I apologize for the lack of an update, I have been in Harbu Chulule, a village in southern Ethiopia for the past 2 months. We do not have access to wifi where we live. These past two months have been packed full of spiritual growth, homesickness, deepened friendships, tears and joyful dancing. I don’t even know where to begin…
All 50 of us are back living together! We are working with an organization called HOPEthiopia.The location is like a dream. It is in the middle of nowhere in the countryside. We are surrounded by mountains, which is a nice piece of home! On our compound, there are 6 houses where 30 children live. They were once orphans and are now being taken care of by the house moms; widows and young single women. HOPEthiopia also sponsors numerous families in the community. They have many different projects such as the health clinic, where all medical care is free to the community, the reforestation site where they focus on planting new trees, and water distribution where locals can come get fresh drinking water from the well.
The first two weeks my team’s ministry was to paint and prepare the Training Center that will be similar to a trade school. Women in the community can come for free, with no education and learn agricultural skills, sewing, cosmetology and other skills. The 3rd week, my teammate Savanah and I started to teach 7 orphans. I loved getting to know each child as we taught them English and all about Jesus’ love. Now we are doing construction; we broke down and rebuilt a road right outside of our compound so that the community can use it again, we mixed and laid concrete in the Training Center and now we are making bricks! I have loved the variety of ministry in the mornings and the consistency of loving on the orphans in the afternoon.
Although Ethiopia has been so good, it has also been so hard. Before coming on the Race, I never thought I would have to deal with homesickness, I was excited to leave. But being gone for 5 months and not being able to talk to family and friends during the holidays and my birthday has been extremely difficult. There were a lot of aspects that played into it but I just wanted to be home. It seemed so much easier. But the grass is always greener on the other side right? 1 Peter 5:7-10 “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind.Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” It doesn’t matter where I am in the world, I will still face trials and hard times. Yes, each day brings new struggles of its own but I am here for a reason. And once I changed my mindset to have a spirit of thanksgiving, I began to see God EVERYWHERE. I saw Him through the orphans hugs and laughs, I saw Him in my teammates who kept checking up on me while being sick, and I saw His faithfulness by making me fully funded!!
Being homesick has given me a new appreciation for everyone at home! I am so blessed that I have so many people to miss. I am so blessed with all the support I have received, from people buying bracelets, t-shirts, coming to painting fundraisers, giving generous financial gifts and praying for me through this whole journey! SO THANK YOU! To anyone who has financially supported, prayerfully supported me or just given me encouragement, it means so incredibly much to me and I cannot thank you enough. Your support has helped me love on people all around the world. Thank you for getting me here and helping me spread the good news.
This journey has been hard, for more ways than one but I know the Lord is growing me and making a difference through me. I have blisters from road construction and lice from loving on the kids but my heart is so full. Full of love for people back home, for the people Im traveling with, for the community of locals Im serving and most of all, for my friend Jesus!
