A memory remembered

Yesterday while I was worshipping at church, God reminded me of a day that I almost forgotten about but I remember it now. God reminded me of a day that I love so much.

It was such a big day for the boys because it was the championship for the soccer tournament. There was so much excitement and anxiety in the air. Habtamu and Brhnau where in the championship. I was so excited. I wanted to be in the front row to see it all. There was so many people from the streets surrounding the area. This country loves soccer! The screaming and cheering!!  It was such a great game! At the end they had an award ceremony for the kids. Habtamu, got an award!! I was so proud!! He got a trophy and metal!! Everyone was screaming his name!! What a special day that was for him.


When it was all over with the kids began to gather around me asking if I wanted to go to another soccer game. I was telling them the games where over. "NO, Rebecca at the post office!" "OK. lets go!" As I said this and we where standing there... it began to rain. I just look at the boys and said, "lets go!" I started to run. As I was running I looked back and all the boys where falling me saying my name "Rebecca!!" We were all running together in the rain! I loved it!! At that moment while I was running and soaking wet head to toe with the boys, I realized that how much we had grown together over the summer and that we all loved each other and how much I loved them. We ran all through the city to get to the post office. Every place we ran by, everyone was staring at all of us!  When we got to the post office the kid took me to a school near by. As we were walking to the school the rain stop and the sun came out. I knew at that moment it was God. How amazing is that God wants us to feel love, joy and happiness. God wants us to have those memories, where we can close our eyes and remember everything, every smell and sound.
We walked on to the compound and there was a game going on. Birhane and Sami where playing!! We all sat together, cheering, laughing and having the best time. After, we went to eat pizza together!! Fellowship  together. We has such a great day together!

I am not sure why God reminded me of that day. Maybe to remind me how amazing he is for the little things he gives you, getting to run in the streets of Addis in the rain with kids you love in AFRICA. AMAZING!! I still can close my eyes and see the kids smiles and laughter in my head.
I miss these kids so much!! I have been struggling with trying to understand God timing on my return back to Addis. Sometimes I feel as though I failed these kids. Maybe God has me here because I haven't learned something or need to become stronger. So, in that I feel I failed them. Sometimes in my prayers I cry and say to them... I am sorry. I am sorry I am not strong or that I have not learned to do what God has called me to do and that is why I am not there. I love that there is technology and I can skype and call them on the phone. It has been so hard being here and not there. The kids keep asking me when I am going to return to back. I wish I could answer them. I wish I could give them hope of getting the help they need. I just learned that one of them has been sleeping at the bus station. I cried and cried when he told me that. If I where there I could give him a bed to sleep him. I want to remind him that he is not alone and the God hears his prayers. Please pray for this sweet boy:) Please pray for me as I am waiting for God timing on my return to help these kids:)

Happy Birthday!!

I just celebrated my 28th Birthday on the 16th of March. At first I was a little sad because I always had my friends to celebrate and wasn't sure if I get to celebrate it at all. God is good though. I took the day off and got a massage, pedicure and did some shopping:) Had dinner with the family and two movies at the drive in. I loved every second of it. My sweet friend Karen came to join me for lunch and did a bit of shopping with me that day. I am so very blessed by her. Karen's family has become like one of many in my life, like a parent. She never afraid to speak her mind and her sons have become like little brothers to me. I just love them and am so blessed by there support and love they give me.
Something I also realized, is that I feel that one reason God has me here still is for me to get to spend time with my family and new church family. I did ask God for support and a family and he is giving me that. Also get my very own family to spend time with. I get to build relationships with my niece's and nephews. This makes me happy because they will actually remember me and know who I am.
One of my favorite part of the day was getting Facebook messages from the street kids I work with telling me Happy Birthday!! It was a great reminder of what I am fighting for... to get back to my calling to minister to these kids and to love them in a CRAZY way!!
Thank God for life that he has given me. Thank God for bringing me into the world to worship him. My birthday wish this year was to be all that God created me to be and to serve and worship him with everything I am daily! I pray that I bring glory to God with everything I do in my life. I pray that I serve with everything I got!!
I pray that all those kids will expect Christ as their Lord and Savior one day!!! Thank you to everyone for all the B-Day wishes. It made my day little bit more special!!

Why

I have been struggling a lot with WHY I am still here.Why does God still have me here in America? I have been so confused by why isn't anything happening? Why isn't the money flowing in? People have been questioning me in what I am doing in Ethiopia. Why Lord, why am I not where I feel that you have created me to be. Why can't people see the need of the children. Lord, help me see why I am still waiting here for you call.

Yesterday, the Lord really opened my eyes to some things of why he has me here. The Lord is preparing a place and a way as I speak. I may not understand it, but he knows what is best for me. I believe that he is teaching me courage and wisdom.I am learing to give him control of everything. I feel that these are some of these things I need on the mission field. Being a missionary is not easy, but God tell us it will be perscuted for picking up the cross and following him. Lord has me here to grow in him,, to seek him in everything I do. He wants me to wait, so he can prepare a way for me to return. Even though its not easy being here when your heart is somewhere else. I will contuine to grow in him and grow in great wisdom for this journey.
I will wait for his call. When he does call, I will say YES!! I will share the love of Jesus Chirst.I will contuine the fight for these children souls:)

I have been talking to some of the street children on Facebook everyday. Technology is great to have:) I get to see their faces and hear their voices on skype. I get to keep in touch with them. It makes being here a little bit easier becasue I am not always wondering if there ok, sick or need anything. I miss them all soooooooo much. I can't wait to be in Ethiopia serving again. They ask me all the time, "When are you coming back?" It kills me that I can't give them an answer, but God knows. This is where I put my trust in him and he has everything in control.

I am excited to see my story unfold. I am so thankful for my church family for helping me through this struggle of waiting and keeping me strong.God does have a perfect plan.

Please keep me in your prayers becasue the enemy has become very strong and has been attacking me  full force. Prayer for wisdon and understand of my time of waiting. Thank you to everyone for your love and support. Thank for joining me on this journey!!