Hey guys, a little life update is I’m in Nicaragua now! It’s been a week full of transition but I’m now back on the same timezone and in a totally unfamiliar culture. After saying the hardest goodbyes to Ethiopia, a 50 hour travel day, The Awakening in Costa Rica (an event where multiple squads meet to worship the Lord, pour into and learn from each other), and another 15 hour travel day, I’m here. (This blog is now a few weeks old, my apologies! )
During the long haul to Central America, we had a layover in Toronto, Canada. We were able to leave the airport and go explore. A few of us did the most American activities possible. We went to Walmart, Old Navy and Panera Bread. All things I had been dreaming of while away from any sort of shopping and American food were finally at my finger tips. But as the day progressed, I hated how I was spending it. I felt out of place. I felt culture shock for a culture I used to be immersed in. Spending my days in stores was no longer satisfying and I longed to be back in the quietness of the village, spending my day with kids who brought joy and time with God that filled me up. I was the closest place to my home in the US that I have been in 6 months, yet I had never felt farther from home. The truth is, Africa taught me some of the most precious treasures I hope to carry with me for the rest of my days, and travel day just allowed me to recognize those treasures:
Simplicity. Ethiopia taught me what it looked like to be completely content with little things around me. I didn’t need fancy restaurants, coffee shops or stores to be satisfied. The only things that could satisfy is getting to hang out with Jesus and love on people. I didn’t have many other choices. I could read my bible, hangout with kids, talk to God, look at the mountains or walk to the little corner shack. Life was simple. It is quite overwhelming to come back into a place where theres so much variety and so many options, yet no one seems to truly be satisfied. Even though our culture has things in abundance and Ethiopia doesn’t, it has the one thing in abundance that outweighs any artificial item, and thats love. Love is simple and it satisfies.
Reliance on the Father. I think in our society its easy to say we trust God without truly trusting Him. We like to have control. I learned this after being cut off of any phone services. I had to learn how to fully rely on God, putting my trust in Him that He is faithful and that He would continue to take care of my family, friends and events going on outside of what I knew. I had to fully surrender that control and stress I was putting on myself because it was a tactic from the enemy to put my trust in other things.
Getting creative with love. I learned a lot about real, authentic, sacrificial love in Africa. I learned that love isn’t a phrase or adjective but rather an action. I have never experience more raw love than in Ethiopia. Through my team celebrating my birthday, the children clinging to me and the cooks showing me hospitality, I felt extremely loved everyday. And as I spent more time with Jesus, I was also able to give His love away through overflow in my heart. I recognized that love doesn’t come with a price tag, no fancy gift can buy love, and Jesus set the standard for how we should be loving eachother.
These are a few things I don’t just want to be distant memories of Ethiopia, but ones I get to keep in my pocket for the rest of my life. It hurts to leave what felt like home but I am forever thankful for some of the sweetest moments I was able to experience there. I think it felt so much like home because it was the closest I felt to Heaven. A place that was simple, full of love and the presence of the Holy Spirit was so evident. If you guys could pray for me as I transition into my last 3 months of the Race, I would greatly appreciate it. If I’m being honest, I do have some fear of the future. Fear of returning home in a society I don’t claim as my own anymore. I don’t want to get caught up in the materials of life but rather embrace a life that has been set apart for me. ALSO- I see my mom tomorrow! She’s coming for a parent vision trip and we get to do ministry alongside eachother- pray for our hearts to be prepared as we enter into this week together.
