systems, which can leave aged-out orphans penniless and alone. (In Ethiopia, the problem is intensified by language. Children who grow up in orphanages never learn the language of their tribe and are even more isolated as adults.)
(They’re watching the Lion King for the first time. It was a big hit.)
When the Testimony kids are at school, our team teaches at a nearby refugee camp. I’m planning on writing a future blog about this (thank you Lord for accountability), but for now, just know it’s rough. Our hearts break for the conditions in the camp. Still, our host told us that most refugee camps are far worse.
Please keep us in your prayers. We are able to get wifi once a week, and I’ll post again. I definitely have more to say about this beautiful country.
