Month #9: September of the race we spent in Ethiopia. I was beyond excited and had been looking forward to this month for quite a while! Partly because we were going to see our ministry hosts from Rwanda (Ralph and Glenda) and work with HopEthiopia, but especially because my parents were coming to PVT (Parent Vision Trip) and meeting me in Ethiopia! After quite a great debrief, we traveled to the ministry location and prepared for our parents. ’Twas soo exciting seeing the bus come down the road as we all stood out in the driveway with our signs to welcome our moms and dads! That week was packed, but fun together as we were playing with the kiddos at Hope, doing house visits, cutting grass, planting trees, worshiping together, sharing testimonies, movie nights with the kids, eating as one big family, etc. After our parents left, my team and a few others stayed at HOPE and continued in those ministries. I LOVE those kids so much! They are going to be world changers for sure! And This month honestly made me realize how extremely excited I am to be a mother of my own kiddos some day!
One thing that…
- Made me feel alive: Playing with the kiddos along with my parents, sharing in the ministry that I love and is closest to my heart with the people whom I love and are closest to me.
- Was difficult this month: Saying goodbye to my parents again (but only for 3 months this time), and saying goodbye to the children at HopEthiopia. I opened my heart up to them and loved them with all I had, so it hurt a little more to say goodbye.
- Broke my heart: The fact that half my squad family did not get to join us at PVT because their parents were not able to come.
- Has been revealed about my calling: I want to see families restored and may be called to help children be restored into families.
- I am thankful for: that my parents said yes to the invite of traveling all the way to Africa to spend a few days with me in ministry. It was such a precious time with them and I have a new appreciation for them as children of God and amazing parents to me!
To all the wonderful people I met in Ethiopia (even the parents that got to come join us), thank you for everything you’ve put in to help the ministry, help the children at HopEthopia, and the people in the surrounding area. A huge thank you to all the parents who were able to come and be with us (especially mine)! I was missing home a lot and it was such a blessing to be embraced by my own parents again. Also, thank you to all the people back home who sent letters of encouragement to me through my parents! Thank you, Ralph and Glenda, for all that you did to make us feel welcomed, refreshed, and inspired for the dreams God has put inside of each of us! I pray that the Lord blesses each and every person I connected with, and gives you hope and a vision for your future! May the Lord bless all the children at HOPE and remind them that they are so loved and that God has an amazing future in store for each one.
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
~ 1 Peter 2:9
