Waiting on the Lord

"I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope"

Tomorrow begins a new year! A year that I can not wait to start. I know that 2012 is a year that God is going to plant seeds in many hearts of Ethiopian children. I know that God is going to show me things beyond my imagination. I also know its going to be a year of hard work and many tears. The best thing of all is I get to share my new adventures with my soul mate Jesus.

This last month has been a very hard month for me emotionally and mentally. As you know, God has called me into the mission field in Ethiopia Africa. I absolutely love this country and God has given me such a burden in my heart. Its a pain that has me on my knees daily praying for these children hearts and lives. I have dreams of children and this country. Its a love that I have never felt before for any human or thing. Sometimes I think I am crazy, but God just showed me that he is opening my eyes to his pain that he has for his children. This reminds me of a time during my last trip. I have have these 4 small boys who are from ages 5 - 8. They are the cutest kids ever seen:) One evening I was walking with a friend to get a taxi to head back to my hotel. As we were walking up to the street, looking at all the cars waiting for a green light and then I saw them. The four boys begging at every window. There hands trying to reach asking for food. I looked at my friend and said, "Is that Binyam and the boys?" Mesfin, my friend looked at me and said, "Yes!" I turned around. I could not face it anymore. "God, I can't look at it anymore." With tears running down my face I heard God tell me that I have to look at it. God called me to be his hands and told me to feed his children. I then took them to a bread shop, bought two pieces of bread and sent them home. See then God showed me that we are sharing a burden.

I know that I am called to this country to serve God and to bring glory to his name. What has been the hardest part is waiting on God to send me back. Ethiopia is where I am happiest and feel closer to God. I have a lot of children that I love and what to be with them. I want to be there to teach them and love them. God has giving me the love of a mother and I truly know what a mother feels when she is away from her babies.

I just keep asking God how, when and where can I get the money I need to raise. Its so hard because its a lot of money and I know deep down inside that no amount is to great for him:) The other day I got my doctor bill from when I had Malaria in September. That was difficult!! "Lord, why do I have this debt now?" " How will I ever get back to Africa now?"

Let me tell you all. I have no idea where the money is going to come from for everything, but I know that God does have a plan for it all. I KNOW HE WILL PROVIDE the money. I have to continue to be strong in my faith and TRUST him. You will see that God will be glorified through all of this.

Please pray for me during this time of waiting. Let my heart know that Gods timing is perfect and not mine. I need prayer for wisdom and discernment. Please pray that God will provide the funds and the ideas of doing so:) Please pray for these children of Ethiopia and their souls. Join me in being a soul fighter!! Thank you all for your prayers and support.

Jesus to the Rescue

This past November I took a surprise visit to Ethiopia. It was not planned for sure. I didn't even know I was going til a week before I left. I went for one month the find a ministry to work with. The moment I got there God had put me to work. This leads me to one great story that glorifies God:)


I don't know if any of you remember my story on Brhanu. Brhanu is a 15 year boy, that has 8 other brothers and sisters, but only 5 of them live at the house. Both of his parents are blind. Brhanu comes from a very tough situation.

The first Sunday I was there, I took Birhane and Sami to church. After church we to the post office to see the other kids. Well I got there and the only boys I could find were Habtamu and Brhanu. I notice that Brhanu was laying on the wall with his face covered. I walked over to him and pulled the jacket off his face looked at his face. " Brhanu, Are you sick?" He told me he was. I felt his forehead and he was so hot. I said  "Brhanu, I got to take you to a clinic now!" I got him up and took him to the clinic. We saw the doctor (thank God he spoke English) and the doctor said we need to do blood work. I was worry by this time because I really thought I was going to get medicine for just a fever. We sat and waited for the results and the doctor asked to come to his office. I remember walking down the hallway to his office and thinking " God what could be wrong with him?" "Whatever it is please help me to help him." The doctor told me he needs to be admitted to a hospital right away. The doctor said that he has a sickness that he will die from if he doesn't get help.


We left and started walking to the nearest hospital. I can't begin to tell you the process to get a person into a hospital in Ethiopia. While we where waiting to do lab work again, one by one the street kids started walking in the hospital to be with him. It was such a blessing to see his friends there to help him. Brhanu barley could walk anywhere, they help carry him. The boys helped me with translation as well. Brhanu's head had to be shaved and the boys helped the nurses with that. They didn't know it, but they were showing Gods love to there friend. Something I was shocked by is I had to go the the pharmacy to buy his IV bag, needles, med bottles etc.

Now we took him to his room. The moment I walked in the room there was only a baby bed. WHAT!! The nurse brought him a mattress to sleep on, ON the floor. The nurses gave him one sheet and that was it. OHHHH, I forgot to mention, there where no light in his room. I had to send one of the boys to get candles. While waiting for the candles the doctor came in to give Brhanu a shot and we had to use are cell phone light for him to see.  I didn't want to leave Brhanu alone at the hospital that night but all of the kids offered to stay with him. Of course the hospital wouldn't let them, so Habtamu volunteered to stay with him. Before we left I asked the boys if I could pray for him and everyone of them wanted to say a prayer for him. I cant begin to tell you how AMAZING these boys are:) God is working in there hearts so much:)


The next day I showed up at the hospital waiting for the doctor to show up for hours. When he finally came in the door he was definitely shocked to see I was a white women. " Are you taking care of this boy?' I told him that I take care of all these boys in this room. He began to tell me that Brhanu had some kind of sickness (I would love to tell you what it was. but I couldn't even spell it for you:) The doctor told me that Brhanu was sick due to a bug bite. Doctor said it is often caused buy sanitation in his house. The moment he said that, I knew it was his roof. His roof floods their house all the time. I told the doctor of his situation at home and the doctor began telling me what I needed to do to help him and his family. He told me I had to shave all of the kids heads, bug spray the house, wash all their clothes, bring out the mattress, clean the house and fix his roof. He told me that it was very important to do these things or the family will get very sick and possibly die. The moment he said that I gathered the boys and left for his home. On the way I bought a mop, broom, soap and bug spray. When we arrived the boys began to explain to his mother what needed to be done. She wouldn't let me do anything. I finally begged Birhane to beg Brhanu's mother to let us at least do laundry. Finally, Brhanu's mother gave us only Brhanu's clothes. She pack all his clothes in a old backpack. We had to walk back to the post office to wash his clothes because Brhanu's mother washes his clothes in a very dirty river. As we were walking I could see the bugs crawling all over Birhane'sWe could only save a few shirts. The boys saw need and began giving their clothes. Even when these kids have nothing they still give to help out there friend. After searching and asking people if they would allow me to use their water,  all the boys came and help wash his clothes.

Now after almost 3 days of Brhanu being in the hospital, I needed to get his roof fix and didn't have the money to really help him. I ask God to help me. You will never guessed what I did. I became a street kid. I saw a white person at the post office went right up to him and told him the needs of these boys. He gave me money to fix Brhanu's  roof and take Habtamu to the dentist:) GOD IS GOOD:) The next week I gather up the boys and a really good friend of mine, Alex and we went and fixed his roof. We only could afford plastic but it worked. When I showed up the mother had done everything I asked of her.

Thur all of this, I knew that God sent me all of the sudden for a rescue mission. I am not sure what would have happened to Brhanu, but I know that God is good and faithful to his children. God used this situation to show his love for them. I know from the bottom of my heart that God has AMAZING plans for these kids. I am so very BLESSED to be apart of it. Please continue to pray for Brhanu and his family. There needs are still very great! They need mattresses, clothes for all the children, shoes, blankets and the mother need shoes as well. Money for school is a great need for 4 children.I know that God will continue to be faithful to his children. He always provide!!

  

  

MY BOY

I had to share with you all someone that has change my life completely. It's my son Birhane Kero:) I first met Birhane in the Post office area. The day before I started teaching classes, I went to gather up the boys I would be teaching. I had notice Birhane right away out of the group because he was loudest and caused trouble. I remember telling Leti "He is going to be my trouble maker.", not knowing what God had in store for me. In time I found out that Birhane was one of my nicest kids. Birhane starting walking me home at night to make sure I was safe. I blogged about this story before, but I had only been with the boys for two days and we went to the zoo and on our way back to YFC and man had harassed me and Birhane was the first person to start beating on this man. Birhane and I became close friends.God was showing me one of the reasons he brought me here. 
One week before Birhane's birthday he would remind everyday that it was going to be his birthday. I would always ask him what he wanted for his birthday and he would say, " All I want for my birthday is you, Mom." Mom!! He was calling me mom. This is when I realized how much this child really cared for me. I had became hope and love to him in his life:) For Birhane's Birthday I decided to buy a cake and bring it to the YFC (Youth for Christ Center) and it ended up being a surprise party. We had decorations, cake, cookies, popcorn and soda. It was great!! He never in his life had a birthday party and he all his friends were there. It was a very great day for him. I believe this day I adopted Birhane in my heart as my son. I always wanted to be there to protect him, to make him happy , show him unconditional love and hope. I remember watching Birhane cutting his cake and saying to God "Whatever it takes I will always take care of him."

I have to say this has been the most challenging thing. I have know idea how to be a mom and especially to a 15 year old street kid. Birhane has never had any kind of discipline before in his life. He has made his own choices most of his life. My son has shown me where him an his mom slept on the streets for many years begging. He has shown me his home. His home so dark and small. a leaky roof, a twin size bed where 3 people sleep. Birhane's birth mom works so hard. She works sun up to sun down washing clothes 7 day a week. Most of the time she doesn't come home for days. Birhane's mother makes 200 birr a month (14 dollars) and rent is 300 birr (20 dollars) Birhane's mother works so hard but can't even make rent or buy food. So its Birhane's responsiblity to pay rent and buy food at home. What a huge weight to carry for a young child. I cant image what my son has seen and has gone through in his short life. I ask God everyday am I the right person for this job. He reminds me that he know what is best for his children and tells me " I know that you can love him and give him hope for a better future." " I have great plans for him." "I need you to teach him about me and the love I have for him."
I have done everything in my power to show him Gods CRAZY love that he has for him. Now, this leads me to my next story. After being there for two months Birhane become distant and really being disobidenant towards me, He would walk with me home. He started lying and telling people lies about me. It really hurt me. I was so confused I began to distant myself from him for a time. After a couple of weeks I finally got a translator to help really talk to Birhane and find out what was going on. So, after talking for awhile it came down to that Birhane was scared. He said that he loves me so much that he just doesnt know how to love. Thats when I realized, these kids dont know love. They have experinced everything BUT love. How do you love someone when you have never been shown real love. How do you explain Jesus's love when they haven't felt a CRAZY kind of love. A love thats never failing, unconditonal and full of hope. I told Birhane I am here to show you the love of Christ. I told him it was a new beginning for us. He put out his had and said " what is your name?" and I said "My name is Rebecca." "What is your name?" He said " Hi, I'm your son." Everytime I tell this story I always cry. This a calling for me and everyone in the world is to show love. My mission and ministry is to love and to love CRAZY!!  
Birhane and I have had many great adventures. It was the hardest thing to do to leave him. I remember 2 days before I left we were sitting in a taxi waiting and we werent saying much to each other,but I looked over at him and and there where tears streaming down his face. He looked at me and said "Mom, where will I eat when you are gone?" As I could feel my heart breaking into thousands of peices I said " I dont know, honey." My sons fears where coming back. A life not knowing where your next meal is coming from, not knowing if his mom would come home, would he be beaten by the police again for no reason. Leaving the airport was hard! We just cried in each others arms. I told him that God has a plan and I must go for awhile. I wish I could of told him a date I was coming back but I couldnt give him any hope of my return but to fully rely on God to bring me back:) I call him once a week and he asks everytime " When are you coming Mom?" It was cute the other day he said " Mom, you and me in heaven together forever."
I am so very blessed by Birhane in my life. I am so excited the adventures that God is going to show me in motherhood. There is so much to learn but I so glad to share this with my Savior. He will give me the strength and wisdom.

I was thinking about another blog to share with you and I just have to share with you some of the greatest people I met in Ethiopia...

First is my dear sweet friend Leti. It brings me to tears how much I love her. Leti is a 27 year old who works with Youth for Christ. Leti is full of life. She is always the first person to find the fun in everything. Leti is one of the hardest worker I know. She is full of wisdom and grace. I met Leti at YFC because that is the center we borrowed so I could teach English and bible study to the children. Leti was my angel. In all my craziest of trying to teach an organize the boys. She was always there for me. When I came to Ethiopia I was so scared and never felt so alone. She was the first person to invite me to come and have fun. When I didn't know how to use the Taxi system she was their to pick me up. She was always a constant reminder that I was doing great things for the boys. I love Leti and so blessed that God put her in my life. I am so honored to call her my sister. I miss getting to see her everyday. I miss getting to stay at her house and the giant sleepovers we had.

Another person is Brook. Brook also works for YFC. Brook lives in India during the school year and come to Ethiopia in the summer. All I have to say is God Bless Brook for putting up with me and the boys. I cried many tears and he was always their for me. He always reminded me to put myself back into the holy spirit. He helped me alot with disciplining the boys and translating. Brook has become my brother and I am so very thankful of him. Brook always has a smile on his face. He is so full of joy and happiness. Brook is a great man of God and truly loves the Lord. I I miss getting to see him everyday and his hugs.

I thank you to the both of them with putting up with my anger, confusion, hurt and happiness. God knew what he was doing placing you both into my lives. I am so honored to call you both my brother and sister in Christ and life long friends.



To Zufi, Heny, Abraham, YFC volunteers and Egzariha I love you all too:) Thank you for all your love and helping me do what God has called me to do. You are all Angels!!!!

Give me eyes to see...

Ok, Ok ... I am bad at this blogging thing but today in prayer God really convited me that I should be telling his stories to others. I am not a very good writer but when God tells you to do something you better do it:)

So I am here to write about Ethiopia. I cant begin to tell you in words how much my heart aches for this country. A year and half ago I had never even heard of this country to everyday fighting to be right there serving God and getting to see his face in all of those children. This summer I met street kids that have for ever changed my life and heart. These kids are amazing. I love them like they were my own. They are always in my dreams. God has given me such a burden for the children on the streets of Ethiopia:) God has shown me not only to teach them about God himself but to show them a crazy love. A love that shows Christ love for them. How can we ever teach a child by telling them "Jesus loves them" and then never show it. These kids do not know what love is. The have never been shown nothing but abandonment, abuse, stravation and sickness. How can a child ever know God if they have never felt love. My dream is to love these children like they have never been loved before and that they will know Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior.   

Someone that God has laid on my heart to tell you about is Brhanu. Brhanu is the kindest, smartest and a born leader:) Brhanu was always bored in my class because he always understood everything. He always helped me with translating. He actaully was helping me with translating long time before I even knew he was repeating what I was saying to the other boys. Brhanu always puts a smile on face. Brhanu has taught me a alot about strength and hope. Brhanu showed up everyday to class and on time. He never gave me any trouble. One day I ask him if I could meet his parents. He was scared at first for me to come to his home because he didnt want me to see where he lived or even how he lived. But he said yes. Brhanu lives near a church. His house is made out of mud and tin. The monment I walked in you could smell the mildew and dampness. It was dark. They had two full size beds. Their ceiling was caving in. Brhanu told me that his house floods everyday. I met his mother who is blind. Both of his parents are blind. He has 6 other brothers that live in house. All there clothes were dirty and torn. The children where so happy to see us. They wanted to touch our skin and our hair. We decided to sit down so we could talk. We told Brhanu his mother that we where there to help him get a sponsor for school. She began talking so fast and the translator said that she begging you to get her a sponsor for her eyes. She kept putting my hands on her eyes, begging. Please if you could give me eyes to see even if it just one, I just want to see my children. I began to cry harder then I have ever cried before. This mother has never even see her children, how the house looked or even what the world looked like. I realized that Brhanu was head of household then. What a burden to carry at 13 years old. Two take care of two blind parents and 6 little brothers.  I then asked him why he was coming to my class everyday when he could be working. He said that he hopes for a better life. What strength he has and HOPE. I was so very blessed by him and what God showed me. I know that God has great plans for him. I cant wait to see him again. God is at work and I love to see him glorified in all of this:)

I AM BACK!!!

First off, I have to say that I am sorry that I haven't posted  in a long time but promise to keep you all updated about my continued journey to Africa. Blog spot doesn't work most of the time in Ethiopia so, it was very difficult to send out post:)

My time in Ethiopia was a huge learning experience for me and have so many stories tell. I am so very excited to tell what God has done over the summer in my and the kids lives.

I need to think everyone for your prayers while I had Malaria. It was a very painful experience but through that God showed me that he had his hand at work. I had family memeber all around me in my time in the hospital. I had cards and people I didn't even know tell me they were praying for me. I never felt so much love before. God really showed me that he is going to take care of me and that he has big plans for me.

I am now living in Nashville, TN and working as an assistant for Art Wasem at Foothill Entrainment Group. On the weekends I go to Manchester to be with my sister and family. I am in TN because I feel that God led me here to begin working on getting back to Ethiopia. While working with Art he has help me a lot with getting things going for me. My sister has been a huge help with getting connected with a family church and continued support from them in what I am doing. I hope to be here a few months but I am trying to live on Gods timeline and not on my own. God is bringing people into my life that really want to help me. I am very excited to share with you what God is going to do. I really feel like I am on journey that will never forget. I am very over joyed by what God is doing in my life. I cant believe that this is my life:)

Thank you to everyone for there support and prayers!

The Birthday Gift

    Today I had the best day with boys. We went to a place called Entoto. It’s a church on top of a hill and you can see the whole city of Addis. It is so beautiful up there! The boys and I went into the town and played soccer. It was great!! We couldn’t find a taxi back down the mountain so we had to walk. Everyone including me was exhausted. When got back to the post office the kids where telling me how hungry they were and was telling me that all they had was only bread in the last two days. So, Itook them to eat. Wow, is all can say about the experience of feeding hungry children. They were eating as if they weren’t going to get another meal. It truly breaks my heart. These children don’t know when they will eat again. The best part is seeing their smiling faces and laughter again after eating. It gives me great joy to feed them.

So this brings me to my next story…

That evening I found out that it was Chekol (we call him chocolate) birthday. What can I say about this kid? He is very smart, super sweet and kind of quiet, but he defiantly can hold his own in a fight. I ask him how old he was today and he said 15. I asked him what he wants for his birthday. He didn’t understand what I was saying, so one of the kids was telling him what I was saying. He looked at me like what? I said anything you want! Then he said it… A bible! I couldn’t believe it! He wanted a bible. So I called one of the girls I know at the center I work at and told her the story. I said I want to take him to go get a piece of cake for birthday and she said she would get a bible and come along. I took Birhane, Habtamu and Chekol and said we are going somewhere special. .We met Leti on the way. We went to the International Café and we sat down I told Chekol that he could get whatever he wanted. He didn’t want to order anything. I told him to go pick out a piece of cake. He couldn’t believe it. He picks out one of the most beautiful piece of cake. He orders a Fanta as well. He loved it. He was sharing with all of us. After I told him that I had something special for him. I asked him first “Chekol, Have you ever had birthday gift?” He said “No.” I began to cry. Here is today his 15 birthday and he is getting his first gift. It was wrapped in beautiful colors and with a card. Today I gave a boy a bible and his first gift. After he open, I found out that he wants to be a pastor. God has a plan for everything. God sent me all to Ethiopia to give this child a gift of his words. Chekol is a very special boy! What you don’t know about him is that his mother beats him every day if he doesn’t come home with 5 birr. He tells me that his mother is not right in the head. I haveseen his home and it’s very small. There really no space to walk around and his mother, sister and him all sleep in the same bed. There are holes in the ceiling and rats eat everything. I ask that you pray for Chekol. Pray that God bring him a sponsor to pay for school and for his needs that will help him to become a pastor one day.

I cant believe that God has place me here. Every day I get to be his hands and feet!!

I Met My Sons!

I have to tell you that I have met my sons and I am falling in love with them everyday that I am with them. I started teaching them English in this little room. Last Wedesday I finally got to meet some of the street kids for the first time. I invited them to the center, where I am teaching them English now. We sat down and I asked them what they knew about me. They said they knew I was hear to teach them english and that God sent me to them to help find them sponsors. It had me almost in tears to hear them say that. They are very excited to share with me one by one their lives.

I have to say I have learned alot in just the last couple of day being in Ethiopia. I have had some pretty shocking experinces. First I was walking to the youth center and the man came and spit on my face. I couldnt believe it. Then Friday the boys took me to the zoo and on our way back this man came up to me and touched my breast. Well, that was a bad idea becasue then the boys strated beating on this man. I have to say that I am protected by the boys. I was in such shocked that it happened. I was almost in tears. I am stared at all the time. Everywhere I go people are starting at me. Really at the time I thought maybe I am not safe but I remember how Jesus was publicly humiliated during his time of mission. The devil is working hard here to convince me that I should be scared and to not be here, so pray that the devil will flee from me so that I can fulfill my purpose.

I live in a guest house with a roommate. Her name is Egzeharia.She is so nice and has become a really good friend. The Guest House is really nice. I have great veiws of the city. I have been meeting the kids at a place called Youth for Christ, which is a ten min drive by taxi. Please pray for my because I hate taking the taxi's here and being by myself. I have gotten used to the food options which is ingera or pasta. I miss the food at home alot. I would love some mac and cheese, cheese fries, baked chicken with mashed poptatoes,a salad with ranch and even a bag of chips would be nice. Beside the food I just love it here. I cant believe that I am here.

Please keep me in your prayer...

Living A Dream

The Journey begins…

SO, I am here in the country I love so much and I can’t believe that I am here in Ethiopia every day. My journey started with seeing the greatest boy Sami, who both came with another man to pick me up at the airport! I had no idea that Sami was going to be there. It was the greatest gift ever. He was wearing my Crazy Love shirt I gave him when I left the last time I saw him. I just couldn’t believe it! I was here in Ethiopia. The moment I step off the plane it was like home, I didn’t feel like a stranger. I just hope that nobody pinches me because I never want to wake up from this dream… Ephrem took me to the market to get mangos, pineapple and water for breakfast and then to dinner to eat pizza. It was a great time of fellowship. Ephrem dropped me off at a guest house and the moment he said goodbye and shut the door I realized … I am alone. I am here in a country that I don’t know the language and the only person I know is Ephrem. Where are the other 12 American who were with me on the last journey, who I could talk to at night? “This is Lord; it’s just you and me.” I realized that this journey is a love story written by God, a love story about God and me. God is the main character and I the character that is pursuing Gods heart and as well as for mine. 

So, for all of you that have been to Ethiopia or will come in the future. Yes, I had no water for two days. Not to mention that I didn’t have electricity for an evening. Yes I am waken every morning by a very loud donkey, dogs barking in the night or some strange bird sound.   So very grateful Ephrem took me to take a shower. I have internet now and grateful I can get in touch with the outside world! Ephrem has been teaching me a lot about patience and time. In Africa there is apparently…. time! There is time to do everything. I have to get adjusted to that for sure. I can’t believe I get to wake everyday serving God and working with the street kids…

More to come!

How do you pack your whole life into 2 suitcases?

I cant believe it, I am leaving in 2 weeks for Ethiopia. This month has been really tough emotionally for me. I had a Garage Sale two weekends ago and sold everything I owned. It was the toughest thing I had to do. I watched people walk away with things I worked so hard for. Gods has taught me so much how WE as  people put so much of our faith into our belongings. Our home and our things are our comfort zones. Even though I came home a cried, it was also very freeing. Giving up everything for the kids of Ethiopia is so worth it. If Christ can give is whole life up for me, I can do it for the street kids.

Today I am trying to figure out how I am going to pack my whole life into two suitcase. It's impossible!! I am already at 3 and have so much more. I am so very excited to be in Ethiopia and see everyone again. I cant wait for the new friendships that will be made. I cant wait to see what God has in store. I am trying really hard to go on this trip with no expectation because in these kinds of trips things always change! :)

It is real... I AM MOVING TO ETHIOPIA

Wow, today it has become real. I am moving to Ethiopia!!! I think I feeling hundreds of emotions right now! This weekend I selling all of my things in  a garage sale. I think this has been one the hardest things I have done. I never realized how much faith and trust I put into my belonging. Why is so hard to let go of something so simple as a couch, table or even dishes. I remember something I said to Ephrem while I was in Ethiopia. I told him that I would sell everything I have to be with these kids. As I keep boxing and emptying things I think about those kids. How they have nothing. Through all of this God is asking me, I gave my son, he gave his whole life for you, can you give your whole life for me? This makes me think of how much I love my God. I would do anything to serve him. I want to serve him til I have nothing else to give. God is showing me so much about faith and trust. When we have everything we need, we just don't put as much faith and trust into God. When we have nothing we seem to search for him more. God is teaching me everyday to remember its not about me but about him and his plan. I think in all my business, preparing to leave, I forget who I am doing this for. I hope and pray that I glorify God through all of this. I give him all the glory for what is happening in my life.

My light will shine on Earth

                                                                             With you

                                                                       I can go anywhere

                                                                       I can do anything

                                                             Cause you are the song I bring

                                                                            With you

                                                                       I can go anywhere

                                                                       I can do anything

                                                              Cause you are the song I bring

                                                                            With you

                                                                   You are the air I breath

                                                             Cause you are my my everything

                                                                     and I am an offering

                                                                I may live and I may die

                                                               Either way you're glorified

                                                          Bless the day I give my life away

                                                       So let my life light up like th city lights

                                                 and let it burn for you in the darkest night, Lord

                                                      and let my life light up like to city lights

                                                    and let it burn for you in the darkest light

                                                                         And in You

                                                                    I can begin again

                                                               I'm part of a bigger plan

                                                          Cause you are the great "I am"

                                                                        And in You

                                                                Your life is in my veins

                                                      And you have broken all my chains

                                                      Cause you are the God who regins

                                        My light will shine on earth and my father will be praised

                                        My light will shine on Earth and my father will be praised

                                                             My life will shine on Earth

                                                                  But for you Lord

                       

                                                                                                 Light up by: Christy Nockels

I have to say this everything I am feeling and praying for! That my light will shine through the people of Addis, Ethiopia. I cant begin to tell you how much reality is becomeing real of what I am doing! I began to pack my apartment and beginning to relize that what I have is just stuff! I been thinking about just selling everything for the money for the kids and its been hard to fully trust God in what he has planned. Whats hard  for me is that I dont know what that plan is. What if I come back and need my couch, or my coffee table and TV. I really been praying about and yesterday I got in my car to go to work and the radio was saying " do you have a bunch of juck laying aournd in your house?" " Do you have clothes in your cloest you havent worn in  year?" I was thinking yes! The radio dj began to read off the verse " Do not store up for yourself treasures on earth, where moth and rust destory, and where thieves break in and steal."  " But store up yourself treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destory and where thieves do not break in and steal." Where your treasure is, there your heart will also be." Matt 6:19-21

God is showing me what I have is stuff and I can't put my faith in things but in him!!

Tomorrow is my birthday and Lord Thank you for giving me life to serve you!

MISSION TO ETHIOPIA

I am most excited to share with you what is coming ahead as a result of my recent trip and how you can be a huge part of bringing children to Christ.  I visited a lot of different orphanages and the one ministry that stood out to me the most was a street kid ministry called Ethiopia Youth Soccer. I met a boy named Sami that forever changed me and my life. My time with Sami and the ministry was very short but it was something that God put together on purpose. See, my team and I weren’t even supposed to meet this ministry but while we were there something fell through with one of the other ministries. I just fell in love with these kids! They are hungry for knowledge. These kids live on the streets and have to worry everyday how they will eat or if they are safe.  Most of the children are very behind on school work because they have to work to provide for themselves as well as a family. Imagine being a 10 year old, having to be head of your household, only eating one meal a day or nothing at all. These children are praying daily that God would just send some help. 

        This is where I’d like to share how you can participate. God has given me the opportunity to move to Ethiopia and work with the Ethiopia Youth Soccer (ethiopiayouthsoccer.org) for 3 months this summer. I will be leaving the 2^nd week of May and returning home in the 2^nd week of August. My primary role will be to teach English, mentor the kids, and teach them how to pray and worship our Savior. This is not an easy process because God is calling me to step out of my comfort zone to serve him. So, I will need your help! I pray that you will seek God and ask how you can help me further his kingdom whether it is financially or in prayer. I am going to need $10,000, to buy shoes for the kids, curriculum for tutoring, Bibles and medical supplies, as well as room and board for me while I am serving. I know that God is going to provide.

Please Pray and see how you can help!!

Coming Home

I have just come from a two week mission trip that has forever changed my life. I had the greatest opportunity to go to Ethiopia and Rwanda. It was amazing to see God everywhere. I will post stories on here one at a time because there are so many. Tymm my leader gave me some questions to answer to help us process everything that we have been through and I thought I would share them and my answers:

     1. How has this particular trip impacted/strengthened your faith?
        I have to say that this trip has shown me how little faith I have in Chirst. I met children who have more
        faith then I do. God has shown me that nothing is impossiable with him. I feel that my faith is stronger
        from this trip. This trip has given me trust with God with my future.
    2. What did God reveal to you about himself during this trip?
        Oh, how I love this question because he revealed a lot of things but I have one thing in particular.
        The day I went to Noel orphange God showed me how he knows everyone by name and knows
        all of his children. How amazing it is to be a child of God.
    3. What did God reveal to you about yourself?
        I still dont know this question in full but I do know that he revealed to me that he has great plans for me
        in Africa. That he created me to help orphans. He created me to love others as he would love them. I
        really excited to see what God shows me in the weeks to come.
    4.  What is your confidence level now?
         Right now, I feel like anything is possible with God!

I can't wait to share with you my stories from Africa and the adventures he will be taking me on...