CAUGHT THE VISION

Well, Doc has caught the vision that I have for Ethiopia. It happened Sunday afternoon as we drove through parts of Addis and we saw the many children and homeless people who occupy the grassy areas along the sidewalks and who also are everywhere that there are people who might give them aid (money, particularly).

On Saturday, Doc picked up a book here at the Guest House (some would say by accident, but it was truly God's providence) called He Still Moves Stones by Max Lucado and it has further confirmed our mission and God's plans for our future. I am going to take the liberty and quote parts of it here, so that you may share with us how God is leading.

"Whoever tries to keep his life safe will lose it, and the man who is prepared to lose his life will preserve it." Luke 17:33

"There are two ways to view life," Jesus is saying, "those who protect it or those who pursue it. The wisest are not the ones with the most years in their lives, but the most life in their years." Your goal is not to live long; it's to live.

Jesus says our options are clear. On one side, there is the voice of safety. You can build a fire in the hearth, stay inside, and stay warm and dry. You can't get hurt if you never get out, right? You can't be criticized for what you don't try, right? You can't fall if you don't take a stand, right? You can't lose your balance if you never climb, right? So, dont try it, take the safe route.

Or you can hear the voice of adventure--God's adventure. Instead of building a fire in your hearth, build a fire in your heart. Follow God's impulses. Adopt the child. Move overseas. Teach the class. Change careers. Run for office. Make a difference. Sure, it isnt safe, but what is?

You think staying inside out of the cold is safe? Jesus disagrees.  'Whoever tries to keep his life safe will lose it, and the man who is prepared to lose his life will preserve it." WOW!

Your last chapters can be your best. Your final song can be your greatest. It could be that all of your life has prepared you for a grand exit. God's oldest have been among His choicest.

As we get older, our vision should improve. Not our vision of earth but our vision of heaven. Those who have spent their life looking for heaven gain a skip in their step as the city comes into view. A note written by Michelangelo in his old years to a young artist: 'Draw, Antonio, draw, and do not waste time.'

Well-founded urgency, Michelangelo. Time slips. Days pass. Years fade. And life ends. And what we came to do must be done while there is time. We would think it bizarre for a traveler not to be prepared for the end of the journey.

So, Doc read this to me in the middle of the night and we are both looking at each other saying, "Ok, what is God saying?" We talked for over an hour about different thoughts and possibilities. We realize the necessity to be in unison about what God is saying and, as of now, we feel we are united as to the initial direction and possible next steps. We are praying for the wisdom to discern just the right ministry and our role in it.

We just met Aser ( a contractor) who is from here, married to an American teacher and they live here now for 2 years working with Wycliffe Translators. As we were sharing our various passions and visions, he told us of a couple from the states that he just assisted in building a spring/well in a remote village. REALLY!!!! Imagine that. And, he was just leaving here to go to a meeting with Pastor and Becky Threatt, the pastor we are working with here.

 

You have to understand that there are MANY ministries here and churches and yet, this man works with the pastor we are connected to!!!

This is just how our time has been for the past 48 hours. We have met several individuals in just thiis same manner who we believe God is bringing across our path to share and to understand their ministry and perhpas play a role in them.

So, we need discernment.

Doc is so excited about the possibilites here and how we can raise more money and aid more people in various ways.

I am so excited that I cant sleep. Doc is also having trouble sleeping for all the thoughts and concerns going through his head. It is awesome to see and we are SOOOOOOOO excited. He said to me that as much as he hates the cost of a ticket to get here, he knows he HAD to come and see and feel Ethiopia for real. YEAH!!

 

We do not know yet just how our week is going to play out, but we are excited to see the way God directs. As of now (Mon noon), we are planning to connect with the Threatts today and perhaps the Shannons (from Lancaster, PA) who have a ministry called Embracing Hope Ethiopia (check out their website) that works with children and mothers in Korah (the area of the dump). We are also going to try to connect with Almaz at Hannah's Hope, the orphanage from which Markos came.

 

We have been invited by Aser to a bazaar on Sat at Children's Heaven, where they are raising money for their ministry to 80 girls who have a mother, but need mentoring and 1 meal a day.

 

Our host, Alayu is also taking us to the best coffee place in Addis on Sat to buy coffee to bring home. He is also going to arrange a meeting for us with his brother, Tsey, who is the International Director of Compassion International, located here in Addis.

 

Emily, our 21-year-old German friend, is getting information for us from the Baptist mission she volunteers for, that builds schools,  wells and latrines for the women in rural areas.  She is also going to take us shopping at some time for Ethiopian coffee pots and cups as well as some other traditional Ethiopian crafts to bring home. We are going to visit various Ethiopian historical sites and eating spots with her. We are hoping to visit an Orthodox church next Sun at 6am with Emily and then attend church at 9am at IEC, Pastor and Becky's church.

 

 

So, we covet your prayers for wisdom and discernment. And, we thank everyone for ALL of your support.