Last year I was waking up following the same traditions I’ve always known to occur on Christmas. However, if you told me that next Christmas I would be living in Africa with 50 strangers from across the US, I’d think you were insane.
But here I am…. living in Africa…. with 50 strangers from across the US. Wow.
I am currently living in Harbu Chulule, Ethiopia- a small village four hours outside of the city. My home here is spacious and welcoming. Each team has their own room with bunk beds. We have a large living and kitchen area, a big porch to spend time with Jesus, and the most incredible view of the beautiful mountains and fields of green and gold. The weather is cool and there’s no humidity, a sweet change from drenching in sweat in Cambodia. On our compound, there are 5 children homes with a total of 30 children, once orphans, onsite. Widows and young, single women have taken the position of being their House moms. These children are sweet, full of life and have taken a piece of my heart. Everything about this place is peaceful and feels like a piece of Heaven. It’s the perfect place to grow in deeper intimacy with the Father and experience His overflowing love.
Yet recently, homesickness has kicked in with the holidays in full swing back home. I’ve been desiring to be home and being able to talk to my family, but I have not had any service while I’ve been here. I’d like to think I put Jesus first, but it’s easy to run to family or my phone as a first reaction. Yet, this is an answer to prayer as I’ve repeatedly said “If all of you means less of me, take everything” and He’s done just that; taken away my worldly outlets and replaced them with what I actually need to focus on. It’s put me in a place of full abandonment resulting in full trust. He is teaching me a lot about Him being my family in this season.
1 John 3:1- “ Look at how great a love the Father has given us that we should be called God’s children.”
As much as I’m loved by my family, He wants to love me with a love that is greater than any love I’ve experienced from my family. Rather than grieving this time I’m away from family, I’ve been pressing into the Father’s love during this season to see how He wants me to spend my Christmas in Africa with Him. He has given me peace and comfort while away. He has provided all the things I missed from home, even if it looked a little different. I was able to celebrate the true reason of Christmas, without worrying about all the materialistic things! I was able to watch all my favorite Christmas movies, have a candlelight Christmas Eve service with my squad, wake up to yummy homemade cinnamon rolls and Christmas cookies, and receive so many encouraging, loving notes from my squad. Christmas looks a lot different this year and never did I expect to be away from home but also feel so at home at the same time.
The Father’s love is my safe place. With Him, I’m at home.
