As you know, I was in Europe last month and I absolutely loved it. It felt like home. It was very hard for me to leave Europe and I was very sad about it. And then some more changes came…We had a team change and now a new country, new continent…so I had a few freaking out moments. One of the reasons for my freaking out was when I found out what my team and I will be doing this month. We are doing an ATL – “Ask the Lord” month. And we are going to a specific people group in Africa, the Hamer-Banna people.
So we have to figure out how to get to these people and find a place to stay. We also have to find some contacts. We have to figure out a way to communicate with them and I was reading that the New Testament and Jesus Film is available in their language. So we have been praying about all these things for the past few days and doing research trying to figure things out.
Honestly, I’ve never had the desire to go to Africa and I was pretty nervous about it in the beginning. I didn’t know what to expect. We didn’t have a host. We didn’t have anything planned or secured. I knew that it would be a culture shock. I kept praying and asking God to give me peace and joy about this because I didn’t want to be nervous or afraid. I was reminded of the time in Cambodia when anxiety and fear had a hold of me and I refused to go back to that. Then one day as I was walking down the road in Sofia, Bulgaria right before we left, the Lord reminded me who He was and that He’s got me in His hands. He doesn’t change. Even though all this stuff around me in changing, He doesn’t change. So I told my new teammates that I’m ready to go to Africa. I told them that I know God. He’s going to guide us and protect wherever we go.
And so here we are, 4 days later. We have made a contact who has worked with the Hamer-Banna people and he said that he can get us to the town they are in, Jinka, and that he has a place for us to stay. Also, we met a couple during lunch today, and they said that they can get us the Jesus film in their language and they can give us Bibles and tracts. Also one of my teammates read a book about an orphanage in Jinka a couple months ago and she contacted them and we received an email today that we can go and work in that orphanage also.
God is so amazing and He is proving Himself faithful. I really can’t wait to see all that He does this coming month. It’s going to be incredible and I’m so thankful to be on this journey although I know that it will be hard sometimes.
I have really loved being in Ethiopia so far. It’s beautiful here. God has put this joy in me and a love for all the people I see here. I know it’s from Him because I didn’t have it 4 days ago. The people are so beautiful and are always smiling. They are also very friendly. I’m very thankful that a lot of people speak English here. We’ve walked around quite a bit and it’s been so eye-opening to see everything, the muddy roads, the worn down houses, the beautiful people, etc. I’ve never seen a place like this. It’s rainy season now so it rains everyday. We were talking to our taxi driver and we were asking him about this and he said, “Oh yes, everyday.” It made me laugh and also I felt so much love. I can’t wait to see what God does through me here.
I want to thank all of you who have been praying for me and especially about this. God is answering your prayers. Please continue praying for God to show us what to do and that we would be obedient to what He asks us to do. Please pray for continued favor and protection as we travel.
Also I’d like to introduce my new team, The Cheetah Girls. I’m excited to do ministry and life with these girls. I love them! Please be praying for all of us.
Taylor, Rachel, Edna, Me, Kimbra, Jenny
