Team Ethiopia: Saying Goodbye
June 19, 2010
The following is an update from Team Ethiopia, a small group from Central Church in Memphis, TN, who will be serving as short-term missionaries at Children’s Home Ethiopia in June 2010. We’ve invited our dear friends and ministry partners to post their trip updates and prayer requests here on the TFC blog. Enjoy…
After our last day with the children (today), mixed emotions are flying throughout the entire team. For some there is sadness, for others joy within the sadness, for others there is excitement at the thought of reuniting with their families, and for others a longing to see what God has in store for us and this ministry, and often it is a combo of many.
We went to the Drop-In Center today – we played with the children, loved on them, taught a VBS lesson about respect, a hygiene lesson educating the children about HIV/AIDS, did arts and crafts, completed dental checkups on some children, tangible donation and inventory organization, and tied up other loose ends from the week that had to be completed before our departure. We ate lunch at the Drop-In Center and enjoyed the company of the children and staff.
Being unable to stop or slow time, the afternoon came and it was time to close out our week with GOODBYES! The team stood up individually and spoke to the children… thanking them for their hospitality, love, acceptance, and affection; reminding them of where the greatest love of all comes from – CHRIST ALONE; encouraging them; and sharing our admiration for them. It was a heart felt experience and an often teary event. Once everyone on the team had spoken, we had all the children get on their knees together in a big group – Team Ethiopia, along with the staff members stood around the children in a circle, holding hands and prayed over them! It was powerful… ALL ABOUT YOU LORD, NOT ABOUT US!
A friend to many of the team left this verse in the comments section of yesterday’s post… we want to share it with you today as it has truly resonated with many of us. Isaiah 61:1-3
1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners, [a]2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.
We closed our day with a wonderful dinner at the Director, Nega’s home. We enjoyed the Ethiopian meal, as well as some football on TV, and were able to fellowship together again over food, coffee, and tea. It is still hard to believe for some of us that we fly out of Ethiopia tomorrow (10:15pm Ethiopia time). Thank you for your prayers and continued support. God is good.
We leave you with a photo of each team member interacting with the children. Enjoy…
Nurse Bonnie, as she was lovingly coined all week!
The Blogger, Heather McGoo
Our Fearless & Great Team Leader, Joe
Teacher/Admin Kara - she definitely got the job done!
K.C. are ever present MC for the week!
Dental Queen, Kelly D
Activities Man and Football (soccer) King, Kelly McGoo
Teacher/Devotional Leader, Liz
Dental Assistant & Ready for Anything Man, Tom
Thankful for His Grace,
Team Ethiopia
Comments
One Response to “Team Ethiopia: Saying Goodbye”
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Can’t wait to see all of you but especially my hot husband!
So many have been praying for each of you and the staff and the kids. We will continue to pray for final preparations, safe travels home & whatever it is that God wants you to do as a result of your time with the people of Ethiopia.
This is my favorite verse and one that God used to call me to Ethiopia. I think it’s pretty fitting considering what you have done this week:
Whoever heard me spoke well of me,
and those who saw me commended me,
because I rescued the poor who cried for help,
and the fatherless who had none to assist him.
The man who was dying blessed me;
I made the widow’s heart sing.
I put on righteousness as my clothing;
justice was my robe and my turban.
I was eyes to the blind
and feet to the lame.
I was a father to the needy;
I took up the case of the stranger.
I broke the fangs of the wicked
and snatched the victims from their teeth.
JOB 29:11-17
I commend you for doing your part to snatch those precious children from the fangs of the wicked.