Ethiopia was a beautiful place with beautiful people. There were so many lessons learned, and God revealed Himself in a big way. I am not the type of person to look for or long for an “experience”, but I am one who searches for truth in scripture. In Ethiopia, I got both.
While I was in Ethiopia, we had plenty of free time a long with our ministry at Hopethiopia. We were at an orphanage with 32 kids that were all amazing! They were taught the love of Jesus, and they had such joy in their hearts. These kids would work along side of us, and we would play soccer and other games with them when our work was done. The light of Christ shined so brightly from this place! God’s presence was there, and where His presence is there is no room for darkness.
As I was reading through Nehemiah, chapter nine stuck out to me. I was broken by this prayer spoken by the prophet for his people. I was weeping as I read of God’s great love, unfailing mercy, unceasing compassion, and His never ending pursuit of His children. No matter how far we stray or what other vain things we cling to, He will always bring us back to Him. This chapter in Nehemiah has become a well of encouragement that I have been able to draw from in these last few weeks. I am tired of wandering and following empty things. I am tired of failing and falling. God is faithful, and His love will always be there. Pray for strength not to stray. Pray that God will be all that I seek after, and that I would seek him with all that I am!
My experience with Jesus was simple but powerful. All of the guys on our squad stayed in a house that was located in what the orphanage called the Children’s Village. We were surrounded by the homes where these kids lived. One day I went to pray in the middle of the yard surrounded by this circle of houses. As I prayed I thanked God for His presence and for what He was doing in that place. As I prayed I saw Jesus sitting with me. He was not physically there but my spirit felt him with me, comforting me, and He was near me. Just as I felt his presence one of the little boys was walking by and I asked him to come sit with me and Jesus. As soon as he heard the name Jesus, his eyes lit up and he ran over to me and sat with me as I prayed. It was such a sweet and simple moment that will be with me forever.
Continue to pray for Hopethiopia and their work. Continue to pray that their light will keep shining among the people of Ethiopia. God has great things in store for them. Please keep me in your prayers as I do all I can to grow in Christ. I battle every day to stay faithful; so much tries to pull me away. Soon it won’t be a battle, but my life will be one lived in victory. Thank you for reading, praying, and giving.
