Today marks exactly one month until our feet hit American soil in Atlanta, where we will spend one full day at debrief, then go our separate ways, back to our families. That is INSANE. I have so many emotions.
there’s sadness & pain.
•Hopethiopia is home. It’s all I’ve known for the past two months – and will be 3 when I leave. I don’t do well with transitions, I don’t know why but I don’t.
•the kids. I came to ethiopia with kids ministry as my least favorite style of ministry. Yesterday I signed up to lead kids ministry for the remaining month here because it’s where my heart is. Not sure if I’m a kid person now, or if these kids are just extraordinary. I think it’s both. And I never want to say goodbye – I can’t even think about it.
•my team. I’ve watched Jesus move in and through them. My FAVORITE style of ministry is doing life amongst a small group of people and growing together so that we may break apart and multiply. Just as with my small group I lead at home, pouring into them and doing life together is fun, the splitting off is hard. My prayer for my team is that this trip stirs new passion in us all & sends us home equipped to continue to share and love and be the church. I’m praying Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3 over them.
•the simple life. There’s nothing like africa. My soul is in love with the style of life here – free from distractions. Full of love and joy even in the midst of nothingness.
& there’s some happiness too!
•my people! I can’t wait to see all of my loved ones and celebrate the holidays. (We’ve been blasting Christmas music here since October 1st… biiiig Christmas fans.) I’m blessed to have the cloud of witnesses I have at home who send me out, keep me filled, and focused. I can’t wait to hug their necks and tell them of all the Lord has done.
•simple things we (myself included) take for granted in America: my car, cell service, WiFi, American food (and I can’t stress this one enough), a house where I have a big comfy bed and no mosquitos eating me alive at night, being able to cook/bake (idk why but I miss this more than I can put into words), a HOT shower, and my church in ENGLISH haha.
With one month left, I’m juggling looking ahead and planning some future things, but also staying present here and soaking up every moment.
What’s next for me?
I finallllllly decided on a school after LOTS of prayer. I’ll be heading to App State in January to finish my bachelors degree with a major in psychology and a minor in nutrition. I’m so excited!!!! I will have amazing christian community there & get to join some powerful ministries. The Lord is moving in Boone & I cant wait to come alongside of it all! Roll neers!
What about now?
For now, we’re soaking up the last week of being a team of 5 before 40 people join us. We’re cleaning, decorating, and vision casting. We’re studying the word, praying, and resting. We’re playing with the kiddos and preparing our hearts to share them with another new team.
Like I said earlier, I’ll be heading up the kids ministry next month, introducing the new squad to the routine here. I want to focus on teaching and improving the kids English by doing scripture memorization each week.
Olivia, my favorite tree hugger, will be heading up the reforestation project.
Emily wants to create a time to teach the house moms English and build relationships with them!
Ari is going to join Emily in that project and also head up the playschool for the little ones in the mornings.
Taylor is going to lead the manual labor projects such as grass cutting, gardening, and brick making.
So for now, my feet are still on African soil, breakfast is still at 8, we still read Acts at 8:30, there’s still lots of hugs daily from my favorite kids, there’s still lots of African sunsets to see, and I’m still in my cozy little bunk in room 2.
Here’s to month 3 – Jesus have your way.
Prayer requests!!!
- my team: unity, finding a way to be a unit in a sea of people, spiritual growth, and health!!!
- ministry: that Gods love and the gospel would be shown through the volunteers here in a big way in the next month, health for the kiddos, travel safety for Ralph and Glenda as they head back to join us again soon!
- myself: pray health & physical strength over me for the next month please!!!!
Book recommendations
•astounding promise by John G Hutchinson (!!!!!!!!!!!)
•what are you trusting God for? By Gregg Hinzelman
Song recommendations
•praise before my breakthrough by Bryan and Katie torwalt
•see a victory by elevation worship
•run to the father by Cody Carnes
