Recovering from Ethiopia!

I've not written anything since coming back from our mission trip, mainly be UAE ive not been able to figure out how to put into words all that I've been feeling. I've been following several bloggers who traveled to the Phillippians with Compassion International. They managed to do what I've been unable to do. Here's the link to Emily Freeman's blog that I finally read this morning. I love this post. Take a few minutes and read it for yourself.

Here's my comment to her post and I think this sums up how I've been feeling.

Emily, I just returned on May 26th from spending 2 wks in Ethiopia on mission. I completely understand. I was not really prepared for the emotions and underlining sadness I felt for the first 2 wks home. I struggle now with wanting to remember those precious days and yet knowing that when I go back there I also take on that sadness again. I'm so grateful for the gifts that God has given us. We are blessed but then I remember that the people who touched my life in Ethiopia considered themselves blessed not because of their material things but because of their eternal home with their Saviour Jesus Christ. That much we have in common.

Why International Missions? Why Ethiopia?

Today is the day we've been waiting for, challenged about, excited for...today I leave for Ethiopia on a mission trip with Global Expeditions. Why international missions...why Ethiopia...why now? These are all questions that people have asked me over the last 4 months as I've been preparing to go.

In January I began reading a book that changed my life, Radical by David Platt. Don't read it unless you are prepared to be challenged and provoked! Seriously! When I read scriptures with more of a global perspective, I learn that God loves me...and He loves me so that I might spread the Good News about Him...his ways, his salvation, his glory, his greatness. I'm not the end of the message...I'm possibly the beginning and then my job becomes to reach out to others with what I'm learning from God. I'm reminded that apart from Christ, people cannot come to God and there are billions of people that have never heard about Christ...this is a serious eternal problem. I realized I had not been willing to engage in the battle for the souls of people around the world but instead I was content to live in my peaceful comforts of my world. I was asked 'Am I willing to obey the orders of Christ? Am I willing to be like Him? Am I willing to alter my understanding of Christianity for the sake of those who have yet to meet Jesus?'

Then Platt challenges me to a one year Radical Experiment:

1. pray for the entire world (use Operational World as a guide if you don't have one)
2. read through the entire Word (get a reading plan going)
3. sacrifice your money for a specific purpose (local church, missionaries, charitable org.)
4. spend your time in another context (Ethiopia, homeless ministry, etc.)
5. commit your life to a multiplying community (mentoring, disciplining, Life2Life ministry)

So, I'm sure you can begin to see the progression of my decision to follow God's plan for my life at this time and that that plan included this trip to Ethiopia. The timing was good...the money was available...my heart was stirred...how could I not go?

I'm so excited about all the possibilities that Ethiopia holds for me and for Chelsea. I know I will not come home the same. I'm not going to lie that makes me a little anxious. I like my life, who I am, and the new journey I'm on. I'm not sure I want or need any more change. But I'm leaning on God completely right now and I know that His ways are always better then mine. I'm clinging to the Word He gave me in January...Courageous!

To Blog or Not to Blog

I've asked myself this question over and over. Should I blog? If yes, why? Do I really have that much to say that anyone would want or need to hear? I have several friends that blog and I love to read their posts. Some are pastors. Some are friends. Some are professional bloggers. One is even my oldest daughter. I'm so inspired by their thoughts and ability to convey those thoughts. So I ponder once again...to blog or not to blog.

Chelsea helped me set up this blog about 3 weeks ago. I've yet to post even one thing. The pressure was so great. It was so silly but I just couldn't bring myself to write anything. I told myself once I start my new journey I'll write. Well I'm finally here...

Then I began reading my friend Angela's blog as she started sharing her every day adventures with her sweet new baby, Karsten. It's then I realized that I'm just going to use this blog as a journal to keep track of the new journey that God has me on. He said to me in January, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid and don't panic, for I, the Lord your God, am with you in all you do." When it came to this blog I was not listening very well!

So here's my prayer...God, thank you for this most amazing opportunity to stay home with my family and start a completely new chapter in my life. You have changed my heart and I'm looking forward to all that you have before me. I'm walking courageously into this new life holding onto your righteous hand all the way. Show me the way. Hold me close. Amen