Love Does

Being in Addis and physically playing with kids and hearing life stories really changes your perspective on things. There is a bigger picture outside our little world of comfort that the USA has set up.

Anyway, on to the day of Sunday, August 12^th…. Or how about we start with Saturday night (we stayed in a hotel in Hawassa)… Britnie, Sheridan, and I shared a bed. Don’t worry it was the huge size of a full. We were cozy, but it didn’t really bother any of us. What did keep us up was the noise. Let’s just say it sounded like there was a rave outside our hotel last night. Walter claims that we all missed out and that he had a blast partying until the wee hours of the morning. At breakfast, we were all talking about it and decided that we were all still very grateful, even though our hotel was less than mediocre. We had a bed. We had a roof over our head. We had mosquito nets. We had simple things that we take for granted every single day. We still had far more than the lady on the concrete sidewalk, rearranging plastic bags as padding for a bed.

After breakfast we went to church. We tried to find an English speaking church, but ended up going to an Amharic speaking church instead. The people of the congregation were very welcoming. Not to joke around about it too much…. But for a while it felt like we were (uncomfortably) the star attraction of the show. We were at everyone’s attention. As children walked past us in the aisles, some stopped right in their tracks to look at us. The people here are just not used to seeing fair-skinned people. The service was two and half hours long; full of prayer, worship, and a message from the pastor. It was actually really neat because they actually translated the message for us (which apparently was the first time they have ever done that). The service really was amazing, even though we couldn’t understand any of it. What you could understand was the energy that was in the church. In America, I feel like during prayer most of us think that it is respectful to be quiet (and this is the norm). This was not the case here. Left and right people were shouting out Amen and vocally rejoicing God. The worship part was filled with rejoicing and dancing. Yes, dancing. It was beautiful. At the end of the service the pastors thanked us for coming and it felt like they were very grateful that we chose to attend their church.

After church, we were back on the road to Addis. After being on the road for a short while, Tsguy (the driver) pretty much saved our life. At the screeching of everyone’s voice, I looked up and found myself screeching right along with. There was a bus passing something, a donkey pulling a cart, a car, I’m still not really sure. All I was worried about was the bus that was headed toward us in our lane. We were all waiting for Tsguy to swerve into the ditch. Instead he swerves into the other lane, dodging people, donkeys, cars, and of course the bus. Tsguy had it all under control though. The bus took the ditch and everyone was alive, just a little jittery. In the USA it would have been a really bad accident for sure and that is not an exaggeration by any means.

In our vehicle ride back, Britnie read the book ‘Love Does’ aloud, Walter and Colin wrestled like brothers, and a lot of good conversation went on. After dodging a few more obstacles in the road, we made it back to the guest house safe and sound. We ate some pizza for dinner, played with the neighborhood kids, had our nightly hang out/discussion, and went to bed.

Praise God for another amazing day.

It really just goes to show that some of the things that we think of as insignificant, in the eyes of another, it is the highlight of their day.

Darian Rauschendorfer

Today we all woke up to a breakfast of eggs, bread, and apples. All credit to Colin. The crew got to meet Tsegauey, our driver, and he took us to Korah. The kids were overly excited to see us as always, and we piled into the classroom. Aki introduced the new Montana team to the kids. Nat and Colin shared words of encouragement before I prayed over our time together. Aki gave an awesome sermon to the kids referencing John 3:16 about God’s sacrificing love for them. It was incredible to share that one thing we all have in common.

After playing with the kids for a couple hours, we set off for a five hour drive to Shashamanee. This weekend is our couple days to be tourists while we’re here since the school is closed. We skipped lunch, but stopped for a coffee and juice at a hotel in progress looking over one of the biggest lakes in Ethiopia. We got into a nice hotel, but Colin and a few others were getting a case of the “hangries” growing impatient for dinner. Our white skin did not work in our favor today. We were charged double for our hotel rooms and turned down at two restaurants for being foreigners. Then we ended back up at the hotel for a dinner of pasta and traditional dishes with injera. To wrap up the night we went back to our rooms to reflect and connect with God. We got in some girl time by doing a little workout together too. It was so amazing to get out and see the country side of Ethiopia. This country and all the people in it have captured my heart so far for sure.

Can’t wait to get clarity for what all God is telling me in this week to come!

Love,

Sheridan

Six month ago I called a good friend and told her I wasn’t able to make the May trip to Ethiopia, and now I’m sitting here for the second time on an adventure with an amazing team.
Let’s just say praise God.
Being here for the second time and so close together has been…well…
Words.
You.
Can’t.
Describe.
All the children remember who I am and for some reason my Amharic isn’t so rusty 😉

Today we spent the day in Kora at the church and painted two new buildings and spent some quality time with the children. Let’s just say everyone walked out today looking much more like a smurf than when we started. It was great being able to work with the community and see first-hand what it’s like to paint on a building made of corrugated tin. SO HARD! Our team really wrapped around the project to meet the need and beat the rain which may or may not have required a mild rain dance.

After spending some time with the children in the community, we headed for lunch with some interesting taxi rides and made our way back to the guest house. One great thing about this team is that they’re up for anything and we never go anywhere without having a great laugh or great conversation. I truly believe everyone is challenging one another in their faith and just being present with the surroundings. It’s very cool to see and I for one am very proud of this young team for taking so many leaps of faith.

Tonight we decided to stay in and see what kind of cooks we have on the team. I guess tomorrow you will have to see if we are all still breathing!
Thanks for reading, and just remember there are no words to describe this beautiful place and what God has in store for these amazing people. Everyone that is reading this, I hope one day you take a leap of faith and let your heart beat love here in Ethiopia, because here it’s a way of survival and life.

Love always,
Iowa

Ethiopia August 7th & 8th.

We arrived late on the 7th after about 30 plus hours of transit time and one checked bag missing. No, we were not sleepy, more like completed exhausted and ready to move on to the Amazing Grace Guest House where we are staying. We were also very thankful that Colin’s carry on bag, which he left on the plane into Frankfurt, some how made into checked baggage and showed up on the baggage carousel in Addis Ababa. One of many small traveling mercies from our good God.

After a great night’s sleep lulled on by the patter of rain, we awoke and ate a delicious meal of eggs scrambled Ethiopian style, fresh mango juice, dark rich coffee and bread with jam. We headed out around 10 AM. We hiked about 10 blocks to a taxi station, an area where old soviet era taxis and some newer Toyota Corollas, mixed in with some Japanese and more modern European vans, provide service to various districts of the city. All 10 of us, plus our host Aki, piled into a mini-bus that took us part way to the orphanage, then we piled out, dodged traffic and walked to the next taxi stand, where we did it all over again, this time arriving close enough to the orphanage to walk the final distance.

The Bright Hope Orphanage is in the district of the city known as Korah, which is where the city dump has been located for decades. Consequently, it is an area where poverty abounds , streets are of mud and garbage, and the orphans and others scavenge for sustenance. It is a good place to have an orphanage, but walking through it the physical needs of the people hit you straight on assaulting your senses and breaking your heart. We have much to learn about real struggles and sufferings.

Addis Ababa is in a beautiful setting in the highlands of Ethiopia, lush with palm and Eucalyptus trees, with mountains arising around it and a mild August temperature in the low 70’s. The physical beauty of the setting is scarred by the poverty, yet the smiles of its beautiful people bring a beauty of its own that is framed by the same mountains that frame the city. We were greeted on the street with friendly smiles and waves, with the greeting of “peace” and nods of the head. As we approached the orphanage a swarm of smiles hit us from the children, dozens and dozens of them, who welcomed us with joy in their eyes, asking our names, speaking a few words of broken English, reaching out to hold our hands, hug or be lifted up into someone’s arms. Smiles seemed to be from ear to ear and a genuine excitement filled the air. We were greeted like royalty, or as I imagine royalty being greeted, especially those who were returning for the second time. Colin, our fearless leader, was the celebrity of the day, being cheered by the kids and remembered as Goliath from the small skit he had preformed last time he was here.

Today was casual as we introduced ourselves to the kids, met and held and interacted with them, helped with serving lunch and got a grand tour of the facilities, be they what they are. Tomorrow we return to help with some games and to paint some of the buildings, as well as hold and hug more kids, learn bits of Amharic, teach bits of English and practice speaking love without using words.

The questions of the day I find God raising up within me is not so much the why of suffering or a pressing desire for a solution, not even the heart tug of compassion looking for a way to give, but rather how can I so easily forget that God is so good? I sit here tonight humbled by the faithful goodness of our God, not because all suffering is gone, but because the goodness of Our God is here in the midst of this suffering, at work in this place in ways so forgotten and unknown to me. Montana may have big mountains and be the home of the Big Sky, but we are only a small part of what our God is doing in this world as His Kingdom marches on. I am humbled to be here in a place where God is moving, where His power is spreading and redeeming, where love for Him is growing, where life, suffering and death are meeting, and yet in the midst of it all, I see God’s grace working through some under-staffed, under-funded, under-equipped, overwhelmed ministries to build His Kingdom and bring people the abundant life found in Jesus. As Jesus promised to Peter, He will build His Church, and nothing will stand or prevail against it. Here today in Ethiopia, in the midst of some very hellish condition, I see God’s goodness coming through as He continues to build His Kingdom and rescue a broken humanity.

Matt 16:18- “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it”.

Dean Petty

This whole trip has been worthwhile! There are so many things that I will be taking home with me, and bonding that will never be broken, between the people here and with the team.

It’s awesome doing hand on activity’s, and that when I get back I won’t be listening to people tell there story, we will be telling the story.

There are quotes that I love and would love to share with you!

 “A mind once stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimension.”

 “Never say goodbye because saying goodbye means going away and going away means forgetting.”- Peter Pan 

“There comes a day when you realize turning the page is the best feeling in the world, because you realize there’s so much more to the book then the page you were stuck on.”

 “Enjoy the little things in life, because one day you will look back and realize they were the big things.”

Everyone here has a huge smile plastered on their face, and no matter what there story is when they go home or back to the streets, that smile never fails to appear. Everyone here is so strong spiritually, that they create a positive vibe. I am so glad that we got the chance to experience Ethiopia. My favorite part would have to be hanging out with the kids out side of the guesthouse. It means so much for me to remember the little kids names, and when I do they just get the biggest grin, that I took the time and effort to remember their names. It is just heart breaking to know that I may not get the chance to see there angelic faces again. Considering that when I was saying goodbye to the little group of girls plus Ramadan I all ways had clanged to my side say “I love you” I just never want to leave them.

Everyone on this team has a very unique character strength

Jackie- The ability to make everyone smile with her smile.

Carly-Always caring, and attending.

Natalie- knows how to get to the point.

Alex- knows how to put a grin on the boys face.

Sarah- good at keeping us organized

Noah- very good at bartering.

Eddie- can pick up a language by the snap of a finger

Leslie- knows how to capture the moment

Brandy- very quite but has a lot to say when she talks.

Kate- has a growing heart for Ethiopia.

This has truly been the best trip, I am so glad that god presented me with such an indescribable trip.

Thank you for taking time out of your day to read about our trip.

– Libby Fremont

Disclaimer:  I didn’t even want to write this blog.  Only because words simply cannot capture the essence and feelings of human interaction, whether in America or Africa.  Words cannot capture a relationship that is complex, that transcends oral communication and cultural barriers.  That’s what it’s been like here.  I frequently cannot have a conversation past 4 sentences with the people here, but there is still a connection made through eye contact, touch and simply being together.  Please read this with a grain of salt—knowing that words cannot capture the things that simply don’t have words to describe it.

I want to thank the Journey Church family (and all other families involved!) for supporting this team—financially, emotionally and spiritually.  This place has crawled into my heart and taken over completely.  I cannot thank my friends and family enough for supporting me and encouraging me.  I love you all with more love than words could ever begin to do justice.  This trip has been so much more than simply saying “I’m going to Africa.”  That belief and sentence simply demeans all that this trip has been.  I have seen how the Ethiopians (Hybasha) are incredibly rich, and I’ve seen things that have broken me to tears, changed my life, my faith and my soul.

First, a summary of today.  Today, I met the child that I sponsor.  Her name is Debora, and she just turned six.  She lives in a town called Holeta, which is 30 minutes outside of Addis Ababa in very beautiful country.  It was Brandi, Carly and me in our group that went to the visit.  We were hoping to see monkeys like one of the earlier groups did on their visit.  The driver and our translator insisted that there were not monkeys on the road that we would be able to see.

When we arrived at the Holeta project, I felt next to tears getting to greet Debora.  She was the sweetest, cutest little girl ever and she greeted me with a big fistful of roses.  She was so shy at first, but gave me a great big hug.  We got a tour of the school and had a very traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony.  We also got to visit Debora’s home and have more coffee (YUM!).  Getting to spend time with Debora today was a very fulfilling experience.  I got to sit with her, snuggle with her, hug her, tell her she is beautiful, color pictures with her, and get to know her.  Debora’s favorite game is playing dolls, her favorite color is green and her favorite food is pasta.  It was difficult to say goodbye after only meeting her for two hours.

And on the way back to Addis Ababa, we got to see monkeys!  Very exciting.  I almost died by lion attack, but I figured that would be a cool way to die.  (Just kidding Mom!)

A few cultural differences in Ethiopia that have stood out to me:

The Hybasha people are incredibly rich in emotion, joy and beauty.  Here, the people are so free with their joy.  Their joy doesn’t seem dependent upon their health, wealth or material items.  I’ve seen people with severe physical ailments that give out more affection, smiles, hugs, kisses, blessings, love and pure joy that I could have ever guessed was possible.

The kids are so full of joy it’s almost tangible.  They run up to you and hold your hand, give you kisses and snuggle all the time.  They want you to know their name, their age and who their brothers and sisters are.  They want to be near you, with you, stare at you and to hold your hand.  Most of all the kids want to laugh.  They want you to speak Amharic because they want to laugh at your forenge accent (Amharic word for foreigner).  They want you to play with them so they can laugh.  Even if you do nothing they want to giggle with you.

On top of that, our translators are so full of joy and want to laugh too.  It’s hard not to win a smile from them and for them to brighten up your day.  I could go on for days about our wonderful translators, but there simply isn’t time or space.  Find me at home and ask me.

The Ethiopians are rich in support.  Family bonds are strong here.  They pray for each other, pay for each other and don’t leave each other behind.

The Ethiopians are affectionate.  Being an American, this is a bit weird at first.  I was ready to see affection between other people because I’ve seen that in my other travels here too.  The people here hold each others hands, lean on each other, touch shoulders in greeting, kiss each others cheeks, stand with their arms around each other, and are overall affectionate.  It’s a different story when they want to do that with you too.  At first, it’s semi-awkward.  But then it began to change my heart.  Having our translators put their arm around you while you’re standing there, or having one kid want to walk with you and hold your hand—it’s changed me.  It’s so comforting and it’s their way of saying “I want to be with you and I enjoy being next to you.”  I’m thankful for this lesson.

The Ethiopians are so free with their emotions.  My experience in America is that we don’t want to cry around each other or that we don’t want to “emotionally dump” on each other.  Here, they aren’t scared of expressing their emotion.  In America, we are so cognitive.  We are ruled by our brains, logic, structure and thoughts.  Here, there are those things, but they communicate with their heart, their emotion, their facial expressions, and their physical touch.  The Hybasha are very engaged emotionally, and their communication frequently has more emotional depth to it than my experiences in America.  Perhaps this would change over time the longer I stay here, but initial greeting with people has much emotional engagement.

I know that there are varying views on whether people should help, volunteer, and give to foreign countries.  I’ve had many a debate about how there are people in America that need to be helped just as much as people abroad and in Africa need to be helped.  That we should be helping at home before we should be helping in Africa.  I’m not trying to start up that debate here, nor do I desire to turn anyone away from experiencing a trip like this.  However, this trip has had enormous impact on our group and me.  I know from group discussion that this trip has possibly changed the course of several of our lives.  I can never thank everyone enough for helping us come here.  I have much more to say, explain and express about the trip that I would love to sit and talk about with you over a good cup of coffee.  (Maybe Ethiopian coffee!)

-Jackie

Hi everyone!  So I had an inspiration for my blog post last night and decided since our time is coming to a close here, we needed a recap of the Ethiopian and African experience.  The acronym “TIA” is said all the time here meaning “This Is Africa”.  I had to write them down because so many of these things just added to the joy and uniqueness of this experience.  Most have provided laughter for us during our time here.  The others are just a reflection of the beauty of the people of Ethiopia.

So, my TIA list:

–          The power could go out anytime for no apparent reason

–          Two men hold hands as a sign of friendship

–          There is no need for ladders; men climb power poles to fix them with hooked boots.  Crazy!

–          Herds of sheep wander all over the city.  Dinner anyone?

–          Donkeys are used to transport grain through the busy streets of Addis

–          You may or may not be trampled by a cow when walking through the streets, so watch yourself

–          Pedestrians do not have the right of way.

–          Ethiopians don’t seem to worry about specifics too much, i.e. adjectives: a monkey is a monkey, a spider is a spider (not black widows, spider monkies, etc….)

–          A restaurant order must be discussed at least 5 minutes before the order is clear

–          Ethiopia runs on injera (bread-like sourdough), wot (soup), and tibs (beef and sauce) …and strong coffee!

–          Busses and taxis are not full until people are hanging out the window

–          “Forenge” (foreigners, white people….us!) draw everyone’s attention

–          There are no lanes for traffic; whoever gets furthest into the intersection first gets to keep driving

–          There probably should be a video game named “Ethiopian Taxi”

–          Raw beef (tresega) with injera (of course) is the local delicacy

–          According to the Ethiopian calendar, it is 2004 (not 2012); so technically I am 21 years old again…yes!

–          Children will always meet you with the biggest smiles

–          An Ethiopian will give you his or her best without any regard for him or herself

–          Habasha people have no “bubble”; my American “bubble” decreases the longer I am here

–          Where else would you find a shop called “Nice Christain Butchery” ?

–          Knock off restaurants rule: Big Mak (McDonalds), In and Out Burger (the sign only, no actual restaurant), Kaldi’s Coffee (Starbuck’s plus burgers and fries), and Hut Pizza Hut

–          Goats and sheep ride in taxis, usually on the top or in the back.  When they bleat it might scare the life out of you!

I could go on and on, but just wanted to give you a taste.  There have been so many laughs associated with all of the above.  Also, the love, smiles, and warmth of the people here have created an unforgettable experience.

To update you on what is going on with our team: yesterday we were able to see Wendison (who you have heard about previously) and take him in his wheelchair on a walk throughout the neighborhood.  It was a seemingly small way to serve him and his family, but they were so appreciative for the time we took to do this.  And the joy it brought to him….everyone on our team who saw him from the first day until now noted how much more interactive and joyful he was yesterday.  He displayed a giant smile the entire walk.  It’s that joy that makes what we are doing here feel so worth it.

We finally broke out our spending money yesterday and took to the streets for a little (or in some cases a lot ) of souvenir shopping.  Noah was the bartering “ashenaffi” (champion); he was pretty fun to shop with although he did not usually get the prices he wanted.  It was a fun time.  We want to give many thanks to Josi for putting up with us and our crazy group through this!

As our time comes to a close in Addis, I have been trying to reflect on all of the things I have learned about God and myself through these experiences.  I think we all have been continually doing this throughout the trip; I know I have been, but I am trying to develop some take home points that I can share with every one of you back home.  I have definitely been shown how big God is, and that his love has no boundaries in contrast to the many boundaries that exist in our world.  I have become so much more aware of how I will manage all my resources at home since I am now overtly convinced I have way more in my life materially than I need to survive.  Possessions are just that, possessions.  They have no soul and no true worth.  At the same time I know that I have been given so much in my life for a reason, and having been here in Ethiopia I know I will forever be changed with how I use my money and time.  I also have a more real view of joy.  Joy is exemplified in the smile and laugh of a child here.  These children don’t let the worries of the world affect them; they just love God and love people.  This can be said of so many of the adults here, too.  I aspire to learn from them and be more like them.

Thank you all for your continued prayers, support, and encouragement.  Please pray for us for the last two days of the trip and for our safety on the trip home starting Tuesday night.

Love to you all,

Carly

Today I want to write about a couple of experiences I’ve had over the last 2 days. The first is meeting Wendeson. You may have read about him before. Wendeson was born healthy but at some point contracted an illness that caused physical and mental challenges. But when I think about my experience meeting Wendeson, while his challenges are significant, the challenges aren’t what I think of first. The first thing that comes to my mind is his huge, joyful smile. As soon as we stepped through the door to greet him, he had such a beautiful grin on his face. I’m not sure how long we hung out with him, but I can’t escape that smile. I can’t escape the joy that was on his face. We are going to spend some more time with him before we leave, and I find that I can’t wait. I’m excited about seeing that joy again. It’s infectious and addictive.

The second experience is meeting the young woman we sponsor through Compassion International. Her name is Wudnesh (which gave us a chuckle when we found out the name means “expensive”). She is a beautiful 16 year-old, and we found out she wants to be a doctor. In 2 weeks she has an exam that the government administers to determine what a student’s future path is. If she does well on the exam she will get to go to professional school and can indeed pursue a career as a doctor. If she does not, then she will go to vocational school to learn some sort of trade. Needless to say, we will be praying hard that she does well on her exam. It was a great experience meeting her, seeing the Compassion project she has been a part of, and meeting her family. What sticks out to me the most from that experience though is a re-enforcement of how great a sense of community there is here in Ethiopia. We participated in a coffee ceremony with her family. But I realized while sitting there that the central part of a coffee ceremony is not the coffee. It’s the community. The ceremony is a chance for everyone to gather and talk about whatever. And this isn’t once a week or even once a day. It is done as much as 3 times each day. There is even a tradition in some ethnic groups that when someone must leave the sitting area for any reason, when they return the others stand and welcome the person back to the group. That intense sense of community is amazing. And it’s something to strive for.

I’ll leave you with some verses that have been particularly important to me on this trip.

1 Thessalonians 5:14-18

We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Do you “Rejoice always?” Have you even taken joy in something one time today? Have you focused on someone else? Encouraged the fainthearted? Helped the weak? Have you even spent time with anyone long enough to know they need help and encouragement?

These are the questions I’m asking myself. I hope you’ll ask them with me.

-Eddie

It is morning & like most mornings we are awakened by the chanting wafting through the alleys and the purposeful crowing of a neighbor rooster.  I sit up and place my feet on the cool black & white checkered linoleum in the aqua green guest room and my eyes sleepily gaze upon the few items that decorate the walls; the small 8×10 mirror, that I have to stand on my tiptoes to see in, the Amharic prayer plaque and the charcoal drawing of an Ethiopian couple.  Although it is unclear who they are, it is beautiful.  My gaze falls to the z-shaped tan line that has developed on my feet from my Chaco sandals and I take a moment to reflect.  I am thankful for the experiences we have encountered here, from the many death-defying taxi rides (complete with purple shag ceilings, fur lined dashboards, and Justin Bieber on the radio), to miles we have walked, the smoke filled air that is a constant reminder of where we are, and the Machiatos that put Starbucks to shame.  Mostly I think of the hope and the humility that is on the many faces of those we have had the honor to meet and serve.  It is an encouraging reminder of how precious our time is as we are here to build relationships and serve those in need.  Even if we make a difference to one life during our time here, then this trip is worth every minute, and every birr (dollar).

The hospitable culture is almost unimaginable yet it is one to learn from.  We are welcomed guests everywhere we go and the people take, and make, time for one another; whether it is through their generous hugs or through the beautiful coffee ceremonies that encourage bonding.  Ethiopia time is not American time.  There is no rushing (except when driving) and the time spent for one another is quality.

Each day has brought new adventures and lasting memories, especially the simple way of life that has crept into my soul one beautifully amazing face at a time.  They have so little, yet so much to offer and the littlest things bring the biggest tooth-full grins and innocent giggles.  There is no judgment, there are mounds of tolerance built in to so many concepts that we have yet to grasp, and everything has a deep lasting meaning.  It is impossible to not be inspired and lifted when you can see how the smallest things that we so easily take for granted are so appreciated and produce the happiest emotions – from the heartfelt thank you’s at the Hope University mission, where we had the opportunity to feed over 800 people injera and doro wot per day to the absolute largest full faced smile I’ve ever seen on the face of sweet Wendisen when we visited him and his family and gifted him a simple new outfit.  Even though he can’t talk, his brightened face said everything and more.  Bless his heart because it is truly wonderful.

To think, that he, like the old woman we walk by every day who sits by the side of the road smiling and laughing, and so many others that endear so many trials and hardships on a daily basis, they still let their spirit soar and shine through their beautiful eyes and wide smiles.

Every day is an adventure and an opportunity to learn something new.  Everyone should be so fortunate to be a part of this, for this is an experience…this is Africa.  TIA.   – Brandi Lansing 5/18/12

My eyes aren’t as fresh as the 10 Americans I came with, so I notice people/smells/sounds differently than they do, and this is fun for me. What was once novel to my senses is still novel to them, so I get to experience their reactions, their confusion, their delight and frustration by observation. We have the sweetest, most sensitive team in Ethiopia right now. All ten of them (or 11 Americans + Aki, Yossi & Masti) care deeply for the people around them and it’s a wonderful thing to experience. Bob Goff talks about this idea of “leaking Jesus” in his book, Love Does. This is what I’ve seen for the last 10 days – people (Americans & Hybesha) leaking Jesus all over the place.

I feel compelled to tell you a little about why I love these people. I suppose because today I get to turn them loose with my co-leader (Sara) and go back to the States I’m feeling a little nostalgic 😉 So, in Leslie-esque style:

Noah is hilarious, very few people have made me laugh in Ethiopia like this 17-year-old, goofy, pretend-quiet, very tall young man. Obviously his parents are quality humans to turn out a guy who can deal with/laugh with 9 older “sisters” for 2 weeks. Aki calls him Giraffe, which makes me giggle every time I hear it. Everything is nice for Giraffe because this is Africa (TIA).

I know Jesus had a plan for Libby to be here, despite our best efforts to screw it up, and everyday I’ve thanked Him for his hand in securing her passport from the USPS at 4AM on the Sunday morning before we left. She is 15, fantastically observant, and brings the fun to the party. We would not be the same without her.

Some people have exactly the right energy for a moment, and for us this is Alex. If someone needs love, she is there with a smile that can light up a room, she is there to hold a hand, she is there for a hug. She doesn’t have to ask, she just does it and it’s right. This is a wonderful gift, Alex.  Thank you for sharing it, and please don’t stop.

We’ve always had at least one individual on each trip who has a soft, malleable heart and takes every moment and wrings it out for all it’s worth. I think this is Brandi. When we talk together at night, we know Brandi has taken the best moment of the day and hung onto it. Often compassion is painful –  blessing and a curse – but if Jesus is anything it’s compassionate, and so is Brandi.

If you get a chance to see Carly work with her physical therapy skills, you know she’s in the right profession. Her gentle and sweet demeanor combined with her intelligence brings some serious skill to the table. Jesus makes everything new, and Carly has the talent to be his hands in that. I wish we would have caught Addis’s broken arm a little earlier in the healing process, but I’m thankful in particular to see Carly love him in the way only she could.

Insight lives in Sara. In every discussion, she has fresh perspective. Some of this probably comes from well-travelled life experience and some probably comes from a seasoned relationship with Jesus. In both cases, we’re all better off for it. Sara will also pick up the reigns when I fly off, and I’m very grateful. The rest of the team isn’t ready to leave (obviously neither am I, am I ever?) and I am so thankful they have more time here together.

Jesus has used the last two years and my [six] times in Ethiopia to make some pretty significant life|heart changes. Some people are always looking for the way God will use them and satisfy the specific purposes resting in them. Some people aren’t aware of these purposes and some people are, and Jackie is so aware. To see her seek and question God is reminiscent of my own time here so I’m particularly thankful for the opportunity to share a room with her and dissect every moment of every day. Cheers to verbal processers!

As our default male leader of the team, Eddie has revealed himself to be extremely wise & intuitive. Not much slips by him. He has a low tolerance for injustice and an overflow of compassion, which, for those of you who know me, ring clearly inside me as well. Not to mention, he has navigated 9 female teammates flawlessly – you might even think that he likes us 😉  He and Leslie are a great match – [obviously] Jesus knew what he was doing bringing them together.

One of my favorite things about Leslie is her photographer’s eye. I absolutely believe in creating art is a space where we are very close to God, our creator. I don’t know how to explain it better than that, but I think she would know what I mean. Her photographs are evidence of her skill, but they’re also evidence of her heart – she sees the beauty in everyone. Jesus makes beautiful things, everywhere, and Leslie sees them.

There is always someone that everyone loves and for me, this is Nat. We have this saying, “heart of gold” in English, and Natalie unquestionably has one. Her sweet affection is evident in every conversation and I know people walk away from her feeling loved. I’m not sure if this can be taught or learned, but I do want to be more like Nat.

If I explained why I love and am thankful for each of our sweet Hybesha (Ethiopian) friends, I’d never wrap this up, but if you have met Aki, Jossi or Masti, you have met the sweetest, most selfless men. They take care of us and watch over us like little mother hens and they’re quite adept at “herding cats”. We couldn’t do much of what we’ve done without them and their pre-existing ministries. Aki is so passionate about loving people tangibly and meeting the needs, one-by-one, of the people around him. Yossi can make anyone feel understood and accepted – Hybesha or American. He’s so good at navigating and bridging our cultural differences. Masti knows how to have fun and enjoy life. He’s always smiling and laughing with the people around him and you know how this energy is the kind you like to have around. They are all close to the heart of Jesus.

All Sons & Daughters says in a song,

It’s for freedom that I’ve been set free.

This group of people is free and full of love. I love this team because they’ve shown, in beautiful fashion, that Love Does. See you at home, sweet friends!