Dearest friends and family, greetings from Ethiopia! My team arrived here last weekend and we’ve been staying in the city of Addis Ababa since Friday. First of all…this city is SO big! I never would have imagined a place in Africa to have so many buildings and streets and cars and people. Honestly, I don’t even feel like I am in Africa anymore. The language here is very different from the other parts of Africa where we’ve been, sounding a lot more Arabic to me, and the people look more middle eastern as well. But everyone we’ve met has been very friendly and welcoming and helpful, staying true to the Africa I’ve known since I landed on this continent back in January. We have already made some great connections with people and started some friendships that I hope we will develop and grow during our short stay in this city.
Our team got to spend the first part of our time here with another team called Six Pack, which is the team made up of the three gentlemen on our squad along with three ladies (get it…SIX pack?). It is the first time since training camp that we got to spend an extended amount of time with other people from our squad and it was truly enjoyable and life giving. It’s amazing how God knew exactly who to put on this trip, knowing that each of us have different personalities and strengths, different ideas and interests, and that we would fuel one another in special ways as we continue to live life alongside one another with encouragement and love, as “iron sharpens iron”. I don’t think I’ve ever seen the definition of a “body of believers” lived out in everyday life as much as I have here on The World Race. We each offer different insights and have unique talents and skills that come together to create the church in a very special way. It was a wonderful time of sharing our stories, our personal possessions, our food, and our faith, just like the way the first churches that we read about it in the Bible did. The most beautiful thing I continue to see is that, despite all of our personal differences, we can always come together in prayer and worship being connected by the same faith in the same savior. We are unified in His love for us and have the common goal and mindset to share that love with others in order to spread the hope of the gospel to so many lost and lonely people.
Our team is still in the process of finding a ministry to partner with, but until then we continue to practice the idea that “life is ministry”. The greatest theme and concept of this year is that everyday, where ever you go, whoever you see, whatever you do, you can minister to those who you pass or meet along the way, the people right in front of you, without needing to have a scheduled “ministry” to just simply share the love of God. Everyday we are given the unique opportunity to partner with God to shine a light into darkness and share His love, even if it’s just in a simple smile to a stranger. Our life is filled with so much distraction, so many days are caught up with work and plans and go, go, go. I know when I’m home in America, I rarely take the time to make eye contact with someone on the street or even someone checking me out at the grocery store because I have my agenda for the day. It makes me sad to think of all the opportunities I’ve missed to brighten someone’s day just by saying, “Hello, how are you?” or “What is your name?”. The simplest conversation can bring hope and joy to someone who may otherwise never feel heard or known or seen by so many who just walk right by. I am so grateful to have this opportunity to practice the lifestyle that all of life is ministry, living everyday to recognize the least, going out of my way to talk to a stranger, allowing myself to be interruptible, and living in each moment without needing a plan or agenda or schedule to share God’s love with whoever is right in front of me.
Until we find the right ministry opportunity, my team has decided to walk the streets outside our hotel to pray for the women who work them. Prostitution is a very prevalent industry here; you cannot be out at night without spotting at least a dozen girls standing on street corners under street lights waiting for their next client. It’s truly heartbreaking to witness their lifestyle with my own eyes, and it takes everything in me not to stop and hug each one and tell them how much they are loved and treasured by their Father in heaven. We have already made a connection with one of the girls, Marta, who we are meeting in the morning for coffee. She’s a beautiful woman of 32 years, just older than I am, with two children and an already established faith in Jesus. We are hoping to get to know her better and would love to find her new job opportunities as we continue to search the city for outreaches and ministries that help women like her. I would greatly appreciate your prayers for her as we continue to speak to her and love on her and hope to connect her to a church or place that can be an outlet or escape from the life she is living. Thank you all SO MUCH for your continued love and support. Your prayers get me through some difficult days and give me strength to carry on, and your giving allows me to continue this amazing journey of refining my faith and sharing God’s love everywhere I go. I love you all more than words could ever say!
