Welcome back to the blog! We are now stepping into our fourth month on our race with a fresh new perspective, new teams, and a new continent. So fun! We are now in Ethiopia which is located in the horn of Africa and is completely different from where we’ve been for the past three months (Asia). This month is also all-girls and all-guys month, meaning all of the guys are together and then, because there are more girls than guys, there are two all-girl teams. We are all staying in different parts of Addis Ababa. The purpose of spreading out is to share the love of Jesus in more than just one area of the city. This is different from India, when our teams were scattered in different cities. Moving forward, I believe the Lord has constructed beautiful opportunities for our team here in Addis. I can’t wait to dive into the culture.
At the end of India, we said goodbye to our alumni team leaders (love you, Mama D!) and were given new, raised up, team leaders and teams! I want to introduce you guys to my new team: Team Opal, led by Jewel. We chose this name because opals are formed by water that runs through cracks in rocks and deposits silicone. Silicone forms in a way that allows the gem to reflect many different colors. Likewise, our team is full of uniqueness and flavor. We each individually bring something valuable to the table and I am excited to see how God uses each of us this month!
From left to right : Sarah, Laura, Me (in the middle), Laura Leigh (behind me), Hannah, and Jewel
This month is an open month for us, meaning we don’t have a specific ministry assignment. Instead, we come with open hands, asking the Lord where He’s already working. As a Christian, I believe opportunities to minister are everywhere. Something we say on the Race, and something I always reflect on, is, “life is ministry, ministry is life.” Ministry looks different for everyone. Personally, I felt led to go overseas, but God opens doors everywhere, even at home. It could look like having a conversation with a co-worker, with the cashier at the grocery store, with family members, or with a complete stranger in a coffee shop.
Paul says in Ephesians 3:7, “By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News.” Paul considers these conversations a privilege! There’s hope that comes through Jesus Christ and his death and resurrection. We, as the body of Christ, have the greatest of opportunities to share this good news. We get to help lead our brothers and sisters into the body of Christ. God has graciously given us the privilege to serve him by bringing the Good News of the hope we all were given through Jesus, to everyone around us. So let us, as the body of Christ, step into opportunity wherever we are.
Now that I went on a rabbit trail, let me share with you the ways the Lord is moving here so far! We went to an International Church here in Addis called Beza International Church this past Sunday. From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed and loved-on! We were able to share our story and the reason we are here in Ethiopia with a handful of people and, in turn, learned about opportunities to partner with the staff in meeting the needs of the Church and the community. We are so grateful and excited to build new relationships! I can’t wait to share the stories that we will have through these opportunities this the month. And then also, stories from other places besides working with the Church.
Personally, I have also felt the Father leading me into deeper intimacy with him. We do have a bit of free time each day, which is a chance to pursue him. A lifelong goal that I have is to constantly seek out the Father. I want more of him everyday. I want a personal relationship with him. So I made it a goal of mine to pursue that more and more everyday. Not only do I desire more of him, but he desires more of me! The creator of the universe wants a personal relationship with me!! What?! He desires a relationship with all of his children! The Bible says in, 1 Timothy 2:4 that God wants everyone to be saved and understand the truth. The word ‘everyone’ shows the true nature of the Gospel. God loves the whole world, every person. “For God so loved the world…” John 3:16. Psalm 139 is a beautiful representation of the intimate level on which God already knows us and the opportunity we have to know him. It’s kind of long, or I would write it out, but I do urge you to go and read it!
I hope and pray that you are encouraged by these truths and the scripture He has encouraged me with! Stay tuned for more updates on all these opportunities 😉 (can you tell I like that word? hahaha)
Much love to you all,
-B
